Georgia Tech falls to North Carolina in final seconds

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets dropped a second straight game Saturday, after the North Carolina Tar Heels took them down in Kenan Stadium 48-45.

The Jackets held a 43-41 lead with 11 seconds left in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t stop the Tar Heels and T.J. Logan from getting two yards into the end zone to squeek past the Jackets.

The Georgia Tech defense allowed UNC to drive 75 yards in the final three minutes of a closely contested game to cap off the comeback, and hand the Jackets their second loss in as many weeks to a football team from North Carolina.

Marquise Williams continued his recent improved performance for the Tar Heels, throwing for 390 yards and four touchdowns, to just one interception. He was 38-47 on the night and added 73 rushing yards on 16 carries.

The biggest number in this game might just be the rushing numbers. Georgia Tech has struggled against the run for the entire season, but UNC came into this game with a struggling rushing attack, poor offensive line and freshman running back Elijah Hood didn’t even play in this one thanks to an injury.

Still, the Yellow Jackets allowed the Tar Heels 189 rushing yards (4.6 yards per carry) and three touchdowns on the ground. UNC always brings a threatening air attack to the field, but when they are allowed to become two-dimensional — it can be scary.

This one came down to defensive lapses for both teams, as both offensive units seemingly scored at will. Unfortunately for the Jackets, they weren’t able to keep the offense on the field long enough. Despite UNC’s up-tempo spread style offense and Georgia Tech’s triple-option scheme, the Jackets only managed 31 minutes and 30 seconds of possession, while the Tar Heels had 28 minutes and 30 seconds.

Offensively for the Jackets, Justin Thomas played a solid game, but it was also one of his weaker performances of the season. He was just 8/18 passing and threw three touchdowns compared to zero interceptions, but was quiet in the run game. He managed just 36 yards despite 15 carries (tied for a team high with Zach Laskey) and averaged only 2.4 yards per rush.

The Jackets will try and regroup next Saturday as they travel to Pitt, but it might be a bit concerning for the team after dropping two games in a row, especially when you note that this North Carolina team had lost five straight games until now.

Georgia Tech is now 2-2 in the ACC and fourth in the Coastal Division.