Georgia Tech Football Top 50 Best Moments, #44: 2004 Humanitarian Bowl

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TALLAHASSEE, FL – SEPTEMBER 13: Reggie Ball #1 of Georgia Tech fumbles the ball as he is hit by Eric Moore #55 of Florida State University in the third quarter of the game on September 13, 2003 at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida. Florida State University recovered the fumble and defeated Georgia Tech 17-16. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

44. 2004 Humanitarian Bowl

January 3, 2004: Georgia Tech 52, Tulsa 10

The 2003 Georgia Tech season was overall a success as Tech only went 6-6 in the regular season, despite being picked to finish 8th in the ACC by most publications.

The Georgia Tech offense, with true freshman quarterback Reggie Ball, featured the ACC’s leading receiver in senior Jonathan Smith, a second-team all-ACC selection, and second-leading rusher in first-team all-conference honoree P.J. Daniels as well as first-team all-ACC center Hugh Reilly. The duo of Smith and Daniels gave Tech a 1,000-yard rusher and a 1,000-yard receiver on the same team for the first time in school history. Ball was also named ACC Rookie of the Year after setting Tech freshman records for passing yards, completions, and total offense (all of which have yet to be broken).

Smith enjoyed the most prolific receiving season in Tech history, setting school records with 78 receptions for 1,138 yards. He led the ACC in receptions and punt return average (11.7) while also ranking second in receiving yards and all-purpose yards per game (120.7). Likewise, Daniels posted one of Tech’s top rushing performances with 1,447 yards and 10 touchdowns. He led the ACC with 111.3 yards per game, the first Tech player to lead the league since 1989.

GEORGIA, ATLANTA – SEPTEMBER 6: Quarterback Jason Campbell #17 of the Auburn Tigers looks to throw a pass before taking a hit from linebacker Keyaron Fox #54 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the game on September 6, 2003 at Bobby Dodd Stadium/Grant Field in Atlanta, Georgia. The Yellow Jackets won 17-3. (Photo by Erik S. Lesser /Getty Images) /

Defensively, the Jackets boasted the ACC’s leading tackler in linebacker Keyaron Fox, sack leader in defensive end Eric Henderson and free safety James Butler, who is second in the league in interceptions. All three were first-team all-ACC honorees, while linebacker Daryl Smith and tackle Travis Parker were honorable mention selections.

Georgia Tech also led the ACC and rank 12th nationally in rushing defense (100.5), holding six teams under 100 yards. Tech also finished 20th in the nation in total defense (322.2) and 27th in scoring defense (20.4).

With its invitation to the Humanitarian Bowl, Georgia Tech had earned a school-record seventh straight bowl berth. The game was set in below-freezing weather in Boise, Idaho over Boise State’s blue artificial turf. Georgia Tech had a slow start only winning by 10-3 at the half but turned it on in the second half. By the end of the 3rd quarter, Georgia Tech was up 31-3 with 4 rushing touchdowns. Tech then scored an extra 21 points in the 4th quarter (despite not playing their best players).

Georgia Tech running back P.J. Daniels rushes upfield against Syracuse in the Champs Sports Bowl at the Florida Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Florida Dec 21, 2004. Georgia Tech led 35 to 6 at halftime and Daniels scored a touchdown. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images) /

Although beating a team 52-10 in a freezing bowl is impressive, the most impressive part of the game was P.J. Daniels’ performance. The ACC leading rusher ran for an NCAA bowl-record 307 yards and four touchdowns despite playing little in the fourth quarter (both of which still stand). Another impressive part of the game was that Tech’s stout defense held Tulsa to -56 rushing yards.

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Although maybe not remembered as well as other games in Tech’s history, P.J. Daniels and Georgia Tech certainly left a mark in frigid Boise, Idaho!

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