Yellow Jackets Shut Out For First Time In 12 Years

The 45-0 loss broke a 283 game shutout streak.

It was a historic night from Bobby Dodd Stadium, but not the kind of history that the Yellow Jackets wanted to make.

Heading into their matchup against the Hokies, Georgia Tech had gone their last 283 games without being shutout. A streak that started all the way back in 1997, after Georgia Tech was shutout 38-0 against #3 Florida State at Doak Campbell Stadium. It was the 7th longest active streak in all of the FBS.

By the time the clock hit zeroes from Grant Field, that streak would come to an end. The Virginia Tech Hokies dominated in all facets of the game from start to finish, and handed the Yellow Jackets a pride-swallowing 45-0 loss.

"That's probably the best group of players that we've seen since we played Temple," head coach Geoff Collins said in his post game conference.

Offensively, Georgia Tech could not seem to establish any rhythm whatsoever. 10 of their first 11 possessions of the night ended in either a three-and-out or an interception, and were an abysmal 2-15 on third downs. The Yellow Jackets did cross midfield until the tail end of the third quarter.

Defensively, the Yellow Jackets could not seem to figure out the Hendon Hooker led offense. 5 of Virginia Tech's first 7 drives ended in points, and with Hooker amassing 3 touchdowns himself, including a pair of goal-to-go rushing scores.

Combine the issues on both sides of the ball, and you wind up with Virginia Tech having over triple the total offense that Georgia Tech had. In the first half alone, the Hokies had 299 yards of offense to the Yellow Jackets' 48. Just a shade over quadruple.

To Georgia Tech's credit, they were playing with a severely depleted and inexperienced roster, with many having to be moved around and play in unfamiliar situations. Defensive linemen Djimon Brooks and offensive lineman William Lay started the game, with both being walk-ons. Defensive end Curtis Ryans made his first career start. 13 players who had not been on the "Above The Line" depth chart all season saw playing time against the Hokies.

Like they have all season, injuries also played a factor as well. Leading rusher Jordan Mason only carried the ball 5 times, with Geoff Collins implying in his postgame press conference that he was injured. "We don't talk about injuries," Coach Collins said when discussing Mason. Earlier Collins had also remarked that "it was the first game where the level of attrition caught up to us."

If there was any positive takeaways in debacle that unfolded, it was the play of backup QB Jordan Yates in the waning moments of the second half. Of Georgia Tech's 134 yards of total offense, 105 of them came while Yates was under center.

"He's a very talented player," tight end Tyler Davis said about Yates. "He can make a lot of people miss and make all the throws."

It's a short week for the Yellow Jackets, are they are back in action next Thursday night against North Carolina State. Kickoff is set for 8pm on ESPN.

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