Tech Falls To Top-Ranked Georgia
The report is that Georgia beat Tech 31-23 in Atlanta last Saturday might. And that is a fact, but that’s not really the story. To get the proper context, consider the game result when these two schools last met here in Atlanta in November 2021. That score was 45-0 , Georgia. Somehow those harsh numbers felt gentler than that game looked live. The whipping was more than thorough but seemed matter-of-fact from the Bulldogs’ perspective. Almost an afterthought. Even more difficult to believe is that post-game in 2021, Tech’s then-coach Geoff Collins was again telling all present about the progress being made. And shortly thereafter, Tech’s then-AD sent out a public letter explaining why he believed that the football regime that authored that 45-0 loss, among many others, deserved more time and more supoort.
By contrast, last Saturday night in Atlanta, Tech lost by 8 points. And although the game’s outcome never felt in true doubt, Tech won the 4th quarter 10-0 and found themselves executing an onside kick, facing that eight point deficit with three minutes to go. It failed and Georgia ran out the clock to secure the win, their 12th straight this year and their 29th consecutive over the past 3 seasons.
And afterward, there was Tech Coach Brent Key repeating his stance on the outcome. In a word, disappointment. ” We don’t come here to ‘play well’, he said.”There are no moral victories”, declared Key,
He reminded all that his goal is to win this game, and he vowed again that his goal will remain in place. He says it with a tone and a posture that feels authentic and leads you to believe that such a day might be closer than Tech folks have thought for a long time.
The week leading up to this game included much scrutiny of various Bulldogs’ streaks and records: 29 in a row, third consecutive perfect regular season, 11 straight wins at Bobby Dodd etc etc. All very impressive….and all ultimately irrelevant to the actual game.
Tech took an early 7-0 lead on a Haynes King run following a Bulldog fumble. Georgia answered that score and Tech then drove back down to the Bulldog 8 yard line where Key chose a field goal on 4th and 1. Aidan Birr made it, giving Tech a 10-7 lead and prompting later questions of Key’s decision. His clipped answer-” That was the plan”. The two teams then traded scores before Kirby’s canines built it to 31-13 in the second half. Again the Dogs moved downfield , but deep in Tech territory, the Jackets came up with an interception to fuel their 10 point 4th quarter. And to show everyone that REAL progress was being made– progress that all could see and believe.
Georgia Tech finishes their 2023 regular season at 6-6. By virtue of that sixth win last week against Syracuse, Tech will get a bowl bid next week and gain one more contest for 2023, a chance to finish over ,500 and to benefit from more practice time by way of bowl prep. That will be another positive step for the Tech program, a positive that doesn’t have to be conjured up. There will be more practice time, a trip to another location and a tangible tidbit to offer recruits who may want to join the new day at Tech.
Brent Key said his players will get “a few days off” before resuming practice and awaiting clarification of the bowl picture, which should come on December 3. Wherever Tech goes and whomever the opponent , it feels like a big positive step –and Tech fans are reassured to hear their head coach say last week that Tech going bowling ” should be an expectation ” in this program. It will be, beginning this year.
Regarding their in-state rival, Georgia Tech has rejoined the battle..
They gave Georgia a game.
That’s new…and refreshing.
