2012 Season

2012-11-03 – Georgia Tech at Maryland

Georgia Tech at Maryland - 2012

Georgia Tech at Maryland – November 3, 2012

Georgia Tech: 33
Maryland: 13

Following a humbling 41-17 loss to the BYU Cougars at Bobby Dodd Stadium, Georgia Tech went back on the road to face the Maryland Terrapins at Byrd Stadium in College Park. The Terrapins entered the contest at 4-4 after consecutive losses to NC State and Boston College. The teams last met in 2011 in Atlanta, where Georgia Tech came out on top of a 21-16 contest. Maryland’s last victory in the series came in 2007 in the form of a 28-26 victory at home, but the Jackets led the all-time series with a record of 14-6 overall.

After gaining little on its opening drive, the Ramblin’ Wreck pinned the Terps at their own 9 on a Ryan Rodwell punt. The Yellow Jacket defense surrendered just one yard on three plays, but after a 23 yard punt return, Jamal Golden lost a fumble to Sean Davis at the Maryland 45 yard line. Fortunately, Tech’s defense continued its strong play, forcing a quick three-and-out and taking over at the Yellow Jacket 31 after an 11 yard return by Golden.

Tech’s offense covered 69 yards in 12 plays by a committee of running backs and scored on a 1 yard run by Tevin Washington. But David Scully’s extra point attempt hit the left upright, leaving the Jackets with a 6-0 lead late in the first quarter.

The Terps gained just 8 yards in 3 plays on the drive that followed before Shawn Petty lost a fumble to Jeremiah Attaochu at the Maryland 33 yard line. Five plays later, Orwin Smith scored on a 5 yard touchdown run to increase the Yellow Jacket lead to 13-0.

Another three-and-out gave Tech the ball at the Maryland 49 yard line, where Vad Lee took control of the offense. On second down, Lee reeled off a 24 yard run to the Maryland 25 and scored four plays later on a 2 yard touchdown run to put Tech up 20-0 midway through the second quarter.
Tech would advance to Maryland’s 28 on its final drive of the first half, but turned the ball over on downs on fourth-and-three after electing to forego a 45 yard field goal attempt. Maryland failed to produce any points, and the Jackets would lead by twenty at the break.

Maryland opened the second half with an 11 play, 31 yard drive before facing a 4th-and-3 at the Georgia Tech 18 yard line. Rather than kick the field goal, the Terps elected to go for the first down, and Attaochu sacked Petty for a 12 yard loss, forcing a turnover on downs at the Ramblin’ Wreck 30 yard line.

The squads exchanged punts before the Jackets took over at their own 41 on a Maryland punt with roughly 5 minutes left in the third quarter. Back-to-back runs of 26 and 25 yards by Washington and Smith pushed Tech deep into Terrapin territory before Robert Godhigh capped off the 69 yard march with a 5 yard touchdown run to make it 27-0.

The Terps finally got on the board on their next possession after a 6 play, 57 yard drive ended with a 16 yard touchdown pass from Petty to Stefon Diggs that made it 27-7.

Lee returned to lead Tech on an 11 play, 78 yard drive to re-extend the lead. Synjyn Days’s 41 yard run was the highlight of the drive, which ended with a 2 yard touchdown run by Lee at the start of the fourth quarter. David Scully’s extra point attempt was blocked, leaving the Jackets with a 33-7 lead.

Maryland pushed to the Tech 22 yard line on their next drive, but turned the ball over when Jemea Thomas picked off Petty at the 10 yard line with 4:24 remaining.

Tech gave it right back, however, when Tony Zenon lost a fumble to Quinton Jefferson at the Maryland 46. The Terps used the remainder of the clock to drive 54 yards in 5 plays and score as time expired to make the final 33-13.

The Terrapins went on to lose their final three games, giving up more than 40 points in each contest and ending the season at 4-8.

Statistics:

First downs:
GT – 19
MD – 17

Rushing yards:
GT – 370
MD – 144

Passing (Comp-Att-Yds):
GT – 2-4-31
MD – 9-18-115

Interceptions thrown:
GT – 0
MD – 1

Fumbles (Total-Lost):
GT – 2-2
MD – 2-1

Penalties (Total-Yds):
GT – 3-25
MD – 4-45

References:

Game Summary: http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/110312aaa.html

Videos:

– Game Highlights

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