Georgia Tech: 6
Georgia: 16

After dismantling Florida 38-14 for its first win in six attempts, Georgia Tech would set up to do battle with the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens in the annual Thanksgiving weekend rivalry game. The Jackets had snatched a 19-7 victory in the 1935 meeting for its first win against Georgia since 1928. The win pulled Tech within three games in the all-time series at 12-15-3. Both squads entered the contest at 4-4-1, needing a victory to ensure a winning record on the season.

Late in the first quarter, Georgia threatened to score after advancing to the Tech 16 yard line, but lost possession when Alf Anderson was picked off by Lawrence Hays in the end zone to give the Jackets the ball at their own 20. On the first play to follow, center Charley Preston lost control of the snap and the ball rolled back into the end zone. Marion Konemann scooped up the ball and attempted to run it out, but was tackled behind the goal line for a safety to give Georgia a 2-0 lead.

The second quarter was filled with sloppy play by both squads, and the game remained a two-point contest at the break.

In the third quarter, the Jackets managed to pin Georgia deep in its own territory with a punt, and the Bulldogs quickly punted it back to get out of trouble. Beginning at the Georgia 46, Tech quickly picked up a first down when Harry Appleby and Fletcher Sims each gained 6 yards en route to the 36 yard line. Konemann and Appleby then combined for 7 yards before Sims found the former for 7 yards on a shovel pass to the 20. Two plays later the two hooked up again for a first down at the 10, from which Sims would add the touchdown shortly thereafter on a run around right end. Sims was unable to convert the extra point, however, and the Yellow Jacket lead stood at just 6-2.

Later in the period, Georgia caught a break after punting to the Jackets when Konemann lost a fumble to Otis Maffett at the Tech 19 early in the drive. Glenn Johnson picked up 5 yards on the ground, and a pair of offsides penalties on the Jackets advanced the Bulldogs to the Ramblin’ Wreck 4 yard line. Georgia would go back to Johnson a couple plays later for the touchdown to regain the lead at 9-6.

The long-time rivals exchanged punts as play moved into the fourth quarter and the Jackets were on the offensive. Sims then made a costly mistake when he threw an interception to John Jones at the Georgia 45, and the Bulldogs went right to work. Glenn Johnson went for 9 yards on first down before Lewis Young reeled off 28 yards on a quarterback sneak to the Georgia Tech 29 yard line. Anderson added 8 yards before Johnson gained 12 more on three consecutive runs to push to the 5. Following a short loss, Anderson went to the air and found Johnson in the end zone for the score to make it 16-6 with roughly five minutes remaining.

With such little time to play, the Jackets were unable to mount a comeback, sealing the Georgia victory with another Sims interception shortly thereafter. The victory gave the Bulldogs a winning record on the year at 5-4-1, while the Jackets would have one last chance to get to .500 when they would face the California Golden Bears at Grant Field in late-December.

Statistics:

First downs:
GT – 12
UGA – 8

Rushing yards:
GT – 112
UGA – 162

Passing (Comp-Att-Yds):
GT – 4-14-58
UGA – 1-4-6

Interceptions thrown:
GT – 4
UGA – 2

Fumbles lost:
GT – 2
UGA – 0

Penalty yards:
GT – 40
UGA – 60

References:
Keeler, O.B. “Georgia Defeats Tech, 16-6, To Climax Great Come-Back.” The Atlanta Journal. 1936 Nov. 29
Kopf, Frank A. “170 Yards for Jackets to 168 for Bulldogs.” The Atlanta Journal. 1936 Nov. 29