Georgia Tech: 17
Florida State: 28

NOTE: Game played on Saturday, December 1, 2001 due to 9/11/2001 attacks

On December 1st, 2001, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets would travel to Tallahassee, Florida to face the Florida State Seminoles. The game was originally scheduled to be played on September 15th, but all games on that day were postponed due to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. First year starting quarterback Chris Rix had alternated between wonderful and shaky play all season, and no one could tell what sort of game he might have against the Jackets.

After a scoreless first quarter, Tech took over at the FSU 45 on a punt and marched 40 yards to the Seminole 5 before the drive stalled. Luke Manget nailed a 23 yard chip shot field goal to get Tech on the board first with a 3-0 lead.

The Seminoles answered quickly, marching 86 yards in 10 plays to snatch the lead at 7-3. The highlight of the drive was a 49 yard strike from Chris Rix to Atrews Bell to move the ‘Noles to the Yellow Jacket 42 yard line. Rix later hit P.K. Sam for a 10 yard touchdown to cap off the drive with 4:54 to play in the half.

Tech replied just as quickly, taking their next possession 80 yards in just 6 plays to snatch back the lead before halftime. On third and two from the Yellow Jacket 39, George Godsey hit Joe Burns on a short pass that the junior tailback took 60 yards to the Florida State one yard line. Burns scored on Tech’s next play from one yard out to make it 10-7 in favor of the Jackets.

Florida State dominated the third quarter, first moving 52 yards in 8 plays to give the ‘Noles at 14-10 lead on an 8 yard run by Rix. The freshman quarterback then hit Javon Walker for a 47 yard touchdown pass on the next Seminole possession, upping the lead to 21-10 with 4:45 remaining in the period.

Another Tech drive stalled and the Seminoles took over with 1:44 remaining in the third quarter. Rix led the offense on a 13 play, 85 yard drive to extend the lead to 28-10 roughly four minutes into the fourth quarter. William McCray scored the Seminole touchdown on a two yard run.

Midway through the period, the Jackets took over at the Seminole 37 after a short punt. Godsey hit Kelly Campbell on passes of 16 and 9 yards in route to the FSU one yard line, where Burns added his second touchdown of the day to cut the Seminole lead to 28-17.

The Jackets had one more chance to score, advancing to the Seminole 28 yard line with roughly five minutes to play. But Godsey threw an interception to Chris Hope at the Seminole goal line to dash Tech’s hopes of a comeback, and the Seminoles would hold on to their eleven point margin to defeat Tech for the 10th straight time.

With the victory, Florida State would improve to 7-4 and earn a berth in the Gator Bowl, where they would defeat the Virginia Tech Hokies 30-17 on New Year’s Day.

Statistics:

First Downs:
GT – 18
FSU – 20

Rushing Yards:
GT – 51
FSU – 168

Passing (Comp-Att-Yds):
GT – 25-39-275
FSU – 14-25-248

Fumbles (Total-Lost):
GT – 0-0
FSU – 0-0

Interceptions thrown:
GT – 1
FSU – 0

Penalties (Total-Yards):
GT – 6-64
FSU – 7-43

References:
Game Summary: http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/120101aaa.html
USA Today Recap: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/scores101/101335/101335461.htm