North Carolina State: 17
Georgia Tech: 27

Having dropped two contests in a row in overtime, the Yellow jackets were in desperate need of a win against the 3-2 N.C. State Wolfpack when they arrived on the flats in late October.

The teams both got off to slow starts in the first quarter, but each was able to muster up a field goal to tie the game at 3-all.

Later in the opening period, Phillips Rivers led his offense 80 yards in just five plays to take the lead. Ray Robinson deserves most of the credit though, as he took a screen pass from Rivers 47 yards for a touchdown to put the Wolfpack up 10-3 as the game moved into the second quarter of play.

Tech would take control of the game in the second stanza. The Yellow Jacket defense held the Wolfpack scoreless while Godsey hit Sean Gregory on an 18 yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 10 apiece. The defense continued its strong performance on the next drive when Chris Young scooped up an N.C. State fumble and returned it 25 yards for the go-ahead score. The Jackets would carry a 17-10 lead into the locker room at intermission.

The Ramblin’ Wreck offense slowed in the third quarter and the defense allowed the Wolfpack to tie the game at 17. After returning from cramps, Rivers threw a 55 yard strike to Jeremy Mebane for the touchdown.

Godsey woke up the offense as the quarter ended though, marching the Jackets into scoring position. On the first play of the fourth quarter, the Goose hit Jonathan Smith for a four yard touchdown to give Tech the lead for good at 24-17.

Despite missing on five field goal attempts on the day, Luke Manget would add a 50 yarder for good measure and Tech would go on to close out a much needed 27-17 victory.

The win moved the Jackets to 5-2 overall, just one win away from bowl eligibility for the fifth straight season.

The Wolfpack won four of their remaining five games to finish at 7-4 and earn a trip to the Tangerine Bowl, where they would drop a 34-19 contest to the Pittsburgh Panthers and finish the season at 7-5.

Statistics:

First Downs:
NCS – 15
GT – 25

Rushing Yards:
NCS – 41
GT – 124

Passing (Comp-Att-Yds):
NCS – 20-32-223
GT – 24-39-256

Fumbles (Total-Lost):
NCS – 3-1
GT – 1-1

Interceptions thrown:
NCS – 2
GT – 0

Penalties (Total-Yards):
NCS – 10-87
GT – 8-58

References:
Game Summary: http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/102001aaa.html