Presbyterian: 3
Georgia Tech: 59

Five days after one of Tech’s most devastating losses in recent memory, the Jackets returned home to face the Presbyterian Blue Hose in the home opener of the 2012 season at Grant Field. Tech and Presbyterian last met on September 24, 1937 in the first ever night game played on the Flats. The game capped off a three year series between the schools in which the Jackets won by a combined 147-0.

After forcing a three and out on Presbyterian’s first possession, the Jackets took over on a punt at their own 38 yard line. Tevin Washington threw incomplete on first down and followed up with a 6 yard run to the 44 before Zach Laskey exploded for a 56 yard touchdown run to give Tech a 7-0 lead 1:59 into the contest.

The squads exchanged punts over the next several drives before Tech took over yet again at its own 38. Laskey gained 4 on first down before Washington raced 58 yards for a touchdown on the longest run of his career to make it 14-0 midway through the opening period.

Tech’s next drive started at its own 48 after another punt. Five plays later, the Jackets scored on a 3 yard touchdown run by Synjyn Days to go up 21-0 with 1:50 left in the first quarter.

Midway through the second period, the Jackets drove to the Blue Hose 2 yard line, threatening once more to score. But on an attempted sneak, Days lost the ball while reaching into the end zone and Presbyterian’s Branden Leston scooped up the ball and raced towards the Yellow Jacket goal line. On an alert play, Tony Zenon chased down Leston and stopped him at Tech’s 9. The Ramblin’ Wreck defense would eventually hold the Blue Hose one yard short of the end zone on fourth down to keep points off the board.

The Jackets then consumed the final 2:33 en route to the Presbyterian 15 yard line where David Scully would connect on a 32 yard field goal to put Tech up 24-0 at intermission.

Tech held the ball first in the second half, but lost possession on a Charles Perkins fumble at the Blue Hose 40 yard line. The defense then forced a quick three-and-out and put the ball back in the Jackets’ hands at their own 15. Washington returned to the action and found Zenon for 40 yards on first down to the Presbyterian 45 yard line. He followed up with a 45 yard touchdown strike to Robert Godhigh on the next play to put Tech ahead 31-0 midway through the third quarter.

Jamal Golden provided a defensive spark when he picked off Tamyn Garrick’s pass at the Blue Hose 25 on the first play of Presbyterian’s ensuing possession and returned the ball to the 6 yard line. Laskey gained 5 yards to the 1 before redshirt freshman quarterback Vad Lee snuck into the end zone on second down for the first touchdown of his career and a 38-0 Ramblin’ Wreck advantage.

The Blue Hose came back with a solid drive, marching 68 yards in 8 plays to Tech’s 13 yard line, but lost possession when Izaan Cross recovered Lance Byrd’s fumble at the Yellow Jacket f7. After earning a first down in three plays, Lee dropped back and hit Jeff Green for an 82 yard touchdown pass to extend the lead to 45-0 with roughly three minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Another forced three-and-out gave Lee and the offense possession at the Yellow Jacket 14 late in the period. On 3rd and 5 from the 19, Lee broke loose on a 79 yard run before getting caught from behind at the 2 yard line. Broderick Snoddy added the touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter for a 52-0 advantage.

Midway through the final quarter, Malcolm Munroe recovered a Devron Glenn fumble at the Presbyterian 26 yard line. Days and Matt Connors traded carries en route to the end zone for the final Yellow Jacket score of the day to make it 59-0.

Presbyterian then took the ensuing kickoff 62 yards in 9 plays against seldom used Tech reserves before settling for a field goal to reach the 59-3 final as time expired.

Statistics:

First Downs:
PC – 10
GT – 23

Rushing Yards:
PC – 145
GT – 469

Passing Yards:
PC – 98
GT – 243

Interceptions thrown:
PC – 1
GT – 0

Fumbles (Total-Lost):
PC – 2-2
GT – 4-3

Penalties (Total-Yards):
PC – 5-40
GT – 4-38

References:
Game Summary: http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/090812aaa.html

Videos:

– Game highlights