Virginia: 20
Georgia Tech: 56

After rebounding from a tough loss at Virginia Tech with a 59-3 romping of Presbyterian, Georgia Tech returned to divisional play with a home match against the Virginia Cavaliers. Tech dropped a 24-21 heartbreaker in Charlottesville one year earlier after starting the season at 6-0, and looked to gain revenge over the Cavs while trying to get back on track in the race for the division title.

The Ramblin’ Wreck defense forced a quick three-and-out to start the contest and the Jackets took over at their own 30 yard line following the early punt. On first down, Tevin Washington found Zach Laskey on a wheel route up the left sideline for a 70 yard touchdown pass to make it 7-0 after just 1:35 of play.

Virginia was able to gain to midfield on their next drive, but was again forced to punt and the Jackets began their second possession at their own 20. After a three yard gain by Laskey on first down, Orwin Smith took an option pitch 77 yards up the right sideline to extend the Yellow Jacket lead to 14-0 after just three offensive plays.

The Virginia offense collected itself and answered with an 8 play, 71 yard drive to get within 7 on a 19 yard touchdown strike from Michael Rocco to Jake McGee.

But the Jackets came right back when Washington kick-started the ensuing drive with a 60 yard run to the Cavalier 15 yard line on first down. The senior quarterback later capped off the 8 play, 75 yard drive with a one yard sneak for the score to push the lead to 21-7 with roughly three minutes left in the opening period.

The Jackets added their fourth touchdown at the start of the second quarter when Vad Lee scored on a one yard sneak to wrap up an 11 play, 85 yard drive.
Most of the second quarter then passed with little action until Louis Young intercepted a Rocco pass at the Cavalier 47 with just under a minute to play in the half. Washington quickly led the offense to the goal line where he pushed his way into the end zone from one yard out as time expired to make it 35-7 at the break.

The Jackets would punt on the opening drive of the second half, but Virginia gave it right back with another Rocco interception at the Cavalier 24 on first down. Starting from the 15 following the return, Smith and Washington found the end zone on two consecutive runs with the latter scoring from 12 yards out to extend the Yellow Jacket lead to 42-7.

With the outcome already decided, each squad would add two fourth quarter touchdowns to reach the final score of 56-20. The Jackets notched the first points on a 32 yard run by Matt Connors with 12:40 remaining. The Cavs answered with a 22 yard touchdown strike from Phillip Sims to E.J. Scott after recovering a muffed Jeremy Moore punt reception at the Ramblin’ Wreck 28. Vad Lee added Tech’s final score on a 41 yard touchdown run with just under six minutes to play, and Virginia would go on to score as time expired on a one yard pass from Sims to Zachery Swanson.

The victory improved the Jackets to 2-1 on the season with another important divisional matchup against the Miami Hurricanes on the horizon.

Statistics:

First downs:
UVA – 14
GT – 22

Rushing Yards:
UVA – 98
GT – 461

Passing (Comp-Att-Yds):
UVA – 21-33-199
GT – 7-12-133

Interceptions thrown:
UVA – 2
GT – 0

Fumbles (Total-Lost):
UVA – 0-0
GT – 3-1

Penalties (Total-Yards):
UVA – 6-50
GT – 9-47

References:
Game Summary: http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/091512aaa.html

Videos:

– Game highlights