A quarter-by-quarter look at the Yellow Jackets’ 65-10 against the Green Wave on Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
FIRST QUARTER
Big play: Facing a 3rd-and-goal from the Tulane 13-yard line, A-back Qua Searcy took a pitch and negotiated a tight alley down the left sideline to reach the end zone. Wide receiver Micheal Summers set an authoritative block near the goal line to give Searcy room for his first career touchdown.
Turning point: Returner Jamal Golden eluded tacklers and followed his blocks, particularly one from A.J. Gray, to flip the field after Tulane's opening drive. Golden's 44-yard return gave Tech the ball at the Tulane 35, leading to a Jackets touchdown on the opening drive for the eighth time in their past nine games.
The takeaway: Tech continued patterns set in the Alcorn State game – strong offensive play (6.2 yards per play), effective third-down defense (Tulane was 0-for-3) and playmaking on special teams.
Score: Tech 7, Tulane 0
SECOND QUARTER
Big play: With Tulane driving in the final four minutes to try to draw to within 24-17, Tech linebacker Tyler Marcordes came on a blitz and sacked quarterback Tanner Lee on a 2nd-and-7, helping stall out the drive that ended in a punt.
Turning point: On a punt from his 27-yard line early in the quarter, Tulane punter Peter Picerelli bobbled the snap, leading to a block by Chris Milton, the sixth kick block of his career. Already ahead 14-0, Jackets took over at the Tulane 10-yard line and was in the end zone in three plays.
The takeaway: Giving Tech a short field is no way to live. The Jackets second and third touchdown drives of the quarter traveled 10 and 38 yards, respectively.
Score: Tech 28, Tulane 7
THIRD QUARTER
Big play: A-back Clinton Lynch took a pitch on a triple-option play to the right and outraced the Tulane defense down the far sideline, breaking one tackle and then dodging another for a 45-yard touchdown run. He became the seventh player to score his first Tech career touchdown this season, a number that would grow to 10 by game's end.
Turning point: Tulane long snapper Michael Lizanich sailed a punt snap over Picerelli, who fell on the ball in the end zone for Tech's first safety since 2008 (Boston College). The Jackets quickly scored again to go up 44-7 and provide enough of a cushion to send in backup quarterback Matthew Jordan.
The takeaway: Those who would dismiss the importance of clean special-teams play would be advised to watch Tulane's play in the first two weeks. Against Duke last week, a Tulane returner caught a kickoff return on his knee at his 1-yard line and the Green Wave gave up a 95-yard kickoff return.
Score: Tech 44, Tulane 7
FOURTH QUARTER
Big play: Jordan took advantage of a Tulane lapse and raced 65 yards on a triple-option keeper on the first play of Tech's drive after Tulane kicked a field goal to cut the score to 51-10.
Turning point: Jordan connected with A-back TaQuon Marshall for a 35-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the quarter on his first career pass, giving him a passer efficiency rating of 724.
The takeaway: Should Jordan's services be needed going forward, he'll have gotten first-game jitters far out of the way.
Score: Tech 65-10
