Georgia Tech averted a Senior Day defeat with a strong second half, taking care of Virginia 31-17 on Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Tech overcame a sluggish first half with big plays on offense, better third-down defense and a game-clinching interception return for a touchdown by Lance Austin.
Tech (7-4 overall, 4-4 ACC) kept alive its bid for a nine-win season, which would be just the 10th since coach Bobby Dodd’s retirement after the 1966 season.
Down 10-7 at the half, Tech took the lead on a 54-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Justin Thomas to A-back Clinton Lynch with 4:22 to play in the third quarter and never trailed again.
It wasn’t the cleanest game for the Jackets offense, but Tech was still able to punish the Cavaliers with big plays. Aside from the 54-yard touchdown reception by Lynch, B-back Marcus Marshall scored on a 67-touchdown run in the second quarter and A-back Qua Searcy cut back a toss play for a 60-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
The Tech defense likewise turned the tide after halftime. After allowing 10 points (and a missed field-goal attempt) in the first half, the Jackets limited Virginia to one touchdown (and a missed field-goal try) in the second half, forcing two punt and intercepting quarterback Matt Johns twice. The second was returned 24 yards by Austin for a touchdown with 4:03 to play when the Cavaliers were trying to drive for a game-winning touchdown.
Virginia (2-9, 1-6) lost its sixth game in a row.
