Georgia Tech dropped to 2-3 overall and 1-2 in the ACC with its 52-21 loss to Pittsburgh on Saturday as the Panthers punished the Yellow Jackets defense at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Tech gave up season highs in points, yards (580) and first downs (27) and failed to obtain the ball via either a turnover or fourth-down stop for the first time this season. Pitt’s offense, ranked sixth in FBS in total offense before Saturday, rarely was slowed.
Key play
With the Jackets down 7-0 in the first quarter, Tech quarterback Jeff Sims was hit as he was releasing the ball, causing it to pop high in the air. The ball fluttered right to Pitt linebacker John Petrishen, who caught it and ran it back 33 yards for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead less than six minutes into the game. After that, the Jackets were necessitated to try to chase down a team that came into the game with the No. 2 scoring offense in FBS.
Key stat
After disrupting the North Carolina offense a week ago with eight sacks, the Jackets defense managed one against Pitt, by cornerback Tre Swilling. Frequently afforded ample time and other times effectively evading Tech’s pass rush, Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett picked Tech apart, completing 23 of 36 passes for 389 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions.
Red-zone troubles again
After repeated difficulties this season getting into the end zone from first-and-goal situations, the Jackets could not meet the challenge again Saturday. In four possessions that created a first-and-goal, Tech twice scored touchdowns (a 3-yard run by running back Dontae Smith and a 4-yard touchdown reception by wide receiver Adonicas Sanders from quarterback Jeff Sims) but twice came away with nothing, once turning it over on downs and once missing a 40-yard field-goal attempt.
What we learned
As coach Geoff Collins’ third season progresses, the Jackets’ trajectory won’t always travel in a straight line. After arguably the two best games of Collins’ tenure – the 14-8 loss to then-No. 6 Clemson and the 45-22 win over then-No. 21 North Carolina – the Jackets turned in a mistake-filled performance and were outplayed and outcoached by Pittsburgh and coach Pat Narduzzi. The 31-point margin of defeat was the second widest for Tech to an ACC opponent other than Clemson in Collins’ two-plus seasons, exceeded only by the 45-0 home loss to Virginia Tech in 2019.
Quote of the game
“They were 100% in the red zone and we were batting 50%. It wasn’t our day. Love those guys that are in that locker room, but we’ve got to be better. I’ve got to be better.” – Collins
What’s next?
Tech will go on the road Saturday to play Duke, which lost 38-7 to North Carolina on Saturday in Chapel Hill to drop to 3-2 overall and 0-1 in the ACC. Tech beat the Blue Devils 56-33 last season at Bobby Dodd Stadium. The game will be broadcast on regional sports networks, including Bally Sports South in the Atlanta market, at 12:30 p.m.
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