Once again, Georgia Tech must endure the pain of a loss to Georgia.
For the seventh consecutive year, the Yellow Jackets have fallen to UGA, tying the longest win streak for the Bulldogs in the series and the second-longest overall behind Tech’s eight-game run from 1949-56.
The latest loss stung even more due to missed opportunities and a collapse in the fourth quarter, leaving the visiting team dejected. However, as one of the most thrilling Clean Old-Fashioned Hate games came to an end, the Jackets were already focusing on the 2025 matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
“It hurts. It’ll linger for a bit,” said Tech linebacker Kyle Efford. “But we’re gonna use this to fuel us. We’re gonna come out harder every day. We’re gonna get these guys.”
Efford and his teammates played admirably in the 44-42 loss in eight overtimes at Sanford Stadium. Only 27 of Georgia’s 44 points came in regulation, and seven of those were after a Haynes King fumble on the Tech 32 with 2:02 remaining.
Tech shut out UGA in the first half, marking the Bulldogs’ first scoreless half since 2019. They stopped Georgia’s two-point conversion attempts in the second, third, fourth, sixth, and seventh overtimes.
Despite Georgia’s struggle with only 108 rushing yards, Tech’s defense kept them in the game. Quarterback Carson Beck’s five touchdown passes were pivotal in keeping the Bulldogs’ College Football Playoff hopes alive.
“(Defensive coordinator) Tyler (Santucci) had a great game plan,” said Tech coach Brent Key. “We disrupted the quarterback as planned. The players fought, scrapped, and kept battling.”
Key and his staff stuck with King, playing him for nearly every snap, except for one. King had split time with freshman Aaron Philo in the previous two wins over Miami and North Carolina State, after missing games due to injury against Notre Dame and Virginia Tech.
King delivered one of the most memorable performances in the rivalry, throwing for 303 yards and two touchdowns while completing 26 of 36 passes. He also ran for 110 yards and three scores, despite playing with a sore right shoulder and a bloodied left knee. After the loss, King struggled to find words to express the pain in his bloodshot eyes.
“You either get it done or you don’t. We didn’t,” King said. “That’s just how it is.”
King’s fumble in the fourth quarter, caused by a hard hit to his helmet, will be remembered unfairly. But before that, Tech missed a field goal, turned the ball over on downs, and ended a 10:36, 90-play drive in the second half with just three points.
The Jackets woke up Saturday to a 7-5 record and will learn the details of their 13th game on Dec. 8. In the coming weeks, they will need to recover from the agony of the loss in Athens, a difficult task for a program built on toughness.
“College football is special,” Key said. “It’s rewarding to see these kids grow, not just as players, but in school, socially, and on the field. It hurts. It hurts them.
“I’ve never seen a locker room like that. What I know about this team, this school, this emotion will turn into fuel. And we’ll use it.”
NOTES
Tech right tackle Jordan Williams made his 51st career start on Friday, tying the program record of 52 held by Roddy Jones.
Tech wide receiver Malik Rutherford has caught a pass in 28 consecutive games.
King now ranks seventh in Tech history for passing yards with 4,752, just behind Justin Thomas (4,754) in sixth.
King is fifth in Tech history with 397 career completions, just behind George Godsey (484) in fourth.
King’s 21 rushing touchdowns rank ninth in Tech history.
Tech running back Jamal Haynes now ranks 19th in Tech history with 1,867 career rushing yards.
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