ATLANTA, Georgia – The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (2-0) pulled away from the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs (0-2) on Saturday afternoon to begin the highly anticipated ‘Clemson Week’ preparations. Georgia Tech got things started in the home opener after a weather delay, which delayed kickoff just over a half an hour on The Flats. Georgia Tech defeated Gardner-Webb 59-12.
The Yellow Jackets turned it over on their opening drive, leading to a score for the visiting Bulldogs with 10:17 to go in the first.
Darius Johnson recovered the Aaron Philo fumble for Gardner-Webb, which led to an early score. Nate Hampton connected with Anthony Lowe for a red zone touchdown, while Charles Viorel missed the point after to keep it 6-0.
Gardner-Webb would get the ball back with a pick by Wendell McClain with 7:41 to go in the first, but fail to make much out of the takeaway.
A missed point after and second turnover made it 6-0 Gardner Webb early, but it was all Tech after that.
Georgia Tech got on the scoreboard with an 11-yard dime from Aaron Philo to Isiah Canion with 3:07 to go in the opening quarter. A successful point after from Aidan Birr made it 7-6 Jackets to win a quarter in which Tech let miscues cog the offense. The Jackets ended the quarter with a roughing the kicker penalty, resulting in another Gardner-Webb drive past midfield.
After that, it was quite the route. Whatever Coach Brent Key told his team on the sidelines at the end of the first, jolted the Jackets like a Red Bull on a cold Saturday morning.
Georgia Tech looked like the team with ACC Title aspirations from then on. The Jackets blew the game open in the second quarter, making it 28-6 headed into the locker room.
Tech outgained the Bulldogs 194-65 through the air in the first half and 162-67 on the ground. Upon blowing the game open with a trio of touchdowns, Tech put it on cruise control for the second half.
The Yellow Jackets entered the fourth quarter up 42-6 thanks to a blocked field goal touchdown return by Eric Rivers late in the third.
Rivers picked up a blocked field goal by Gardner-Webb and was instantly off to the races, thanks to a favorable bounce. From there, Tech set its sights on Clemson, who comes to town for a game at high noon next weekend.
Tech poured it on again late in the fourth quarter, making it a 59-12 final on the flats. Early turnovers from the Jackets were overcome in the final three quarters of the game, as the talent and power of Georgia Tech proved this was no close game on the scoreboard or the stat sheet.
Brent Key expressed displeasure in his postgame interview with the lingering turnover issues, but was proud of the rebounding effort his team had to win by 47 regardless.
Georgia Tech knows it cannot start slow against Clemson, but will take the positives from this game and enter the highly anticipated Week 3 clash at a perfect 2-0.
Aaron Philo saw much of the action Saturday, as Haynes King nursed a few injuries obtained in the season opening victory at Colorado, but EasySportz will have updates on King’s status moving forward soon.
Georgia Tech (2-0) plays host to the ACC powerhouse Clemson Tigers at Bobby Dodd Stadium next weekend.
While Clemson dropped its opening game at home to LSU and trailed the Troy Trojans heading into the locker room, the Tigers have yet to play an ACC game in 2025 and are still the reigning champions of the conference.
*Clemson has taken the lead at the time of publishing now, which we will update shortly after the Brent Key press conferences*
Clemson knows how to win ACC football games under Dabo Swinney like no other and the Tigers will be out for blood in Atlanta.
HOWEVER …
This is the best football team Brent Key has had in his short time as Georgia Tech’s head coach. While Key is no stranger to picking up big wins and giving powerhouses fits, the pressure will be on in Atlanta next Saturday.
And as the great Billy Jean King (and Kirby Smart) once said, Pressure is a Privilege.
Georgia Tech enters a big game with expectations next weekend for the first time since the Paul Johnson era. Things feel different on the Flats. A win over Clemson would put Tech right in the mix for an ACC Championship and a College Football Playoff appearance.
The road test at Colorado? Passed.
Blow out Gardner-Webb in Week 2? Check.
Now, we find out what Brent Key’s program is truly made of. This ‘ought to be fun.
Georgia Tech may even be ranked to start the new week, thanks to a handful of teams losing Saturday.
Bobby Dodd Stadium is sure to be rocking and all the pressure in the world is on both programs.
EasySportz cannot wait to bring you coverage live from the scene.
It’s Clemson Week in Atlanta.
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