In the preseason ACC media poll, Georgia Tech was predicted to finish last in the Coastal Division.[6]
Media poll (Coastal Division)
Predicted finish
Team
Votes (1st place)
1
Virginia
1003 (82)
2
Miami (FL)
992 (55)
3
Virginia Tech
827 (20)
4
Pittsburgh
691 (8)
5
Duke
566 (6)
6
North Carolina
463 (1)
7
Georgia Tech
302 (1)
Previous season
The Yellow Jackets finished the 2018 season 7–6, 5–3 in ACC play to finish in second place in the Coastal Division. They were invited to the Quick Lane Bowl, where they lost to Minnesota.
A surprisingly positive start for Tech almost immediately turned into a wreck very early in the game. Tech defended Clemson's high-powered offense very well, earning a 3 and out on Clemson's first drive. However, all of Tech's momentum evaporated when the ensuing Clemson punt was fumbled deep in Tech territory. Clemson recovered the fumble and scored, the first 7 of 28 points in the half. Tech was able to find its defensive footing in fits and starts, but big plays broke through for Clemson, including a 90-yard run on a delayed draw by Travis Etienne. Tech's best defensive play of the night would be a 41-yard interception return by Tre Swilling to the 2 yard line, which ultimately led to Tech throwing an interception on 4th & goal. Tech would later score 2 touchdowns in the second half, along with Clemson scoring 24 points to make the final score 52-14 Clemson.
Georgia Tech secured the win over South Florida by way of USF mistakes, a strong defensive performance, and excellent special teams play. As the GT offense continues to solidify their long term offensive gameplan, they were able to do just enough to outscore the USF offense. Aided by numerous penalties on the USF defense, the Jackets moved the ball mostly via rushing plays while playing with a patchwork offensive line after a rash of injuries at those positions. The defensive penalties and costly fumbles made up the list of USF mistakes, with the biggest miscue being a fumble on the goal line while trying to score the go-ahead touchdown. The Tech defense was able to secure that fumble, all the while limiting USF's production throughout the day. From the many pass breakups to the 9 TFLs, the Jackets defense stifled USF for most of the day. Finally, the performance of Tech's special teams provided a big lift and was a major contributor to the first win of the Geoff Collins Era. Marred only by a widely missed 51-yard field goal attempt and one shanked punt, Tech's special teams was a definite positive on the day. Tech's Pressley Harvin III was able to pin USF consistently within the 15-yard line with 2 of the punt returns resulting in fumbles (one recovered by each team). Kick coverage and returns were executed with little drama and were consistently well-executed. With the win, Tech avoided its first 0–2 start in 30 years.
The Citadel, with their triple option style of play, dominated time of possession, clocking in at 41:50 to Tech's 18:10. The Jackets struggled offensively, managing only 301 total yards compared to the Bulldogs' 320 rushing yards.
The loss is a historic one for Georgia Tech. It marks Tech's first loss to an FCS opponent since a 1983 loss to Furman 36 years prior. This is also The Citadel's first win over an ACC opponent, previously going 0–22 against members of the Atlantic Coast Conference, and The Citadel's first win against the Jackets, failing to beat them in the previous 10 matchups.[8]
The meeting is the first between the universities. Coach Geoff Collins was Temple's coach the previous season and left them after building up their program towards a top tier AAC team.
Facing off against UNC for the Yellow Jackets home ACC opening, they initially went scoreless in the first half. The Yellow Jackets managed to score 22 points in the second half, but ultimately was not enough to overcome the point deficit. The game marked the first career start for redshirt freshman James Graham, though he shared some early snaps with running QB Tobias Oliver.
Three missed field goals by Miami kickers sent the game into overtime which led Georgia Tech to break a 4 game losing streak. As like the last game in Miami played 2 years prior, the game came down to the final play where Miami turned the ball over on downs just a few inches short of the line to gain during the overtime period.
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