Yellow Jackets' late burst leads to win over Hurricanes

Oct 28, 2006, 23:25 GMT

Atlanta, GA - Calvin Johnson scored the go-ahead touchdown as 21st-ranked Georgia Tech used a 14-point fourth quarter to best Miami, 30-23, in a key ACC Coastal Division matchup at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

Tashard Choice rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown for the Yellow Jackets (6-2, 4-1 ACC), who solidified their lead in the Coastal Division and bounced back from a 31-7 pasting at the hands of Clemson.

Reggie Ball completed 11-of-27 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns while Johnson had five receptions for 68 yards and the go-ahead score.

Javarris James ran for 113 yards for the Hurricanes (5-3, 2-2), who lost for the first time in five games. Kyle Wright connected on 20-of-31 passes for 246 yards with an interception and a TD and Greg Olsen caught five balls for 91 yards and a score.

With things even at 16 in the fourth quarter, Georgia Tech went in front for the first time when Ball got hot. After suffering through an inaccurate day, the senior quarterback finally found his groove and was 4-for-5 on a nine- play, 74-yard drive, culminating with the one-yard TD pass to Johnson on a slant pattern. The score put Georgia Tech on top, 23-16, with 6:18 left.

On Miami's next possession, Adamm Oliver sacked Wright and forced a fumble that KaMichael Hall recovered at the Hurricanes' 27-yard line. Two plays later, Choice burst up the middle and went 24 yards to paydirt. The touchdown run gave the Yellow Jackets a seemingly comfortable 30-16 edge with 3:49 on the clock.

But, the Hurricanes would not go quietly. Just over a minute later, Olsen drew Miami within a touchdown on a 41-yard reception. The big tight end made a catch over the middle and shook off a pair of tacklers on his way to the end zone.

Instead of utilizing the onside kick, the Hurricanes booted the ensuing kickoff deep. With just one timeout, Miami could not afford to give up a first down and they did not. Set to get the ball back with under 30 seconds to go, Rashaun Jones muffed the punt and Georgia Tech recovered the fumble to secure things.

Miami stunned the Yellow Jackets on the first offensive play of the game. Ball coughed up the football and Glenn Cook was right there to scoop it up and return it 18 yards for a touchdown.

The Hurricanes extended their advantage when Jon Peattie connected on a 38- yard field goal with 8:36 left in the opening quarter.

Georgia Tech finally found the scoreboard late in the opening frame after Travis Bell booted a 39-yard kick to make it a 10-3 game.

Miami answered when Peattie was true on his second field goal of the contest, a 36-yarder, with 11:21 remaining before intermission.

The Yellow Jackets closed the half strongly, however, and evened things at 13. First, Johnson drew the Hurricanes defense underneath with a drag route and Ball found James Johnson over the top for a 46-yard score.

Bell then deadlocked things with a 38-yard field goal with just 39 ticks left before the half.

The Hurricanes jumped back on top late in the third quarter after a 13-play, 54-yard drive stalled at the Yellow Jackets eight-yard line. Peattie came on and deposited a 25-yard kick through the uprights to make it 16-13 heading into the fourth quarter.

Georgia Tech wouldn't stay behind for long. On the Yellow Jackets' next possession, Ball was finally able to get Calvin Johnson involved. The quarterback hit the All-American twice in the drive to set up a 39-yard Bell field goal to even things at 16 with 14:02 left to play.

Game Notes

Georgia Tech leads the all-time series with Miami, 8-4.

Miami fumbled five times and lost three on the day.

The Hurricanes were penalized eight times for 72 yards.

Georgia Tech had six sacks on the day.

© 2006 The Sports Network