ATLANTA (AP) — In a bold move that ultimately paid off Georgia Tech coaches believed the best way to beat Cam Ward and No 4 Miami was to keep the ball away from the quarterback Utilizing a run-heavy offense that limited Ward s opportunities to make plays the Yellow Jackets managed to pull off a stunning 28-23 upset over the previously undefeated Hurricanes on Saturday afternoon
The strategy was clear from the start of the game as Haynes King led Georgia Tech down the field for a 7-play 45-yard scoring drive to open the game powered by the legs of running back Jamal Haynes who punched in a 5-yard touchdown run to cap off the drive Miami would follow with a field goal but the tone was set for the rest of the contest
Down by four points heading into the second half the Hurricanes elected to receive the ball and mounted a drive into Georgia Tech territory However disaster would strike as Cam Ward was picked off by Yellow Jackets linebacker Ayinde Eley at the 23-yard line The turnover proved pivotal as Georgia Tech again put together a lengthy drive that ended in a score – this time a 17-yard reception by running back Hassan Hall to give the Jackets a 14-3 advantage early in the third quarter
As the fourth quarter got underway the Hurricanes found themselves facing a double-digit deficit after a 1-yard touchdown scamper by King with 12 minutes and 31 seconds left to play The score capped off a methodical 10-play 55-yard drive that bled 5 minutes and 30 seconds off the clock – a true testament to the Jackets ability to eat clock and limit Ward s opportunities on offense
Miami would refuse to go down without a fight however The Hurricanes cobbled together one final scoring drive – ending with a 1-yard touchdown pass from Ward to tight end Will Mallory with 1 minute and 18 seconds left on the clock The scoring toss was just a small part of the Miami signal-caller s Herculean effort as the quarterback threw for 300 yards and rushed for 33 more despite being constantly hounded by the Yellow Jackets defense Still it was not enough to erase the deficit as Georgia Tech recovered the ensuing onside kick to seal the win