Yellow Jackets tame Wildcats in heated TaxSlayer Bowl

After Georgia’s impressive victory over TCU in Friday’s Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Georgia Tech is now up as they take on Kentucky in the TaxSlayer Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida. Nevertheless, it’s part of the run blocking scheme of Georgia Tech’s triple option, so get used to it. Yellow Jackets senior quarterback Justin Thomas has completed at least one 50+ yard pass in each of his last five games.

Stephen Johnson had a strong performance in a losing effort for the Wildcats.

Stephen Johnson was 19 of 34 passing for 175 yards.

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The victory on Saturday was Georgia Tech’s third win over an SEC East opponent this season, also picking up victories over Georgia and Vanderbilt.

Stay with WDRB and wdrb.com for more coverage from the game. “It sounds hokey sometimes but it is kind of like a family”.

With the Yellow Jackets facing fourth-and-1 from their 15-yard line, Johnson kept his offense on the field and made the surprising choice to go for it.

The defense jump-started the effort by contributing a touchdown on the opening drive.

The Wildcat defense then forced Georgia Tech into a three-and-out and a punt, giving Kentucky the ball at their own 28 yard line. Everybody that plays Georgia Tech annually (ACC Coastal, Clemson, and Georgia) knows the nuances of the Yellow Jacket running game. Miscues plagued all three phases of the team.

Harrison Butker kicked four field goals for the Jackets, including a 52-yarder to end the first half, the longest of the season.

Who loves a good rushing attack?! But, the Wildcats would hold the Jackets to a 23 yard field goal.

Through it all, Kentucky had one final chance for a comeback with just over two minutes remaining, but Tech surprised the United Kingdom defense with a 42-yard pass on third-and-four from midfield as the Cats sold out with a corner blitz to stop the expected run play. That’s when Johnson would connect with Dorian Baker for a 20 yard touchdown. Despite reaching over 100-yards rushing in the first half, Kentucky finished with just 149 rushing yards. I have great respect for Coach Johnson.

A lot of credit also has to be given to the Georgia Tech offensive line for disrupting the United Kingdom offense.

So a 33-18 loss to the Yellow Jackets in a mistake-filled affair was frustrating, but it’s not taking away from the future ahead of the program. In 2014, the Yellow Jackets ended the year with wins over in-state rival Georgia and Mississippi State in the Orange Bowl.

Thomas is a player to watch as he attempts to earn a spot in the NFL. But the freshman-sophomore running back duo has Kentucky fans energized about the Wildcats’ offense in years to come.

Meanwhile, Kentucky failed to build off its upset of Louisville in the bowl game.

The key for Johnson’s team will be picking up where they left off this season.