Third-string QB rallies Ga. Tech past No. 13 UNC

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Zach Gibson threw for 174 yards and Georgia Tech scored 21 straight factors for a 21-17 street win towards No. 13 North Carolina on Saturday.

Gibson, a switch from Akron, received the beginning on Saturday with former starter Jeff Sims nursing a foot damage and No. 1 backup Zach Pyron out with a damaged collarbone. Clemson switch Taisun Phommachanh additionally took some snaps, operating for a rating and serving to Georgia Tech milk the clock late within the fourth quarter.

The Yellow Jackets had been a 21-point underdog at Caesars Sportsbook, making them the third workforce for the reason that 1978 FBS-FCS cut up to win twice in the identical season as a 21-point underdog, in accordance with ESPN Stats & Data analysis. In addition they beat Pittsburgh earlier this season as a 21.5-point underdog.

Georgia Tech (5-6, 4-4 Atlantic Coast Convention) trailed 17-0 late within the first half however began to methodically transfer the ball. All three of its scoring drives had been for 68-plus yards and culminated with dashing touchdowns.

A 6-yard rating on the bottom by Hassan Corridor with simply over 11 minutes remaining within the fourth proved to be the ticket for the Yellow Jackets, who saved their bowl hopes alive and improved to 4-3 below interim coach Brent Key.

“I do not suppose there was anybody within the locker room that would let you know that it was 17-0,” Key stated. “That’s who this workforce is. Whatever the rating, adversity and what takes place in a sport, they take it one play at a time.”

North Carolina (9-2, 6-1 ACC) was using a six-game profitable streak and had clinched the ACC’s Coastal Division final week. The Tar Heels had an opportunity to regain the lead late within the fourth quarter, however Josh Downs dropped a fourth-and-11 go from quarterback Drake Maye ultimately zone with simply over 4 minutes remaining.

Maye, who had emerged as a doable Heisman Trophy contender as a redshirt freshman, failed to attain a landing for the primary time this season. He additionally was sacked a season-high six instances by Georgia Tech, three of which got here through Keion White.

After UNC went forward 17-0 with somewhat greater than three minutes left within the first half, Georgia Tech held the Heels to 97 yards of offense on their last 33 performs.

“I assumed we had been mature sufficient to play in what could be referred to as a lure sport,” UNC coach Mack Brown stated. “I assumed we had been past that after Virginia, however we clearly weren’t. I assumed we did a poor job of getting ready them and did not play effectively sufficient to win.”

THE TAKEAWAY

Georgia Tech: For the second time this season, the Yellow Jackets appeared unfazed on the street towards a ranked opponent. Georgia Tech’s balanced effort on offense (187 passing yards and 186 dashing yards) stymied North Carolina. And the Yellow Jackets’ protection did one thing few have accomplished towards UNC’s offense this yr: restrict the massive performs and defend effectively within the crimson zone.

UNC: The Tar Heels appeared flat on offense for a lot of the evening. After operating again Elijah Inexperienced’s 80-yard dashing rating on their first play from scrimmage, they amassed solely 285 yards the remainder of the evening and scored simply 10 factors on 4 crimson zone visits.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

The Tar Heels are prone to see a substantial drop after falling to a Georgia Tech workforce that had misplaced three of its earlier 4 tilts. The loss additionally successfully ends any outdoors shot the Tar Heels had at eyeing the School Soccer Playoff.

The Related Press contributed to this report.