Pitt Takes Early Control, Georgia Tech Fights Back in High-Stakes ACC Clash
Hey everyone, let’s talk about a crucial Week 13 ACC showdown that had fans on the edge of their seats: Georgia Tech hosting Pittsburgh at Bobby Dodd Stadium. With just two weeks left in the regular season, this matchup carried huge implications for the conference standings and the College Football Playoff. Both teams came in knowing a win could keep them in the hunt, while a loss would essentially end their championship hopes.
The Panthers started strong, absolutely dominating early on. Pittsburgh quickly raced to a 28-0 lead, highlighted by Mason Heintschel connecting with Kenny Johnson for a 31-yard touchdown and later finding Justin Holmes for a 19-yard strike. Ja'Kyrian Turner and Juelz Goff added rushing scores, while Kavir Bains’ interception of Haynes King helped set up another Pittsburgh touchdown. By the end of the first quarter, Pitt had already out-gained Georgia Tech 176-21, and the Yellow Jackets were struggling to find any rhythm offensively.
Georgia Tech, however, refused to fold. They mounted a spirited comeback before halftime, cutting the deficit to 28-14. Haynes King got the Yellow Jackets on the board with a 5-yard rushing touchdown and later threw a 5-yard touchdown to Isiah Canion. Despite trailing by as much as 28-0, Georgia Tech’s late first-half surge energized the crowd and gave the team some momentum heading into the second half.
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Statistically, Pittsburgh led in every major category at halftime—281 total yards to Georgia Tech’s 111, including 189 passing yards compared to 72. Penalties and turnovers were relatively even, but Pitt’s efficiency in the red zone and explosive plays kept them ahead. Georgia Tech showed signs of life with two successful red zone conversions, but the Panthers’ early dominance had already set the tone.
The context here is fascinating. Georgia Tech entered the game 9-1 overall and 6-1 in the ACC, riding a hot streak despite a narrow win over Boston College the week prior. Pittsburgh, at 7-3 and 5-1 in conference play, had also faced adversity but timed their hiccups against non-conference opponents. Both squads were in must-win territory for a shot at the ACC Championship, making every play critical.
On the broadcast side, ESPN had the game covered with Dave Pasch on play-by-play, Dusty Dvoracek analyzing, and Taylor McGregor on the sidelines, ensuring fans got every detail of this dramatic clash.
So far, the game has been a story of Pittsburgh’s early dominance meeting Georgia Tech’s resilience. The Yellow Jackets have shown they can score in bursts and respond under pressure, but the Panthers’ early lead is still a significant hurdle. This is one of those games where the winner could dramatically shift the ACC landscape, and the loser might be looking ahead to next season.
It’s been a thrilling back-and-forth so far, and with only one win separating both teams from the ACC Championship, the intensity is only going to ramp up as the clock ticks down.
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