ORLANDO, Fla. — Despite outgaining UCF by a 452-333 margin, Georgia Tech football was unable to overcome early miscues and red-zone misses, falling 27-10 to the Knights at FBC Mortgage Stadium on Saturday.
Quarterback Jeff Sims threw for 314 yards, including a 59-yard touchdown pass to Malachi Carter, en route to a 21-for-32 day. Running back Hassan Hall also ran for 54 yards while Nate McCollum (51) and Carter (89) combined for 140 receiving yards in the loss.
The Yellow Jackets’ (1-3) Achilles’ heel on the day, however, proved to be miscues — eight penalties, a blocked punt inside their own 30 — and misses — coming away with no points on five trips to the red zone.
Despite the errors, Georgia Tech only trailed 16-10 going into the fourth quarter but UCF scored 11 points in the final 11 minutes of the game to pull away.
Linebackers Charlie Thomas and Ayinde Eley once again led the way for Georgia Tech defensively, which each recorded 10 tackles. Defensive back LaMiles Brooks hauled in his first career interception to thwart a UCF red zone trip.
Georgia Tech remains on the road when it kicks off the main stretch of its Atlantic Coast Conference play, heading to Pitt on Saturday, Oct. 1. Official game time and television selection were a part of ESPN’s six-day hold and will be announced on Sunday, Sept. 25.
Malachi Carter’s 59-yard touchdown catch was the longest reception of his career (photo: Georgia Tech football)
Postgame Notes
Team Notes
- Georgia Tech fell to 1-3 on the season, while UCF moved to 3-1.
- Georgia Tech outgained UCF by a 452-333 margin. The Yellow Jackets averaged 7.2 yards per play versus 4.6 yards per play for UCF.
- Georgia Tech’s 452 yards of total offense were its most in a game since it had 570 yards in a 48-40 loss at Virginia on Oct. 23 of last season.
- UCF’s 333 yards of total offense were the fewest allowed by Georgia Tech in a game since it limited Clemson to 284 yards in a 14-8 loss on Sept. 18 of last season.
- Georgia Tech’s 452 total yards were 180 more than UCF was previously allowing on average this season. UCF’s 271.3 yards allowed per game ranked 19thth nationally coming into the weekend.
- Georgia Tech’s 314 passing yards were 192 more than UCF was previously allowing on average this season. UCF’s 121.7 passing yards allowed per game ranked seventh nationally coming into the weekend.
- UCF’s 333 yards of total offense were 198 fewer than it was previously averaging this season. UCF’s 532.3 yards per game ranked sixth nationally coming into the weekend.
- Georgia Tech, which entered the game with just five offensive plays that gained 20 or more yards this season, had nine offensive plays that gained 20 or more yards on Saturday.
- Georgia Tech’s 59-yard touchdown pass from So. QB Jeff Sims to Sr. WR Malachi Carter was the Yellow Jackets’ longest play of the season and the longest play allowed by UCF this season.
Individual Notes
- Georgia Tech So. QB Jeff Sims’ 314 passing yards were a season high (prev.: 164 vs. Clemson – Sept. 5) and the second-highest passing total of his career, behind only his 359 passing yards vs. Pitt on Oct. 2 of last season.
- Georgia Tech Sr. WR Malachi Carter’s 59-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter was the longest reception of his career (prev.: 54 at NC State – Nov. 21, 2019).
- Sr. RB Hassan Hall’s 164 all-purpose yards were the most by a Yellow Jacket this season (prev.: 107 by Nate McCollum vs. Western Carolina – Sept. 10).
- McCollum’s six receptions matched a career high (prev.: 6 vs. Clemson – Sept. 5).
- For the third time in four games this season, Georgia Tech LBs Ayinde Eley and Charlie Thomas both had double-digit tackles, with both recording 10 stops on Saturday.
- Georgia Tech So. DB LaMiles Brooks’ interception in the first quarter was the first of his career.
LaMiles Brooks’ second-quarter interception was the first of his career (photo: Georgia Tech football)
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