The 2014 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represented the Georgia Institute of Technology in the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Yellow Jackets were led by seventh-year head coach Paul Johnson and played their home games at Bobby Dodd Stadium. They were a member of the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
After going 7âÂÂ6 in 2013, the Yellow Jackets entered 2014 unranked. Georgia Tech won its first five games of the season, which included comeback victories over Georgia Southern and Virginia Tech, and end a five-game losing streak to Miami (FL). After losing back-to-back games to Duke and North Carolina, the Yellow Jackets won out the rest of its regular season, which was capped off with a 30âÂÂ24 overtime victory over Georgia. The Yellow Jackets represented the Coastal Division in the ACC Championship Game, where they were defeated by Atlantic Division champions Florida State 37-35, however the Yellow Jackets were invited to the Orange Bowl, where they defeated Mississippi State 49âÂÂ34. Georgia Tech ended the season with an 11âÂÂ3 record and a #8 ranking in the final AP Poll.
The Yellow Jackets were members of the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference, finishing the season 7âÂÂ5 (5âÂÂ3 in ACC play). They were invited to the Music City Bowl where they were defeated by Ole Miss. Three players from the 2013 team were taken in the 2014 NFL draft.
Head coach Paul Johnson returned for his seventh year at the helm of the program. Vad Lee, who was Georgia Tech's starter in 2013, was replaced by Justin Thomas after Lee transferred to James Madison. The Yellow Jackets were picked to finish fifth in the Coastal Division in the ACC preseason media poll.
Georgia Tech's spring game was held on April 14 at Bobby Dodd Stadium. In a rain-soaked game, the White team, led by quarterback Tim Byerly, defeated the Gold team 20âÂÂ12.
Near the end of the first half, Wofford took a 9âÂÂ7 lead on a 92-yard touchdown run from Ray Smith. However, the Yellow Jackets were able to take a 10âÂÂ9 lead into halftime with a 30-yard field goal from Harrison Butker. The Yellow Jackets expanded their lead in the third quarter 24âÂÂ12 thanks to two touchdowns to wide receiver DeAndre Smelter. The Terriers closed gap 24âÂÂ19 in the middle of the fourth quarter thanks to a 4-yard touchdown run from Octavius Harden, but the Yellow Jackets were able to score two more touchdowns towards the end of the game to win the matchup 38âÂÂ19. In his first start as Georgia Tech's quarterback, Justin Thomas had 353 total yards of offense, including 282 passing yards.
In the first game at Yulman Stadium, Georgia Tech defeated Tulane, 38âÂÂ21. Tulane took a 14âÂÂ7 lead going into the second quarter. Georgia Tech tied the game, 14âÂÂ14, on a 10-yard interception return from linebacker Quayshawn Nealy. Tulane took a 21âÂÂ14 lead with 9:38 left in the half on a 61-yard touchdown pass from Tanner Lee to Xavier Rush. An interception of Tanner Lee helped set up a 19-yard touchdown run from Tony Zenon to tie the game, 21âÂÂ21. A 46-yard field goal from Harrison Butker gave Georgia Tech a 24âÂÂ21 lead at halftime. Tulane was shut out in the second half, as Georgia Tech scored two more touchdowns to give the Yellow Jackets a 38âÂÂ21 victory.
Georgia Tech dominated the first half, going into half with a 35âÂÂ10 lead. However, Georgia Southern scored 28 unanswered points to give the Eagles a 38âÂÂ35 lead in the middle of the fourth quarter. Recovering a Georgia Southern fumble with 4:12 remaining in the game, Georgia Tech were able to take a 42âÂÂ38 lead with 23 seconds remaining on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Justin Thomas to Deon Hill to avoid a huge upset.
Virginia Tech led 13âÂÂ3 in the middle of the second quarter. However, Georgia Tech was able to make it a 13âÂÂ10 game on a 2-yard touchdown run from Justin Thomas. Georgia Tech took a 17âÂÂ16 lead in the fourth quarter on a 41-yard interception return by Paul Davis. The Hokies then took a 24âÂÂ17 when quarterback Michael Brewer recovered a fumble and ran 21 yards for a touchdown. Georgia Tech tied the game 24âÂÂ24 on a nine-play, 67-yard drive that included a 4th-and-15 conversion and a 31-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Smelter. Michael Brewer was intercepted on the ensuing Hokies drive. Taking advantage of the interception, Georgia Tech won the game 27âÂÂ24 on a 24-yard field goal from Harrison Butker as time expired. The game not only marked Georgia Tech's first victory over Virginia Tech since 2009, but also at Blacksburg since 2006.
The Hurricanes scored first on a 21-yard touchdown pass from Brad Kaaya to Braxton Berrios. Georgia Tech tied the game 7âÂÂ7 on a 1-yard touchdown run from Justin Thomas. At the end of the first quarter, Miami took a 14âÂÂ7 lead on a 24-yard touchdown run from Duke Johnson. The Yellow Jackets would control the rest of the game, as Georgia Tech outscored Miami 21âÂÂ3 to give the Yellow Jackets a 28âÂÂ17 victory. The game marked Georgia Tech's first victory over Miami since 2008.
Georgia Tech entered the game ranked in the AP Poll for the first time since week 13 of the 2011 season. Duke took a 31âÂÂ12 lead in the middle of the fourth quarter on a 1-yard touchdown run from Thomas Sirk. Georgia Tech was able to close the gap 31âÂÂ25 thanks to two Tim Byerly rushing touchdowns. However, Georgia Tech was unable to recover their onside kick with 1:27 remaining in the game, giving the Blue Devils the victory. Georgia Tech turned the ball over three times and quarterback Justin Thomas was benched in favor of Tim Byerly the fourth quarter after Thomas threw his second interception. The game not only marked Georgia Tech's first loss to Duke since 2003, but also at home since 1994.
Georgia Tech trailed 42âÂÂ31 in the fourth quarter after a 36-yard touchdown pass from Marquise Williams to Mack Hollins. The Yellow Jackets then scored two unanswered touchdowns, the latter being a 75-yard touchdown run off a reverse from wide receiver DeAndre Smelter, to give Georgia Tech a 43âÂÂ42 lead with 3:07 remaining in the game. However, North Carolina scored on a 2-yard touchdown run from T. J. Logan with 11 seconds remaining to give the Tar Heels a 48âÂÂ43 victory. The game marked Georgia Tech's first loss to UNC since 2008.
Taking advantage of four Pittsburgh turnovers, Georgia Tech took a 28âÂÂ0 lead early in the game. Pittsburgh closed the gap 28âÂÂ14 in the second quarter with two rushing touchdown from James Conner. After trading touchdowns the third quarter, Georgia Tech pulled away from the Panthers with three more rushing touchdowns to give Georgia Tech a 56âÂÂ28 victory.
At Georgia Tech's Homecoming game, the Yellow Jackets defeated the Cavaliers 35âÂÂ10. Quarterback Justin Thomas threw three touchdowns and running back Synjyn Days ran for 147 yards while the Georgia Tech defense held Virginia to only 22 rushing yards.
Georgia Tech trailed 13âÂÂ7 near the end of the first quarter, but the Yellow Jackets outscored the Wolfpack 49âÂÂ10 the rest of the game to win 56âÂÂ23. Georgia Tech's offense rushed for 479 yards while the defense scored two defensive touchdowns.
Georgia Tech took a 6âÂÂ3 lead in the first quarter on an 85-yard interception return from Jamal Golden. In the third quarter, Chris Milton returned an interception 62 yards for a touchdown to give Georgia Tech a 25âÂÂ6 lead. Georgia Tech won the game 28âÂÂ6. Georgia Tech's defense limited Clemson's offense to only 190 yards.
In the following bye week, Georgia Tech clinched the ACC Coastal Division title when North Carolina defeated Duke 45âÂÂ20.
Georgia took a 7âÂÂ0 lead early in the first quarter on a 1-yard touchdown run from Nick Chubb. Towards the end of the first quarter, Georgia drove deep into Georgia Tech's territory, hoping to expand their lead. However, Nick Chubb lost a fumble at Georgia Tech's 1-yard line.
Taking advantage of Chubb's fumble, Georgia Tech drove to Georgia's 20-yard line. However, Georgia Tech came up empty when Harrison Butker's kick was blocked. On the ensuing Georgia drive, UGA drove once again drove deep Georgia Tech territory. However, Georgia once again lost a fumble at Georgia Tech's 1-yard line, this time a fumble by Sony Michel. Taking advantage of the fumble, Georgia Tech was able to tie the game 7âÂÂ7 near the end of the second quarter on a 7-yard touchdown pass from Justin Thomas to Darren Waller. In the third quarter, Georgia took a 14âÂÂ7 lead after UGA's Damian Swann returned a Justin Thomas fumble 99-yards for a touchdown. After blocking a Georgia field goal, Georgia Tech tied the game 14âÂÂ14 on a 4-yard touchdown run from Zach Laskey.
Early in the fourth quarter, Georgia took a 17âÂÂ14 lead on a 19-yard field goal from Marshall Morgan. Georgia Tech responded with an 8-yard touchdown run from Zach Laskey to give the Yellow Jackets a 21âÂÂ17 lead. Georgia Tech was then able to recover their own kickoff at Georgia's 27-yard line. However, Justin Thomas fumbled with 2:41 remaining in the game. Taking advantage of the fumble, UGA took a 24âÂÂ21 lead with 18 seconds remaining on a 3-yard passing touchdown from Hutson Mason to Malcolm Mitchell. A squib kickoff gave Georgia Tech good field possession. After Justin Thomas scrambled 21 yards, Harrison Butker kicked a 53-yard field goal to tie the game 24âÂÂ24 and send the game into overtime.
Georgia Tech received the ball first in overtime and took a 30âÂÂ24 lead on a 2-yard touchdown run from Zach Laskey. However, the extra point was blocked and the game remained 30âÂÂ24. On the ensuing UGA possession, Georgia was able to drive to Georgia Tech's 9-yard line, needing a touchdown and extra point to win. However, on a 2nd and goal play, Georgia Tech cornerback D.J. White intercepted a Hutson Mason pass intended for Malcolm Mitchell, sealing a victory for Georgia Tech. The game was Georgia Tech's first win over Georgia since 2008.
In the ACC Championship Game, Georgia Tech took on Florida State, the defending national champions. Georgia Tech's offense scored on their first three possessions to give Georgia Tech a 21âÂÂ14 lead in the middle of the second quarter. However, FSU scored two unanswered touchdowns to give FSU a 28âÂÂ21 lead into halftime.
Georgia Tech was able to tie the game 28âÂÂ28 on the opening drive in the third quarter. However, Florida State scored three field goals from Roberto Aguayo as the Seminoles were able to limit Georgia Tech's offense and pull ahead 37âÂÂ28. Georgia Tech was able to cut Florida States' lead to two on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Justin Thomas to Darren Waller to make it a 37âÂÂ35 game with 1:47 remaining. However, Georgia Tech was unable to recover their onside kick and Florida State was able to run out the clock, giving FSU the ACC Championship.
Appearing in its seventh Orange Bowl, Georgia Tech defeated Mississippi State 49âÂÂ34. The Yellow Jackets went up 14âÂÂ0 before Mississippi State scored 13 straight points to make it a 14âÂÂ13 game. Georgia Tech was able to extend its lead 21âÂÂ13 on a 13-yard touchdown run from Justin Thomas. On the final play of the first half, Mississippi State's Dak Prescott completed a 42-yard Hail Mary pass to make it a 21âÂÂ20 lead going into halftime. On the second play of the second half, Georgia Tech went up 28âÂÂ20 on a 69-yard touchdown run from Synjyn Days. Two more rushing touchdowns from Justin Thomas helped expand Georgia Tech's lead 42âÂÂ20. In the first play of the fourth quarter, Mississippi State cut into Georgia Tech's lead on a 7-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott to De'Runnya Wilson to make it a 42âÂÂ27 game. Georgia Tech was able to respond with a 4-yard touchdown run from Synjyn Days to give Georgia Tech a 49âÂÂ27 lead. The Bulldogs were able to cut into Georgia Tech's lead with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott to De'Runnya Wilson with 2:20 remaining in the game to make it a 49âÂÂ34 game. However, the Bulldogs were unable to recover their onside kick, and Georgia Tech was able to seal the win after running out the clock.
Georgia Tech rushed for 452 yards and Justin Thomas, the game's MVP, accounted for four total touchdowns. The game also marked Georgia Tech's first Orange Bowl victory in 63 years.
Nine players were honored as All-ACC selections by coaches
The following Georgia Tech players were selected in the 2015 NFL draft: