Led by quarterback Justin Thomas and running back Synjyn Days, the 12th-ranked Yellow Jackets racked up a whopping 452 rushing yards in a dominant 49-34 Orange Bowl win.
Thomas, the speedy 5-foot-11 sophomore, showcased his mastery of coach Paul Johnson’s option offense and ran for 121 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries. Days, the 232-pound senior, racked up 171 yards on 21 carries and scored three times – including a crucial 69-yard run on the second play of the second half.
The Yellow Jackets also worked in the passing game when they needed it, especially in the first half. In all, Tech gained 577 yards in a statement victory for the program.
The Yellow Jackets were successful on the ground from the start.
Mississippi State opened the game with the ball and quarterback Dak Prescott was intercepted on the Bulldogs’ third play. Four plays later, Days scored from three yards out and the Yellow Jackets had their first of six rushing scores on the day.
Later on in the first, Tech surprised the Bulldogs by faking the option and looking downfield. Thomas hit 6-foot-5 senior receiver Darren Waller behind the defense for a 41-yard touchdown, giving Georgia Tech a 14-0 lead.
Mississippi State was able to battle back in the second quarter. Prescott was able to establish a rhythm and led three scoring drives – two that ended in Evan Sobiesk field goals and another that ended with a Prescott five-yard touchdown run, cutting the GT lead to 14-13.
The Yellow Jacket offense then went back to work. Thomas led a 12-play, 82-yard drive that culminated in a Thomas 13-yard rushing score. Tech was back on top 21-13 with 29 seconds left in the half.
Instead of taking a knee and regrouping in the locker room, Mississippi State’s offense quickly advanced past midfield to the Tech 42-yard line. That’s when Prescott went to the air for a perfectly executed Hail Mary that landed in the arms of Fred Ross after a deflection.
The improbable touchdown looked to give the Bulldogs all of the momentum heading into the second half, but Tech’s offense had other ideas. Days took a handoff to the left, broke two tackles and tight-roped the sideline for a 69-yard score, bringing Tech’s lead to 28-20.
It was a sign of things to come in a third quarter. The Tech defense forced a turnover on downs and a fumble, allowing the offense to extend their lead on two more Thomas touchdown runs – one from 32 yards and another from 15 yards.
The first of those scores featured a nasty juke and his breakout speed.
Mississippi State didn’t go away in the fourth quarter. Prescott, who threw for 453 yards and three touchdowns along with 47 yards rushing, hit De’Runnya Wilson for two touchdown passes in the fourth, but it wasn’t enough to put a scare into the Yellow Jackets.
The win is the first Orange Bowl victory for Georgia Tech since 1952 and gives the Yellow Jackets 11 wins on the season.
For Mississippi State, it’s an underwhelming finish. The Bulldogs were ranked No. 1 in the country for over a month, but they finished 10-3 after losing three of their final four games.
For more Georgia Tech news, visit JacketsOnline.com.
For more Mississippi State news, visit BulldogBlitz.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
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