Georgia Tech struck early and never trailed, riding the efficiency of quarterback Haynes King and a relentless ground game to defeat Virginia Tech 35–20 on Saturday.
Fast Start for the Jackets
The Yellow Jackets opened the first quarter with back-to-back touchdowns, both engineered by King.
- On the first drive, he capped a 9-play, 80-yard series with a 2-yard rushing touchdown, then found Malik Rutherford for a successful two-point conversion.
- Minutes later, King connected with Rutherford again, this time through the air for a 9-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 15-0.
Kicker Aidan Birr added a 25-yard field goal midway through the second quarter, pushing the lead to 18–0.
Hokies Fight Back, Jackets Answer
Virginia Tech finally broke through late in the first half when quarterback Kyron Drones raced 32 yards for a score. But Georgia Tech’s Birr drilled a 30-yard field goal just before halftime, giving the Jackets a 21–7 cushion.
After the break, Drones found Ja’Ricous Hairston for a 33-yard touchdown, cutting the margin to 21–14. However, running back Malachi Hosley quickly answered with a 15-yard rushing score, restoring momentum and extending the lead to 28–14.
Closing the Door
In the fourth quarter, King sealed the victory with a 26-yard touchdown run, his second rushing score of the day. The Hokies added a late touchdown from Hairston, but their two-point try failed, setting the final at 35–20.
Stat Highlights
- Haynes King: 2 rushing TDs, 1 passing TD
- Malik Rutherford: 1 receiving TD, 1 two-point conversion
- Malachi Hosley: 1 rushing TD
- Aidan Birr: 2 field goals (25, 30 yards)
- Kyron Drones: 2 passing TDs, 1 rushing TD
- Ja’Ricous Hairston: 2 receiving TDs
Summary
Georgia Tech’s balance on offense—mixing explosive drives with long, clock-controlling possessions—proved decisive. King accounted for three total touchdowns, while the defense limited Virginia Tech’s ground game outside of Drones’ scrambles.
The victory continues Georgia Tech’s strong form, keeping them in control of their bowl-eligibility path and building momentum for the stretch run of the ACC season.
