As I made my way to the press box before kickoff, I stopped to take a photo with a group of early-arriving Georgia Tech students. I often use these fan shots to bring some energy to my in-game updates on X (Twitter). The students were thrilled—but they had something they wanted to unveil.
They rolled out a massive banner of none other than Haynes King, Georgia Tech’s leader and heart of this team. The wind fought us, refusing to let the banner stay still, until I finally had to use my tripod to weigh it down. Once it settled, we captured the photo. The students were beaming, their pride visible even hours before the first whistle.
Fast forward to the game’s closing moments. Georgia Tech had the Hokies well under control, and media members were heading toward the postgame press conference. But then, from the stands, came a deafening roar. The game was in a timeout, so I turned to see what caused it—and there it was, on the Jumbotron: that same massive photo of King Haynes King.
It felt poetic. Because today, King once again proved worthy of that title.
A Performance Worthy of Royalty
Haynes King was masterful in Georgia Tech’s 35–20 win over Virginia Tech. The junior quarterback completed 20 of 24 passes for 213 yards and a touchdown, good for an 83% completion rate and a 171.6 passer rating. He was surgical, confident, and composed—exactly what you want from the face of your program.
King’s efficiency was no accident. Every player he targeted made the most of their opportunities. Malik Rutherford was perfect, hauling in 6 catches on 6 targets for 49 yards and a touchdown. Eric Rivers also caught all 4 of his targets for 29 yards, and even the tight ends got involved—Luke Harpring grabbed 3 receptions on 3 targets for 39 yards.
That level of precision—20 completions on 24 attempts—isn’t just efficient; it’s elite. And it reflects both King’s accuracy and the discipline of his receiving corps.
The Ground Game: A Two-Headed Monster
While King was calm and clinical through the air, the run game did the heavy lifting in controlling the tempo. Georgia Tech’s rushing attack piled up 268 yards on 42 carries, averaging 6.4 yards per rush.
The headline act was Malachi Hosley, who turned in a career performance with 129 yards on just 11 carries, including a 36-yard burst that had Bobby Dodd Stadium on its feet. His explosiveness kept Virginia Tech’s defense on its heels all afternoon.
Jamal Haynes, the other half of the Jackets’ dynamic duo, added 69 yards on 14 carries, and though he had just one reception on the day, it was a 12-yard gain that showcased his versatility. Together, Hosley and Haynes may be the best one-two punch in the country—each capable of breaking a game open at any moment.
And, of course, King wasn’t content to simply orchestrate; he joined the act himself. The dual-threat QB added 60 rushing yards on 14 attempts and punched in two touchdowns with his legs. It’s that combination of poise, toughness, and physicality that evokes comparisons to another college football legend—Tim Tebow.
In fact, King even left the press conference with a visible cut behind his left ear, a symbol of his gritty play. It’s almost become tradition: every week, a new scar, bruise, or mark of battle. He plays like Tebow did—reckless in the best way, fearless, and utterly committed.
Virginia Tech’s Effort and Drones’ Dual-Threat Ability
To their credit, Kyron Drones and the Hokies didn’t fold. Drones accounted for three total touchdowns—two through the air and one on the ground. He finished 13-of-21 passing for 181 yards with a 156.2 rating, and added 83 rushing yards on 16 carries.
His favorite target, Ja’Ricous Hairston, caught both touchdown passes and finished with 36 yards. Running back Marcellous Hawkins was also impressive, averaging 9.1 yards per carry on 82 yards. But despite their flashes, Virginia Tech couldn’t keep pace with Georgia Tech’s balance and efficiency.
The Playoff Picture and the Path Forward
Georgia Tech entered the game ranked No. 13 in the nation, though their résumé arguably rivals—or surpasses—some teams ahead of them. Programs like LSU, who beat Clemson but have one loss, still sit higher in the rankings. That means for the Jackets to make a serious push for the College Football Playoff, even in the expanded 12-team format, they’ll likely need to go undefeated and win the ACC Championship.
And if they do, it will be because of Haynes King’s leadership and focus.
When I asked King postgame about seeing the students’ banner, his answer captured exactly why this team believes in him.
“I might have saw it,” King said with a grin. “I try not to pay too much attention to it because I just let my play on the field just kind of dictate everything else but the stands, and the support, and the students, and the fans they did a really good job today showing up, showing out, being really loud, and making it a true home field advantage like they’ve done this whole season. I really love the way they come out and support and try to help us to victory.”
Spoken like a true King.
Final Thoughts
This could have been a trap game—a letdown after big wins and before the season’s toughest stretch. But instead, Georgia Tech stayed sharp, handled business, and became bowl eligible at 6-0.
For now, Haynes King stands as the central figure of this program’s renaissance. The energy around him is real—the fans feel it, the team feeds on it, and the nation is beginning to take notice.
Georgia Tech may not just be back. They might be building something special—and at the center of it all sits a quarterback worthy of the crown.
If you would like to follow the in game thread here it is –
