Georgia Tech vs. Wake Forest: First-Half Takeaways

What are the big takeaways from the first half for Georgia Tech?

Author:
Jackson Caudell
Publish date:
Sep 23, 2023 8:16 PM EDT

In this story:

Georgia Tech finds themselves in front of Wake Forest after the first half and believe it or not, the defense has a fair amount to do with. The defensive line has been able to get pressure on Wake Forest and there have not been any explosive plays allowed. The Demon Deacons have had opportunities in the red zone, but the defense was able to hold them to a field goal and a failed 4th down attempt.

Georgia Tech will need to show they learned from the first game against Louisville. The Yellow Jackets had a 15-point lead in the game, but lost it in the second half due to the offense not being able to move the ball and the defense allowing big plays.

So what are the takeaways from the first half tonight?

1. The defense has played its best half of the season

The issues that Georgia Tech's defense have faced this season have been well-documented and they were going to need to show improvement in this game if they wanted to come away with a win. There is still a half to go, but they have performed well, especially when they have had too.

Wake finished the first half with 172 yards and averaged only 4.3 per play. The Yellow Jackets defense has three sacks in the first half and five tackles for loss.

There is still a half to go, but this is the kind of effort the defense needed to turn in.

2. The offense has been good but left points on the board

Georgia Tech has 20 points at the half, but it could have been more. Haynes King threw his second interception of the season on an ill-advised throw to Eric Singleton (who played great) and the offense only had field goals after getting the ball in great field position following a muffed punt and a bad punt.

Having 219 yards in one half is never bad, but the Yellow Jackets could have more points and an even bigger lead if they were able to get more touchdowns. Also, the running game has had a hard time getting anything going, averaging only 2.8 yards per rush.

3. The special teams have been good

Georgia Tech has had some sort of special teams miscue in every game this season, but not in the first half. Aidan Birr hit two field goals, including a near 50-yarder and he was able to help Georgia Tech cash in on some opportunities in the red zone.

After the early struggles this season from Gavin Stewart and a blocked field goal last week, it was good to see Birr be able to put that behind him and get the Yellow Jackets a 20-3 lead.

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