# 2021 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team

The 2021 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represented the Georgia Institute of Technology during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Yellow Jackets were led by third-year head coach Geoff Collins. They played their home games at Bobby Dodd Stadium and compete as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

## Coaching staff

| Coach | Title | Year at Georgia Tech | Previous job |
| Geoff Collins | Head Coach | 3rd | Temple (HC) |
| Brent Key | AHC/RGC/OL | 3rd | Alabama (OL) |
| Dave Patenaude | OC/QB | 3rd | Temple (OC/QB) |
| Andrew Thacker | DC/LB | 3rd | Temple (DC/LB) |
| Nathan Burton | Co-DC/S | 3rd | Temple (DB) |
| Tashard Choice | RB | 3rd | North Texas (RB) |
| Marco Coleman | DE/OLB | 3rd | Oakland Raiders (DL) |
| Kerry Dixon | WR | 3rd | Toledo (RB) |
| Larry Knight | DL | 3rd | Temple (OLB) |
| Jeff Popovich | CB/DST | 3rd | Boise State (CB) |
| Chris Wiesehan | TE/OST | 3rd | Temple (OL/RGC) |

## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 4 | 7:30 p.m. | Northern Illinois* | Bobby Dodd StadiumAtlanta, GA | ACCN | L 21–22 | 33,651 |
| September 11 | Noon | No. 22 (FCS) Kennesaw State* | Bobby Dodd StadiumAtlanta, GA | ACCRSN | W 45–17 | 35,195 |
| September 18 | 3:30 p.m. | at No. 6 Clemson | Memorial StadiumClemson, SC (rivalry) | ABC | L 8–14 | 81,500 |
| September 25 | 7:30 p.m. | No. 21 North Carolina | Mercedes-Benz StadiumAtlanta, GA | ACCN | W 45–22 | 37,450 |
| October 2 | 12:00 p.m. | Pittsburgh | Bobby Dodd StadiumAtlanta, GA | ACCN | L 21–52 | 36,383 |
| October 9 | 12:30 p.m. | at Duke | Wallace Wade StadiumDurham, NC | ACCRSN | W 31–27 | 11,849 |
| October 23 | 7:30 p.m. | at Virginia | Scott StadiumCharlottesville, VA | ACCN | L 40–48 | 45,837 |
| October 30 | 12:00 p.m. | Virginia Tech | Bobby Dodd StadiumAtlanta, GA (rivalry) | ACCRSN | L 17–26 | 35,543 |
| November 6 | 12:30 p.m. | at Miami (FL) | Hard Rock StadiumMiami Gardens, FL | ACCRSN | L 30–33 | 48,161 |
| November 13 | 3:30 p.m. | Boston College | Bobby Dodd StadiumAtlanta, GA | ACCRSN | L 30–41 | 31,511 |
| November 20 | 2:30 p.m. | at No. 8 Notre Dame* | Notre Dame StadiumNotre Dame, IN (rivalry) | NBC | L 0–55 | 70,011 |
| November 27 | 12:00 p.m. | No. 1 Georgia* | Bobby Dodd StadiumAtlanta, GA (Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate) | ABC | L 0–45 | 52,806 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from AP Poll (and CFP Rankings, after November 2) - Released prior to gameAll times are in Eastern time |||||||

## Game summaries
### Vs. Northern Illinois

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Northern Illinois | 7 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 22 |
| Georgia Tech | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 21 |
at Bobby Dodd Stadium • Atlanta, GA
* Date: Saturday, September 4, 2021
* Game time: 7:30 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 78°F
* Game attendance: 33,651
* Referee: Marcus Woods
* TV announcers (ACCN): Dave O'Brien, Tim Hasselbeck, Coley Harvey
* Pregame line: Georgia Tech -19
| Statistics | NIU | GT |
| First downs | 15 | 25 |
| Total yards | 301 | 429 |
| Rushes/yards | 42/165 | 52/273 |
| Passing yards | 136 | 156 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 11–17–0 | 15–26–0 |
| Time of possession | 28:55 | 31:05 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Northern Illinois | Passing | Rocky Lombardi | 11/17, 136 yards, 2 TD |
| Northern Illinois | Rushing | Harrison Waylee | 27 carries, 144 yards, 1 TD |
| Northern Illinois | Receiving | Tyrice Richie | 2 receptions, 64 yards |
| Georgia Tech | Passing | Jordan Yates | 12/18, 135 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia Tech | Rushing | Jahmyr Gibbs | 20 carries, 99 yards |
| Georgia Tech | Receiving | Malachi Carter | 6 receptions, 92 yards |

### Vs. Kennesaw State

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Kennesaw State | 0 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 17 |
| Georgia Tech | 14 | 10 | 7 | 14 | 45 |
at Bobby Dodd Stadium • Atlanta, GA
* Date: Saturday, September 11, 2021
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 79°F
* Game attendance: 35,195
* Referee: Jeff Flanagan
* TV announcers (ESPN3): Brad Rathbun, Brian Jordan, Lyndsay Rowley
| Statistics | KSU | GT |
| First downs | 13 | 20 |
| Total yards | 260 | 412 |
| Rushes/yards | 43/149 | 36/158 |
| Passing yards | 111 | 254 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 8–20–2 | 17–23–0 |
| Time of possession | 33:41 | 26:16 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Kennesaw State | Passing | Xavier Shepherd | 8/20, 110 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Kennesaw State | Rushing | Iaan Cousin | 3 carries, 52 yards, 1 TD |
| Kennesaw State | Receiving | Adeolu Adeleke | 1 reception, 39 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia Tech | Passing | Jordan Yates | 17/23, 254 yards, 4 TD |
| Georgia Tech | Rushing | Dontae Smith | 8 carries, 82 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia Tech | Receiving | Kyric McGowan | 6 receptions, 91 yards, 2 TD |

### At Clemson

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Georgia Tech | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 8 |
| Clemson | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
at Memorial Stadium • Clemson, SC
* Date: Saturday, September 18, 2021
* Game time: 3:30 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 82°F
* Game attendance: 81,500
* Referee: Jeff Heaser
* TV announcers (ESPN2): Bob Wischusen, Dan Orlovsky, Kris Budden
* Pregame line: Clemson -27.5
| Statistics | GT | CLEM |
| First downs | 20 | 19 |
| Total yards | 298 | 284 |
| Rushes/yards | 38/95 | 41/158 |
| Passing yards | 203 | 126 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 20–34–1 | 18–25–0 |
| Time of possession | 30:10 | 29:50 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Georgia Tech | Passing | Jordan Yates | 20/34, 203 yards, 1 INT |
| Georgia Tech | Rushing | Jahmyr Gibbs | 11 carries, 30 yards |
| Georgia Tech | Receiving | Kyric McGown | 4 receptions, 82 yards |
| Clemson | Passing | DJ Uiagalelei | 18/25, 126 yards |
| Clemson | Rushing | Will Shipley | 21 carries, 88 yards, 2 TD |
| Clemson | Receiving | Justyn Ross | 7 receptions, 61 yards |

### Vs. North Carolina

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| North Carolina | 7 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 22 |
| Georgia Tech | 0 | 13 | 14 | 18 | 45 |
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium • Atlanta, GA
* Date: Saturday, September 25, 2021
* Game time: 7:30 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 72°F
* Game attendance: 37,450
* Referee: Gary Patterson
* TV announcers (ACCN): Ryan Philpott, Tim Hasselbeck, Kelsey Riggs
* Pregame line: North Carolina -14.5
| Statistics | UNC | GT |
| First downs | 18 | 19 |
| Total yards | 369 | 394 |
| Rushes/yards | 35/63 | 43/261 |
| Passing yards | 306 | 133 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 25–39–0 | 13–19–0 |
| Time of possession | 30:05 | 29:55 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| North Carolina | Passing | Sam Howell | 25/39, 306 yards, 2 TD |
| North Carolina | Rushing | Ty Chandler | 17 carries, 48 yards |
| North Carolina | Receiving | Emery Simmons | 3 receptions, 110 yards |
| Georgia Tech | Passing | Jeff Sims | 10/13, 112 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia Tech | Rushing | Jeff Sims | 10 carries, 128 yards, 3 TD |
| Georgia Tech | Receiving | Malachi Carter | 3 receptions, 48 yards, 1 TD |

### Vs. Pittsburgh

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Pittsburgh | 21 | 21 | 7 | 3 | 52 |
| Georgia Tech | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
at Bobby Dodd Stadium • Atlanta, GA
* Date: Saturday, October 2, 2021
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 75°F
* Game attendance: 36,383
* Referee: Stuart Mullins
* TV announcers (ACCN): Wes Durham, Roddy Jones, Lericia Harris
* Pregame line: Pittsburgh -3
| Statistics | PITT | GT |
| First downs | 27 | 21 |
| Total yards | 580 | 432 |
| Rushes/yards | 41/181 | 31/73 |
| Passing yards | 399 | 359 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 24–37–0 | 24–33–2 |
| Time of possession | 34:40 | 25:20 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Pittsburgh | Passing | Kenny Pickett | 23/36, 389 yards, 4 TD |
| Pittsburgh | Rushing | Israel Abanikanda | 15 carries, 60 yards, 2 TD |
| Pittsburgh | Receiving | Taysir Mack | 5 receptions, 121 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia Tech | Passing | Jeff Sims | 24/33, 359 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT |
| Georgia Tech | Rushing | Donte Smith | 9 carries, 43 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia Tech | Receiving | Jahmyr Gibbs | 6 receptions, 125 yards |

### At Duke

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Georgia Tech | 14 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
| Duke | 7 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 27 |
at Wallace Wade Stadium • Durham, NC
* Date: Saturday, October 9, 2021
* Game time: 12:30 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Rainy • Temperature: 64°F
* Game attendance: 11,849
* Referee: Jeff Flanagan
* TV announcers (ESPN3): Tom Werme, James Bates, Abby LaBar
* Pregame line: Georgia Tech -4.5
| Statistics | GT | DUKE |
| First downs | 17 | 27 |
| Total yards | 440 | 489 |
| Rushes/yards | 39/143 | 62/197 |
| Passing yards | 297 | 292 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 12–25–2 | 22–29–1 |
| Time of possession | 24:31 | 35:29 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Georgia Tech | Passing | Jeff Sims | 12/25, 297 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT |
| Georgia Tech | Rushing | Jeff Sims | 12 carries, 55 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia Tech | Receiving | Jahmyr Gibbs | 3 receptions, 82 yards, 1 TD |
| Duke | Passing | Gunnar Holmberg | 22/29, 292 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT |
| Duke | Rushing | Mataeo Durant | 43 carries, 152 yards, 1 TD |
| Duke | Receiving | Jalon Calhoun | 5 receptions, 103 yards |

### At Virginia

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Georgia Tech | 13 | 3 | 8 | 16 | 40 |
| Virginia | 7 | 17 | 17 | 7 | 48 |
at Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA
* Date: Saturday, October 23, 2021
* Game time: 7:30 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 79°F
* Game attendance: 45,837
* Referee: Jeff Heaser
* TV announcers (ACCN): Dave O'Brien, Tim Hasselbeck, Coley Harvey
* Pregame line: Virginia -6.5
| Statistics | GT | UVA |
| First downs | 28 | 32 |
| Total yards | 570 | 636 |
| Rushes/yards | 34/270 | 30/240 |
| Passing yards | 300 | 396 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 27–44–1 | 29–43–0 |
| Time of possession | 28:07 | 31:53 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Georgia Tech | Passing | Jeff Sims | 27/44, 300 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT |
| Georgia Tech | Rushing | Jahmyr Gibbs | 13 carries, 132 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia Tech | Receiving | Kyric McGowan | 7 receptions, 86 yards, 2 TD |
| Virginia | Passing | Brennan Armstrong | 29/43, 396 yards, 4 TD |
| Virginia | Rushing | Brennan Armstrong | 12 carries, 99 yards, 2 TD |
| Virginia | Receiving | Dontayvion Wicks | 6 receptions, 168 yards, 2 TD |

### Vs. Virginia Tech

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Virginia Tech | 14 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 26 |
| Georgia Tech | 7 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 17 |
at Bobby Dodd Stadium • Atlanta, GA
* Date: Saturday, October 30, 2021
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 56°F
* Game attendance: 35,543
* Referee: Marcus Woods
* TV announcers (ESPN3): Tom Werme, James Bates, Wiley Ballard
* Pregame line: Georgia Tech -3.5
| Statistics | VT | GT |
| First downs | 23 | 16 |
| Total yards | 487 | 366 |
| Rushes/yards | 53/233 | 30/183 |
| Passing yards | 254 | 183 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 15–25–0 | 15–26–1 |
| Time of possession | 35:48 | 24:12 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Virginia Tech | Passing | Braxton Burmeister | 15/25, 254 yards, 2 TD |
| Virginia Tech | Rushing | Malachi Thomas | 25 carries, 103 yards |
| Virginia Tech | Receiving | Tré Turner | 7 receptions, 187 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia Tech | Passing | Jeff Sims | 15/26, 183 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT |
| Georgia Tech | Rushing | Jahmyr Gibbs | 11 carries, 113 yards |
| Georgia Tech | Receiving | Adonicas Sanders | 4 receptions, 64 yards, 1 TD |

### At Miami(FL)

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Georgia Tech | 7 | 14 | 7 | 2 | 30 |
| Miami(FL) | 14 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 33 |
at Hard Rock Stadium • Miami Gardens, FL
* Date: Saturday, November 6, 2021
* Game time: 12:30 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 72°F
* Game attendance: 48,161
* Referee: Gary Patterson
* TV announcers (ESPN3): Tom Werme, James Bates, Wiley Ballard
* Pregame line: Miami -10
| Statistics | GT | MIA |
| First downs | 15 | 24 |
| Total yards | 329 | 563 |
| Rushes/yards | 32/135 | 42/174 |
| Passing yards | 194 | 389 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 21–38–1 | 22–34–0 |
| Time of possession | 34:13 | 25:47 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Georgia Tech | Passing | Jeff Sims | 21/38, 194 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Georgia Tech | Rushing | Jordan Mason | 8 carries, 75 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia Tech | Receiving | Jahmyr Gibbs | 4 receptions, 72 yards, 1 TD |
| Miami | Passing | Tyler Van Dyke | 22/34, 389 yards, 3 TD |
| Miami | Rushing | Jaylan Knighton | 32 carries, 162 yards, 1 TD |
| Miami | Receiving | Charleston Rambo | 7 receptions, 210 yards, 1 TD |

### Vs. Boston College

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Boston College | 7 | 21 | 0 | 13 | 41 |
| Georgia Tech | 14 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 30 |
at Bobby Dodd Stadium • Atlanta, GA
* Date: Saturday, November 13, 2021
* Game time: 3:30 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 52°F
* Game attendance: 31,511
* Referee: Jeff Heaser
* TV announcers (ACCN): Tom Werme, James Bates, Lauren Jbara
* Pregame line: Boston College -2
| Statistics | BC | GT |
| First downs | 26 | 25 |
| Total yards | 505 | 343 |
| Rushes/yards | 38/195 | 40/213 |
| Passing yards | 310 | 130 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 13–20–0 | 18–29–1 |
| Time of possession | 27:07 | 32:53 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Boston College | Passing | Phil Jurkovec | 13/20, 310 yards, 2 TD |
| Boston College | Rushing | Pat Garwo III | 24 carries, 104 yards |
| Boston College | Receiving | Zay Flowers | 2 receptions, 87 yards, 2 TD |
| Georgia Tech | Passing | Jordan Yates | 17/28, 126 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Georgia Tech | Rushing | Jahmyr Gibbs | 19 carries, 96 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia Tech | Receiving | Jahmyr Gibbs | 5 receptions, 29 yards |

### At Notre Dame

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Georgia Tech | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Notre Dame | 24 | 21 | 10 | 0 | 55 |
at Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN
* Date: Saturday, November 20, 2021
* Game time: 2:30 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 42°F
* Game attendance: 70,011
* Referee: Stuart Mullins
* TV announcers (NBC): Mike Tirico, Drew Brees, Kathryn Tappen
* Pregame line: Notre Dame -18
| Statistics | GT | ND |
| First downs | 11 | 23 |
| Total yards | 224 | 514 |
| Rushes/yards | 35/128 | 33/212 |
| Passing yards | 96 | 302 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 14–28–1 | 18–26–0 |
| Time of possession | 30:39 | 29:21 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Georgia Tech | Passing | Jordan Yates | 14/28, 96 yards, 1 INT |
| Georgia Tech | Rushing | Harrison Waylee | 12 carries, 58 yards |
| Georgia Tech | Receiving | Malachi Carter | 3 receptions, 29 yards |
| Notre Dame | Passing | Jack Coan | 15/20, 285 yards, 2 TD |
| Notre Dame | Rushing | Tyler Buchner | 5 carries, 67 yards |
| Notre Dame | Receiving | Kevin Austin Jr. | 2 receptions, 89 yards |

### Vs. Georgia

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 1 Georgia | 10 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 45 |
| Georgia Tech | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Bobby Dodd Stadium • Atlanta, GA
* Date: Saturday, November 27, 2021
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
* Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 53°F
* Game attendance: 52,806
* Referee: Mike Roche
* TV announcers (ABC): Bob Wischusen (play-by-play), Dan Orlovsky (color), and Kris Budden (sideline)
* Pregame line: Georgia −35.0 • Odds to win: Georgia 97.0% • Game summary: ESPN
| Statistics | UGA | GT |
| First downs | 21 | 9 |
| Total yards | 463 | 166 |
| Rushes/yards | 31/208 | 35/98 |
| Passing yards | 255 | 68 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 14–20–0 | 8–16–0 |
| Time of possession | 26:52 | 33:08 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Georgia | Passing | Stetson Bennett | 14/20, 255 yards, 4 TD |
| Georgia | Rushing | Kenny McIntosh | 2 carries, 68 yards, 1 TD |
| Georgia | Receiving | Brock Bowers | 3 receptions, 100 yards, 2 TD |
| Georgia Tech | Passing | Jordan Yates | 8/16, 68 yards |
| Georgia Tech | Rushing | Dontae Smith | 11 carries, 59 yards |
| Georgia Tech | Receiving | Dylan Leonard | 2 receptions, 43 yards |

## Players drafted into the NFL

| Round | Pick | Player | Position | NFL Club |
| 7 | 228 | Tariq Carpenter | LB | Green Bay Packers |
Source: