1997 Georgia vs Georgia Tech

by Kavin Caruso
(Georgia )

It was Saturday November 29 Georgia playing Georgia Tech in their annual rivalry game. On this day, Georgia Tech hasn’t beaten Georgia since their championship year in 1990. This game was held at Bobby Dodd Stadium, Georgia Tech finished 3rd in the ACC and Georgia finished 3rd in the SEC East division. Georgia Tech had a good feeling that they would beat the Bulldogs this year. Georgia Tech had a record of 6-4, 5-3 in ACC play, Georgia on the other hand had nice 8-2, 6-2 in SEC play. Biggest win of the year for the Bulldogs was the win over Florida.

Georgia got on the board first on a Hines Ward 54 yard touchdown pass by Mike Bobo. Georgia leads 7-0; Georgia Tech ran the ball down the field and then fumbled it at the 1 yard line. Georgia then recovered. But the Bulldogs thought they could score another touchdown, WRONG! Tech’s Jesse Tarplin intercepted Mike Bobo’s pass at the 6 yard line. Joey Hamilton the quarterback for the Yellow Jackets ran for the touchdown. The game is now tied at 7. Just like that, Yellow Jackets got something cooking.

In the 2nd quarter, the Bulldogs got another touchdown by Mike Bobo, he threw a 13 yard pass to Corey Allen to lead the Bulldogs 14-7. Georgia Tech then came storming down the field after Joey Hamilton made some nice completions to his receivers. Georgia Tech ended the drive at the Bulldogs 4 yard line; David Frakes kicked a 21 yard field goal. The score is now 14-10 Bulldogs.

In the 3rd quarter, Georgia got another touchdown by Hines Ward after the Bulldogs marched 74 yards down the field. Mike Bobo threw a short pass to Hines Ward to make it a 21-10 Georgia lead. Georgia Tech then later marched down the field for 68 yards. Georgia Tech ended the drive on a David Frakes’ field goal. Georgia now leads 21-13.

Here we go to the 4th quarter where we see excitement from both teams. Georgia Tech got another David Frakes field goal; it’s now 21-16. Georgia Tech again was marching down the field but once again the Bulldogs defense stopped the Yellow Jackets. Late in the game, after the Bulldogs and Yellow Jackets couldn’t score again, Georgia Tech came back and scored a touchdown. Charles Wiley scored a 3 yard rushing touchdown, Joey Hamilton then threw a completion for a 2 point conversion to Mike Sheridan. Guess what? Georgia Tech now leads 24-21; it looks like an upset is going to happen on this rainy afternoon. Georgia now has come back and tries to make another comeback. Georgia then marched down the field with only 40 seconds to play. Mike Bobo made some nice completions to his receivers to keep the offense going. Then interference calls by the Yellow Jackets just as they intercepted a Mike Bobo’s pass to end the game. So the Bulldogs got big break, so they kept marching down the field. Mike Bobo threw a touchdown pass to Corey Allen in back of the end zone to win the game. It was an 8 yard pass by Mike Bobo and Georgia won 28-24. Georgia Tech fans couldn’t believe it; they were stunned at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

Georgia Tech would have to wait till 1998 to beat the Bulldogs.

Georgia finished the year with a 10-2 and they went to the Outback Bowl and beat Wisconsin. Georgia Tech finished with a 7-5; they played in the Carquest Bowl and beat West Virginia. This game was another great excitement in Bulldogs-Yellow Jackets rivalry matchup. It was Jim Donnan’s second win over the Yellow Jackets since he took over. George O’Leary was still searching for his first win over the Bulldogs. He would get his victory in 1998.