2021 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football
ConferenceAtlantic Coast Conference
DivisionCoastal Division
Record3–9 (2–6 ACC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorDave Patenaude (3rd season)
Offensive schemePro spread
Defensive coordinatorAndrew Thacker (3rd season)
Co-defensive coordinatorNathan Burton (3rd season)
Base defenseMultiple
Home stadiumBobby Dodd Stadium
Uniform
Seasons
← 2020
2022 →
2021 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Atlantic Division
No. 15 Wake Forest xy   7 – 1     11 – 3  
No. 20 NC State   6 – 2     9 – 3  
No. 14 Clemson   6 – 2     10 – 3  
Louisville   4 – 4     6 – 7  
Florida State   4 – 4     5 – 7  
Syracuse   2 – 6     5 – 7  
Boston College   2 – 6     6 – 6  
Coastal Division
No. 13 Pittsburgh xy$   7 – 1     11 – 3  
Miami (FL)   5 – 3     7 – 5  
Virginia   4 – 4     6 – 6  
Virginia Tech   4 – 4     6 – 7  
North Carolina   3 – 5     6 – 7  
Georgia Tech   2 – 6     3 – 9  
Duke   0 – 8     3 – 9  
Championship: Pittsburgh 45, Wake Forest 21
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

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

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 47:30 p.m.Northern Illinois*
ACCNL 21–2233,651
September 11NoonNo. 22 (FCS) Kennesaw State*
  • Bobby Dodd Stadium
  • Atlanta, GA
ACCRSNW 45–1735,195
September 183:30 p.m.at No. 6 Clemson
ABCL 8–1481,500
September 257:30 p.m. No. 21 North Carolina
ACCNW 45–2237,450
October 212:00 p.m.Pittsburgh
  • Bobby Dodd Stadium
  • Atlanta, GA
ACCNL 21–5236,383
October 912:30 p.m.at Duke
ACCRSNW 31–2711,849
October 237:30 p.m.at Virginia
ACCNL 40–4845,837
October 3012:00 p.m.Virginia Techdagger
  • Bobby Dodd Stadium
  • Atlanta, GA (rivalry)
ACCRSNL 17–2635,543
November 612:30 p.m.at Miami (FL)
ACCRSNL 30–3348,161
November 133:30 p.m.Boston College
  • Bobby Dodd Stadium
  • Atlanta, GA
ACCRSNL 30–4131,511
November 202:30 p.m.at No. 8 Notre Dame*
NBCL 0–5570,011
November 2712:00 p.m.No. 1 Georgia*
ABCL 0–4552,806

[1]

Game summaries

Vs. Northern Illinois

See also: 2021 Northern Illinois Huskies football team
Northern Illinois Huskies (0–0) vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (0–0)
Period 1 2 34Total
Northern Illinois 7 7 0822
Georgia Tech 0 7 01421

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
Game information
First Quarter
  • (1:56) NIU – Harrison Waylee 35 yard rush, John Richardson kick (Drive: 8 plays, 74 yards, 3:42; NIU 7–0)
Second Quarter
  • (10:17) NIU – Miles Joiner 5 yard pass from Rocky Lombardi, John Richardson kick (Drive: 12 plays, 66 yards, 5:22; NIU 14–0)
  • (0:47) GT – Kyric McGowan 22 yard pass from Jordan Yates, Brent Cimaglia kick (Drive: 17 plays, 97 yards, 6:00; NIU 14–7)
Fourth Quarter
  • (7:44) GT – Dontae Smith 15 yard rush, Brent Cimaglia kick (Drive: 5 plays, 77 yards, 2:23; 14–14)
  • (6:32) GT – Jordan Yates 4 yard rush, Brent Cimaglia kick (Drive: 3 plays, 25 yards, 0:54; GT 21–14)
  • (0:38) NIU – Clint Ratkovich 3 yards pass from Rocky Lombardi, Tyrice Richie pass from Rocky Lombardi (Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 2:04; NIU 22–21)
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
Rushing Harrison Waylee 27 carries, 144 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Tyrice Richie 2 receptions, 64 yards
Georgia Tech Passing Jordan Yates 12/18, 135 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Jahmyr Gibbs 20 carries, 99 yards
Receiving Malachi Carter 6 receptions, 92 yards

Vs. Kennesaw State

See also: 2021 Kennesaw State Owls football team
Kennesaw State (1–0) vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (0–1)
Period 1 2 34Total
Kennesaw State 0 3 01417
Georgia Tech 14 10 71445

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
Game information
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
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
Rushing Iaan Cousin 3 carries, 52 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Adeolu Adeleke 1 reception, 39 yards, 1 TD
Georgia Tech Passing Jordan Yates 17/23, 254 yards, 4 TD
Rushing Dontae Smith 8 carries, 82 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Kyric McGowan 6 receptions, 91 yards, 2 TD

At Clemson

See also: 2021 Clemson Tigers football team
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (1–1) vs. #6 Clemson Tigers (1–1)
Period 1 2 34Total
Georgia Tech 0 3 058
Clemson 7 0 0714

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
Game information
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
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
Rushing Jahmyr Gibbs 11 carries, 30 yards
Receiving Kyric McGown 4 receptions, 82 yards
Clemson Passing DJ Uiagalelei 18/25, 126 yards
Rushing Will Shipley 21 carries, 88 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Justyn Ross 7 receptions, 61 yards

Vs. North Carolina

See also: 2021 North Carolina Tar Heels football team
#21 North Carolina Tar Heels (2–1) vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (1–2)
Period 1 2 34Total
North Carolina 7 0 7822
Georgia Tech 0 13 141845

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
Game information
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
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
Rushing Ty Chandler 17 carries, 48 yards
Receiving Emery Simmons 3 receptions, 110 yards
Georgia Tech Passing Jeff Sims 10/13, 112 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Jeff Sims 10 carries, 128 yards, 3 TD
Receiving Malachi Carter 3 receptions, 48 yards, 1 TD

Vs. Pittsburgh

See also: 2021 Pittsburgh Panthers football team
Pittsburgh Panthers (3–1) vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (2–2)
Period 1 2 34Total
Pittsburgh 21 21 7352
Georgia Tech 7 7 7021

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
Game information
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
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
Rushing Israel Abanikanda 15 carries, 60 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Taysir Mack 5 receptions, 121 yards, 1 TD
Georgia Tech Passing Jeff Sims 24/33, 359 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing Donte Smith 9 carries, 43 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Jahmyr Gibbs 6 receptions, 125 yards

At Duke

See also: 2021 Duke Blue Devils football team
Duke Blue Devils (3–2) vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (2–3)
Period 1 2 34Total
Georgia Tech 14 3 7731
Duke 7 7 31027

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
Game information
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
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 Rocky Lombardi 12/25, 297 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
Rushing Jeff Sims 12 carries, 55 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Jahmyr Gibbs 3 receptions, 82 yards, 1 TD
Duke Passing Gunnar Holmberg 22/29, 292 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Mataeo Durant 43 carries, 152 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Jalon Calhoun 5 receptions, 103 yards

At Virginia

See also: 2021 Virginia Cavaliers football team
Virginia Cavaliers (5–2) vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3–3)
Period 1 2 34Total
Georgia Tech 13 3 81640
Virginia 7 17 17748

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
Game information
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
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 Rocky Lombardi 27/44, 300 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Jahmyr Gibbs 13 carries, 132 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Kyric McGowan 7 receptions, 86 yards, 2 TD
Virginia Passing Brennan Armstrong 29/43, 396 yards, 4 TD
Rushing Brennan Armstrong 12 carries, 99 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Dontayvion Wicks 6 receptions, 168 yards, 2 TD

Vs. Virginia Tech

See also: 2021 Virginia Tech Hokies football team
Virginia Tech Hokies (3–4) vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3–4)
Period 1 2 34Total
Virginia Tech 14 6 3326
Georgia Tech 7 0 10017

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
Game information
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
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
Rushing Malachi Thomas 25 carries, 103 yards
Receiving Tré Turner 7 receptions, 187 yards, 1 TD
Georgia Tech Passing Jeff Sims 15/26, 183 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Jahmyr Gibbs 11 carries, 113 yards
Receiving Adonicas Sanders 4 receptions, 64 yards, 1 TD

At Miami(FL)

See also: 2021 Miami Hurricanes football team
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3–5) vs. Miami Hurricanes (4–4)
Period 1 2 34Total
Georgia Tech 7 14 7230
Miami(FL) 14 3 7933

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
Game information
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
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
Rushing Jordan Mason 8 carries, 75 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Jahmyr Gibbs 4 receptions, 72 yards, 1 TD
Miami Passing Tyler Van Dyke 22/34, 389 yards, 3 TD
Rushing Jaylan Knighton 32 carries, 162 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Charleston Rambo 7 receptions, 210 yards, 1 TD

Vs. Boston College

See also: 2021 Boston College Eagles football team
Boston College Eagles (5–4) vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3–6)
Period 1 2 34Total
Boston College 7 21 01341
Georgia Tech 14 7 3630

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
Game information
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
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
Rushing Pat Garwo III 24 carries, 104 yards
Receiving Zay Flowers 2 receptions, 87 yards, 2 TD
Georgia Tech Passing Jordan Yates 17/28, 126 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Jahmyr Gibbs 19 carries, 96 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Jahmyr Gibbs 5 receptions, 29 yards

At Notre Dame

See also: 2021 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3–7) vs. #6 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (9–1)
Period 1 2 34Total
Georgia Tech 0 0 000
Notre Dame 24 21 10055

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
Game information
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
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
Rushing Harrison Waylee 12 carries, 58 yards
Receiving Malachi Carter 3 receptions, 29 yards
Notre Dame Passing Jack Coan 15/20, 285 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Tyler Buchner 5 carries, 67 yards
Receiving Kevin Austin Jr. 2 receptions, 89 yards

Vs. Georgia

See also: 2021 Georgia Bulldogs football team and Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate
No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs (11–0) vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3–8)
Period 1 2 34Total
No. 1 Georgia 10 14 14745
Georgia Tech 0 0 000

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
Game information
First quarter
  • (10:34) UGA – Jack Podlesny 38 Yd Field Goal (Georgia 3–0)
  • (4:38) UGA – Jermaine Burton 25 Yd pass from Stetson Bennett (Jack Podlesny Kick) (Georgia 10–0)
Second quarter
  • (13:33) UGA – Ladd McConkey 11 Yd pass from Stetson Bennett (Jack Podlesny Kick) (Georgia 17–0)
  • (11:03) UGA – Brock Bowers 77 Yd pass from Stetson Bennett (Jack Podlesny Kick) (Georgia 24–0)
Third quarter
  • (9:55) UGA - Brock Bowers 9 Yd pass from Stetson Bennett (Jack Podlesny Kick) (Georgia 31–0)
  • (9:55) UGA - Kenny McIntosh 59 Yd Run (Jack Podlesny Kick) (Georgia 38–0)
Fourth quarter
  • (13:14) UGA - Daijun Edwards 3 Yd Run (Jack Podlesny Kick) (Georgia 45–0)
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
Rushing Kenny McIntosh 2 carries, 68 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Brock Bowers 3 receptions, 100 yards, 2 TD
Georgia Tech Passing Jordan Yates 8/16, 68 yards
Rushing Dontae Smith 11 carries, 59 yards
Receiving Dylan Leonard 2 receptions, 43 yards

Players drafted into the NFL

See also: 2022 NFL Draft
Round Pick Player Position NFL Club
7 228 Tariq Carpenter LB Green Bay Packers

References

  1. ^ "2021 Georgia Tech Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
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