Georgia Tech took control from the beginning and cruised past the Western Carolina Catamounts on Thursday night, 63-21.
Georgia Tech’s spread option offense was too much for the Catamounts as Tech out gained WCU on the day, 662 yards to 301.
Sophomore quarterback, Brandon Pechloff got the start for the Catamounts and produced stellar numbers out of the new pistol offense that the team debuted. He finished the day going 20/33 for 180 yards with 1 rushing touchdown and no picks.
Georgia Tech’s offensive line opened gaping holes against WCU’s smaller defensive line and Tech was able to establish a ground game early and often.
Not only was Georgia Tech’s running game dominating, but their passing offense was clicking on all cylinders. Quarterbacks Tevin Washington and Synjyn Davis combined to finish the game with a surprising 365 yards passing and 3 touchdowns.
After WCU’s opening possession ended in a fumble, Georgia Tech cashed in with a 5-yard, Orwin Smith touchdown run to go up 7-0. The Yellow Jackets scored 28 unanswered points until WCU got on the board with a Pechloff bootleg run to make it 28-7.
WCU made some noise before the half when the Catamounts blocked a Georgia Tech field goal and returned it 69 yards to make it 42-21 heading into the locker room.
Momentum seemed to be on WCU’s side heading into the second half, but they failed to capitalize on it. The Catamounts offense sputtered while the Yellow Jackets offense continued to score rapidly. The Cats failed to score in the second half.
The Catamounts look to bounce back next week when they face Mars Hill in Cullowhee, N.C. on Saturday, September 10, 2011 at 6 p.m.
Jarrett Frazier contributed to the story
