Penalties derail Georgia Tech’s bowl hopes with a loss to Vanderbilt

A very hoarse Tech coach Brent Key added: “There has been a dialogue and we have to control what we can control as a football team.”

Things really got heated late in the third quarter when Tech linebacker Trenilyas Tatum was called for pass interference on a deep ball down the left sideline. That decision gave Vandy a first down instead of forcing the Commodores to punt.

To compound the problem, Key lost his temper on the sideline and was penalized another 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct for swearing at an official. On the next snap, cornerback Ahmari Harvey was called for a defensive hold and advanced the ball to the Tech 22.

Vandy quarterback Diego Pavia scrambled for four yards on the next snap and ran out of bounds down his sideline. A little shoving match ensued there, while on the other side, Tech cornerback Ahmari Harvey’s helmet flew off as he fought with a Vandy receiver. Four unsportsmanlike penalties were assessed in the game.

Pavia, who was also taunted throughout the game, threw a 3-yard touchdown pass one play later and the Commodores never looked back.

“Anyone who knows me and has seen me throughout my entire tenure as head coach knows that I never let emotions come into play,” Key said of his unsportsmanlike penalty. “Everyone knows how I train on the sidelines and why I train on the sidelines like that.”

This series of events all occurred after an initial call that sparked controversy. Tech punt returner Bailey Stockton was tackled before executing a Vanderbilt punt, a play that was originally flagged for kick-catcher interference. Instead, the referees waved away the penalty and the Jackets started their drive from their own 2, gained seven yards and beat the punt.

Tech was called for 10 penalties on Friday, the most since flagging it 11 times at Miami on Oct. 7, 2023. Those 10 penalties totaled 100 yards, the most for the Jackets since 142 at Wake Forest on Sept. 23, 2023.

Pavia impressed

Vandy’s quarterback Pavia, a 6-foot, 207-pound transfer from New Mexico State, was as announced Friday.

Pavia went 13-for-21 passing for 160 yards with touchdown throws of 7, 3 and 7 yards. He also ran for 84 yards and two scores, leading Vandy to its first bowl victory since 2014.

“I don’t want this to sound arrogant, but I will never have a losing season,” Pavia, the game’s MVP, said after the win. “I told (Vanderbilt assistant coach) (Jerry), ‘Do this when you come in today: I’m not losing today.’

Pavia, known for both his bravery and skill, also completed the walk at the Protective Stadium. After a 4-yard run to the Tech 7 late in the third, Pavia mockingly threw the ball into the stands. He was assessed a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty, but came right back with a 15-yard run and then threw a 7-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the fourth quarter.

Jackets miss milestones

Tech’s four-month season ended in defeat, leaving the program unable to repeat its eight-win streak, something it hasn’t done since 2016.

The Jackets also could have claimed back-to-back bowl victories after winning the 2023 Gasparilla Bowl, but the 2003-2004 teams remain the last two Tech teams to do so.

Tech has now also lost 11 straight games to SEC teams – a win over Georgia in 2016, which was the last time the Jackets led an SEC program.

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