Georgia Tech defeats Georgia State 35-12 and takes a 2-0 lead for the first time since 2016.

Bobby Dodd Stadium was packed tonight and Georgia Tech's famous new fan Sheamus was in attendance to watch the first ever meeting between Georgia Tech and Georgia State. After pulling off a huge upset win in Dublin, Ireland against Florida State, Georgia Tech needed to avoid disappointment and prevail against the Panthers in Dell McGee's first game as head coach.

It wasn't perfect, but Georgia Tech beat the Panthers and took a 2-0 lead for the first time since 2016.

One of the big questions tonight was how Georgia Tech would handle all the love they got last week. There were some missteps tonight, but they made the big plays when it mattered. The defense got early stops in the red zone and Georgia Tech went all out in two fourth-and-goal situations in the first half. In the second half, the passing attack started attacking the Panthers vertically and making some big plays against their defense. The end result was a win for Georgia Tech and they pulled away to a 2-0 lead.

Let's summarize tonight's victory.

Georgia State started the game with the ball and their first drive looked easy until they got into the redzone. After the Panthers ran the ball 57 yards, Georgia Tech's defense was able to hold Georgia State on fourth down and they took over at their one-yard line. It was similar to how Florida State ran the ball down last week in Dublin on their first drive of the game, but this time Georgia Tech kept the opposing team out of the end zone. The Yellow Jackets' defense held Georgia State on fourth and deciding and began their first possession at their own one-yard line. The Panthers ran 57 yards on their opening drive.

Although they managed to get the ball out of the shadow of their own end zone, Georgia Tech's offense stalled. There was a questionable call on third down where tight end Avery Boyd appeared to have made it to the line to get the ball, but the call fell short.

After a great punt by David Shanahan, Georgia Tech was able to force a turnover on the Panthers' second possession.

Georgia Tech got the ball in great field position to start their second drive and they took advantage. It came down to a 4th and goal call, but Brent Key decided to go for it and Jamal Haynes blasted it for the first touchdown of the night. It was a short 20-yard drive, but Georgia Tech led 7-0.

The only three-and-out for Georgia Tech's defense came on the Panthers' third possession, but they could not do anything with the ball and had to punt it back.

Georgia State's best offense of the first half came on their fourth possession. They clearly wanted to keep Georgia Tech at bay and make sure their offense stayed on the sidelines, and they executed that plan well. The Panthers managed some timely third down conversions and methodically moved the ball toward the Georgia Tech defense. The drive went 87 yards in 16 plays and took 8:24 minutes, but Georgia Tech's goal line defense was once again great and they held Georgia State to a field goal. It was 7-3 with about 3 1/2 minutes left until halftime.

Georgia Tech could have used a time-killing drive to end the half, and that's exactly what they got. The running game finally looked like it always has, and Georgia Tech got into Georgia State territory. After failing to put the ball in, Key had to make another key decision on fourth down, this time with just 15 seconds left in the game. Key went for it, and his aggressiveness paid off. Haynes King ran the ball into the end zone, and Georgia Tech extended the lead to 14-3 just before the end of the half. Key had to make some key decisions on fourth down in the game, and both ended up scoring the only two touchdowns of the first half.

Georgia Tech finished the first half with 184 yards rushing, Georgia State with 162. Haynes King 12-14 for 84 yards. GT outgained GSU 100-66, averaging 6.1 yards per play compared to Georgia State's 5.4. GT 6.3 yards per carry, GSU ​​3.9. Georgia Tech averaged 7.0 yards per completion, while Georgia State averaged 10.7. It wasn't a perfect half, but Georgia State's possession gains and better execution in the redzone helped Georgia Tech take their first-half lead.

After Georgia State kicked the ball out of bounds early in the second half, Georgia Tech struck quickly. The Yellow Jackets gained 65 yards in four plays and Eric Singleton Jr. ran for a 32-yard touchdown. It was an impressive start to the second half and really put the pressure on the Panthers to respond.

After a three-and-out, Georgia Tech's offense stayed on the ball and Haynes King found Malik Rutherford for a 52-yard touchdown to make it 28-3. It felt like the game was slipping away from the Panthers and Georgia Tech was comfortably in the lead.

Georgia State managed to get the ball down the field, but had to settle for another field goal to make the game 28-6. They gave the ball back to a red-hot Georgia Tech offense, but the Yellow Jackets' first turnover of the season came on the next drive when King was intercepted by former Yellow Jackets defensive back Kenyatta Watson. There were less than eight minutes to play and Georgia Tech led 28-6.

It looked like the Panthers would get revenge when Georgia Tech linebacker Kyle Efford intercepted a pass, but an illegal substitution penalty voided the interception. The Panthers kept the ball and continued to drive it down the field, eventually earning them their first touchdown of the night. Panthers quarterback Christian Veilleux found a completely open receiver for a touchdown to cut the lead. Georgia State tried to score a second one, but the Yellow Jackets stopped it. The Yellow Jackets led 28-12 with 3:42 left on the clock.

After a holding penalty, the offense retreated. King found Singleton for a big gain and a decisive 3rd and 2 attempt was then caught by Chad Alexander.

The Yellow Jackets offense was on fire early in the 4th quarter. A sequence that really sums up what kind of player Haynes King is came on this drive. After the referees missed a pretty obvious facemask and targeting penalty against Georgia State, King found tight end Avery Boyd for a touchdown to extend the lead to 35-12 with 14:14 minutes left in the game.

That was the score for the rest of the game. Georgia Tech stopped Georgia State in the red zone again to end the game. Georgia Tech then ran out the clock and took the win against the Panthers.

Georgia Tech outgained Georgia State 496-360 and the Yellow Jackets were able to gain 225 yards in the running game with Jamal Haynes leading the way with 84 yards on 17 carries. Haynes King led an explosive passing attack and finished the game 24-29 with 275 total yards and three touchdowns. Malik Rutherford had a great day on offense and finished the game with seven catches for 131 yards and a touchdown.

Georgia Tech averaged 7.8 yards per play, while Georgia State averaged 5.7.

Georgia State rushed for 150 yards in this game and averaged 5.2 yards per carry. After a great performance against Florida State, I would say the defense wasn't as good tonight, although they made the big plays in the red zone that kept Georgia State from scoring. The third down defense was also strong, holding the Panthers to 3-12. The defense finished the game against the Panthers with eight tackles and yards for loss.

Georgia Tech has a test next week, playing away against Syracuse, who won their season opener against Ohio today. The game is scheduled to begin at noon next Saturday and will be televised by the ACC Network.