|
|
NILL |
GATECH |
Lombardi lifts Northern Illinois past Georgia Tech, 22-21
ATLANTA (AP) Thomas Hammock had no interest in his underdog Northern Illinois team settling for an overtime against Georgia Tech.
Once Rocky Lombardi's second touchdown pass in the final minute brought the Huskies to within one point, Hammock didn't hesitate to keep his offense on the field. The coach ordered a 2-point play for the win.
Lombardi's 2-point pass to Tyrice Richie with 38 seconds remaining survived an officials review and lifted Northern Illinois to a stunning 22-21 upset win over Georgia Tech on Saturday night.
Hammock said a potential tying kick wasn't an appealing option after Lombardi's 3-yard touchdown pass to Clint Ratkovich cut Georgia Tech's lead to 21-20.
''Easy decision,'' Hammock said. ''We came here to win and we expected to win and that's what we got done.''
Georgia Tech of the Atlantic Coast Conference was favored by 18 1/2 points over Northern Illinois, of the Mid-American Conference.
Northern Illinois led 14-0 but had a regroup after backup quarterback Jordan Yates, playing after Jeff Sims suffered an arm injury, rallied the Yellow Jackets with three unanswered touchdowns. Seeing his team rally but then lose in the final minute was a crushing start to Georgia Tech coach Geoff Collins' third season.
''Obviously, it hurts,'' Collins said. ''There's a lot of guys in that locker room who are hurt.''
Lombardi, the Michigan State transfer, was given one final possession with 2:42 remaining. He made his debut for Northern Illinois (1-0) one to remember by directing the go-ahead drive that started with a 38-yard completion to Richie.
On the 2-point play, Lombardi rolled right before passing to Richie, whose leaping catch had to be reviewed. He landed with his hands outstretched and the ball took a small bounce as he hit the field. The replay indicated he kept his left hand under the ball, preventing the ball from hitting the field.
Gavin Stewart's last-second, 60-yard field goal attempt for Georgia Tech (0-1) was blocked. The block triggered a celebration by North Illinois players, who bounced onto the field from the sideline.
Yates' 4-yard touchdown run with 6:32 remaining gave the Yellow Jackets their first lead at 21-14.
Sims left the game in the second quarter with a left arm injury. His left arm was in a sling as he watched on the sideline in the second half.
Harrison Waylee, who rushed for 144 yards for Northern Illinois, fumbled when hit by Wesley Walker in the fourth quarter. Quez Jackson recovered to set up Georgia Tech's go-ahead touchdown.
Northern Illinois linebacker Lance Deveaux Jr. picked up a Jordan Mason fumble and ran into the end zone for an apparent touchdown and 20-0 lead. A long review led to the touchdown call on the field being overturned because Mason's knee was down before he lost the ball.
The reversal opened the way for Yates to lead a 16-play, 97-yard drive. Yates gained first downs on three third-down runs of nine yards or longer before completing a 22-yard pass to Kyric McGowan. It was Yates' first career touchdown pass.
The Yellow Jackets were stopped at the Northern Illinois 2 early in the second half when a video review determined McGowan's left foot was out of bounds on a 2-yard catch initially ruled a touchdown.
Dontae Smith's 15-yard touchdown run on his first carry of the game tied the score with 7:44 remaining. Yates' 53-yard pass to Malachi Carter set up the score.
THE TAKEAWAY
Northern Illinois: Lombardi's experience showed as he directed the Huskies' run-first offense led by Waylee, who had a 35-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. The Huskies leaned on their physical offensive line. The low point came when safety Devin Lafayette suffered an apparent left leg injury late in the first half and was taken off the field in an ambulance.
Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets outgained the Huskies 429-301, including 273 yards rushing. Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 99 yards on 20 carries. Mason added 96 yards. Georgia Tech claimed a dominant 25-15 advantage in first downs. Ultimately, the Yellow Jackets were hurt by their inability to turn the yards into points.
LOMBARDI A LEADER
Lombardi completed 11 of 17 passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns. ''He's a tough guy,'' Hammock said. ''He showed us what he's about. He's a leader. He's a tremendous warrior on the field. He's an extension of the coaches.''
LISTENING TO BOOS
Collins appeared to allow fans to influence a key decision when North Illinois led 14-7. He sent his offense back on the field for a fourth-and-goal play at the Northern Illinois 2 after fans booed when kicker Brent Cimaglia, who missed two field goal attempts in the first half, came onto the field.
The change set up the failed fourth-down play when McGowan was ruled out of bounds.
The lost points from a potential short field goal could have changed decisions in the final minute.
UP NEXT
Northern Illinois: The Huskies will play Wyoming in their home opener next Saturday.
Georgia Tech: Kennesaw State, which opened with a 35-25 win over NAIA school Reinhardt University on Thursday, visits the Yellow Jackets next Saturday.
---
More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25
Copyright 2024 STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 16 | 25 |
Rushing | 10 | 16 |
Passing | 6 | 7 |
Penalty | 0 | 2 |
3rd Down Conv | 5-13 | 8-18 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 2-4 |
Total Net Yards | 299 | 429 |
Total Plays | 59 | 80 |
Avg Gain | 5.1 | 5.4 |
Net Yards Rushing | 202 | 272 |
Rush Attempts | 43 | 52 |
Avg Rush Yards | 4.7 | 5.2 |
Yards Passing | 97 | 157 |
Comp. - Att. | 10-16 | 15-28 |
Yards Per Pass | 6.1 | 4.8 |
Penalties - Yards | 11-82 | 2-17 |
Touchdowns | 4 | 3 |
Rushing TDs | 1 | 2 |
Passing TDs | 2 | 1 |
Other | 1 | 0 |
Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
Fumbles - Lost | 1-1 | 2-2 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 8-42.9 | 3-52.3 |
Return Yards | 0 | -3 |
Punts - Returns | 1-0 | 4--3 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
|
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
R. Lombardi
12 QB
|
R. Lombardi | 10/16 | 97 | 2 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
H. Waylee
30 RB
|
H. Waylee | 27 | 144 | 1 | 35 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Richie
3 WR
|
T. Richie | 2 | 28 | 0 | 39 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Lombardi
12 QB
|
R. Lombardi | 5 | 22 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Ratkovich
25 RB
|
C. Ratkovich | 7 | 13 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Lafayette
3 S
|
D. Lafayette | 1 | -11 | 0 | -11 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
T. Richie
3 WR
|
T. Richie | 3 | 2 | 31 | 0 | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Joiner
80 TE
|
M. Joiner | 3 | 3 | 22 | 1 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Travis
11 WR
|
M. Travis | 3 | 1 | 20 | 0 | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Ratkovich
25 RB
|
C. Ratkovich | 3 | 3 | 13 | 1 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Tucker
15 WR
|
C. Tucker | 1 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Rudolph
85 WR
|
T. Rudolph | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Toure
9 WR
|
M. Toure | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
J. Richardson
39 K
|
J. Richardson | 0/0 | 0 | 2/2 | 2 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
M. Ference
36 P
|
M. Ference | 8 | 42.9 | 2 | 53 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
J. Gibbs
1 RB
|
J. Gibbs | 20 | 100 | 0 | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Mason
27 RB
|
J. Mason | 15 | 95 | 0 | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Yates
13 QB
|
J. Yates | 8 | 38 | 1 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Sims
10 QB
|
J. Sims | 6 | 34 | 0 | 28 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Smith
4 RB
|
D. Smith | 1 | 15 | 1 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. McGowan
2 WR
|
K. McGowan | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
M. Carter
7 WR
|
M. Carter | 8 | 6 | 93 | 0 | 54 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. McGowan
2 WR
|
K. McGowan | 6 | 2 | 29 | 1 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. Gibbs
1 RB
|
J. Gibbs | 5 | 3 | 18 | 0 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Sanders
12 WR
|
A. Sanders | 3 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
P. Harris
18 WR
|
P. Harris | 2 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Leonard
80 TE
|
D. Leonard | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
N. McCollum
8 WR
|
N. McCollum | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Davis
30 WR
|
T. Davis | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
W. Walker
13 DB
|
W. Walker | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
B. Cimaglia
42 K
|
B. Cimaglia | 0/2 | 0 | 3/3 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
G. Stewart
88 K
|
G. Stewart | 0/1 | 0 | 0/0 | 0 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
A. Kent
47 K
|
A. Kent | 2 | 47.0 | 0 | 54 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Shanahan
43 P
|
D. Shanahan | 1 | 63.0 | 0 | 63 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
J. Gibbs
1 RB
|
J. Gibbs | 3 | 20.7 | 26 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. McGowan
2 WR
|
K. McGowan | 1 | 3.0 | 3 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
A. Rey 3 WR
|
A. Rey | 4 | -0.8 | 0 | 0 |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
15:00 | NILL 25 | 1:19 | 3 | 1 | Punt |
11:00 | NILL 38 | 4:56 | 4 | -4 | Punt |
5:38 | NILL 26 | 3:40 | 8 | 74 | TD |
0:39 | NILL 34 | 5:22 | 12 | 65 | TD |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
8:55 | NILL 43 | 2:01 | 4 | 2 | Punt |
5:43 | GATECH 4 | 5:43 | 13 | 58 | Half |
3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
13:48 | NILL 30 | 1:52 | 3 | 7 | Punt |
7:49 | NILL 2 | 4:52 | 8 | 50 | Punt |
4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
12:19 | NILL 15 | 2:12 | 3 | 12 | Punt |
7:44 | NILL 25 | 0:18 | 2 | 0 | Fumble |
6:32 | NILL 25 | 2:20 | 3 | 0 | Punt |
2:42 | NILL 20 | 2:04 | 9 | 80 | TD |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
13:41 | GATECH 41 | 39:47 | 7 | 20 | Downs |
8:58 | GATECH 28 | 3:20 | 9 | 45 | FG Miss |
1:58 | GATECH 39 | 1:19 | 5 | 27 | FG Miss |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
10:17 | GATECH 29 | 1:22 | 4 | 28 | Fumble |
6:54 | GATECH 2 | 6:07 | 6 | 34 | TD |
3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
15:00 | GATECH 26 | 1:12 | 3 | 2 | Punt |
11:48 | GATECH 33 | 3:59 | 9 | 65 | Downs |
2:57 | GATECH 5 | 5:38 | 13 | 29 | Punt |
4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
10:07 | GATECH 22 | 2:23 | 5 | 78 | TD |
7:26 | NILL 25 | 0:54 | 3 | 25 | TD |
4:12 | GATECH 32 | 1:30 | 3 | 4 | Punt |
0:38 | GATECH 25 | 0:38 | 4 | 32 | Blocked FG |
- Punt (3 plays, 1 yards, 1:19 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (15:00 - 1st) GT kicks 65 yards from GT 35 to the NIL End Zone. Touchback. |
+1 YD | 1 & 10 - NILL 25 (15:00 - 1st) H.Waylee rushed to NIL 26 for 1 yards. Tackled by GT at NIL 26. |
No Gain | 2 & 9 - NILL 26 (14:24 - 1st) R.Lombardi steps back to pass. R.Lombardi pass incomplete intended for NIL. |
No Gain | 3 & 9 - NILL 26 (14:19 - 1st) R.Lombardi steps back to pass. R.Lombardi pass incomplete intended for T.Rudolph. |
Punt | 4 & 9 - NILL 26 (13:50 - 1st) M.Ference punts 33 yards to GT 41 Center-E.Abrell. A.Rey returned punt from the GT 41. Tackled by NIL at GT 41. |
- Downs (7 plays, 20 yards, 39:47 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
+6 YD | 1 & 10 - GATECH 41 (13:41 - 1st) J.Gibbs rushed to GT 47 for 6 yards. Tackled by NIL at GT 47. |
No Gain | 2 & 4 - GATECH 47 (13:25 - 1st) GT steps back to pass. J.Sims pass incomplete intended for K.McGowan. |
+8 YD | 3 & 4 - GATECH 47 (13:18 - 1st) J.Gibbs rushed to NIL 45 for 8 yards. Tackled by NIL at NIL 45. |
+8 YD | 1 & 10 - NILL 45 (13:13 - 1st) J.Gibbs rushed to NIL 37 for 8 yards. Tackled by NIL at NIL 37. |
No Gain | 2 & 2 - NILL 37 (12:58 - 1st) J.Sims steps back to pass. J.Sims sacked at NIL 42 for -5 yards (NIL) |
+3 YD | 3 & 7 - NILL 42 (11:51 - 1st) J.Sims pass complete to NIL 42. Catch made by M.Carter at NIL 42. Gain of 3 yards. Tackled by NIL at NIL 39. |
No Gain | 4 & 3 - NILL 39 (11:11 - 1st) J.Sims steps back to pass. J.Sims pass incomplete intended for K.McGowan. |
- Punt (4 plays, -4 yards, 4:56 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
No Gain | 1 & 10 - NILL 39 (13:54 - 1st) H.Waylee rushed to NIL 47 for 0 yards. Tackled by GT at NIL 47. PENALTY on NIL-NIL Offensive Holding 10 yards accepted. |
+3 YD | 1 & 20 - NILL 29 (10:46 - 1st) H.Waylee rushed to NIL 32 for 3 yards. Tackled by GT at NIL 32. |
+2 YD | 2 & 16 - NILL 32 (10:19 - 1st) H.Waylee rushed to NIL 34 for 2 yards. Tackled by GT at NIL 34. |
+1 YD | 3 & 14 - NILL 34 (9:41 - 1st) R.Lombardi pass complete to NIL 34. Catch made by M.Joiner at NIL 34. Gain of 1 yards. Tackled by GT at NIL 35. |
Punt | 4 & 13 - NILL 35 (9:08 - 1st) M.Ference punts 36 yards to GT 29 Center-E.Abrell. Fair catch by T.Swilling. |
- Missed FG (9 plays, 45 yards, 3:20 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
No Gain | 1 & 10 - GATECH 29 (8:58 - 1st) J.Sims rushed to GT 29 for 0 yards. Tackled by NIL at GT 29. |
+14 YD | 2 & 10 - GATECH 29 (8:43 - 1st) J.Sims rushed to GT 43 for 14 yards. Tackled by NIL at GT 43. |
+5 YD | 1 & 10 - GATECH 43 (8:02 - 1st) J.Sims pass complete to GT 43. Catch made by A.Sanders at GT 43. Gain of 5 yards. Tackled by NIL at GT 48. |
+3 YD | 2 & 5 - GATECH 48 (7:34 - 1st) J.Gibbs rushed to NIL 49 for 3 yards. Tackled by NIL at NIL 49. |
+16 YD | 3 & 1 - NILL 49 (7:07 - 1st) J.Gibbs rushed to NIL 33 for 16 yards. Tackled by NIL at NIL 33. |
+2 YD | 1 & 10 - NILL 33 (6:47 - 1st) K.McGowan rushed to NIL 31 for 2 yards. Tackled by NIL at NIL 31. |
No Gain | 2 & 8 - NILL 31 (6:27 - 1st) J.Sims steps back to pass. J.Sims pass incomplete intended for J.Gibbs. |
+5 YD | 3 & 8 - NILL 31 (6:22 - 1st) J.Gibbs rushed to NIL 26 for 5 yards. Tackled by NIL at NIL 26. |
No Good | 4 & 3 - NILL 33 (5:44 - 1st) B.Cimaglia 43 yard field goal attempt is no good Center-C.Long Holder-A.Kent. |
- Touchdown (8 plays, 74 yards, 3:40 poss)
Result | Play |
---|---|
+9 YD | 1 & 10 - NILL 26 (5:38 - 1st) H.Waylee rushed to NIL 35 for 9 yards. Tackled by GT at NIL 35. |
+6 YD | 2 & 1 - NILL 35 (5:01 - 1st) H.Waylee rushed to NIL 41 for 6 yards. Tackled by GT at NIL 41. |
+2 YD | 1 & 10 - NILL 41 (4:31 - 1st) H.Waylee rushed to NIL 43 for 2 yards. Tackled by GT at NIL 43. |
+9 YD | 2 & 8 - NILL 43 (3:52 - 1st) H.Waylee rushed to GT 48 for 9 yards. Tackled by GT at GT 48. |
+2 YD | 1 & 10 - GATECH 48 (3:42 - 1st) H.Waylee rushed to GT 46 for 2 yards. Tackled by GT at GT 46. |
No Gain | 2 & 8 - GATECH 46 (2:58 - 1st) C.Ratkovich rushed to GT 46 for 0 yards. Tackled by GT at GT 46. |
+11 YD | 3 & 8 - GATECH 46 (2:16 - 1st) R.Lombardi pass complete to GT 46. Catch made by C.Tucker at GT 46. Gain of 11 yards. Tackled by GT at GT 35. |
+35 YD | 1 & 10 - GATECH 35 (2:05 - 1st) H.Waylee rushed to GT End Zone for 35 yards. H.Waylee for 35 yards TOUCHDOWN. |
PAT Good | (1:58 - 1st) J.Richardson extra point is good. |