When we think of great endings to college football games, plays like the Cal-Stanford laterals, Hail Mary passes from Doug Flutie and Kordell Stewart or plays like Auburn’s famed kick-six against Alabama come to mind. The end of Thursday’s ACC game between Virginia and Georgia Tech was like that. Only, it was the exact opposite.
The Yellow Jackets trailed the Cavaliers 16-9 and had the ball on their own 36 with enough time to run one play. Admittedly, their chances of a Hail Mary or lateral play succeeding from that far back were slim to none. But you never know until you try, right? But Georgia Tech quarterback Zach Gibson tried nothing of the sort.
Gibson dropped back and gave his receivers some time to get down the field. Eventually, the Virginia pass rush forced Gibson to move to his left — and he never stopped. Rather than throw the ball down the field, Gibson simply trotted out of bounds, well after the game clock was already at zeroes.
The Georgia Tech QB said, "Nah, I'm good" on the final play of the game. 🏈🤔 pic.twitter.com/jaVx7IoGv4
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 21, 2022
Naturally, this play got the attention of college football fans, who had several different humorous reactions to this play.
My man is like a kid who forgot to study for an exam and chose to just say F it instead of praying for a Hail Mary on the bubble sheet. https://t.co/9VhmjI44BA
— Cole Thompson (@MrColeThompson) October 21, 2022
My man is like a kid who forgot to study for an exam and chose to just say F it instead of praying for a Hail Mary on the bubble sheet. https://t.co/9VhmjI44BA
— Cole Thompson (@MrColeThompson) October 21, 2022
There’s no way Gibson did this. Footage gotta be doctored bruh https://t.co/OfLCFmoAEU
— Chris Williamson (@CWilliamson44) October 21, 2022
I mean…what the what?! https://t.co/B1KhNGLRh5
— Jake Hatch (Yawk) jakehatch.bsky.social (@JacobCHatch) October 21, 2022
Gotta appreciate the dedication to ball security. https://t.co/abqcYADOrY
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) October 21, 2022
Did this cost Georgia Tech the game? Almost certainly not. Still, this is not exactly something you want to see from a quarterback.
If the Yellow Jackets were down by more than one score, sure, we’d understand Gibson making a business decision on the game’s last play. But down seven, it kind of feels like a throw is a must there.
[Photo Credit: ESPN]
