The game started off as a defensive struggle for both the Pack and the Jackets but a fake punt by the Rambling Wreck resulted in a 27-yard gain and put Tech on the 25-yard line. From then on the Jackets caught fire in its running game, rushing for 124 yards in the first quarter. A pitch from quarterback Tevin Washington to Orwin Smith resulted in a Tech touchdown and a touchdown from David Sims put the Yellow Jackets up 14-0.
The Pack had its chance to put points on the board, but a kick from Niklas Sade sailed wide right.
Quarterback Mike Glennon began to catch his rhythm in the second quarter. He moved the ball down the field on the drive, building up to a touchdown pass to Jay Smith in the back of the end zone, putting the Pack on the board and leaving the score at 21-7 at the half.
The Pack gained 180 yards of total offense for the first half, whereas Tech finished the half with 211 yards gained, 162 of which came on the ground.
The second half opened up on a promising note as the Pack took advantage of a three-and-out series from Georgia Tech. James Washington ran a 49-yard touchdown up the left sideline, putting the score at 21-14. Washington had a game high of 131 yards on the ground on 20 attempts.
Despite scoring 14 unanswered points on the Wreck, State was not able to build any momentum. Georgia Tech took the steering wheel when Smith scored another touchdown off of a pitch to the right side and Isaiah Johnson picked off a Glennon pass back to the end zone, increasing the Georgia Tech lead to 35-14.
After a Tech field goal, it sealed the deal with another Washington touchdown pass to Rodney Jones, pushing the lead to 45-14. Washington finished the game with two passing touchdowns.
The Wolfpack scored three late touchdowns in the fourth quarter off of two touchdown receptions by Tyler Purvis from Glennon and back-up quarterback Tyler Brosious . Glennon finished the game with 163 yards in the air and two touchdowns.
Safety Bandon Bishop also recovered a Georgia Tech fumble from quarterback Synjyn Days, leaving the final score at 45-35.
State held the Jackets offense, which averages 630.5 yards per game, to 413 yards of total offense.
