Dating back to the final year of the Dan Devine era in 1980, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have only traveled to Atlanta to face the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets three times. That number will increase to four on Oct. 19 when the Irish begin the second half of their 2024 season against the improving Yellow Jackets. This series, which dates back to 1922, has been another Irish domination, winning 30 of 36 meetings, with one 3-3 tie in 1980.
Head coach Brent Key starts his second full season as Tech’s leader, compiling an 11-10 record during that span. He replaced Geoff Collins for the final eight games in 2022 and last year led the Yellow Jackets to the school’s first winning season in five years.
Georgia Tech Offense: Keep Things Rolling
A major improvement came last year, with Tech scoring 14 more points per game as well as gaining 100 more yards per contest. The team’s offensive leader, quarterback Haynes King, is back after throwing for more than 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns. He’s also dangerous on his feet, gaining 717 yards and scoring 10 times at 6.1 yards per clip. If he goes down, the Yellow Jackets’ offense takes a huge hit.
That offensive resurgence resulted in the Tech running game leading the ACC, averaging 203 yards per game. This unit welcomes back leading rusher Jamal Haynes, who broke the 1,000-yard barrier and also caught 20 passes last season. He’s a converted wideout and when he needs a breather, Trevion Cooley or Evan Dickens will likely get the call. Cooley was the more productive of the two in 2023, though Haynes will garner the majority of carries.
Both Eric Singleton and Malik Rutherford are back at wide receiver after the two combined for 94 receptions and over 1,200 yards, with the duo scoring a total of 10 touchdowns. Joining them will be Chase Lane, who hopes to stay healthy after seeing action in just seven games because of injury. He only had seven receptions and will be in the mix along with Christian Leary. At tight end, Jackson Hawes arrives from Yale and offers not only a huge frame but a solid blocker.
Besides one guard spot, the Yellow Jacket offensive line has maintained its nucleus from last year. That means Jordan Williams and Ethan Mackenny will be back at the tackle spots and Joe Fusile will hold down a guard spot. The expected starter at the other guard should be Middle Tennessee transfer Keylan Rutledge, who has two years of experience. Rounding the group out will be Weston Franklin at center.
Georgia Tech Defense: Limiting Run a Major Goal
After giving up nearly 30 points per game last year and allowing 221 yards rushing per game, the defensive coaching staff was overhauled with four new arrivals. End Kevin Harris and tackle Zeek Biggers are back but need to deliver more production when on the field. One newcomer to watch will be nose tackle Thomas Gore, who’s now on his third school after transferring from the Miami Hurricanes. Another is edge rusher Romello Height, who arrives from Southern Cal.
Kyle Efford is back at one linebacker spot after leading the Yellow Jackets last year with 81 tackles, though he needs to be more of a big-player performer. Joining him as part of the new 4-2-5 defense will be Trenilyus Tatum, who brought down 38 ballcarriers, including four behind the line of scrimmage.
Cornerback Ahmari Harvey made 31 stops and looks to build on his three interceptions in 2023. He hits hard and will be joined on the other side of the field by Rodney Shelley, who ended last year with 17 stops. Safeties Clayton Powell-Lee and LaMiles Brooks combined for 137 tackles last season, a number far too high for a player in their positions. Brooks knocked away six pass attempts, with the pair joined by Omar Daniels at the nickel spot.
Georgia Tech Special Teams: Comfort Zone Continued
More of the same is expected in 2024 with placekicker Aidan Burr and punter David Shanahan. Birr converted all but two of his 19 field goal attempts, while Shanahan averaged 42.8 yards per punt. When Tech is receiving in this department, Leary or Haybes will handle kickoffs and Shelley will return punts.
The Last Time Notre Dame Faced Georgia Tech
Rolling on Senior Day in 2021, the Irish romped to a 55-0 pounding over the Yellow Jackets. Notre Dame took immediate control of the game, taking the opening drive and converting it into three points. Tech’s first drive resulted in a pick-six by Jack Kiser to make it 10-0. A nine-yard Kyren Williams scoring run and a Michael Mayer touchdown reception made it 24-0 after one period. That would increase to 45-0 at the break, with the final touchdown coming on a 70-yard fumble return by Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa with 4:50 to play.
