:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45133020/usa-today-8305207.0.jpg)
Georgia Tech played a pretty darn good half of football to start the 2014 Orange Bowl. They got a three-and-out on their first defensive drive, and scored touchdowns on two of their first three drives. They even forced and recovered a fumble (or didn't, if you ask the B1G referees). It was a gutsy effort with a lot of production.
Justin Thomas has played an outstanding game thus far, going 7 of 10 passing for 125 yards and a touchdown. (His only blemish was a third down pass he intended to throw away, but instead found a Bulldog defender on for an interception in field goal range.) Darren Waller already has 5 catches for 114 yards and a touchdown -- one he got on a beautiful 41-yard throw from Thomas.
The concerning element of the first half is how the Mississippi State offense finished against the Yellow Jackets' defense. The Bulldogs' last 4 drives of the half went for a combined 249 yards on 30 plays, and all 20 of their points. That included a last-second Hail Mary before halftime, which Fred Ross caught for a touchdown off of a deflection even though the tip of the ball visibly hit the ground on the way down.
Needless to say, this author is a little salty right now.
He's also proud of how the team performed in the first half against a very strong, talented opponent. Halftime adjustments will prove crucial to the outcome of this game.