The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets won’t be thrilled with how they closed their season opener against Colorado.
In the driver’s seat up three with a little over two minutes to go, Georgia Tech couldn’t capitalize in the red zone, allowing Colorado a chance at a game-winning drive that they didn’t pass up. Despite Georgia Tech getting another chance at the win with seconds to go, they fell short, bringing increased scrutiny upon Brent Key’s coaching.
Georgia Tech HC Brent Key Ripped for Late-Game Decisions
Georgia Tech had everything they could have asked for (except a bigger lead) late in the game. It was 1st-and-10 at the Colorado 13-yard line with just two minutes to go.
The Yellow Jackets were up 10-7, but didn’t play aggressively to get in the end zone and instead ran the ball twice and threw a short pass to force Colorado to use their timeouts. Colorado saved about 1:45 left for themselves to put together a touchdown drive for the win.
By playing conservatively and settling for the field goal, the lead extended to just six, and Julian Lewis made them pay big time. In the span of about a minute, Georgia Tech found itself needing to get all the way down the field.
They got far enough to get a field goal attempt and settled for a long field goal when they chose to run the ball on third down. They let the clock run down as a result and used their timeout to set up a 45-yard field goal. Aidan Birr’s game-winning attempt was then blocked, setting up an absolute thriller of an ending.
the greatest sport in the world pic.twitter.com/jnys1jpjKU
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) September 4, 2026
Everything backfired for the Yellow Jackets, and Key is facing the music for his decisions in crunch time.
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“Why did Georgia Tech settle for a long FG!!!! You had a timeout. Gross,” said former NFL OL Geoff Schwartz.
Why did Georgia Tech settle for a long FG!!!! You had a timeout. Gross
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) September 4, 2026
The college football world wasn’t happy with Key not going for the jugular when he had the chance, and then playing conservatively again when they had a timeout to potentially stretch the field to make the game-winning field goal even shorter than they made it with the rush.
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“Georgia Tech deserves to lose this game. Went for the clock run out instead of trying to score a TD. Cowards never win,” said one former college football player turned content creator.
Georgia Tech deserves to lose this game
Went for the clock run out instead of trying to score a TD
cowards never win.
— Ben Houselog (@benlikessport) September 4, 2026
“Brent Key was soooo bad this 4Q. 1) Wayyyy too conservative on final offensive drive to settle for FG. 2) Called a timeout when Colorado was STRUGGLING in this two-minute drill. Offense started COOKING. Georgia Tech fans should be FURIOUS,” said one football YouTuber.
Brent Key was soooo bad this 4Q.
1) Wayyyy too conservative on final offensive drive to settle for FG.
2) Called a timeout when Colorado was STRUGGLING in this two minute drill. Offense started COOKING.
Georgia Tech fans should be FURIOUS.
— Carter B 🕺🏽 (@CarterthePower) September 4, 2026
This is going to sting for the Yellow Jackets. A game that was very winnable slipped out of their hands.
Georgia Tech was expected to win this game by many in the college football world and certainly dampened expectations for this Yellow Jackets team.
It won’t get easier, either, with No. 20 Tennessee up next on the schedule. Key might have to roll the dice more in the future after this Week 1 disaster down the stretch.
