2016 Week 1

Georgia Tech played without five of the most accomplished players in school history for the first time Saturday, and it showed. A mediocre effort on offense and three turnovers nearly cost them against Louisville, but the Rambling Wreck escaped Derby City with a 28-24 win, thanks to a most unlikely hero: true freshman cornerback Aaron Ford, who played much of the game in place of injured started Nicholas Eugene.

It was the first career start in the backfield for redshirt seniors Mike Hart and Sean Johnson, neither of whom played particularly well. Hart struggled to replace the school's all time leading passer, TJ Paul, completing 17 of 36 passes for 185 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. He also ran 11 times for just 8 yards, though he did have a two yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Johnson had a quiet afternoon, carrying just seven times for 32 yards. Georgia Tech could have used the 2,521 career yards and 28 career touchdowns of departed star William Holt.

The Rambling Wreck also clearly missed career receptions leader James Hatchell, career pancake block leader Joe Woods, and career tackles leader James Martin.

In the end though, Georgia Tech did just enough to win, highlighted by an 87 yard interception return by Ford as time expired in the first half, and a clutch scoring drive in the waning moments of the fourth quarter. Hart kept the drive alive on fourth and two with a swing pass to fullback Bill Talley that went for 17 yards. Two plays later, Hart got the Rambling Wreck to the two yard line, threading a pass to Ryan Ellis on a slant pattern. Talley rumbled into the end zone on the next play, putting Georgia Tech on top just as the frenetic fourth quarter drew to a close.