Conventional wisdom holds that Rome was not built in a day and elite football teams take several seasons to develop. But one could forgive the Yellow Jackets for wanting to jump ahead of schedule. In the year 2 A.G. (that’s After Gailey) Georgia Tech rushed ahead of the pack in the ACC on the way to the Yellow Jackets’ first conference title in nearly two decades. There were some bumps along the way, but Tech proved the triple-option offense works at the BCS level. Now the Yellow Jackets are ramblin’ on to Miami for the Jan. 5 Orange Bowl against Iowa.

Georgia Tech 37, Jacksonville State 17

Despite Errors, Opener Easy Win

Tech players fumbled five times, dropped several passes and let a handful of potential interceptions slip through their fingers. After a big first half against Jacksonville State, the team was outscored in the final two quarters for a final margin of 37-17.

But those wondering if all the big plays last season from the triple-option offense were a fluke got a quick answer as junior B-back Jonathan Dwyer sprinted for a 74-yard touchdown on the game’s first play from scrimmage.

“Just give me the ball and let me make a play,” Dwyer said. “That is what the offense is about.”

Georgia Tech 30, Clemson 27

Kicker Shines in Dramatic Victory

After an up-and-down season in 2008, kicker Scott Blair had the game of a lifetime in leading Tech over Clemson.

Blair helped the Yellow Jackets race out to a big lead with a 34-yard touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas on a fake field goal.

Then, after Tech squandered a 24-0 lead in the second half, Blair knocked in two clutch field goals to first tie the game and then win it.

Tech’s big first half also included Jerrard Tarrant’s second punt return for a touchdown in the team’s first two games.

Blair’s final field goal came with less than a minute remaining to give Tech a 30-27 lead.

“I was just trying to treat it like a normal kick, not psych myself out,” Blair said. “I wasn’t paying attention to the score at all. … I actually don’t remember catching the ball or throwing the ball too much. I guess it was dreamlike.”

Miami 33, Georgia Tech 17

Hurricanes Upend Perfect Start

The Yellow Jackets couldn’t continue their dominance of Miami in the team’s first road game.

Tech allowed Hurricanes quarterback Jacoby Harris to complete 20 of 25 passes, and the triple-option offense never found a rhythm in dropping a 33-17 decision.

Georgia Tech had won four straight against Miami and rolled up 472 rushing yards in the teams’ previous meeting but only managed 95 this game.

Nesbitt said later the loss was just the wake-up call the Yellow Jackets needed.

Georgia Tech 24, North Carolina 7

Gritty Win Returns Tech to Top 25

After the loss to Miami, Tech found itself on the outside looking in at the top 25 teams, having been dropped from the polls. The Jackets’ opponent, North Carolina, stood at No. 18 in the rankings.

By discovering a key to victory that would serve the team throughout the season — dominating time of possession — Tech reclaimed a spot among the top teams.

One fourth-quarter drive lasted 17 plays, covered 76 yards, chewed up more than eight minutes and was capped by Nesbitt’s 10-yard touchdown run.

The defense also rebounded after being roughed up by Miami, allowing only a single score. Safety Morgan Burnett grabbed two interceptions.

“We took the challenge to step forward as a defense and as a team,” Burnett said. “Everyone came in determined, and it showed throughout the day.”

Georgia Tech 42, Mississippi State 31

Nesbitt Throws MSU Bulldogs for a Loop

Nesbitt has come to be known for his runs and pitches in Tech’s option offense, but he reminded everyone that he came out of Greene County, Ga., High School as a throwing quarterback by completing 11 of 14 passes for 266 yards.

Thomas hauled in eight of those passes, racking up 174 yards including a 23-yard touchdown that helped Tech win a high scoring 42-31 tilt against Mississippi State.

It was a wild game in Starkville, Miss., as both teams scored on misdirection plays and combined to convert six fourth downs.

Tech forced five turnovers, including a fumble that Tarrant scooped up and returned 40 yards for a Yellow Jackets touchdown.

Nesbitt’s arm was the big story, though, catching the Bulldogs off guard. The previous game, Nesbitt had rushed 32 times.

Georgia Tech 49, Florida State 44

Offense Explodes Against Seminoles

The game against Mississippi State was nothing but a warm-up for the shoot-out Georgia Tech got into with Florida State.

The Yellow Jackets finally emerged with a 49-44 win after trading scores with the Seminoles all night in the tussle in Tallahassee.

Nesbitt returned his focus to the ground game, running for three touchdowns and adding one more through the air. Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder had a stellar game as well, completing 26 passes for 359 yards and five touchdowns.

But it was Nesbitt who came out on top. He threw a 73-yard touchdown pass to Thomas, then later sealed the game with a 22-yard touchdown run.

Nesbitt had to get the ball back first, though. After losing a fumble to a Florida State defender, Nesbitt raced after him and ripped the ball away to regain possession for the Yellow Jackets.

“The play he made to steal the ball back was probably the play of the game,” Coach Paul Johnson said.

Georgia Tech 28, Virginia Tech 23

Hokies, Goalpost Toppled

Virginia Tech came into Bobby Dodd Stadium ranked No. 4, one of the most formidable Homecoming opponents the Yellow Jackets ever had faced.

By the time the night was over, the Hokies were sent back to Blacksburg with their heads hanging low while the party raged on Tech’s campus.

After a tough first half, in which the Yellow Jackets had only 37 rushing yards, Nesbitt got the offense clicking in the second half to lead Tech to a 28-23 win.

His most dramatic score came in the fourth quarter. Nesbitt started out left, and when the Virginia Tech defenders stayed with potential pitch recipients, he sped through a hole for a 39-yard touchdown.

“We were our own worst enemy in the first half, only hurting ourselves,” Nesbitt said. “We just went out in the second half and slowed the game down.”

Fans rushed onto the field after the game ended. Some toppled a goalpost and eventually carried it to the president’s residence, where President G. P. “Bud” Peterson and his wife, Val, joined in the Homecoming revelry.

Georgia Tech 34, Virginia 9

Jackets Dominate To Claim Revenge Over Virginia

Following that emotional high, Tech avenged a Homecoming loss last season by winning 34-9 at Virginia.

The Yellow Jackets held the ball for more than 42 minutes, including a nearly 11-minute drive that marks the longest possession in team history. A-back Anthony Allen finished it off with a touchdown run, the 18th play of the drive.

It was time for the backs to shine as Dwyer rushed for 125 yards, and Allen had 103 yards and two touchdowns.

“When we had the 11-minute drive, we’re coming in and looking at the guys lined up across from us and they’re just dog tired,” Allen remembered. “And we know we have them right then.”

Georgia Tech 56, Vanderbilt 31

Dwyer Leads Ramblin’ Backfield to Rout of Commodores

Before facing Tech, Vanderbilt’s coach, Bobby Johnson, was asked how to stop the triple-option offense. He said he didn’t have an answer.

That was evident by the time Tech finished off a 56-31 victory while racking up a season-best 597 yards. Of the Yellow Jackets’ 404 rushing yards, Dwyer had a career-best 186 yards and three touchdowns.

“We have a lot of weapons on the offense, so each and every week somebody has a breakout game,” he said.

Georgia Tech 30, Wake Forest 27, Overtime

Fifth Time’s a Charm on Fourth Downs for Coach Johnson

Johnson has come to be known for his willingness to try to convert fourth downs.

That strategy had served the Yellow Jackets well for most of the season. But against Wake Forest, Tech had been stymied each of the four times it tried to convert a fourth down.

With the game in overtime and the Demon Deacons up 27-24 after a field goal, Tech once again faced fourth down on the 5-yard line with about 18 inches to go.

Johnson sent out the offense again, but as a ploy to draw Wake Forest offside. When that didn’t work, Johnson called a time-out and prepared to send in the kicking unit. But Nesbitt grabbed his coach’s ear and insisted he could get those 18 inches.

Johnson listened and sent the offense out again. Nesbitt rushed up the middle for two yards, and then he scored on the next play for a 30-27 win.

“I could see the defense they were in,” Nesbitt said. “I just knew in my heart I could get it.”

“I play to win,” was all Johnson said to explain his decision.

Georgia Tech 49, Duke 10

Comeback Keyed by Long Return

A kickoff return set the tone for Tech’s big victory over Duke, as the Yellow Jackets’ Orwin Smith bobbled the kickoff then raced 83 yards before being tripped up just before the end zone.

Nesbitt busted in for a touchdown on the next play, his first of three scores including long touchdown passes to Stephen Hill and Demaryius Thomas.

Up to that point, the Blue Devils had jumped out to a 10-0 lead. But Smith’s score rallied the Yellow Jackets defense as well. They shut out Duke the rest of the way and allowed only 25 yards rushing for the game.

Dwyer added two touchdown runs and credited Smith for firing the team up.

“Once we saw the big play, we just kept following that, using that as momentum,” Dwyer said.

Georgia 30, Georgia Tech 24

Comeback Not in the Cards

After breaking a string of seven losses to Georgia last season, Tech found itself entering this year’s rivalry game as the favorite.

Behind a strong running game, the Bulldogs went out to a 30-24 lead. But the Yellow Jackets got the ball back in time for one last drive and moved the ball into Georgia territory in the final minute.

A comeback wasn’t in the cards this season, however, when four consecutive passes from Nesbitt fell incomplete.

Thomas earlier had done his best to get Georgia Tech back into the game, taking a pass from Nesbitt on one of the first plays of the second half and running 77 yards for a touchdown.

“It hurts. I know I’m hurting,” Burnett said. “We were a higher ranked team, but I think we got complacent.”

ACC Championship: Georgia Tech 39, Clemson 34

Late Score Puts Jackets Atop ACC

Tech and Clemson once again combined for plenty of late drama, and the Yellow Jackets once again pulled out a play at the end to win. Dwyer scored a 15-yard touchdown to put Tech up 39-34 with just more than a minute remaining, and Clemson couldn’t answer. That gave Tech its first conference championship since 1998.

Nesbitt and Thomas again hooked up for a big play, a 70-yard touchdown pass. And Blair kicked four field goals, including two that qualified as the longest of his career. He first knocked one in from 48 yards, then later made one from 49 yards.

Tech overcame 233 yards and four touchdowns from Clemson’s C.J. Spiller, the ACC offensive player of the year.

Dwyer and Nesbitt both rushed for more than 100 yards for Tech. “We went out there and just realized that we’re not going to lose this game,” Dwyer said. “There’s no way we’re going to lay down and give up.”