Needing to run clock out, Georgia went with a pass in loss to Georgia Tech

The goal, with less than four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and holding a six-point lead, was to run out the clock and secure a victory.

What happened for Georgia at the tail end of Saturday's 28-27 loss to Georgia Tech was the worst-case scenario.

Facing a second-and-8, Georgia came out of a timeout with a particular call in mind. It was a pass play, which seemed to be a surprise considering running the ball would definitely keep the clock moving. A dropped pass would stop the clock, which is something the Bulldogs wanted to avoid in that situation.

But the way Georgia head coach Kirby Smart looked at it, the Bulldogs only amassed 14 rushing yards on its previous five runs. Georgia Tech stacked the box and began playing the run better, so the idea of a quick pass to receiver Terry Godwin in the flat, a play that's essentially an extension of the run game, was a good call to go with.

It ended in disaster.

Quarterback Jacob Eason threw the ball away from Godwin, forcing the sophomore receiver to contort his body and reach back to the ball. He was unable to bring the ball in but deflected it into the air and to the Georgia Tech defenders behind him.

Defensive back Lance Austin ran up to corral the interception, giving Georgia Tech the ball at the Georgia 46-yard line. The pick, at the 3:39 mark of the fourth quarter, led to Georgia Tech's game-winning touchdown.

It's easy to say, with the benefit of hindsight, that Georgia should've gone with a run in that situation. But as running back Nick Chubb noted, the outcome very well could have been different if the play itself was executed properly. 

"If it worked then you wouldn’t be saying that," Chubb said. "Every play is important."

Smart said the play itself is a safe pass in that particular situation. It was a high-percentage throw designed to set Georgia up with a good third down opportunity.

"We thought it was a good play," Smart said. "It’s a 2-yard (pass) in the flat. It’s a simple play call. I don’t know if he threw it a little behind him, I’m not sure what happened. But what happened, happened."

This story was originally published November 26, 2016 at 6:03 PM with the headline "Needing to run clock out, Georgia went with a pass in loss to Georgia Tech."