Presbyterian overwhelmed in 59-3 loss to Ga. Tech

Zach Laskey scored on a 56-yard run on Georgia Tech's third play, and the Yellow Jackets kept the pressure on in beating overmatched Presbyterian 59-3 on Saturday night.

Georgia Tech (1-1) had 712 total yards, the program's second-highest total, including 469 yards rushing. The Yellow Jackets had a school-record 768 yards in a 66-24 rout of Kansas in 2011.

Presbyterian, a Division II team until 2007, had only 243 yards. The Blue Hose avoided the shutout when Aaron Mayes kicked a 30-yard field goal with 5 seconds remaining.

The Blue Hose were coming off a 45-10 win over Brevard College, but Nichols said his Football Championship Subdivision team played better in the loss to Georgia Tech.

"We did some good things, improving from week one to week two, and that was something we wanted to do," Nichols said. "You've got to give credit to Georgia Tech. They're an FBS bowl team, they'll be in the top 20 and probably go to a bowl again this year."

Presbyterian (1-1) was stopped on two runs from the Georgia Tech 1 in the second quarter. Lance Byrd, who ran for 80 yards, fumbled after crossing the Georgia Tech 10 in the third quarter.

Safety Brandon Leston returned a second-quarter fumble by Georgia Tech's Synjyn Days 91 yards to the Georgia Tech 9, but the Blue Hose could not score.

Georgia Tech's defense held on two plays from the 1. After Presbyterian quarterback Tamyn Garrick was stopped on a third-down keeper, Byrd lost 2 yards on fourth down when hit by linebacker Anthony Harrell and a crowd of Yellow Jackets.

Presbyterian's only other scoring chance of the half ended when linebacker Brandon Watts, who had a deflected pass at the line earlier in the series, blocked Mayes' try for a 44-yard field goal.

Garrick completed 11 of 28 passes for 83 yards and one interception. Kaleb Griffin took over for Garrick in the fourth quarter and completed 2 of 6 passes for 15 yards. Chad Sanders was the quarterback for Presbyterian's final possession, but did not attempt a pass.

"We were a victim of big plays and some missed tackles," Nichols said. "Their guys got out there and they're so fast you can't catch them. ... They're a big-play offense and they took advantage of some matchups and did a nice job with that."

Georgia Tech gave extended playing time to redshirt freshman quarterback Vad Lee, who ran and passed for touchdowns in his debut. Meanwhile, Zach Laskey ran for 116 yards and a touchdown in his first start.