Brent Key warns Georgia Tech will use emotions as fuel after its 44-42, 8-OT loss to Georgia

ATHENS – Brent Key said Georgia Tech will use its 44-42 eight-overtime loss to Georgia as fuel after his Yellow Jackets ran out of gas Saturday night.

The No. 7-ranked Bulldogs (10-2) held off a surprise effort from the Yellow Jackets (7-5) at Sanford Stadium and tied an SEC record with their 31st straight home win while likely securing a spot in the College Football Playoff.

“It’s tough, I love the team in there, they played their asses off,” said Key, whose team had a 17-0 lead at halftime and a 27-13 lead before UGA scored with 3:39 left scored a goal and reduced the deficit to a touchdown.

“There are no moral victories, but I’m proud of these guys and we’re going to use this to continue to push ourselves and continue to improve in all areas of the program because George Tech is special, these kids are special.”

In fact, the Yellow Jackets got a special performance from Haynes King, who was questionable after suffering an upper-body injury.

King was 26 of 36 passing for 303 yards and 2 touchdowns and also ran for 110 yards and 3 touchdowns on 24 carries.

“He’s a warrior, he’s one of the toughest kids I’ve ever been around in my life,” Key said. “(King) wants the others around him, I’m proud of him, proud of all of them.”

Key was emotional during the press conference and didn’t try to hide his disappointment.

Georgia Tech started as 19 1/2-point underdogs and appeared to have victory in its sights, close to preventing George from winning its seventh straight in the 117-year-old rivalry game.

“It sucks, losing stinks, losing like that. I told them there are no moral victories,” Key said. “I’m incredibly proud of them, proud of the seniors and what they’ve done for this program.

“Proud of everyone who stood on that sideline and the work they have done since January. They never hesitated, encountered obstacles and overcame them. They have solidified our vision of the “Tech Way”. “

The Yellow Jackets gave a taste of how dangerous an opponent they could be when they defeated the then-No. 4 Miami, 28-23, on November 9 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The win over the Hurricanes was Tech’s first win over a top-five team in the last 14 games against them.

Smart told his Georgia players to prepare for a “street fight,” knowing Georgia Tech would be full of dashed hopes.

The Bulldogs took the Yellow Jackets’ best shots, and as the game wore on, Georgia Tech’s players faded after doing their best.

“We had a couple of guys go down and that was one of the times in the games at the end,” Key said. “They kept fighting, arguing and struggling to find a way.”

“There are about 160 people in the locker room right now who look like me. I apologize guys, it’s tough right now, it’s tough. It’s mentally demanding, it takes a lot, but I fell a little short.”

As he concluded his press conference, Key reiterated his confidence in Georgia Tech’s direction.

“What I know about these kids, this team, this school,” Key said, “is going to turn that emotion into fuel, and we’re going to use that fuel.”