The scene: The Flats. Bobby Dodd Stadium at grant Field. The oldest and winningest stadium in NCAA D-1 history. The sight: A moment suspended in time, like so much pigskin in the cool Atlanta air. A quick flash of gold, a struggle and a glorious sea of smiling, cheering faces. The afternoon that saw the Yellow Jackets of Georgia Tech put to rest the win less streak against the Seminoles of Florida State conjured up thought of glory past. Better days and games and wins. So, the Pope asks, what moments stand out in my Tech history? I present the top (live) moments in Tech football history through the eyes of a Jolly Good Fellow.

note: emphasis on LIVE. These are the moments I was actually in attendance for.

5. Georgia Tech 23 – Auburn 14

Auburn was coming off a 14-0 season and had won their last 15 games in a row, second only to USC. The Jacket defense forced 5 turnovers and Reginald Ball connected with Calvin Johnson on the opening drive to set the tone.

4. Georgia Tech 31 – Clemson 28

The Tigers were ranked higher than anytime since their championship season. 8-0. The Jackets led by George “goose” Godsey were still experiencing life without Joe Hamilton. The Tigers jumped out to a 14-3 lead before the Jackets closed the gap and the golden goose found Kerry Watkins in the back of the end zone for “the catch” and an upset win in Death Valley.

3. Georgia Tech 41 – Virginia 38

This game was symbolic from the very beginning. Earlier in the day NC State had given Florida State only its second loss in ACC play. The Jackets, underrated and on their way to a 10-2 season came to the flats to face an old rival from an earlier time. The Jackets led by Dez White and his 224 yards on six receptions and a returned kick by Charlie Rogers took the lead late when Joe Hamilton dove into the end zone and the Cavaliers final field goal fell short. The goal post came down and so did the dreams from Charlottesville. The score, 41-38 the exact score Tech won by when they defeated Virginia in the championship year of 1990.

2. Georgia Tech 31 – Florida State 28

The Jackets under new head coach Paul Johnson and his “earth, wind and Dwyer” option attack took on the ACC leading Florida State. The Jackets were stunning early scoring almost easily on the number three ranked defense in the NCAA. Then like the story went in so many years before, the Seminoles turned the tide and with under a minute left to play were first and goal inside the five yard line. On second and three Marcus Sims dove and fumbled into the end zone. The recovery, by Rashad Reid and by the fans themselves is still being felt and will be felt for seasons to come.

1. Georgia Tech 21 – Georgia 19

The most unlikely hero on the most unlikely of days in the most unlikely of places against the most unlikely of opponents. This is how this date late in November of 1998 will be remembered. The Dogs and Jackets met in similar circumstances. the Dogs just behind Florida in the SEC and the Jackets enjoying a good season but falling just short of Florida State in the ACC. The dogs would lead they way the entire game before the Jackets and Joe Hamilton took the game on their shoulders and scored late in the ball game and then made a huge third down stop on the ensuing Dogs possession. Brad Chambers, the unlikely hero and maybe the shakiest kicker in recent Tech History, struck the ball through the uprights. The late November air was still except for a jubilant few, the Hedges were in shambles, and the Dogs and their faithful were stunned. The seven year streak had ended.

III,