Former Alabama WR catches game-winner for Georgia Tech

Former Alabama WR catches game-winner for Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech beat No. 17 Miami 23-20 on Saturday night in one of the wildest endings of the season.

The previously unbeaten Hurricanes led 20-17 with the ball in Yellow Jackets territory and less than 40 seconds remaining, but elected to run a play rather than take a knee to kill the clock. Miami running back Donald Chaney fumbled with 33 seconds left, with Georgia Tech’s Kyle Kennard falling on the ball at the Yellow Jackets’ 26.

Two plays later, Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King hit Malik Rutherford for 30 yards to the Miami 44. After he spiked the ball to stop the clock, he found Christian Leary — a former Alabama wide receiver — behind the defense for a 44-yard touchdown with two seconds left.

Here’s video of the touchdown:

Georgia Tech (3-3, 2-1 ACC) failed on the extra point, but held on for the win. Miami (4-1, 0-1) tried a multi-lateral play on the final snap, but could not get the ball past midfield.

Leary transferred in January to Georgia Tech, where he joined Yellow Jackets head coach Brent Key, a former Crimson Tide offensive line coach. Leary’s touchdown reception Saturday was his only catch of the night.

Miami coach Mario Cristobal is also a former Alabama O-line coach. He and Key worked together on the Crimson Tide staff in 2016 before Cristobal left to become offensive coordinator — and later head coach — at Oregon.