John Bazemore / AP

Georgia's Ben Jones celebrates with a piece of turf after the Bulldogs upset No. 7 Georgia Tech 30-24 Saturday night.

Georgia has been one of the nation’s most disappointing teams, losing more games than it had in any season during Mark Richt’s nine years as coach. Amid calls for him to shake up his coaching staff, the Bulldogs defied their critics and pushed the coach’s record against Georgia Tech to 8-1.

For good measure, the Bulldogs likely improved their bowl prospects, though it will still be a postseason trip below their expectations.

“I know we’ve got some areas to improve in,” Richt said. “Right now, I’m just going to enjoy this victory.”

The Yellow Jackets are still in the same position as they were before the game, knowing a win in the ACC title game likely sends them to the Orange Bowl.

“We need to get over this fast,” Georgia Tech running back Jonathan Dwyer said. “We have a bigger game to worry about.”

King was part of an exciting sequence early in the third quarter, when Georgia Tech could have launched another comeback but were instead answered right away.

The Yellow Jackets closed to 17-10 on their third play from scrimmage when Thomas turned a short pass into a 77-yard touchdown. He caught a throw just across the line, stiff-armed Vance Cuff and took off down the sideline for his 10th play of the year covering at least 50 yards.

But Georgia took the very next snap to the house. King got the handoff, blew through yet another big opening up the middle and zigzagged his way down the field for a 75-yard touchdown.

Georgia Tech never caught up. Walsh added field goals of 38 and 43 yards to offset a pair of Georgia Tech touchdowns: Dwyer’s 5-yard run and a 1-yard sneak by Nesbitt.

The Bulldogs had two 100-yard runners in a game for the first time since 2004 and piled up the most rushing yards of Richt’s tenure. By comparison, Nesbitt was Georgia Tech’s top rusher with a mere 41 yards. Dwyer, the reigning ACC player of the year, was held to 33 yards on 14 carries.

When it was over, Georgia got back at the Yellow Jackets for snatching pieces of the famed Sanford Stadium hedge following their 2008 upset. This time, defensive lineman Kade Weston planted a huge flag with a “G” near the middle of the field.

“To see them walk out with pieces of hedges in their mouths,” said Georgia quarterback Joe Cox, “that motivates you to want to win.”

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