Oct. 9, 1999
Georgia Tech 31, North Carolina 24
For the fifth time in the last 12 games, Georgia Tech’s Joe Hamilton led the Yellow Jackets on a game-saving drive in the fourth quarter as Tech downed North Carolina, 31-24 in overtime. The Jackets trailed 24-21 with 1:10 to play when Hamilton took over at his own two-yard line. Hamilton completed three passes for 73 yards to set up the game-tying field goal with five seconds left. Then in Tech’s first overtime game ever, Hamilton scored the winning touchdown on a six-yard run. He also had an eight-yard run on Tech’s overtime possession.
For the game, Hamilton completed 14 of 26 passes for 273 yards, including touchdown passes of 47 and 59 yards, while rushing for 77 yards and one score on 14 carries.
1999 SEASON TO DATE Hamilton LEADS THE NATION in passing efficiency at 191.24, still ahead of the NCAA season record. In five games, Hamilton has completed 79 of 117 passes (68 percent) for 1,347 yards and 12 touchdowns with four interceptions.
Also Tech’s leading rusher with 321 yards and six touchdowns, Hamilton averages 333.6 yards of total offense per game (third in the nation). He directs a Tech offense that leads the nation in total yards (515.8 per game) while ranking third in scoring (41.0 ppg).
CAREER NOTES Hamilton’s career pass efficiency rating is 144.42, the second-best mark in ACC history, trailing only former FSU quarterback Thad Busby (144.89). He ranks fourth in ACC annals in career total offense (8,514), third in TDR (66), tied for eighth in TD passes (48) and 10th in passing yards (7,169). In his last 22 games, Hamilton has thrown 39 TD passes and just 12 interceptions
