ATLANTA (Interstat) — In a commanding display of offensive efficiency and defensive pressure, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets remained undefeated, overpowering the Virginia Tech Hokies 35-20 on Saturday before a crowd of 50,878 at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King was the catalyst, orchestrating a near-flawless performance that saw the Yellow Jackets improve to 5-0. King, a junior from Longview, Texas, completed 20 of 24 passes for 213 yards and a touchdown while adding 60 yards and two more scores on the ground. His versatility kept the Hokies’ defense off-balance throughout the contest.

Virginia Tech, led by quarterback Kyron Drones, fell to 2-4 despite a valiant effort. Drones, from Pearland, Texas, threw for 181 yards and two touchdowns and was the Hokies’ primary rushing threat, scrambling for 83 yards and another score.

The game’s tone was set immediately, with Georgia Tech marching 80 yards on a methodical 11-play opening drive. King capped it with a 2-yard run and then connected with Malik Rutherford for a successful two-point conversion, staking the Yellow Jackets to an 8-0 lead before many fans had settled into their seats.

Virginia Tech’s first two possessions ended in punts, the second of which was compounded by a 42-yard return by Eric Rivers that set up Georgia Tech with excellent field position. King needed just five plays to find the end zone again, hitting Rutherford for a 9-yard touchdown pass. The extra point gave Georgia Tech a 15-0 advantage late in the first quarter.

The Hokies found their footing in the second quarter. After a 51-yard field goal from Aidan Birr extended Georgia Tech’s lead to 18-0, Virginia Tech’s offense finally broke through. Drones engineered a scoring drive highlighted by his own 32-yard scramble for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 18-7.

Georgia Tech responded by driving deep into Virginia Tech territory just before halftime. A potential touchdown pass from King to Isiah Canion was nullified by a holding penalty, forcing the Yellow Jackets to settle for a 30-yard Birr field goal as time expired, sending the teams to the locker room with Georgia Tech leading 21-7.

The third quarter saw both teams trade touchdowns. Virginia Tech struck first, with Drones launching a 33-yard scoring strike to tight end Ja’Ricous Hairston to pull the Hokies within a score at 21-14.

The Yellow Jackets answered with a statement drive of their own. King efficiently moved the offense downfield, and running back Malachi Hosley finished it with a 15-yard touchdown run, restoring Georgia Tech’s 14-point cushion at 28-14. The Hokies threatened again later in the quarter, but a Drones pass was intercepted in Georgia Tech territory by Rodney Shelley, halting the momentum.

Any hope of a Virginia Tech comeback was effectively extinguished early in the fourth quarter. King put an exclamation point on his day, breaking free for a 26-yard touchdown run to push the lead to 35-14.

Virginia Tech continued to fight, with Drones leading a 13-play, 75-yard drive that culminated in his second touchdown pass to Hairston, this one from 3 yards out. A failed two-point conversion attempt left the score at 35-20 with just under five minutes to play, and Georgia Tech’s defense held firm from there to seal the victory.

Defensively, Georgia Tech was led by linebacker Kyle Efford, who recorded seven tackles and a sack. The Yellow Jackets’ defensive front consistently pressured Drones and backup William Watson III, registering multiple sacks and tackles for loss. For Virginia Tech, linebacker George Ballance was a bright spot on a struggling defense, posting a game-high eight tackles.

The victory keeps Georgia Tech perfect on the season as they head into a key ACC Coastal matchup at Duke next Saturday. Virginia Tech, mired in a difficult stretch, will look to regroup during its open week before hosting California on October 24.