Georgia Tech, Tennessee’s September 12 opponent in Atlanta, is going to be in a very bad humor.

The Yellow Jackets lost their opener to Colorado, 14-13. The Tech offense failed to score. The Buffs won with a late drive and touchdown pass.

Tech had a last-gasp chance to save the game. With 37 seconds remaining, quarterback Alberto Mendoza hit Dalen Penson for a 42-yard gain that put the Jackets in routine field goal range for All-American Aidan Birr.

Former delinquent Vol Boo Carter blocked the kick as time ran out.

Rahkeem Smith returned a kickoff 105 yards in the second quarter for Georgia Tech’s first points. Birr hit two field goals. Mendoza, transfer from Indiana, completed 17 of 23 for 237 yards. Wide receiver Jordan Allen had eight catches for 113.

Justice Haynes led the ground game – such as it was. Georgia Tech managed just 51 net rushing yards. Mendoza was sacked three times.

Tech was flagged for nine penalties. It allowed Colorado to convert nine third and fourth downs.

Yellow Jacket sophomore tight end Kevin Roche, 6-9, blocked a Colorado field-goal attempt and had four receptions for 37 yards. The basketball forward is a problem for small defensive backs.

Linebacker Kyle Efford led Tech with 13 tackles. Safeties Savion Riley had 10 and Tae Harris nine.

Coach Brent Key said the defeat was disappointing.

“I don’t think it was a lack of want to. I think it was a lack of execution.”

Surprisingly, Tech lost at the line of scrimmage. Key acknowledged his team did not play well up front, but is confident it will get corrected. He said a couple of defensive linemen got knocked out of position.

“I don’t have a crystal ball, but I’m still bullish on this team. I’m very confident in this football team.”

Key said Mendoza had a presence, did a nice job of getting the team into “the right play” and rolled out when he needed to roll out.