White at Home on His Turf

Georgia Tech was looking for its 10th victory of the season. Dez White couldn’t imagine a better place to get it.

White, a Jacksonville native, returned home Friday and caught two long touchdown passes from Joe Hamilton to lead No. 12-ranked Georgia Tech to a 35-28 victory over No. 17 Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl.

White had a 44-yard touchdown catch to turn the momentum in the third quarter and one for 55 yards in the fourth quarter for the decisive score.

“All week long, I felt real comfortable,” White said. “Then, coming in here today, it just felt like a home game. I was fired up, ready to play in front of my friends and family.”

Trying to end a bowl losing streak at three games, Notre Dame (9-3) broke out its green jerseys for the first time since the 1995 Fiesta Bowl.

The Irish, who had come from behind in the fourth quarter in four of their victories this season, had the ball twice in the final three minutes, but neither series produced a yard. Nate Stimson, who had 2 1/2 sacks, ended the final drive by forcing a fumble recovered by Jesse Tarplin.

“This is great,” Stimson said. “It’s the last game of my career, the game’s on the line late and I’m able to sack the quarterback and force a fumble. You couldn’t ask for a better ending.”

The victory was only the fifth for Georgia Tech (10-2) in 32 games against Notre Dame--and its first since 1976.

Hamilton completed 13 of 20 passes for 237 yards and three touchdowns, ran for 19 yards and had his first career reception when running back Joe Burns passed to him for a five-yard touchdown in the first quarter. White had four catches for 129 yards.