National Preseason #1 ... 14 weeks later ... State End of Season #2.by Jarad Wilson
The Jackets, under first year head coach Paul Johnson were picked by SI to go 3-9. Well someone forgot to tell Jonathon Dwyer, Roddy Jones, Paul Johnson, and the rest of the Yellow Jackets.
Coming into the game as an 8 point underdog, GaTech responded in fashion in the first quarter, failing to stop anything Stafford had. The Dawgs were gashing Tech's secondary on every play that wasn't a penalty. UGA literally walked down the field, less the one mistake Stafford threw for a pick six. Half-time score: 28-12, UGA, and Tech is hurting
Then came the second half. With the announcers proclaiming UGA's glorious holding of Dwyer to 9 carries for 37 yards... whoops... Dwyer took the first play of the second quarter 60 yards for TD. The Jackets Defense responded with a hold, and forced a punt. The next possession led to a 10 play drive ending in a Jones sweep for a TD. Score: 28-28
As if the momentum hadn't swung enough, UGA fumbles the ensuing kickoff, and the next play later saw Dwyer again. On a dive right play Dwyer gashes up the middle, and scores from 23 yards out. The Jackets would get another 3 points on a FG, scoring 26 unanswered points in the 3rd quarter (with two 2-point conversions). Score at the End of the Third: 38-28 Tech
Then came the fun... UGA holds Tech to 4 and out, and on the ensuing drive, drives down, and on 4th and 1, Moreno scours to the outside and scores from 32 yards out, pummeling 2 Tech players on his way to the endzone. A momentum swing if there ever was one. Score: 38-35 Tech
Tech gets one first down, and appears to be held by UGA's defense, until someone forgot to tackle Jones, who gets to the outside, beats 2 tackles, and runs 54 yards for a TD. Score 45-35 Tech
Tech, needing a hold on the next drive, fails once again to hold Stafford's arm in check, who once again walk UGA's offense down the field, and scores hitting Senior Massaquoi yet again.
Score: 45-42 Tech
Tech, once again unable to hold UGA's offense, needed a time-consuming drive to polish off the last 3:09 of the game clock, clinging to only a 3 point lead now. Nesbitt comes through, getting 4 yards on 3rd and three. Once UGA burns its final timeout, Tech holds on to finish the clock off on 4th down.
Final Score: 45-42....
The streak is over, and Paul Johnson, along with select others (Saban if he beats Florida, and Utah's Whittingham, IMO) are my coaches of the year.
Once Tech gets a defense to go along with the great running game, the will be a force in the ACC and the national rankings. This offense will work well with the talent that they can recruit and with the level of coaching in the ACC. Tech should improve as the defense improves and Johnson's recruits start to see playing time.
ReplyDeleteI was thoroughly impressed with GA Tech’s performance this weekend. What a game! They are certainly on their way to being the team to beat in the ACC.
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