Georgia Tech-Utah game thread
Greetings-
Just about an hour from kickoff (now 2:21 p.m. EST). I’m getting pretty intrigued to see how this game unfolds. Not having seen Utah, it’s kind of hard to get a grasp, but I think a lot of it comes down to two things. First, can Georgia Tech move the ball on Utah’s run defense, especially without Omoregie Uzzi not starting (as has been announced). Shaquille Mason will start; it’s undetermined if Uzzi will get snaps. B-back David Sims will play some, but how much is also not clear. Expect Preston Lyons to get plenty of snaps in his final game.
Second, can Tech stop John White? I imagine Utah will be more than content to pound the Jackets with Smith it’s the Utes are able. Worth watching – the sledgehammer blocking of fullback Shawn Asiata.
Other items of interest:
1. Wind is blowing pretty briskly towards the open end zone. I’m not sure of direction; if you’re watching on television, it’ll be the end zone on the right.
2. Steven Sylvester’s parents Roderick and Barbara are at the game with their other son Roderick Jr., completing a pretty remarkable feat. They have attended every one of their son’s Tech games in his career, home, away and bowl. They drove to this one with the families of Tevin Washington and Jamal Golden. Mr. Sylvester reports it took about 22 hours from the family’s home in McDonough, a pretty quick clip.
“I told Tevin’s dad he missed his calling,” Roderick Sylvester said. “He should have been a truck driver or something.”
The Sylvesters’ motivation to attend every game came from Roderick’s military service, from which he retired in 2006, which kept him from attending many of Steven’s games.
“You can’t make up for lost time, but I promised Steven as long as I’m healthy, you can look up (in the stands) and know we will be there,” he said.
3. Utah will be short two starters, left guard Miles Mason and and defensive tackle Dave Kruger. The Utes rotate a lot of defensive linemen, so that shouldn’t be as big a factor, but Mason’s injury may.
That’s about all I’ve got for now. I can’t say I’ve been to a wide variety of stadiums, but this is one of the more memorable settings. It’s set in the Franklin Mountains, which overlook the stadium beyond one end zone, and the visiting stands are carved into the side of a rocky hill.
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1,676 comments Add your comment
Buggoff
December 31st, 2011
7:40 pm
@gt40 losing is for losers and Paul Johnson and gt does that very well!
Walmart
December 31st, 2011
7:40 pm
I think Paul Johnson just greeted me at wal-mart and Al Groh pushed in my cart
GT79MD83
December 31st, 2011
7:40 pm
I would never have believed that CPJ would play scared.
5150 UOAD
December 31st, 2011
7:41 pm
UVa looks NASTY with the Orange helmet and jersey. Nice run for the 1st down.
Tech Fan For Life
December 31st, 2011
7:41 pm
I’ll give it to Johnson – his teams find a way to lose!
GT79MD83
December 31st, 2011
7:42 pm
Buggoff You are such a classless jerk.
5150 UOAD
December 31st, 2011
7:42 pm
I am stuffed but this game is going to make me want a Chick-fil-A before it is over. I love those damn chicken sandwiches.
The CAVs should win this game
dang good dog
December 31st, 2011
7:43 pm
GT fan
December 31st, 2011
7:08 pm
Learn to take the abuse partner. You guys have raided the dawg blogs and spread your manure and hate what do you expect in return??? Tech got beat by a gamer UT team that didn’t give up. The Dawgs have done it many times in the past and you techies love to rub it in. Well, if you give you better be able to take it otherwise silence is golden.
Buggoff
December 31st, 2011
7:44 pm
Count on a lot of empty seats at BD next year. Also expect a lot of more losses to equal the number of losers who support pj and grold
5150 UOAD
December 31st, 2011
7:45 pm
Damn almost a Safety.
HighTech
December 31st, 2011
7:45 pm
5150,,,I hope they play as nasty as they look. Watching Auburn lose would be a small salve.
5150 UOAD
December 31st, 2011
7:46 pm
Auburn looks lost right now without dwyer
Sad Tech Grad
December 31st, 2011
7:46 pm
I love CPJ and what he’s brought to the program, but the honeymoon is officially over for Tech fans. Here’s the recipe for CPJ’s success moving forward… and for his remaining tenure: Give up some of the play calling to the guys upstairs or, when we have a confident QB, allow some audibles. CPJ needs to coach more big picture, e.g. making sure defensive strategy is consistent with overall game plan. Al Groh’s got to go. Invest in special teams. Find a kicker. Hire one from Venezuela if necessary. Beat uga 2 consecutive years. THWG!!!!
Erk Russell's Dog
December 31st, 2011
7:47 pm
Coach Paul may do a favor for the Tech fans. I hear Yale is looking for a head coach,seems their old coach got fired for fudging his resume, kind of like an old Tech coach from the past. I feel that an Ivy league school can appreciate the genius of Coach Paul Johnson. Tech is a good academic institution but come on, it’s not Ivy League.
5150 UOAD
December 31st, 2011
7:47 pm
I like Auburn fan ok They were very nice the last trip there. UVa is real snobish. They need to beat Ayburn because Auburn is not real good this year.
Tech Fan For Life
December 31st, 2011
7:48 pm
Oh by the way Johnson thanks for refusing to keep Jon Tenuta as D.C. and bringing in Al Groh – what a great coach Groh – calling one on one man coverage on 4th down- I am just a high school coach and I know better than that- it really is sad though for Virginia they are doing so poorly without Groh.
Buggoff
December 31st, 2011
7:49 pm
@gt79……how does it feel to be a loser? Year after year? With your $$ at gt going to support a loser? Who is teaching kids to be losers? Who looks like a loser? Why not change BD to stadium of losers? Btw I am speaking truths and the lack of class is on gt, fans of Paul Johnson and players who should be mowing my lawn instead of waisting time trying to play a sport thet are not capable of playimng
Sad Tech Grad
December 31st, 2011
7:49 pm
And, oh yeah… Mich State will run the train on the dogs.
5150 UOAD
December 31st, 2011
7:49 pm
TechFan fo life where did you get your INFO. Tenuta was not staying when he was not given the HC job.
HighTech
December 31st, 2011
7:50 pm
Uva is snobbish, but so is Duke. Auburn fans give red_necks a bad name.
Tech Fan For Life
December 31st, 2011
7:51 pm
Hey GT79MD83 – when did speaking truth become classless- what is Johnson’s bowl record?
What is his record versus ranked opponents?
5150 UOAD
December 31st, 2011
7:51 pm
buggoff is all you have insults? you are very sad.
Nice run to the outside. UVa closing in on a score.
OkieDawg
December 31st, 2011
7:51 pm
@ High Tech, you seem to be very knowledgeable about the Utes. Tell me, is it “an Ute” or “a Ute”
Reico
December 31st, 2011
7:52 pm
The easiest thing to do is blame PJ. Everybody knows the reason we are losing is the defense. We need a new DC and DL coach. The offense puts points on the board.
Tech Fan For Life
December 31st, 2011
7:52 pm
5150 OOAD – I am sorry but you are mistaken – I am getting my information from the GT athletic office.
5150 UOAD
December 31st, 2011
7:53 pm
Nice catch UVa
Tech Fan For Life
December 31st, 2011
7:53 pm
Why is speaking truth an insult?
ATL Sports Fan
December 31st, 2011
7:54 pm
This season and loss is on Paul Johnson. For one why not let Vad Lee play. Why stay with a qb who has proven he isn’t that great and will be a senior next year. I agree with a lot of other posters. Paul Johnson is as arrogant as they come. He is too stubborn to let a true freshman run his offense.
I played for Donnan and Richt and I can tell you Donnan is just like Paul Johnson. He is the type of person who thinks his SH-T doesn’t stink.
Buggoff
December 31st, 2011
7:54 pm
5150 I’m just tired of fools like you supporting the garbage that gt athletics have become….if you support garbage you just like being a loser like the rest of Gt
ATL Sports Fan
December 31st, 2011
7:55 pm
Reico, everyone blames Paul Johnson is because he is the head coach. He is the one who hires the staff.
Paul Mustgo
December 31st, 2011
7:56 pm
We were flat out coached. No two ways about it. Johnson is inept. He had plenty of chances to win and blew it. Why is this guy on the payroll! He got way too conservative with the Tech lead in the fourth quarter. His system doesn’t work in the bowl games. That’s a system that’s predictable and it won’t change until he’s gone.
Erk Russell's Dog
December 31st, 2011
7:56 pm
ATl
I just hope you did not take any investment advice from ole Ponzi Donnan.
Big Ol Stinger
December 31st, 2011
7:56 pm
Are there any other pass routes than a skinny post or quick toss to the receiver standing where he lined up in the flats?
Why no quick slants? Hell, throw a tight end into the game once in while. The TO is OK, but it’s too predictable. I wouldn’t scrap it all together, but let’s add some variation. If Tevin can’t throw, put him on the bench.
Defense? Groh’s gotta go. The Dbacks look like they’re coached not to look for the ball, then complain about a no call for offensive interference. The whole defense misses way too many tackles. They look like they’re coached to “chip” the ball carrier first, then count on teamates to make the tackle. They don’t have the right kids to play a 3-4. So play something you’ve got right kids for.
Special teams – total disaster.
All in all, it’s just lousy football.
HighTech
December 31st, 2011
7:57 pm
OkieDawg…that’s a good question. I would assume it is “a Ute” as Ute is pronounced yoot. If they were the Oots, then it would be “an Ute”. Just my assumption, though.
You have probably lived near several different tribes if you are from Oklahoma.
5150 UOAD
December 31st, 2011
7:57 pm
so Tenuta was staying? i don’t think so. Show me a link to your info. he was going with O’Leary until Notre Dame changed its mind.
I am going to have to leave at Half because I am wanting a Chick-fil-A. You know you can get boose on Sundays now but still can’t get your Chick-fil-A fix.
echols county rancher
December 31st, 2011
7:57 pm
I’m so tired of this. Tech Alumni Assn will not get one $ out of me until the “athletic department” is GONE. The institute missed the boat on athletics and needs to simply furl the flag. When you lose to the likes of Kennesaw St, Mercer, Fordham, Utah, etc, you need to surrender. Johnson, et al, GO AWAY. I’d bet you couldn’t beat Valdosta HS. If any of you homers find that offensive, GOOD. TECH SUCKS
BAE, Class of 86
Buggoff
December 31st, 2011
7:58 pm
I hope Johnson leaves and takes these crappy players with him to a division 3 school where they belong!
ATL Sports Fan
December 31st, 2011
7:58 pm
Erk I sure didn’t. It’s sad what happened to Donnan and the Ponzi scheme. It really wasn’t his fault. His friend got him into an investment scam without his knowledge. Donnan actually helped with the investigation. This is one reason why he avoided jail time.
5150 UOAD
December 31st, 2011
8:00 pm
damn close to a PICK and the QB got NAILED.
5150 UTOAD = WHITETRASH
December 31st, 2011
8:01 pm
5150,
Suck on 7 losses in a row. GT is an embarrassment to this State. Seven bowl losses in a row against the sorry competitiion that GT plays is hard to do. Glad that Fish Fry has contributed four of those losses. New Sheriff in town my butt. CPJ should be run out of town.
5150 UOAD
December 31st, 2011
8:01 pm
Buggoff why don’t you just write a check for $200K to get the process started.
FarmerRob
December 31st, 2011
8:01 pm
SEVEN IN A ROW??? Two of them to a bunch or mormons. What an embarrassment to the state. From now on you are NOT allowed to use the name of Georgia in your school name. You will be known as “The Tech School in the Hood.” When you learn how to win a bowl game we can revisit this issue.
Georgia tek is obsessed with nothing but beating UGA
December 31st, 2011
8:02 pm
Georgia tek has been to 15 Consecutive Bowl Games. It has LOST 10 of those. # 30 in the AP Poll Georgia tek ends the season UNRANKED, again.
Georgia been to 15 Consecutive Bowl Games. We have lost 3 of those.
HighTech
December 31st, 2011
8:02 pm
I feel almost as bad as the UGA fans felt after their bowl loss to UCF.
5150 UOAD
December 31st, 2011
8:03 pm
I guess the love affair maybe fading in Arizona. Why not call Ken Whisenhunt a call and see if he will work cheap.
Erk Russell's Dog
December 31st, 2011
8:04 pm
Tech fans
Where the hell is Tenuta now? Bet he would come back for the same$$$ you will be paying Groh next year. Also,.I think Ted Roof is looking for a job ,
OkieDawg
December 31st, 2011
8:04 pm
FarmerRob, now that is getting to the point…very funny.
5150 UOAD
December 31st, 2011
8:04 pm
High Tech O’Leary never fears UGA.
HighTech
December 31st, 2011
8:06 pm
5150…I don’t think the Yellow Jacket players or coaches fear UGA, either. They have just been good at losing to them.
5150 UOAD
December 31st, 2011
8:07 pm
good stop by Auburn.