Georgia Tech-Miami live blog
Three storylines
Can Georgia Tech take control early?
In losing the past three games to Miami, the Yellow Jackets have had first-half deficits of 17-3, 14-0 and 14-0, trouble for a team that doesn’t play its best from behind. A repeat of that scenario may not doom the Jackets, but it may signal to them and the Hurricanes that history may be repeating itself. Coach Paul Johnson has a knack for breaking big plays early, such as the 70-yard touchdown pass to B-back Zach Laskey on the Jackets’ first play from scrimmage last week. A repeat might encourage another frenzy.
What will the Tech defense throw at the Hurricanes?
Defensive coordinator Al Groh is wary of the damage that Miami true freshman running back Duke Johnson, one of the highest-rated prospects at his position last year, can cause to his unit. He’s averaging 9.2 yards per carry and has scored six of Miami’s 11 touchdowns this season. Wide receiver Allen Hurns, who sat out the Hurricanes’ win over Bethune-Cookman last Saturday with a concussion, is a playmaking threat. Tech’s improved defense will face its toughest test thus far.
How many yards will be the B-backs have at game’s end?
If B-backs Zach Laskey or David Sims pile up yards, the prognosis will be good for the Jackets. If they’re not, it probably means that the offensive line is getting backed up, which means the option plays aren’t working, which means a boatload of trouble for Tech. But if center Jay Finch and guards Omoregie Uzzi and Shaquille Mason move Miami off the line of scrimmage for dive plays for the B-backs, the game will swing in Tech’s favor.
A win for Georgia Tech would …
End its three-game losing streak to the Hurricanes and move the Jackets ahead of Miami in the Coastal Division standings.
A win for Miami would …
Go far to shut the door on Tech’s hopes of winning the ACC championships.
Matchup to watch
Georgia Tech wide receiver Darren Waller vs. Miami cornerback Thomas Finnie
At 6-foot-5 and 228 pounds, Waller has seven inches and 43 pounds on Finnie and a matchup that physically he should be able to exploit, both downfield and as a run blocker. Still looking for his first career catch, Waller will have plenty of playing time along with Jeff Greene. The depth chart is thinner after starter Jeremy Moore left the team Tuesday for personal reasons.
The history book
Series record: Georgia Tech leads 10-7
Last meeting: With two costly turnovers in the first half, Tech fell behind 14-0 in the first half and lost 24-7 last October at Sun Life Stadium. The Jackets defense played strong, but did not get much help from an offense that generated 134 rushing yards.
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869 comments Add your comment
CarolinaJacket
September 22nd, 2012
4:39 pm
That was a pretty goood effort after hit.
Go Jackets
September 22nd, 2012
4:39 pm
need a score here.
GT in SC
September 22nd, 2012
4:40 pm
TW with a stiffarm! wow. 2min high power offense!
GT in SC
September 22nd, 2012
4:41 pm
Wheel Route! to Laskey. Try it
BehindEnemyLines
September 22nd, 2012
4:41 pm
I have every confidence that CPJ can screw this up, there’s more than two quarters left to go for a 4th and long in our half of the feidl.
That’s the sad reality of being a GT fan, there’s never a reason to believe that the corner will be turned (the comparison to the baseball program is truly a good one)
CarolinaJacket
September 22nd, 2012
4:43 pm
Well,, a score here and the ball at the beginning of 2nd half would look good.
Go Jackets
September 22nd, 2012
4:45 pm
@Behind….i’m feelin ya….too cynical about this coach to get my hopes up.
RWill
September 22nd, 2012
4:46 pm
@BEL: Yep, you’re right, no reason to believe the corner will be turned. No reason to believe this high school offense can come from behind. No reason to believe the D can stop anybody. No reason to believe CPJ can win the ACC…. Except for the fact all of those have happened. GT uses the Boise St. model: redshirt most freshmen, play upperclassmen mostly, and overcome the fact that they don’t have the top recruits. You critics do realize almost EVERYBODY returns next year, right? Except TW, who will be replaced by Vad Lee.
CarolinaJacket
September 22nd, 2012
4:46 pm
Oh well.. D now and the ball in second half. Not much of a punt.
Ol'JacketFan
September 22nd, 2012
4:47 pm
Very interesting and entertaining 1st half of football! Not sure my ol heart can take much more LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
billyho55
September 22nd, 2012
4:48 pm
WHO WOULD’VE “THUNK IT” AFTER THE FIRST QTR? AS HERM EDWARDS STATED, “THIS IS WHY WE PLAY THE GAME!” GUESS WE CAN “FORGET ABOUT BOB!” FOR A LITTLE AT LEAST!
OldSchoolTechFanatic
September 22nd, 2012
4:48 pm
Very good damage control, almost got out of hand, thank goodness for the fumble recovery
Ol'JacketFan
September 22nd, 2012
4:49 pm
RWill, now now don’t go confusing people with FACTS! They don’t handle those things too well.
billyho55
September 22nd, 2012
4:50 pm
*WHILE
TXJacket
September 22nd, 2012
4:50 pm
Should be saying good hustle Watts on the strip of the ball, not thank goodness for the fumble!!
ibidGT
September 22nd, 2012
4:53 pm
wow…just wow…that was too much…
lets keep it up coming out of the half
DawgNole
September 22nd, 2012
4:55 pm
billyho55
September 22nd, 2012
4:48 pm
WHO WOULD’VE “THUNK IT” AFTER THE FIRST QTR? AS HERM EDWARDS STATED, “THIS IS WHY WE PLAY THE GAME!” GUESS WE CAN “FORGET ABOUT BOB!” FOR A LITTLE AT LEAST!
______________________
What ol’ Herm actually said was, “You play to win the game! Hello? You play to win the game!”
GT70
September 22nd, 2012
4:56 pm
This is a prime example of how this offense is as capable as any of making a comeback. What everyone forgets is that to have a big comeback you have to get behind by a lot. When you get behind by a lot it is usually because you’re playing poorly. How often do you do a dramatic turn around? Not often. The second quarter was as big a turn around as I recall and it encompasses all phases of the game. Heck, even the replay went our way. I know, I know we still have a half to play but this is a lot better place to be than down 19 (or more).
GTJohn
September 22nd, 2012
5:05 pm
No ESPN 3 here – Century Link is not a partner and had to look for a while to find a radio online to listen. This game is way too exciting for my liking. What is going on with the D?
RWill
September 22nd, 2012
5:05 pm
If a team runs a standard, pro-style offense, and falls behind by 3 touchdowns, what do you expect that offense to do? Probably pass the ball quite often. Kinda makes it easier to defend.
If GT falls behind by 3 touchdowns, what do you expect them to do? Run? Pass? Both? Maybe even be more balanced than a pro-style offense? Makes it a little tougher to defend, doesn’t it?
These new shotgun and pistol formations GT is using is just what the offense needs to be monster. Now you can sell recruits, both QB’s and WR’s that they can come here and run pistol and shotgun formation plays like any other offense, and HB’s already should want to come to Tech.
OldSchoolTechFanatic
September 22nd, 2012
5:07 pm
OK TXjacket thank goodness for the strip. Now what about the other 10 deffensive players out there. I guess the fumble just recovered itself. I think I was talking about the whole proccess of the fumble recovery !!!
billyho55
September 22nd, 2012
5:07 pm
DawgNole,
YOU GOT ME! I WASN’T FACTUALLY CORRECT! EVERYONE ELSE GOT IT! ALWAYS HAS TO BE A JACKASS ON HERE! SEMANTICS BIG BOY, SEMANTICS!
Ol'JacketFan
September 22nd, 2012
5:08 pm
@GT John, blown coverage on the 1st TD pass of 65 yards. Orwin with an inexplicable play when he took a kickoff part of the way into the field of play then took a knee. His knee was still in the endzone!
OldSchoolTechFanatic
September 22nd, 2012
5:09 pm
Wow only 2 penalties. Very good !!!
billyho55
September 22nd, 2012
5:09 pm
C’MON TECH, BUST THESE PUNKS IN THE MOUTH!
Gr8 2B aFuzzyB
September 22nd, 2012
5:10 pm
Go laskey
GTJohn
September 22nd, 2012
5:11 pm
Need to use some clock and score a TD
Highly Respected Southern Troll
September 22nd, 2012
5:11 pm
Nice comeback by the Jackets but they looked pretty bush league in the first quarter. Miami is not that good of a team. Hopefully, Tech will come out and roll on offense in the second half.
Paul in Nh
September 22nd, 2012
5:11 pm
A lot of new wrinkles in the O. When did GT start using Urban Mayer’s offense?
GTJohn
September 22nd, 2012
5:12 pm
Great score Tech
Ol'JacketFan
September 22nd, 2012
5:12 pm
TD Zenon!!!!!!!!
OldSchoolTechFanatic
September 22nd, 2012
5:13 pm
ZENON again, he is talented and fast
billyho55
September 22nd, 2012
5:13 pm
WHERE ARE ALL THE NEGATIVE COMMENTS NOW?
billyho55
September 22nd, 2012
5:15 pm
YE OF LITTLE FAITH!
OldSchoolTechFanatic
September 22nd, 2012
5:15 pm
I didn’t go cut grass did I. I think all the comments wee well deserved GT came out stinking up the place. GREAT COMEBACK
Ken Sugiura
September 22nd, 2012
5:16 pm
Miami punter out for game. kicker will take his place.
Gr8 2B aFuzzyB
September 22nd, 2012
5:17 pm
D will wake up and stiffen up in this half
billyho55
September 22nd, 2012
5:18 pm
OldSchool,
TRUST ME, IN NO WAY WAS I CALLING YOU OUT! YOU KNOW WHO I’M TALKING ABOUT!
OldSchoolTechFanatic
September 22nd, 2012
5:19 pm
No problem, I was mad at em at the begining
OldSchoolTechFanatic
September 22nd, 2012
5:20 pm
Ken do you know the extent of the injury of the receiver ?
billyho55
September 22nd, 2012
5:22 pm
TELL ME ABOUT IT! I WAS FURIOUS! ON ANOTHER NOTE, LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE A KEEPER IN GOLDEN!
CarolinaJacket
September 22nd, 2012
5:23 pm
Washington is a pretty good passer.
CarolinaJacket
September 22nd, 2012
5:24 pm
And runner.
Ol'JacketFan
September 22nd, 2012
5:24 pm
TD TW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thebeesnee's
September 22nd, 2012
5:24 pm
The boy’s have it going now!
billyho55
September 22nd, 2012
5:25 pm
<THIS IS A VERY HAPPY MAN RIGHT NOW!
Ol'JacketFan
September 22nd, 2012
5:25 pm
Pretty decent throw to Waller to set everything up
Ol'JacketFan
September 22nd, 2012
5:26 pm
3 yards and a cloud of dust offense 36, pro style offense 1\9
Randy Carson, IMGT '83
September 22nd, 2012
5:28 pm
Is there a radio station streaming this game online?
CarolinaJacket
September 22nd, 2012
5:30 pm
Unfortunately, I have to meet some folks for dinner. You guys better hold this lead.