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
ibidGT
September 22nd, 2012
6:06 pm
Agreed with DawgNole…
This drive does not look promising either…
Golden ROD
September 22nd, 2012
6:06 pm
Here we go…Its over!
DawgNole
September 22nd, 2012
6:07 pm
Geez, Biff. And I thought I was negative.
Golden ROD
September 22nd, 2012
6:07 pm
WTF…the ACC zebras make a good call?
Biff Pocoroba
September 22nd, 2012
6:07 pm
Miami pressures on third and long but Groh doesn’t realize that you are allowed to do that. Now lets run it up the middle three times and punt.
Greg
September 22nd, 2012
6:07 pm
I said it was stupid to for gor 2. now u see why. only a 7 point lead. brilliant paul johnson
81'IEFan
September 22nd, 2012
6:07 pm
Better take advantage of a break!
billyho55
September 22nd, 2012
6:08 pm
I TRY TO BE A NICE, HELPFUL GUY AND THIS IS WHAT I GET! I’M GONNA TURN MY FULL ATTENTION TO THE GAME NOW! I WILL ADDRESS ANY CONCERNS OR BITCHYNESS AFTER THE GAME!
Golden ROD
September 22nd, 2012
6:08 pm
THROW THE BALL!
81'IEFan
September 22nd, 2012
6:08 pm
But we got the 2 pt coversion!
Ol'JacketFan
September 22nd, 2012
6:09 pm
@DawgNoe, watching that clock for sure
ibidGT
September 22nd, 2012
6:09 pm
Greg…they GOT the 2 point conversion. It was overturned during the break…
OldSchoolTechFanatic
September 22nd, 2012
6:09 pm
We need to score. Or maybe VAD, fresh legs
Ol'JacketFan
September 22nd, 2012
6:09 pm
DawgNole that is
Chaps
September 22nd, 2012
6:09 pm
TW is demonstrating yet again that he can’t handle pressure.
81'IEFan
September 22nd, 2012
6:09 pm
Miami D is fired up, we are NOT!
ibidGT
September 22nd, 2012
6:09 pm
I love watching Washington get sacked…STAY IN THE POCKET longer…he scrambles out right away…uhhh
Biff Pocoroba
September 22nd, 2012
6:10 pm
It has just been the same for year. Tech and the Falcons are too predictable with a lead. Lots of runs up the middle for no gain and prevent defense that lets the other team back in the game. We had a great comeback today and could have had some momentum but Groh and his boys are just determined not to win.
Golden ROD
September 22nd, 2012
6:10 pm
Enter your comments here
Ol'JacketFan
September 22nd, 2012
6:10 pm
Okay D now it’s time for a turnover!!!!
Chaps
September 22nd, 2012
6:11 pm
CPJ is such an intense guy. Why can’t he convey that to Groh?
Biff Pocoroba
September 22nd, 2012
6:11 pm
CPJ is too stubborn to play Vad. He would rather lose than ever admit that Tevin can’t run the offense late in the game with his Reggie Ball like arm and head.
Golden ROD
September 22nd, 2012
6:11 pm
The HORROR…if youall can put up with it then fine….
OldSchoolTechFanatic
September 22nd, 2012
6:12 pm
We throw a few passes and open the D up !!!! Then it gets late in the game and TW is all run, go figure
DawgNole
September 22nd, 2012
6:12 pm
billyho55
September 22nd, 2012
6:08 pm
I TRY TO BE A NICE, HELPFUL GUY AND THIS IS WHAT I GET! I’M GONNA TURN MY FULL ATTENTION TO THE GAME NOW! I WILL ADDRESS ANY CONCERNS OR BITCHYNESS AFTER THE GAME!
___________________
Promise?
GTfan
September 22nd, 2012
6:15 pm
GT’s in deep crap..can’t hold a team…
Golden ROD
September 22nd, 2012
6:17 pm
Groh must go…
Chaps
September 22nd, 2012
6:17 pm
Another dumb penalty with game on line, like VT last year. Groh needs to work on discipline and keeping your head in the game.
ibidGT
September 22nd, 2012
6:17 pm
wow wow wow…this is just heartbreaking to watch…
you think after clawing their way back into this they’d want to close this game out…
Biff Pocoroba
September 22nd, 2012
6:18 pm
I can’t wait for the CPJ excuse show on Wednesday night. This guy should be fired for bringing back Groh and extending his contract. Send him to Buffalo and let him coach with Chan.
GTfan
September 22nd, 2012
6:18 pm
We deserve to lose playing last 16 mins like crap.Blow 17 point lead.
OldSchoolTechFanatic
September 22nd, 2012
6:19 pm
Timeout is the best play of the 4th quarter so far
DawgNole
September 22nd, 2012
6:20 pm
Golden ROD
September 22nd, 2012
6:17 pm
Groh must go…
____________________
Don’t see any ay around it–win or lose.
ole yeller
September 22nd, 2012
6:20 pm
Groh needs to go.
Biff Pocoroba
September 22nd, 2012
6:20 pm
This loss will be the end of this season and the team will give up as they have done in the past with CPJ. Might as well start Vad the rest of the year and get him ready for next year since we can’t afford to get rid of CPJ for five more years.
DawgNole
September 22nd, 2012
6:20 pm
Make that “way around it.” There’s one for you, billyHo.
GTfan
September 22nd, 2012
6:20 pm
I love GT football but this reminds me of Paul Hewitts crap
Dawg Days
September 22nd, 2012
6:21 pm
Same Ol Same Ol…..Crappy ACC football! What a joke!!! I want tech to win these games so they are worth something to us….wait for It wait for it……….. Us being the only real football team in Georgia! Go Damn Dawgs
Ol'JacketFan
September 22nd, 2012
6:22 pm
MISSSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thebeesnee's
September 22nd, 2012
6:22 pm
Miss
Biff Pocoroba
September 22nd, 2012
6:22 pm
I got a call from the Tech ticket office this summer and I told them I would never buy tickets as long as Groh stayed on the pay roll. Just too difficult to sit out in the heat and watch his garbage coaching.
ibidGT
September 22nd, 2012
6:23 pm
SMH…
Can’t believe how many breaks we have gotten this game…
Ramblnwrek
September 22nd, 2012
6:23 pm
Now its time for the Offense to start acting like an offense.
DawgNole
September 22nd, 2012
6:23 pm
There’s your break, guys. Let’s see what this offense can do now with a lead and some time to burn.
81'IEFan
September 22nd, 2012
6:23 pm
Unbelieveable! Thank goodness for the TO call! FG now to seal IT!
Chaps
September 22nd, 2012
6:23 pm
Missed but it wasn’t the defense’s doing.
Biff Pocoroba
September 22nd, 2012
6:23 pm
Now we can get the ball back and run it up the middle twice and then watch Tevin throw a dangerous pitch on third down when nine guys are coming hard at him. Let’s just hope he doesn’t fumble it so we can punt it back to them instead.
GTfan
September 22nd, 2012
6:23 pm
Damn Play to win..don’t play to not lose
GTfan
September 22nd, 2012
6:24 pm
O better get there a@@ to working are its over.
OldSchoolTechFanatic
September 22nd, 2012
6:24 pm
Vad