UPDATED: Tech out-slugged by Clemson, 47-31
Clemson's Andre Ellington (23) tries to get by Georgia Tech's Jeremiah Attaochu.
Updated, 10:10 p.m.
CLEMSON, S.C. – As late-afternoon shadows crept across Memorial Stadium, the Clemson faithful stood in full-throated roar. The sellout crowd sensed its team about to deliver a knockout punch to Georgia Tech.
The Yellow Jackets complied. Another fourth-quarter breakdown torched three quarters of effort and offensive play-making in a 47-31 defeat to No. 15 Clemson Saturday in Death Valley. A week after absorbing one of the worst losses in school history, Tech made good on its vow to give a better account of itself against the Tigers. It did, but up against an arsenal of offensive weapons and its own self-destructive habits, it wasn’t enough.
“Right now, we’ve got to play close to perfect,” coach Paul Johnson said. “Clearly, we’ve got to score more points.”
The Jackets fell to 2-4 overall and 1-3 in the ACC and made the bus ride home down I-85 with regrets of plays missed and chances squandered packed underneath. They also are owners of their second three-game losing streak in the past three seasons.
Twelve months after opening the season 6-0 for the first time since 1966 and rising to No. 12 in the polls, the 2012 Jackets have scuffled their way to a less glorious piece of history. Tech goes into its bye week with its worst record after six games since the 1994 team, which started the season 1-5 and later brought about the late-season dismissal of coach Bill Lewis.
“We’ll come back,” Johnson said. “They played hard for the most part, and if they’ll play hard, we’ve got to find a way to try to help them win.”
As was the case against Virginia Tech and Miami, the Jackets held a fourth-quarter lead Saturday, this time in a game that few gave them any chance to win after their 21-point home loss to Middle Tennessee State last Saturday. The Tech offense at times scalded Clemson’s poor tackling defense. Quarterback Tevin Washington operated the option effectively, freeing up A-backs Orwin Smith and Robbie Godhigh to gain 178 rushing yards on just 11 carries. He completed nine of 14 passes for 144 yards.
Said Smith, “I saw guys with more drive than previous weeks.”
Tech’s work led to kicker David Scully’s 26-yard field goal that gave the Jackets a 31-30 lead with 13:03 left in the game, the fourth time they had wrested the lead from Clemson. The Tigers responded with a 75-yard touchdown drive, one of their six scoring drives measuring 70 yards or more, completing it with a 35-yard pass to wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. A two-point conversion gave Clemson a 38-31 lead.
A team that is becoming painfully familiar with an inability to rise to the game’s biggest moments tripped again, this time literally.
Chris Milton misplayed the ensuing kickoff, fumbling the ball before recovering it and then slipping to the ground at the 2-yard line. Two plays later, Washington pitched to Smith, who was overrun by Clemson defenders and dropped for a safety for a 40-31 lead. The stadium shook in approval.
The episode recalled Smith’s own safety on a kickoff against Miami.
“You can play 10 years of football and never take a kickoff return on the 1-yard line and have a safety on a kickoff return,” Johnson said. “We’ve had both. It seems like it shouldn’t happen.”
On the series after the safety, the Tech defense, which allowed 601 yards to Clemson, gave a spark when inside linebacker Daniel Drummond intercepted a Tajh Boyd pass, returning the ball to the Jackets at the Tech 45-yard line. Down nine and needing two scores, Tech drove and then sent Scully out for a 37-yard field goal. His try was blocked, his second miss of the game.
“That was pretty much it,” Johnson said.
It brought an end to an afternoon that held the hope for a season-turning upset but was done in with a mound of errors. Tech tried for a first down on 4th-and-1 from its own 37 on its first possession of the game and was denied on a sneak by Washington.
Nose tackle Shawn Green made one of the plays of the game in the third quarter, intercepting a screen pass and returning it 17 yards to the Clemson 26, but Tech squandered the opportunity to add to its 28-27 lead. A botched snap between center Catlin Alford and Washington on 4th-and-1 from the 7 gave the ball back to the Tigers.
Occasionally better defensive play and pass-rush pressure often placed Clemson in 3rd-and-long situations. As has become rote, though, the Jackets allowed Clemson to convert 13 of 19 third downs. Tech has given up 31 of 46 third downs in the past three games.
The first-quarter fourth-down try in its own end spoke more about the state of Tech’s defense than Johnson would.
“I thought we could make it,” Johnson said.
Once again, opportunity lost.
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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361 comments Add your comment
1 4 GT
October 6th, 2012
8:11 pm
What makes all of this so hard to stomach is that with a break here & there, GT could be 6 & 0. All teams that are highly ranked have to have some breaks go their way. This is not to say GT has a roster full of studs, but there are some ball players on the team. This team has not had any good luck. Or not enough anyway. But the defense is lacking. The offense is good enough to compete with most any team. If we had a defense that was just comparable to the offense, GT would be pretty good. Unfortunately, there are just not enough semi studs on defense. If AG goes, please Lord, maybe they’ll go back to a 4-3 D that does not require as many studly players. I can hope.
DS CE'91
October 6th, 2012
8:11 pm
Team certainly played with more passion tonight, but still outmanned. Saw several coaching miscues, but not sure they would have changed the outcome. We’re just….not….that….good.
Ah well, as a GT fan for 30 years, I’ve seen this before. I hate giving up on a season, but it seems clear it is time with the bye to start Vad. We have no playmakers on defense, so we have to try outscoring everyone. While it could lead to disaster, VL also would seem to have the better chance to make some of the BIG solo plays that might let us steal a win here and there.
Hope CPJ is willing to make some changes.
Savannah buzz
October 6th, 2012
8:11 pm
Have never seen a more inept 3rd down defense. You could see the play as soon as the ball was snapped. Looked like we were slogging through mud.
1 4 GT
October 6th, 2012
8:11 pm
And play VAD LEE you big dummy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Highly Respected Southern Troll
October 6th, 2012
8:15 pm
@JamesGT – The loud stadium is obviously why the Jackets gave up 600 yards and 47 points.
Savannah buzz
October 6th, 2012
8:15 pm
14 GT, I respectfully disagree…I think Mtsu would beat us again. They exposed our biggest weakness on defense. They were bigger, stronger, more physical.
I love Jan Kemp
October 6th, 2012
8:16 pm
What the heck was PJ thinking calling a TO when Clemson was ACTUALLY GOING TO PUNT on 4th&1 in the 2nd qtr? he put 7 points on the board for Clemson calling that!
Techster
October 6th, 2012
8:16 pm
It’s going to be even lonelier and quieter in Bobby Dodd Stadium from here on out…
Tech Fan For Life
October 6th, 2012
8:21 pm
I hope so!! Don’t go!!!
1 4 GT
October 6th, 2012
8:22 pm
Savannah Buzz….I believe I said that…if Tech D was “comparable”…..Tech would be “pretty” good….if they had not lost 2 OT heart breakers…they would not have played MTSU so uninspired……………….
Clyde
October 6th, 2012
8:24 pm
Looks like I’ll have be able to sit where ever I want against BYU, Techster. Already bought the tickets and told my brother I’d take him to his first college game experience.
1 4 GT
October 6th, 2012
8:28 pm
USCe goal line stand……….21-0
MORGANTECH
October 6th, 2012
8:36 pm
Gershel 21 to 0 L.M.AO. I know we stink but thats still funny as HELL.
Tom
October 6th, 2012
8:38 pm
GT defense has given up over 600 yards in each of last three games. That’s over a mile of offense! This without question is the worst defense I can remember Georgia Tech puttimg on the field. Even in their 1-10 season they didn’t give up this kind of yardage on such a consistent basis. Their special teams are pathetic. I have watched alot of football in my over 60 years and I until this year had never seen a team get a safety on a kickoff then today the return man falls down on the 2 yardline untouched. Has Georgia Tech lowered their entry requirements this much. The old Tech teams at least showed some intelligence. This team is awful. They will probably give up 500 yards next week and thats with no game scheduled.
Hayseed Dixie
October 6th, 2012
8:39 pm
This Defense has got to go.
And the safety play makes me have doubts about CPJ’s knowledge of football physics.
Steps in the endzone are a precious commodity.
Buzzman
October 6th, 2012
8:39 pm
Just got home from the game and I cannot believe I have paid good money to watch this sorry a– defense. We had Clemson, our offense was scoring, could have scored more but our great head coach CPJ, decided to go for it on 4th and 1 instead of kicking a field goal. What is the problem with getting rid of Big Al before the season is over???? Why can’t you let one of the assistants to take over???? I am not paying anymore money on tickets. I don’t care if Grant Field only has 400 people at the next home game. All I know is that I will not attend anymore games as long as Big Al is there. I will not buy season tickets next year either.
WnE
October 6th, 2012
8:39 pm
Here we sit at 2-4, and as Bill Parcells is known for saying; “you are what your record says you are”!
P+++ J++++++ has taken GT FB into BILL LEWIS Territory!
Think about that for a second?
OH NO
October 6th, 2012
8:40 pm
Tech played with alot of heart today, but CPJ has got to quit being so stupid on 4th downs. Know way do you go for it at your own 37. Besides TW again didn’t run the play you called, and you put your D in a hole. TW played half way decent today but Vad needs to get the rest of the snaps reguardless. Thank God we have a real kicker coming in next year. No way could we aford to miss the FG just before half time. And how many times did I. Johnson leave wide open receivers on 3rd and long? Also where was LB Nealy? Drummond looked to slow. All in all a great effort. Just can’t close the deal. The offense with the exception of O. Smith just doesn’t have any play makers with speed. We just need to recruit better. I hope the recruits we have coming in aren’t scared off because they can and will make a difference. Keep the faith and GOOOOOOOO TECH.
I love Jan Kemp
October 6th, 2012
8:42 pm
Hey leghumpers,dont you just HATE Spurrior?
I love Jan Kemp
October 6th, 2012
8:42 pm
Hey leghumpers,dont you just HATE Spurrier?
BIrmingham Jacket
October 6th, 2012
8:43 pm
This is just a poor team.
Worst since Bill Lewis.
Not even Chan, was as bad.
dobby bodd
October 6th, 2012
8:45 pm
Another double digit lead surrendered in the 4th quarter. See ya Coach Groh.
GT GRAD
October 6th, 2012
8:46 pm
I still support coach Paul Johnson and I think he is the right coach for GT.
Clemson no doubt had the superior players on the football feild today and we still had a solid chance to win half way through the 4th quarter. We are really only a few plays away from being 5-1 (maybe even 6-0); however, the reality is we are 2-4 due to a combination of mistakes by both players & coaches.
I trust he will make the correct decisions going forward.
I do agree that it is time to get Vad Lee some extensive playing time; the team needs to see if Vad is ready, determine if he is the QB of the future and also get him some valuable playing time going into next season. I like Tevin Washington as a leader and as a person, but it is time to move on for the future of the program…….he also has hurt the team trying to pad his personal TD numbers.
Clyde
October 6th, 2012
8:46 pm
Custis from my high school, Lovejoy, is having a pretty good season so far. Maybe he’ll get some playing time right off the bat. We need a B Back again.
lindseysnot
October 6th, 2012
8:46 pm
Attn ALL ugagg trolls…your team is getting it’s collective ass kicked…and rikkkt is being out coached….again! HA, HA I really really like it!!!!!!!!!!! dwags suck.
Jacket Dad
October 6th, 2012
8:47 pm
Louisiana-Monroe 31, Middle Tennessee 17.
Any questions……
Charleston Jacket
October 6th, 2012
8:48 pm
TW is pretty poor for a starting Div I school. Once again when the team needs a leader they don’t have anyone to inspire them. Time for V Lee – but CPJ will not do it. He will let the season go down with TW at the helm.
Terrible clock mgt at the half and what else can you say about the D and the coach. Just have to hang on until the season mercifully comes to an end.
THWG – Go USC
Tech Man
October 6th, 2012
8:49 pm
When does basketball season start???
lindseysnot
October 6th, 2012
8:50 pm
@jacket dad…who the EFF are you? run our defense better and I’ll buy you a chicken dinner …otherwise STFU
Clyde
October 6th, 2012
8:53 pm
Isn’t Louisiana-Monroe a pretty good team this year?
Stumpknocker
October 6th, 2012
8:54 pm
OK…..So we’ve seen T Washington…….he’s peaked out and not good enough. The season is pretty much a wash now. Play V Lee and let him learn…..Baptism by fire. Also noticed the dwag trolls have suddenly disappeared………thanks Old Ball Coach.
Jacket Dad
October 6th, 2012
8:55 pm
lindseysnot, I’m a GT fan who happened to graduate from ULM. Son graduated from GT. Your reply is my whole point – our defense is killing us. ULM could stop MT and we could not. That my friend is pitiful.
Scott flair
October 6th, 2012
8:56 pm
This is the worst defense I have seen at ga tech in 35 years of wAtching. This is way worse than even the Ted roof teams. Our free safety could not start for most 1-AA teams. It was painful to watch. We must be the worst team as far as letting teams convert on third down in the country
Charleston Jacket
October 6th, 2012
8:56 pm
TW a good leader? How do you figure that one?
yellow britches
October 6th, 2012
8:57 pm
I’m watching this Texas, West Virginia game and it is obvious how the defense sets the tone of the game. Texas was getting buried until the D forced some turnovers and generated stops. Great game at the half. Scheme is really irrelevant at this point. We simply do not have any players, certainly guys who can make plays on defense. Our D line really are masquerading as undersized speed bumps in the back of the Walmart. What has happened to Tech pride? This is a train wreck not a ramblin wreck.
81'IEFan
October 6th, 2012
8:58 pm
This game is a defining moment for CPJ, he does a great job with an offense staffed with the best talent he can get, but he he does not integrate himself into the defense and thus is totally dependent on the coaches he puts in control of that function. It is clear that CPJ, as any chief executive would do, needs to replace the manager in charge of that weak link. Special teams coach shoud be replaced as well. CPJ please act like a “head coach” and make the changes this progarm needs. Stop putting your head in the sand!!!
Silly Mutts
October 6th, 2012
8:59 pm
Gt is dirt under my shoe!
Silly Mutts
October 6th, 2012
9:03 pm
Sc has real coaches, real players and real fans! Gt has the Varsity!
lindseysnot
October 6th, 2012
9:03 pm
@JackDad…my apologies, for the poor conduct…however, i’m just sick of all the (deserved) crititcism and no suggestion for ways to improve (other than jetissoning Groh)…if Groh isn’t let go real soon, then I’m checking out for the year. My daughter goes to SCe, and they, at least, WANT to win. BTW, I’m a Jacket since ‘65, my dad is class of 48.
Silly Mutts
October 6th, 2012
9:08 pm
Al groh just got a 5 year extension!!!!
yeller bug
October 6th, 2012
9:13 pm
I wonder if the coaches score themselves? Dumb call on 4th & 1 from own 37. Dumb TO when Clemson had 4th and 1. Hideous clock management in last 3:40 of 1st half—Clemson couldn’t stop us—but we were able to stop ourselves. Special Teams coach gets a failing grade—another boondoogle on a KO–give up blocked FG, did I mention the stupid time out when Clemson had 4th & 1—yeah well it needs to be said twice because of how dumb that was.
I almost think we overcoach—-basics gentlemen basics—the D stays out there and gets ready—-if they rush out the punt team and you can’t get the special teams on the field then you leave the D out there—don’t call a time out! We looked clueless in the two minute drill—-even the game ended with us not even getting the snap off—how fitting.
I hope, I beseech, I beg that going forward we will develop Vad—-yes we can win the rest and still finish 8-4 and most of us would be happy. BC stinks, UNC had a nice win, but they are nothing special—we have BYU and Duke at home (so fans show up) and then there’s UGA and maybe God will show mercy.
We threw the ball 14 times and completed 9 with a QB that does not throw well. Imagine what we can do with a QB with a strong arm. CPJ needs to decide if sticking to his TO is the best way to win games or getting a little more balance to open things up is a better choice.
Buzzzed
October 6th, 2012
9:29 pm
1.) I like CPJs offense
2.) We don’t currently have enough quality players to play 4 quarters of D1-A football. Quality guys are in the pipeline though.
ole yeller
October 6th, 2012
9:31 pm
Recruit some defensive players and get a qualified defensive coach. Not like you are trying to split an atom. Not complicated, you have a decent offense. Paul J. loves to coach offense, but as a head coach he is lacking. You cannot outscore teams at this level and hope to win without the ability to stop the opposition, ever!
Buzzzed
October 6th, 2012
9:32 pm
Devine and Hall may start next year.
Ice eater 1969
October 6th, 2012
9:38 pm
With 5 min to go down by 11 baall on 50 and defense does not play man to get the ball with enough time to score. Earlier When they pressured the qb he made mistakes and we put them in long yardage situations . I think we have hitters on d ( except for 90 and 1 who are soft) . More blitzes early in game – I guess I like to see the kids flying around in stead on being pushed on their but. Offense is fine except tw is not athletic enough that when they cut off dive and pitch a poor d can still trip him up where a good athlete would get big gain
1 4 GT
October 6th, 2012
9:40 pm
Buzzzed….just pray that our commits don’t desert GT amidst all this losing….
Same Old
October 6th, 2012
9:42 pm
I told ya’ll.
4-8 this year.
One more year of Paul’s Johnson, maybe two!
Can’t afford to fire him now.
Have to pay for our other failures.
Gr8 2B aFuzzyB
October 6th, 2012
9:43 pm
Blame the defense all you want, game was lost by boneheaded times out calls in the first half. Johnson has no business going for it on 4th down in his own end on the very first series. Then he calls time out when they want to punt it to us. That’s 2 TD that go against the head coach, NOT against the defense. Pathetic coach, where did you learn how to play football??
Same Old
October 6th, 2012
9:45 pm
Go Carolina!!!!!!!
Most beautiful thing I ever saw!
FL too!
Can’t wait for FL-Ga game!
Silly Mutts
October 6th, 2012
9:46 pm
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