Notes: Tech faces age-gap challenge vs. BYU
By eligibility, Georgia Tech center Jay Finch is a junior, and the opponent he’ll line up against Saturday, BYU nose tackle Romney Fuga, is a senior. So they’re a year apart in age, right?
Not quite. Finch turned 21 in January. The BYU media guide doesn’t list players’ birthdates, but Fuga’s first season at BYU was in 2006. He is an example of the age advantage that the Cougars typically have because several players leave school for two seasons to serve missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints without losing years of eligibility.
“It makes a big difference,” said Tech offensive line coach Mike Sewak, who coached against BYU when he was an assistant at Hawaii. “If you imagine (redshirt senior guard) Omoregie Uzzi still having two more years, that’s what it is. It’s guys that are bigger, more mature, their bodies have already gone through the adolescent stage and they’ve gotten themselves up in there.”
Said coach Paul Johnson, who coached with Sewak at Hawaii, “They’ll pass the look test, I promise you.”
Fuga, who was named after his father, who was named after a Mormon church leader related to presidential candidate Mitt Romney, has had an extra year because he received a medical redshirt after tearing his ACL in 2010. He played for BYU in 2006 then went on a mission to Madagascar. He is the anchor of the Cougars’ 3-4 defense, ranked No. 4 in the country in total defense.
Finch, who was a high school sophomore in 2006, is OK with it. He saw matching up with Fuga (who is 6-foot-2 and 318 pounds) as an opportunity to prove himself against bigger players.
“It’s just preparing for competition to the best of your ability, and that’s all you can hope to do, regardless of if he’s 26 or 21,” said Finch, who is 6-3 and 285 pounds.
2. Johnson gave the team a break Tuesday with a practice in shells — shoulder pads, helmets and shorts. Typically, Tuesday practices are conducted in full pads and are full contact. Johnson also has shortened the length of the practices as the season has gone on.
“I think (players needed the break),” A-back Orwin Smith said. “I felt like I did.”
Smith said players responded with a more energetic practice than usual. Finch called it “an astronomical difference” between practice in shells and full pads. The linemen, for instance, don’t go to the ground to practice blocks.
“It was a nice surprise,” Finch said.
3. At his Tuesday news conference, Johnson said that there was no specific plan to play backup quarterback Vad Lee on Saturday, but that he wants to see the week’s practice before deciding on a plan.
Johnson said that his potential is obvious, but that he needs to work on his reads. Still, “he’s an exciting player and he kind of gives you a boost when he gets out there,” he said.
4. Johnson said that A-back Synjyn Days’ playing time was limited Saturday against Boston College because “he and I weren’t on the same page.” Johnson didn’t go into detail, but suggested it was an off-the-field matter relating to Days’ accountability. Days has played a backup role this season at A-back since moving from quarterback.
“He’s practicing better, and if he has a good week of practice this week, he’ll play some,” Johnson said.
5. Offensive tackle Will Jackson and quarterback Tevin Washington were among those not practicing Tuesday. Jackson, who suffered a shoulder injury Saturday, was in a sling. Washington was resting bumps and bruises and is expected to return to practice Wednesday. … A-back B.J. Bostic, safety Isaiah Johnson and long snapper Tyler Morgan were named the players of the week for their roles in the win over Boston College. Bostic ran five times for 28 yards and made clutch catches of 39 and 27 yards that both converted third downs. Johnson tied for the team lead in tackles with four and forced a fumble that the Jackets recovered. Morgan made 11 mistake-free long snaps.
In case you missed it…
Notes: Johnson’s concerns about BYU
Notes: Field-goal unit needing repair
Tech vs. highly ranked run defenses
With BYU next, no-huddle issues loom for Tech
Thanks for reading.
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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118 comments Add your comment
gt4ever
October 24th, 2012
11:37 am
@Ed
It’s about maturity.. I would take all the older more mature BYU players in a second…. It could get ugly Saturday…. Let’s hope we are at least a little competitive…
carolinajacket
October 24th, 2012
11:39 am
I like the idea of Days at dback. Bobby Dodd always signed a bunch of qbs because he said that highschools always put their best players at qb, and then he would put them at the position where they were needed the most. Obviously, most coaches now-a-days try to do this, so Days might just be whats needed in our defensive backfield. On the other hand, Im sure the coaches have considered all the options and it would be asking a bit much to make this change in mid season.
yeller bug
October 24th, 2012
11:48 am
ND hung what 250 yds rushing—so BYU may not be as strong as their 4th in the nation D implies—they did have some good goal line stands so we’ll see.
As to a comment that GT Old Timer made about our QB situation. That is the true crux of the matter—-TW runs the TO better and Vad is a better athlete, running and passing—so what’s the priority–the TO or getting the best 11 on the field? I say, been saying, will continue to say that we need to play both and run plays to their strengths. Vad has the athleticism to run an Oregon-style offense from the pistol so run it. TW can run the traditional TO.
This give Vad game experience and gives us two legitimate offensive sets for our opponents to worry about. Heck, I’d bring in Vad on 3rd and long situations. TW throws well enough when everyone is expecting run, but he has only one speed on his throws—soft. He tries to guide the ball instead of throwing it. He completed one pass against BC across the middle to an A-back (forgot who) and the A-back was lucky enough to just duck under a huge hit from their safety. TW will get people hurt going across the middle with his soft pass. We should exploit the talent that we have and not have a mindset that we must choose one or the other.
GT Dude
October 24th, 2012
11:49 am
@carolinajacket – my only issue with Days is his abilitiy (actually his inability) to hold on to the ball. In the past he has fumbled the ball on multiple occassions, I like the idea that he be moved to DB, Just scares the heck out of me when he carries the rock.
Delbert D.
October 24th, 2012
11:56 am
Maybe the BYU wins are against “weak rushing teams,” but that is easy enough to check. Here is some info about the teams that beat them:
Boise State* 6-1 252 runs and 209 passes
Oregon State 6-0 210 runs and 227 passes
Utah** – 2-5 256 runs and 212 passes
Notre Dame 7-0 285 runs and 223 passes
*Boise State lost to Utah
**Utah lost to Utah St., Arizona St., USC, UCLA, Oregon St.
Delbert D.
October 24th, 2012
11:59 am
Clarification: Those runs and passes are not yards gained against BYU by opponents, they are the total number of running attempts and passing attempt on the season by their opponents.
BeWhyUte
October 24th, 2012
12:03 pm
I must question the age of the author of this article. I say that because he can’t possibly be more than 20 or 30 something. I must also conclude he isn’t one who does much research before striking his keyboard, because if he had he would have chosen a different angle to write about. This argument of “age advantage” by BYU is so old and so irrelavent it gets laughed at by anyone in the know who understands the “Mormon mission” deal and how it effects players.
Mr. Sugiura should have checked in with sports illustrated’s Rick Riley. He could have provided insight on this subject and his own failure to prove “age advantage” for BYU.
Here’s why, in brief. Young LDS men go to serve 2 year missions in South America, Asia, Africa, China. There are 350 different missions or places these young men can be sent to many of which are 3rd world countries. After 2 years of doing nothing but preaching the good word, they come home, out of shape, out of practice, slower, heavier, skinnier, less muscular, and more importantly changed. They often come home kinder and gentler and coaches and players alike can tell you many of them lose their “meanness” on the gridiron.
If there is any advantage it comes more off the field than on it. These young men tend to stay out of the trouble we see so often with college sports athletes because they are indeed more mature mentally. But the physical benefits are negligible and in fact there are more negatives than positives in the context of football.
If you want more details on the Myth of BYU age advantage you can read more here: http://byu.scout.com/2/386324.html
I have to chuckle every time we play a team in the Eastern Time Zone because the local reporters always go to age. Is it to create a built in excuse if their team loses to BYU? A men against boys argument? OK what happens when BYU loses? Does the argument still hold?
By the way BYU has a starting running back who’s only 17.
BeWhyUte
October 24th, 2012
12:12 pm
I need to clarify my opening paragraph. It isn’t intended to ridicule the author, Ken Sugiura. When I said he must be young himself it was meant in the context of experience or knowledge concerning BYU. Older sports writers have usually come across the BYU age advantage argument and understand what everyone out West understands, that it’s a myth.
So I apologize to Ken if it sounded trite or rude. It wasn’t intended that way.
seekacougar_com
October 24th, 2012
12:18 pm
Actually more people prefer to age-gap romance, dating with older woman or younger man becomes normal, It is true that men tend to find older women to tolerant and support them. The cougar are more balanced emotionally and can even be protective at times. Men love to be nurtured by their lover, even mothered; this quality is rarely in women who are as old as them. Because they need to be preoccupied with their own career, so they need a person to care about their life and family. And older women can understand them. More information from seekac0ugar.c0m
Delbert D.
October 24th, 2012
12:21 pm
BeWhyUte – Is the mission served after the freshman year, or the sophomore year? The man that is a subject of the article has then had either 2 or 3 years to get back in shape. I don’t doubt for a minute that these young men are more mature, not only to the experience of the mission but the development of the brain. The amygdala, which is a center of emotional response and the “fight or flight” decisions, isn’t fully developed until the late 20s. The memories during development imprint in the amygdala complex as well. That positive experience and brain development go hand in hand.
Jmonty
October 24th, 2012
12:34 pm
BYU not having a bye week to prepare for GT’s offense will only help us. Oregon state racked up points on them. ND rushed the ball for about 250 yards and they are a balanced team. I think that BYU’s defense may be a little over inflated with some not so good teams.
1 4 GT
October 24th, 2012
12:37 pm
I agree with those who have said the “older” players of BYU having an advantage is, for the most part, a fallacy. The only time this theory holds water is when a young man joins the military before going to college, or in the middle of college. To the best of my knowledge, everyone can retain their academic eligibility. Their is no age limit on playing college athletics. There was a 60 year old guy playing football recently. An athlete does not reach his prime until their late twenties. They might pass the “look test”, but I would guess the team has a dress code,,,,jacket & tie?….I know Tech used to have one & I think they should still. On the road, you get on & off the bus wearing real shoes, slacks, tie & jacket. If a man looks good, he feels better about himself & presents himself with more pride & dignity. It also subtly instills discipline.
1 4 GT
October 24th, 2012
12:48 pm
Look at Georgie last year. Before their bowl game, they were ranked the 5th best defensive team in the country. Yet they could not stop Boise St, USCe, LUS (cajun speak for the Athenians), & Mich St. Their “vaunted defense” was built around 10 relatively weak teams (GT too). Might BYU be much the same this year? WE WILL WIN!!!! 1 or 100 points, I don’t know. But,WE WILL WIN. GOOOOO JACKETS THWGeorgie
Delbert D.
October 24th, 2012
1:33 pm
1 4 GT – With Georgia’s reported problems on defense this year, they are ranked 205th (tied with Southern U.) in the NCAA’s compilation of toughest schedules in all of Div. 1 (games played through Oct. 20.)
GT Fan
October 24th, 2012
1:39 pm
Jmonty … make that 270 yds that ND rushed for vs. BYU.
DelbertD … you mentioned earlier watching BYU’s D vs Ut St, Boise, and ND. USU & BSU both had over 100 yds rushing, and ND had 270.
Their D has done a very good job of keeping teams out of the endzone in 7 out of 8 games, yet the Cougars are 4-4.
If the GT D doesn’t make their mistake prone QB look like an All American, GT will be fine in the game.
Jeff
October 24th, 2012
1:40 pm
Fuga, the player the article cites, lived in Madagascar for two years. ESPN did an article on him. He lost 90 pounds while he was there. Advantage for the NT? Hardly… get real AJC.
Delbert D.
October 24th, 2012
1:52 pm
I’m departing before the name thievery begins. Some of you I will see before or during the game Saturday.
Finch motivated by Tech streaks | Georgia Tech
October 24th, 2012
1:58 pm
[...] Notes: Tech faces age-gap challenge vs. BYU [...]
Ga Tech Old Timer
October 24th, 2012
1:59 pm
Yeller Bug – Thanks for your comments. My thoughts exactly. There are so many more “options” that coach is leaving untried it’s a real shame. We have wasted talent up and down the roster and I believe we have lost games due to the inability to be creative and think outside the box – (insert the names of Myers – Spurrier – Mike Riley – Chad Morris). Johnson used to be able to adjust the offense based on the defenseive schemes but not so much any more – particularily when it’s tough going late in the game – and almost not at all. It’s time for coach to step up his game in terms of creativity with both player evaluation / assignment as well as inovative play selection based on playing the best 11 and the element of surprise throughout the game.
Buddahchris
October 24th, 2012
2:10 pm
So tired of hearing “Playground Offense”…If we were hanging the same amount of points in a traditional O no one would say a thing. As for “Being a Meatheaded Meanie ” of a coach, CPJ plays the guys who he thinks give him the best chance to win. He gets a paycheck based on Wins…period. He above all others wants to win. So if SD isn’t seeing the field, hes not the best fit. I Know SD is a Helluva kid, but just because hes done everything coach has ask doesn’t warrant playing time. Sorry, But some of our fans are whining Vajays
Ken Sugiura
October 24th, 2012
2:13 pm
i think i’ll trust the observations of someone who coached against BYU for several years.
i know players who go on missions don’t play football and lose weight, and if Tech were playing a flabby, 230-pound, fresh-from-Madagascar Romney Fuga, then I would say it’s a disadvantage, but Tech isn’t.
JT’s point about maturity is something Sewak also mentioned. and, while i’m sure it varies from player to player, i imagine the ones who end up starting are the ones for whom the maturity is a benefit.
i don’t think it’s anything to run from. if byu coaches talk about what a great recruiting base georgia tech has by being in a football-rich state, i don’t think they’re making excuses. i think they’re making an observation about an advantage that tech has over byu in putting together a football team.
that said, i think we can file this under agree to disagree. thanks for everyone’s input.
1 4 GT
October 24th, 2012
2:14 pm
Thank you Ken!!!
GT Fan
October 24th, 2012
2:14 pm
In 7 games ND has rushed for 1,357yds 14tds. ND has passed for 1,358yds and 6tds.
Notre Dame is, BY FAR, the best rushing team BYU has played this season.
GT: 2,377yds 30tds rush … 1,107yds 6tds pass. Wow, only 251 fewer yds than ND, but the same # of TDs.
Ken Sugiura
October 24th, 2012
2:14 pm
let’s stick with football, please.
Al Bundy
October 24th, 2012
2:19 pm
No angst here… I’m proudly voting for Romney!
Mike D
October 24th, 2012
2:19 pm
This tired, recycled story usually only surfaces when BYU has a good team. Not sure why it’s being brought up now. There is nothing preventing GT or any other school from recruiting Mormon players. Losing half of your roster to missions and then trying to integrate out of shape returned missionaries back into your roster is nothing but a competitive disadvantage.
GT Fan
October 24th, 2012
2:27 pm
The more I delve into BYU’s schedule, the more optimistic I am for GT on Saturday.
3 of BYU’s 1st 5 games were vs. 2-5 Wash St (284, 3td), 2-5 Utah (735, 4td), and 1-5 Hawail (640, 5td).
Easy to build a “stout run D” vs. teams with these kinds of SEASON TOTAL rushing stats.
My previous posts shows GT’s totals: 2,377 30td. WSU, UU, UH combined = 1,659 12td. Wash St, 40.6 yds/gm, really!? A D1 school only avg 40.6 yds, OMG.
aaron in arizona
October 24th, 2012
2:39 pm
Wasn’t there some brothers that played for GT that were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon), and they played in 2008 or so? I think I remember reading an article in ajc around that time.
I’m a Georgia Bulldog and a Mormon. I remember reading the article and seeing a picture of some brothers (3 brothers I think) that played for tech that year.
I’m a convert to the church, served a mission in Guatemala for 2 years, and can tell y’all that serving a mission is in no way an advantage (physically) for football.
A previous blogger mentioned an article written by sports illustrated’s editorial guy Reilly , and in that article tried to argue that a mission served/older player is/was an advantage. Also, at the end I remember reilly (sp?) writing that this “advantage” wasn’t “Christian” of BYU, in that it isn’t fair playing w/older players. That notion, article, and Reilly are full of bunk/waste–to put it kindly/nonswear words.
Anyway, GOOO DAWGS, BEAT THE gators!!!!!!
GT Lee
October 24th, 2012
2:57 pm
aaron in arizona: I think you are referring to the Walls’.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3437063
aaron in arizona
October 24th, 2012
3:20 pm
GT Lee,
yep, that’s the article and picture i remember reading/seeing. Thanks!!
Nesbitt For Heisman
October 24th, 2012
3:22 pm
Everyone faces an age gap against them. This is common knowledge. Their center was on Al Groh’s all 12 tribes championship team at Jericho State, when they beat U of Joppa.
Stinger 1
October 24th, 2012
3:54 pm
Some of our GT fans are beginning to approach the level of the negative UGA fans.
Also, they are sounding like they should be the Coach instead of CPJ with their advice on how to run the offense and defense. Get realistic GT fans and remember that our program is what it is. We will not be great but we will be respectable and competitive for most seasons.
Ken, please....
October 24th, 2012
4:23 pm
…ban the name thief from 4:08
BYUfootball4Ever
October 24th, 2012
4:50 pm
This is always brought up by an opponent that is having a bad year and is looking for excuses.
While on their missions, these guys do not have the time to workout, play, or watch football. It usually takes 6 to 8 months for guys to get back in playing shape. For every player that BYU gets back from a mission., there are 2 more that either leave the program, or suffer a career ending injury.
byufanmike
October 24th, 2012
5:11 pm
Really! You’re pulling out that old complaint? Funny how no one mentions the age gap, which does not apply to every player, when BYU is playing poorly.
go jackets
October 24th, 2012
5:30 pm
so byufanmike….. are you lying for the lord again like your home boy? lmao.
Starrs Mill Jacket
October 24th, 2012
5:35 pm
line up whomever you want, BYU. Here’s what I say so I can die a happy man— let 37 take a few snaps at A Back and watch what happens , Jacket Nation… he’s faster than people think , he sees the field MUCH better than people think, AND dude has the heart of a warrior…
Steve
October 24th, 2012
5:42 pm
GT is too good a football team to be making excuses before the game even starts.
Buzz needs to get mad..dm mad
October 24th, 2012
6:07 pm
Smartest team in the ACC knows they better concentrate or they gets their bell rung everytime. Jackets need to push this season to a bowl. It can be done
1 4 GT
October 24th, 2012
7:22 pm
RSVP to Chris or Supersize if you are coming to the Halloween party following the game. Its being held at Blake’s Restaurant corner of 10th and 14th. Thanks.
TxCall
October 24th, 2012
7:57 pm
Tell both sides of the story. BYU’s starting running back Jamail Williams is only 17 years old.
jackie smith
October 24th, 2012
8:16 pm
Good job
1 4 GT
October 24th, 2012
8:56 pm
NAME THIEF ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ken, ban the name thief @ 4:08 PM today the 24th day October. NAME THIEF ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NAME THIEF ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NAME THIEF ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ban the creep or take up the chain of command to someone that can & why can’t you do it???????????????????? BAN THE NAME THIEF FOR LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NAME THIEF ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NAME THIEF ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NAME THIEF ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NAME THIEF ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! COX MEDIA GROUP-ATLANTA………..AJC DOES NOT CARE TO STOP SUCH BEHAVIOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NAME THIEF ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NAME THIEF ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1 4 GT
October 24th, 2012
8:59 pm
COX MEDIA GROUP=AJC STINX STINX STINX STINX STINX STINX STINX STINX STINX STINX STINX STINX STINX STINX
Delbert D.
October 24th, 2012
10:18 pm
1 4, settle down my man. You’re embarrassing us.
1 4 GT
October 24th, 2012
10:57 pm
I call NAME THIEF on the phony Delbert D. at 10:18 PM today the 24th of October.
Gftc32
October 24th, 2012
11:07 pm
Age gap is a bonus? Is THAT why BYU has fielded mediocre teams since 2010? They haven’t had a signature win since 2009 when they beat Oklahoma (who was ranked 3rd at the time) and then Oregon State in the Vegas Bowl (had Oregon State beat Oregon that year, they would have placed first in the former Pac-10, not 5th). If anything it gives BYU a leg down. Those “mature men” are seriously out of practice and even more out of shape. THAT’S why no one else in the NCAA does it. It is a major threat to football careers. This is a pathetic excuse for coaches to give to their bosses and fans when they can’t guide their teams to victory.
Nate from SLC
October 25th, 2012
2:12 am
I’m from Salt Lake City and am a huge fan of the Falcons and Braves. As such I visit the AJC daily. I’m psyched that my BYU Cougars are playing at Tech this Saturday! As a hardcore BYU fan I can tell you most of the time taking 2 years off from football to serve a church mission is not an advantage overall. On my mission to Australia I gained 40 lbs. It is hard to stay in shape! Anyway, I look for the Cougs to roll over Tech, playing angry after giving the game away at Notre Dame. More importantly, go Falcons-beat the Eagles! And Braves, get busy finding a new center fielder because Bourne is not the answer at the price his crook agent will demand.
BuzzedforGT
October 25th, 2012
7:58 am
Statistics only mean something we you compare them to other statistics. It’s all relative. Sure, BYU is the #4 ranked defense, but let’s look at the ranking (total offense) for the teams they’ve faced:
Wash St = #94
Weber St = REALLY?
Utah = #117
Boise St – #88
Hawaii = #122
Utah St = #21
Oregon St = #96
ND = #82
Don’t really see any offensive juggernauts on their schedule thus far. GT’s offense currently ranks #23 and poses much more of a threat than any other team the Cougs have played.
I’m not a huge fan of this offense, so I can’t believe I’m typing this, but I like Tech’s chances in this one.
Rome Jacket
October 25th, 2012
8:27 am
step away from the Kool Aid guys, were lucky at best a 6 win team this year. i hope the best for our guys but it seems we’re settling for mediocrity & it doesn’t set well with me each & every week. i think we can beat BYU this weekend but i also felt that way against Middle Tenn St!