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
Spyro
October 23rd, 2012
9:43 pm
Days needs to get on the field; he’s too big of a body and too good of a runner not to be getting snaps. Get your game together, Synjyn!
GT Fan
October 23rd, 2012
9:45 pm
Uno!??
GT Fan
October 23rd, 2012
9:45 pm
Dang-it, Dos!
Ken Sugiura
October 23rd, 2012
9:51 pm
so close, GT Fan. next time.
George Stein
October 23rd, 2012
9:58 pm
As the great philosopher Ricky Bobby said, “If you ain’t first, you’re last.”
Tech4Life
October 23rd, 2012
10:13 pm
As Reese Bobby the father of the great pilosopher Ricky Bobby said, “Oh hell Ricky I was high when I said that. That doesn’t make any sense at all. You can be second, you can be third, fourth…….hell you can even be fifth.
Augusta Jacket
October 23rd, 2012
10:36 pm
Sadly I will have to miss this game. So far this year we have played the Presbyterians and the Catholics. BYU is up next. This is a year Wake should have been on the schedule…Go Jackets!
Natalie
October 23rd, 2012
10:38 pm
If it is such an advantage to have older players, what’s stopping all coaches in college FB from sending their players off to serve in the Peace Corps to get physically “matured?” taking 2 years off from FB and getting flabby has never been, and will never be, an advantage.
fuzzybee78
October 23rd, 2012
10:40 pm
Pass rush! pass rush! pass rush!
Now Im the one trick pony!!!!!!!!
Biggest thing lacking on D right now—
Question– with the D simplified can we go to a 4-3 at least on passing downs and try to get pressure with 4.
Pick the best pass rush DL and turn um loose- my picks-
Dieke DE – GotisDT – BarnesDT – Cummings or CrossDE (All tall with wing span)
Backers would be Sneezy – Hunt Days – Watts (most athletic)
Or is this too big a change from 3-4 with the coverage assignments?
Somebody help me out because this looks way to obvious and nothing from the coaches.
David
October 23rd, 2012
10:42 pm
@Natalie, stop with the logic.
josh
October 23rd, 2012
10:50 pm
Anyone that thinks missions help BYU out has never seen what these guys do for 2 years and what kind of crap shape and people-loving attitudes (which does NOT help in football) they come back with. Older =/= better or even more experienced.
Also, have you seen the crap BYU has put on the field this year. Not exactly a huge boon to that argument.
Birmingham Jacket
October 23rd, 2012
11:19 pm
Another loss!
Ken Sugiura
October 23rd, 2012
11:27 pm
Natalie – something tells me that few, if any, players would go. they’re there to play football and go to school.
josh – the no. 4 defense in the country?
Ga Tech Old Timer
October 23rd, 2012
11:31 pm
A few observations. 1) The run off the fourth down fake of the “draw off sides” tactic worked amazing well! (I almost passed out when it actually happened!) And will continue to work with other options thrown in such as a pass out in the flat or any run OTHER THAN a fullback or QB keep up the middle. Who knows – even a “hard count” once in a while might work after letting teams know they can’t bank on the same fake fourth down tactic game after game and year after year. 2) Coach has said many times VL does not know how to run the option as well as TW which I’m sure is true – as well as statements made about VL’s poor weeks of practice. I wonder if coach holds TW to the same standard as VL with regards to practice when it comes to passing and running – both of which VL does better than TW – without question. So let’s see – VL can run and pass better than TW – but coach would rather lose with TW because the only thing he does better than VL is run the option and of course we know we must stick with the option no matter what when he’s behind. Let’s not even consider the potential of playing BOTH at the same time and putting extreme pressure on the defense – for them to try to figure out what’s going to happen. 3)Our new punter Fr. Ryan Rodwell is lining up too close to the line of scrimmage and will one day have one or more kicks blocked – hopefully not in a critical game. He needs to be back three – four yards further. With his kicking ability this number of yards won’t matter down field and he might even find that he can take that extra second or so to get a better kick off. 4) Skully has finally found the key to driving the kick off into the end zone – slow, short and deliberate steps to the ball – kicking it about 1/3 of the way up the ball from the ground rather than running up to the ball with less control and getting up under the ball causing it to go up instead of out. It looks like Skully will be sidelined for a while with his hip issue but Justin Moore needs to learn the same technique. Kicking the ball is just like swinging a golf club – it’s not about how fast you run up to the ball or how hard you swing your leg – it’s all about the technique and hitting it in the “right” spot to be able to drive it. 5) Since the option is all about the “Shell Game” of who’s got the ball – why not throw in more misdirection and end around plays to keep the bull rush to the QB and fullback down which also opens up more time for the pass when that comes along. And while we’re talking about passing – we need to hit shorter routes and over the middle routes rather than try these long gainers all the time. Send somebody long as a decoy and hit the middle! Well – that’s it for tonight. Food for thought and maybe a little discussion.
Lou Piniella's cap
October 23rd, 2012
11:34 pm
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.”
———————–
His playing time was limited Saturday? His playing time has been limited all year, so I for one don’t want to hear this stuff about why he didn’t play this particular game because of whatever reason (whether its valid of not) when Johnson knows good and well he wasn’t going to, and probably doesn’t plan on Days playing anyway. Days has done nothing but waste away on the bench this entire season.
Lou Piniella's cap
October 23rd, 2012
11:36 pm
Ken, I think Josh was referring to the BYU offense. Everyone knows they have a good D, but their offense sucks something fierce this year.
GIVE ME A BREAK
October 23rd, 2012
11:37 pm
CPJ makes it obvious that if you are a slacker in practice then you don’t play on Saturday. Make them earn it, coach. ” GO JACKETS “
Ga Tech Old Timer
October 23rd, 2012
11:40 pm
My Bad – It’s SCULLY – not – SKULLY!!! Sorry
GT Fan
October 24th, 2012
1:50 am
Shake … and … Bake. That just happened!
GT Fan
October 24th, 2012
1:58 am
Sweet Lou, et al …….
PJ’s BS praising of players then NOT playing them is getting old! This if from 8/22, that’s 2 weeks BEFORE VaTech!
————————————————
Days to play ’somewhere’ for Georgia Tech against Hokies
9:09 pm August 22, 2012, by Ken Sugiura
1. Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson wasn’t in much of a mood to share details, but allowed this about quarterback/A-back Synjyn Days. He’s in the plans for the opener against Virginia Tech.
“We’ll see where he plays, but I’d be surprised if he didn’t play in the game somewhere,” Johnson said following Wednesday’s practice.
Johnson said he didn’t know if Days, who has spent some of the preseason training at A-back, would play at that position. Coaches want to get Days on the field to make use of his playmaking ability, but he is behind Tevin Washington at quarterback.
Coaches “really haven’t said anything, just that we want the best 11 players on the field and they said I’m one of the best 11,” Days said. “If it’s a special package or something, I’m just trying to do the best for the team any way possible, even if it’s special teams or holding the kick or something.”
Days has worked with the punt return and kickoff return teams in addition to A-back and quarterback. A-backs coach Lamar Owens said that Days is “getting there” as an A-back.
———————————-
This was 2 months ago. Days sounds excited about being deemed “one the best 11″ and is willing to help the team … “even if it’s special teams or holding the kick or something”
Yeah, I can see how a kid’s attitude might be soured a bit.
PLAYMAKER
October 24th, 2012
6:16 am
Days is great kid, a Christian kid who could be a great asset to GT recruiting. Trust me he is the type of kids parents want their kid around. But CPJ doesn’t have vision that way. He is always trying to play tough no nonsense guy. How many years has Days and others waited. Days should have gotten more snaps at QB last yeart. CPJ doesn’t seem like he could handle the big 5 stars anyway. If he would just humble himself, loosen up a little and be open to listen to change then you will see a GREAT COACH and the talents God have given him!
BIrmingham Jacket
October 24th, 2012
7:05 am
BYU will win by 14 or more.
NL Brave
October 24th, 2012
7:11 am
I seriously doubt that the GT Coaching Staff would recruit any Morman High School athlete who plans on serving a two year mission. Mike Sewak needs to button up and get the offensive line ready rather than making an issue out of age difference.
Awesomeb
October 24th, 2012
7:55 am
It seems like our coaches spend the entire week before a game offering up all the reasons why the other team should win – just in case they do beat us. That strategy works ok when you lose 2 or 3 games each year. But when you start losing 5-7 each year, it starts looking like you are spending more time trying to get your excuses prepared than getting the team prepared. Come on coach, get your GSU swagger back. You use to be the man and there were no excuses. Just go out there and be the coach you use to be (not scared of anybody, never taking your foot off the gas with a big lead, etc).
Rome Jacket
October 24th, 2012
8:41 am
this GT team needs a total renovation from the coaches to this playground scheme that is ineffective. We dont have the athletes to play with these teams in our conference & we are unable to efficiently recruit the best athletes in our state. until we do this we will be a lower tier program living off the success of our past. im tired of our program being in the shadows of UGA…
10per
October 24th, 2012
8:45 am
All of you wondering where Days is on game day…is it possible ball handling issues continue to be a problem? Being big and fast does not mean much if you cough the ball up regularly. If he’s not showing well in practice it is hard to call his number in a game.
uafuneman
October 24th, 2012
8:54 am
Amen Rome Jacket
uafuneman
October 24th, 2012
8:56 am
Tech can and should beat UGA at least 4 times in a ten year span. Nothing less should be exceptable.
uafuneman
October 24th, 2012
8:56 am
my bad, acceptable
George Stein
October 24th, 2012
8:57 am
You have an opportunity to make a lot of money with that knowledge, Birmingham.
George Stein
October 24th, 2012
9:03 am
The reson 18 year olds don’t go to NFL is because they aren’t allowed, GTJason. The most valuable commodity in the NFL – and sports in general, really – is potential. The rest of your point is probably accurate, though.
I’d love to see you try to explain this “playground scheme,” Rome Jacket.
carolinajacket
October 24th, 2012
9:06 am
So they run a 3/4 defense and are 4th in the nation and we run a 3/4 and can’t stop anybody. Seems like it must not be the 3/4 defense thats the problem. I remember when Barnes was a freshman and the other players raved at what a beast he was, what happened? Why do we have absolutely no pass rush at all?
Andy
October 24th, 2012
9:24 am
I agree that it is an advantage to be two years older, but there are disadvantages to being away from football for 2 years. When these guys serve missions they have zero time for football, and hardly any time for exercise at all, other than walking or riding a bike. There are a lot of college football players who do not make it back onto the field after their missions because they have been away from it for too long. So the mission is really a two-edged sword for football players.
ToeMeetsLeather
October 24th, 2012
9:44 am
BYU has put their numbers up while playing weak rushing teams. I say we gash them for 300 plus. If we can generate some type of pass rush, we win by 10.
Coach, please give Days a few touches come Saturday. The dude’s a beast running the ball.
carolinajacket
October 24th, 2012
9:57 am
I certainly want to see what Days can do, but its hard to complain about the A Backs production: 10.6, 8.6, 7.5, and 7.2. Those are pretty impressive stats.
North Ave Killer Beez
October 24th, 2012
10:01 am
Day’s should transfer, he’s sacraficed everything coach has asked. He looked much better than TW in the spring game yet still get’s the bench. Imagine a kid who works as hard as Day’s and never see’s the field being on the wrong page with CPJ. What a meat-head coach. I think I would probably start slacking off a bit in practice too if my coach had his head that far up his bottom.
trueblueeagle
October 24th, 2012
10:06 am
As a life long tech fan I just can’t see this team winning another game this year. Something has gone wrong and I don’t think it can be fixed this year. Have not seen the fire-in-belly that a team needs to be a winner from this team.
George Stein
October 24th, 2012
10:19 am
The irony of someone who doesn’t know how or when to use apostrophes calling another person a meathead is precious.
btgt69
October 24th, 2012
10:20 am
Let’s see: BYU runs 3-4 and is No. 4 in the country? Maybe our defense can learn something from their films.
North Ave Killer Beez
October 24th, 2012
10:32 am
Habitual, oops!! I think you meant priceless though. TW apologist kill me.
Old Dog
October 24th, 2012
10:40 am
To Hell with Tek, today,tomorrow and every other day!
...Take The Wheel
October 24th, 2012
10:50 am
One thing for sure is we will HAVE to use all of our tools this week. We can’t afford to be too predictable. This game could very well come down to strategy. When you are outsized on the field, strategy becomes more important. And i do believe the strategy from last week was a good direction. Use Lee in the pistol a few times to keep their defense guessing. Let’s also get Days and Laskey in there for a few runs. Snoddy, is a track and field sprinter, let’s see him on a couple returns.
If we get by BYU we have a good chance of winning 4 in a row.
...Take The Wheel
October 24th, 2012
10:57 am
TW crucifists kill me.
Delbert D.
October 24th, 2012
11:06 am
I’ve watched parts of 3 BYU games this year: Utah State (because I was intrigued with the Aggies’ multiple sets triple option offense), Boise State and Notre Dame. Their defense is tough against the run. I’ll be at the game on Saturday, and I think it will be a close one.
JT
October 24th, 2012
11:18 am
The biggest age gap you will see on the field is between BYU’s star running back and everyone trying to tackle him. There will be at least a couple of years’ difference, but not in the direction you think: Jamaal Williams is a true freshman and just turned 17 in April (he skipped the 2nd grade).
As it turns out, most of BYU’s star players did not serve missions (WR Cody Hoffman, OLB Kyle Van Noy, DE Ezekiel Ansah).
When serving a mission, you almost always get out of shape, you forget plays, and you lose technique. You may mature a little physically, but you definitely mature mentally and emotionally. Most of the guys coming back have a better work ethic and are less likely to get rattled in a game than they otherwise would have been. On the other hand, part of that mental maturity leads some players to realize that there is much more to life than football, causing some to lose the “edge” they once had. It varies from player to player.
In short, the option to send players off to the Peace Corps (or wherever) for a couple of years is open to every coach. Notice that no one takes it. With the exception of a few teams (mostly located in and around Utah), most coaches would much rather have their players stick around than serve a mission.
Born2Buzz
October 24th, 2012
11:22 am
I hate to agree with the now missing in action WnE, but it seems obvious now that Days should have been shifted to Safety. We could sure use him there. Maybe next year?
B’ham Jacket, have you ever ventured over from Bama and witnessed a game in person? You are the type of fan that keeps us from filling up BDS, just whining and complaining. I’ve never seen you post a positive word on these blogs. Hey, it’s homecoming. If you really are a Tech man, why don’t you man up and come home to the flats. Then you can bitch and moan at the team in person…if they actually lose like you say they will.
I say we run all over BYU and win this one by 14. Vad and TW both have a good day and our D becomes solid again. I know I will be there cheering on the boys.
GT Dude
October 24th, 2012
11:24 am
If our D continues to rush the passer like we have in the previous 7 games, we will not win this weekend. We need to have at least 3 sacks and 3 more hurries
GT Dude
October 24th, 2012
11:30 am
@B2B – you tell him
Ed
October 24th, 2012
11:34 am
This tired non-issue again?! A senior for BYU at age 24 has played no more football than a senior at age 22. A 6.5″ offensive lineman at age 24 and the same size lineman at age 22 is somehow an advantage? College players go thru thousands of reps in training during their careers. Do you somehow think a guy that is two years older is getting more reps ? They are not playing football on church missions. Comparing a player that went on a mission to one that didn’t, when they are both seniors they have played and practiced the same amount of time. Where’s the advantage? If anything, being away for two years may be a disadvantage. If we’re talking about size and experience there is no advantage. No BYU player somehow gains more athletic ability because he went on a mission. Everyone talks about maturity. Where’s the maturity? In what area is two year older player displaying more maturity? The younger player has practiced just as much, has had just as much discipline and training on the field. Sounds like a lot of hot excuse air! – Ed
gt4ever
October 24th, 2012
11:34 am
@Takethewheel….
Very funny 4 in a row…. I like your optimism, but I wouldn’t bet on winning 4 in a row..
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!
Ryan
October 25th, 2012
9:01 am
I served an LDS mission for two years. I wasn’t an amazing athlete, but I was good when I left. I came back (like most returned missionaries) in terrible shape. Yes, the players are two years older, but they haven’t been lifting, running, or even stretching for two years. They aren’t studying playbooks or even keeping up with sporting news. They can’t even watch TV. Don’t run away with the idea that there is some physical advantage to serving a mission; it’s a sacrifice. I don’t regret it, and I doubt any of the players do either, but that’s because we come back with a different perspective on life– one that isn’t centered on sports anymore (also a disadvantage).
Al Bundy
October 25th, 2012
9:02 am
Who cares if the BYU guys are older than ours and so what if it does give them a physical advantage. There is nothing we can do about it so lets line up and play football. And while I’m on my soap box… Get over the name theif crybaby stuff. Most of us including me, have been a victim of the name theif. The more people whin about it the more he/she is going to do it. As Sgt. Hulka said in the movie Stripes “Lighten up Francis”!!!
wreckbone
October 25th, 2012
9:15 am
I like our chancces with teams that have problems scoring on offense. Offense has not been our prblem this year. The problems on offense are 3rd and short 4th and short. We used to get those with bigger more explosive runners at the QB and B Back positions. So, if we have some big plays that make it to the end Zone I really like our chances. If we are driving all day and get stopped inside the 20 for a first down when we get close to scoring, it could be tough. Hopefully CPJ will scheme some drive finishes for those short situations.
What I see is in a couple of years QBs playing as consistent as Tevin with better running and passing skills. If we get some large B backs to go with that, I think we can be better than competitive. That is what i am hoping for out of CPJ. And I think that is what he is waiting for also. He even mentinoed how Joe Hamilton played them when he was young and had a bad day. Then became “the best QB we ever had” Give CPJ a chance to get his QBs developed then, tell me the TO doesn’t work. I don’t think it will play out that way. I think if Chalres Perkins would have been able to produce like Dwyer we would not ahve this conversation. I think that was the back with the most potential who’s time it is to really shine. But that did not happen this year. LAskey has been hurt twice this year so I do not think he has the toughness Allen or Dwyer had. We get one of those in the middle with these new QBS and we will be able to outscore teams like we did a few years ago. We stll ahve a really good points/game average even with our shrot yardage woes.
BIrmingham Jacket
October 25th, 2012
9:16 am
MARK MY WORDS:
This game will underscore my opinions, and other astute opinions over the past 3-4 years regarding recruiting.
GT=Relatively small and weak.
BYU=Relatively BIG, STRONG.
BYU will THUMP THE CRAP OUT OF OUR BOYS SAT!!!!!!
Poor recruiting.
Whose in charge of recruiting, anyway?
Paul Johnson?
1 4 GT
October 25th, 2012
11:34 am
Al Bundy. You can tolerate & ignore (you even offered words of praise & encouragement) the creep all you want. You obviously don’t mind be called an alcoholic & a homosexual by strong inference. I DO!!!! I WILL NOT REMAIN SILENT TO IT!!!! You & anyone else that agrees with you can if you want.
1 4 GT
October 25th, 2012
11:37 am
the word g a y is prohibited. We can no longer be happy or g a y on the blogs!!!???
1 4 GT
October 25th, 2012
11:38 am
Does that mean we can’t express any gaiety on the blogs??
1 4 GT
October 25th, 2012
11:40 am
How silly! I wonder if the AJC prefers the word fag?
1 4 GT
October 25th, 2012
11:41 am
LOLROTFLMFAOLOL I can call someone a fag but not g a y. How stupid. What fool makes these decisions?
gt4ever
October 25th, 2012
11:42 am
@ Birmingham Jacket
Funny but sad…. We have a chance, a small one, but a chance….
1 4 GT
October 25th, 2012
11:43 am
G A Y is the PC non offensive word. Fag & others are non PC offensive words in today’s world. SHEEESH!!
BYUTHOMAS
October 25th, 2012
12:04 pm
I am a BYU Grad and Georgia native. I’m also a huge UGA fan, so I don’t like Tech one bit. But I expect Tech to roll my alma mater this Saturday. I think Johnson’s offense will be crisp and BYU’s D, which is good but overrated at #4 (remember, I’m a DAWG fan, so I’m an expert on overrated defenses), will not keep the Jackets under 30 points. And I know Tech’s defense is awful, but BYU”s offense can match you step-for-step on awfulness. And as a returned missionary who played college athletics pre-mission, I promise you there is nothing but athletic deterioration during the two years. There are lots of great reasons for LDS men to serve missions, but athletic advantage isn’t one of them.
gt4ever
October 25th, 2012
12:11 pm
here is hoping your right BYUTHOMAS….
MGT
October 25th, 2012
1:02 pm
“Head Coach” pj’s offense and defense are now fully installed.
Terrible product = empty seats in stadium regardless of win/loss Saturday.
But stuck with him through 2016 due to excellent management of Athletic Department including the AD in violation of NCAA to the tune of scholarships and ACC Championship, and no apology, just arrogance.
Working out pretty good eh?
Al Bundy
October 25th, 2012
1:36 pm
1 4 GT, You seem to take everything I say personally like it’s I’m attacking you. I don’t blame you for not liking it because it’s happened to me too. My point is by posting your anger about it on this blog for “the name theif” and everyone else to see it just adds fuel to the fire. That’s why he/she is picking on you, SS and other regulars so much. I do agree the AJC should do something to stop them if they can. I can assure (and I do know a little about which I speak) it ain’t easy to stop someone like the “name thief”. I appologize if I contributed to your anger.
old dog
October 25th, 2012
2:36 pm
Ya’ll may have stopped the bleeding. Remember Teckies…..crowd that po-dunk o-line we have and slap ‘em around. Maybe then we will learn that WE NEED TO GET LINEMEN!!!
Congrats on at least trying to address a problem. We won’t TRY to address our o-line………
Starrs Mill Jacket
October 25th, 2012
6:08 pm
@Wreckbone — 37 is one of the toughest kids I have ever been around. plays hurt, NEVER complains, and would suit up at ANY position to help the team. He is more a natural A than a B, trust me…. seen him slice up the field and outrun a lot of defensive backfields that thought he couldn’t move fast…you’ll see …
Smyrna Gold
October 25th, 2012
9:12 pm
Pathetic program, pathetic fans. And a pathetic coach that cannot recruit enough talent to be competitive in the ACC. The apathy of GT fans is really disheartening. This program has fallen behind Duke, Vanderbilt, MTSU, Wake Forest, etal. And we have the audacity to think Tech can beat BYU. One more victory this year. (maybe)