UPDATED: Tech drilled by BYU, 41-17
The defense was picked apart and battered. The offense had no magic. The special teams, save one historic kickoff return, was largely a hindrance.
Saturday, Georgia Tech lost to BYU 41-17 at Bobby Dodd Stadium in a game that contained little mystery.
“We pretty much got our tails whipped,” coach Paul Johnson said. “It was disappointing. I think we got whipped in all three phases of the game.”
With a chance to even their record and build on a convincing win over Boston College a week ago, the Yellow Jackets (3-5) continued their flailing season. Tech gave up 40 or more points for the fourth time in the past five games, had a punt blocked and failed to produce an offensive touchdown for the first time since the 2008 Chick-fil-A Bowl loss to LSU. In hopes of reviving the offense, Johnson sent in backup quarterback Vad Lee late in the third quarter. To rousing cheers, he drove the Jackets for a field goal on his first drive, but produced 16 yards of offense in his final two possessions.
Just to qualify for its 16th consecutive bowl, Tech will have to win three of its final four games. The Jackets finish with Maryland, North Carolina, Duke and Georgia. For a team that lost by 24 points at home, none of those register as expected wins.
Saturday, the defining difference between BYU and Tech was their performance on third down. The Cougars picked up first downs on 9 of 16 third downs, while the Jackets struck out on 10 third-down conversion attempts.
Defensively, Tech reverted to the form that led to the firing of defensive coordinator Al Groh. After holding Boston College to a 1-of-9 effort on third downs last Saturday, the Jackets permitted quarterback Riley Nelson to extend drives left and right with completions.
Interim defensive coordinator Charles Kelly mixed up coverages and blitzes that occasionally produced results. He sent seven defenders at Nelson on a 3rd-and-8 on the game’s opening possession, but Nelson answered it with a 15-yard completion.
One of Tech’s highlights, a 22-yard interception return for a first-quarter touchdown by safety Isaiah Johnson, came on a third down in which Tech rushed three and dropped eight into coverage. But the Jackets couldn’t disrupt Nelson with any frequency and also missed a slew of tackles, a problem that plagued the defense under Groh but had abated in the Boston College game.
Tech also had trouble with BYU running back Jamaal Williams, a 17-year-old freshman who dinged the Jackets for 107 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
The BYU defense, ranked No. 8 in the country against the run, needed no help, but the Jackets abetted the Cougars with penalties, missed blocks and faulty reads on the option. Not counting a kneeldown at the end of the first half, Tech had nine possessions and couldn’t hold the ball for more than six plays on seven of them. The Jackets ran just 47 plays, a little more than half the 91 they ran against Boston College and the fewest of any game in Johnson’s tenure. BYU’s 38:59 time of possession was also an opponent high in the Johnson era.
“It’s obvious that we’ve got to do a lot better,” Lee said. “We’ve got to clean up a lot of things.”
The big plays that this offense needs to expand its margin for error never materialized. Tech had been averaging six plays per game of 20 yards or more. Saturday, the Cougars held them to one, a 22-yard run by A-back Robbie Godhigh.
“They make you earn it, and we weren’t good enough to earn it,” Johnson said. “We’d self-inflict wounds.”
Asked if this was the worst offensive game of his five-year tenure, Johnson replied, “I’m sure it is.”
Only Isaiah Johnson’s interception return and Jamal Golden’s 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown – the Jackets’ first such score since 1998 – kept Tech in the game, which was 24-14 in BYU’s favor at halftime. The game tilted in the third quarter when quarterback Tevin Washington, pressured by BYU end Ezekiel Ansah, threw an interception deep in Tech territory that was returned to the Tech 2-yard line. A one-yard touchdown run by Williams pushed BYU to a 31-14 lead with 3:43 left in the third quarter and released any remaining suspense.
The Jackets will return to work Monday, trying to find answers that have eluded them for the larger part of eight games.
“I don’t know,” said Johnson, asked to explain how his team could be playing beneath expectations. I don’t have an explanation for you.”
By Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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473 comments Add your comment
SteveC
October 27th, 2012
7:41 pm
OK. I stick by my previous posts…WHO else can this GT team expect to beat this year? And please don’t give me that “they’re all winnable” stuff. Ain’t gonna happen, folks. This team is overmatched — on both sides of the ball. 4-8, at best. Someone turn the lights off on their way out.
Tech Fan For Life
October 27th, 2012
7:42 pm
Response to last nights post by Supersize that order, mutt – Maybe now he gets it
BTTF…..What I am saying is that I think Johnson is an excellent coach who WILL get the job done. I don’t have time right now to expand on that; I have got to sign off for the night. But I have absolutely no doubts that he WILL prove you and the other “haters” wrong.
DRad Fan
October 27th, 2012
7:42 pm
If we do change coaches it will have to be an up-and-comer as we can’t afford an established one; especially when we have to pay off another contract. I do think PJ will get another season to turn it around, but I don’t know how he will do it. Not much talent on the field, and they are all his guys. I think it is going to be a painful five to eight years before we will be relevant again, and that’s if we have to fire another coach and start from scratch.
Tech Fan For Life
October 27th, 2012
7:43 pm
next post GT#1
GT #1
October 26th, 2012
8:07 pm
“Super size” I agree with you Coach Johnson will get the job done.
When you get someone down–keep them down are they will get up and kick your a@@..What my Dad always told me… How true that is.
2DPointAtlanta
October 27th, 2012
7:43 pm
GT is definitely going through some changes. BYU has not been a pushover this year but to beat our Yellow Jackets by this spread of points is absolutely unacceptable. Wouldn’t be surprised that at the end of the season, the head coach gets replaced.
GTRob
October 27th, 2012
7:44 pm
GT is terrible this year. The special teams is awful except the kick off returns. The defense is terrible all the way around. The offense is inept. Yes Tech does not have as much talent as some teams but the vast majority of the lousy play is a result of POOR COACHING!!! If you know football and paid attention, you can not argue this. Sorry all you people that like CPJ, he has GOT TO GO.
Y4LYFE
October 27th, 2012
7:45 pm
Love GT
We’ve been frustrated with poor coaching decisions and poorer QB play all year. Good luck to GT though.
Straight Jacket
October 27th, 2012
7:46 pm
Tech will not win another game this season!
Tech Man
October 27th, 2012
7:46 pm
No season tickets next year……
bp
October 27th, 2012
7:46 pm
Johnson is done.His act has worn down. You cant scream at these wusses on the sideline any more.He will be fired but who do we get?
Hang Time
October 27th, 2012
7:46 pm
DRAD – I am losing my Buzz
boots
October 27th, 2012
7:51 pm
Tech Fan for Life… I’m sorry, but you say you can’t stand only beating the Dawgs once every six years? How about once every nine years? I think the Paul Johnson era is over. Please move along, there is nothing left to see here. Meanwhile the Dawgs Defense stuffs #2 Gators.
need2fish
October 27th, 2012
7:51 pm
Never, Never, Never Quit……unless Alabama calls. Unfortunately I don’t think Tuscaloosa will be looking anytime soon.
SlimG
October 27th, 2012
7:52 pm
Wow………This not only looked bad people it is bad. Can we now start the search for new leadership. Drad, I hope you watched last nights game where Louisville won. Hire Strong before seasons end or he’ll be gone.
Seems the fan base is turning. 1900 returned tickets for the GA game. Please….How many empty seats today. The experiment is over. Let CPJ go back to coaching second tier athletes. Chan looks awesome now. Never lost to Middle……..
BS Patrol
October 27th, 2012
7:54 pm
For the past 50 yrs Tech has hired the cheap, clearance sale,bargain basement coaches. None of their resumes would have raised an eyebrow. The only one who would have a recognizable name might have been Rogers. Man, I should have been AD at Tech. They get away with murder and answer to no one.
Tech is reaping what they have sown.
lxUn1c0
October 27th, 2012
7:54 pm
Tech Fan For Life – How is boycotting the program supposed to help anything? Do you think the GTAA doesn’t understand that results matter? How are they supposed to improve things if they’re taking a huge hit in the wallet? The best programs in the country are the ones with the most revenue flowering through their athletic departments. Trying to bankrupt GT’s with an organized boycott campaign shows absolutely no school spirit and would actually drive the program further into mediocrity.
Have you not seen the trend in the MLB and at other schools? If you want to improve a sports franchise/program YOU HAVE TO OPEN YOUR POCKETBOOK.
CPJ HAS TO GO
October 27th, 2012
7:56 pm
Get this ignorant ignorant high scchool football coah out of here .. he is a gutless loser .. DRAD should be fired if CPJ isn’t 10 seconds after the UGA blowout. CPJ is killing this program. Alumni and fans are lost.
ole yeller
October 27th, 2012
7:56 pm
Sillymutts, take it easy big guy. It’s just a game.Let’s not be talking about someone burning in hell. What’s wrong with you?
Jacket Girl
October 27th, 2012
7:57 pm
Frustrated…..to say the least. Very disappointed in Tevin’s behavior after he was pulled. Last week PJ was pissed at the bench, I hope he sees film of what Tevin was doing when Lee was playing. He was laughing and not even paying attention to the game. That’s fine if you’ve had a banner game.
Charleston Jacket
October 27th, 2012
7:58 pm
Anyone know of good defensive coordinators that are available? Need someone to bring some nastiness and discipline to our d. Looking forward to seeing more of Vad Lee. As for this game it is over and this is one you forget about and get ready for the next one.
THWG
bp
October 27th, 2012
7:59 pm
Until we learn how to funnel money to good players without getting caught this is all we will get.You have to cheat to win in college football.
Gorilla Biscuit
October 27th, 2012
8:03 pm
Paul has burnt the fish and can’t blame it on anybody else.
Jhunt163
October 27th, 2012
8:04 pm
Can someone also explain why we leave backs in to pass block when they obviously don’t understand the concept. I have been going to tech games for a very long time and can’t remember the last time the crowd booed the team the way it did today. Rad has a real issue on his hands.
gt97inTX
October 27th, 2012
8:04 pm
I will say what I said from day one when CPJ was hired – ” He will run our team into the ground because of recruiting”. Think about it, the team is pretty much made up of his recruits. Dwyer, DT, etc are all gone.
CPJ HAS TO GO
October 27th, 2012
8:05 pm
Don’t blame the dollars .. blame our AD’s decision on our last 2 coaches … OLD, IGNORANT, STUBBORN GA COACHES … pathetic. Pathetic. Until we get someone outside of GA/Southeast, preferably a coach who is younger and in tune with modern players, we will not win. Period.
Your Bulldawg Daddy!!!!
October 27th, 2012
8:06 pm
I really like Coach Johnson!!!! Go Dawgs!!!!!
TechApp fan
October 27th, 2012
8:07 pm
Tech has a schedule plum…poor MD next. Hopefully, the QB will not be slow, timid, did I mention slow, and prone to mistakes.
GT Joe
October 27th, 2012
8:07 pm
Hunt, they weren’t booing the team, they were booing Tevin Washington
GT Joe
October 27th, 2012
8:08 pm
If Tevin is qb,CPJ must be fired asap
Time for a change
October 27th, 2012
8:09 pm
Fire Paul Johnson
Veteran Fan
October 27th, 2012
8:09 pm
BYU had a very good defense! They stacked the outside and everyone stayed home and played their positions well! Tevin was having trouble with his reads and had a very bad day passing. Our defense was exhausted as they were on the field 70% of the game and BYU had a short field 6 times in the game. We played a very good veteran team and our sophomores and freshmen played hard but they beat us! This grad believes our team will rebound well next week at Maryland. Go Jackets!
GT Joe
October 27th, 2012
8:10 pm
Its amazing how a bad qb choice might get CPJ fired. Even Reggie ball didn’t get Chan fired
lxUn1c0
October 27th, 2012
8:10 pm
gt97inTX – That sounds nice, but it isn’t true. Other than the 2007 class, CPJ has been better than Chan at recruiting. The talent we get us pretty good, we just can’t develop it. The end result its the same, but focus on the real cause: coaching, not recruiting.
Typical Tech Fan
October 27th, 2012
8:11 pm
We will never be able to win big at Tech because our football players must take an introductory calculus class with unlimited free tutorial assistance.
At least that is our excuse until we can come up with one better
Your Bulldawg Daddy!!!!
October 27th, 2012
8:13 pm
Lets not rush to judgement on coach Johnson. After all he almost won an ACC Chumpionship!!! Almost!!!
The Anti Tech
October 27th, 2012
8:13 pm
The Christians beat the Haters 41-17.
lxUn1c0
October 27th, 2012
8:15 pm
Thanks for injecting some positivity into the discussion, Veteran Fan. There’s too many bipolar negative nellies on here.
nate
October 27th, 2012
8:17 pm
Paul is Done. Bring back GEORGE OLEARY and JOHN TENUNA.
afan
October 27th, 2012
8:18 pm
Hewett needed to go and we got a damn go coach in BB.
Johnson will probably get another year to work out his problems with new Defense coaches…If the same bs happens he is toast….If enough Alumni and fans put pressure on DRads –CPJ will be gone……………………………………UGA 54- GT 6 if something don’t change.
GT fan for life..sounds like a fake!
Your Bulldawg Daddy!!!!
October 27th, 2012
8:19 pm
Paul Johnson for President!!!! I love the guy!!!
Smyrna Gold
October 27th, 2012
8:22 pm
I just don’t see how anyone can be optimistic about this program. CPJ and DRAD are completely out of focus. Remember how we were all looking forward to CPJ “recruiting players for his offense” and how we were going to dominate teams with his TO???
Well, these are his recruits and over the last 15 games we are 5 and 10 with a loss to MTSU.
GT Joe
October 27th, 2012
8:22 pm
CPJ should be fired for wasting 1.5 years of vad Lees football life…but I’ll forgive him if vad starts next Saturday
Tech4Life
October 27th, 2012
8:23 pm
I can see why Dwag ans are feeling so confident. They turned 6 turnovers into 17 points and their NFL caliber QB threw 3 first half INTs. Man are they good.
ghost
October 27th, 2012
8:23 pm
George Stein and GT 14 I will understand if you guys don’t want tech and 14.
Ted M
October 27th, 2012
8:23 pm
Paul Johnson absolutely positively under no circumstance whatsoever be fired in the next 3 years.
Drad only option is to watch GT, with the rest of us, go down the drain.
Paul Johnson sucks; Drad sucks…GT is doomed for the next 7 or 8 years.
Your Bulldawg Daddy!!!!
October 27th, 2012
8:23 pm
The only solution would be to give coach Paul Johnson contract extension.
Your Bulldawg Daddy!!!!
October 27th, 2012
8:24 pm
Or you guys could start pulling for the only real football team in the state. The Georgia Bulldogs.
Barney
October 27th, 2012
8:26 pm
Another embarassing loss at home. This team is a mess from top to bottom. This team will probably go 3-9 or 4-8 at best while our rivals to the northeast enjoy another banner year. Tech has very few athletes that can play at the major college football level thanks to the poor recruiting by CPJ. If CPJ is back next year, I don’t know how Tech will be able to sell any season tickets. As a season ticket holder it is hard justifying paying for what we witness every Saturday. We have sunk so low this reminds me of the Bill Lewis years.
Silly Mutts
October 27th, 2012
8:27 pm
Paul john sons offense is unstoppable retain him for 20 more years! Yeah baby!
Crazy Robert
October 27th, 2012
8:28 pm
It was the right thing to do when Groh was let go, and now it is the right thing to admit it’s Johnson’s time to go.
GO TECH!!!