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
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
473 comments Add your comment
Wild Bill
October 27th, 2012
9:11 pm
PJ won with Gailey’s recruits and if you note, it has been downhill each year since and this is the poorest Tech team ever and i’ve been going since 1959. Some say Tech can’t afford to fire PJ but I say you can’t afford not to or you loose all the fans. I won’t be buying my seasons tickets next year and I’ll bet there will be a bunch more doing likewise unless a change is made.
lxUn1c0
October 27th, 2012
9:12 pm
Joe, even if he was good enough last year (which he obviously wasn’t), it never hurts to have a free year of practice and workouts. The redshirt pretty much always pays off.
Ed Stone
October 27th, 2012
9:14 pm
If this High School offense can only scratch out 17 points against BYU there are only two choices for GT. Get a Division 1 coach or move the the Sun Belt Conference. The ACC is MAJOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL. Enough is enough of this high school crap.
TVFan
October 27th, 2012
9:15 pm
If there really is a hot seat, Paul Johnson is on it.
Silly Mutts
October 27th, 2012
9:16 pm
@Joe …..glad you understand now. Maybe with a real team vad could go .500 but at gt he is a loser like everyone else at gt!
THESE TWO
October 27th, 2012
9:16 pm
DRAD was going to take off for TN until GT was placed on probation and then TN would not hire him for that…
The coaches CPJ hired in 2010 to replace Monken and Giff Smith have done ABSOLUTELY NOTHING BUT TURN OUR PROGRAM INTO A JOKE. Stephen Hill was the last of the recruits GT signed that had NFL potential
The high school offense only scored 3 points today...
October 27th, 2012
9:17 pm
and that was with the help of 45 yards in penalties on that possession – the D scored one and special teams scored one – never thought I would see CPJ’s offense shut out…
Tech4Life
October 27th, 2012
9:18 pm
Ed, I’d wouldn’t call the ACC “major college football.” One division’s leader just beat the other division leader (who just clinched their first bowl appearance for the first time in nearly 30 years) by 41 points
billyBobjacket
October 27th, 2012
9:19 pm
Where are supersize, George, and UOAD with all their PJ defending, Al Groh blaming, “you guys are over-reacting” “everything is just peachy on the flats”? You guys called me and others out for saying PJ was at least part of the problem? Think this O with TW, Vad, or anybody else can score on the UGA defense that just throttled Florida?
A Iverson
October 27th, 2012
9:20 pm
But TW gives us our best chance to win!! Our best chance is still losing by 30 points to a mediocre BYU team. Our best chance is losing by 30 to a Sunbelt Conference team. Our best chance is losing to Miami when leading by 16 going into the 4th… CPJ should be fired simply for his inability to identify players that give them the best chance to win.
Firing CPJ would give them the best chance to win….. Just like the kids that play for him, I’ve given up on this coach and his stubborn philosphies
So, GT Joe...
October 27th, 2012
9:20 pm
…waht did Vad do today that TW did not do? TW led the team to a missed field goal, Vad led the team to a made field goal, with the help of 45 yards in penalties on that drive – other than that he sucked, too – grow up and learn something about football…
Uh, Tech 4Life...
October 27th, 2012
9:24 pm
…FSU and Duke are in the same division, so FSU did not defeat the “other” division leader – the really sad thing is that all the teams in Tech’s division (VPI, UNC, NC State, UM and UVA) are all really bad this year, and one of them could end up representing the ACC with a 7-6 record in the Orange Bowl, IF they beat either FSU, Clemson or Duke in the ACC Championship game – UGH…
Progessive Jacket
October 27th, 2012
9:25 pm
Wow, that was an ugly scene, but it still a productive day. Buzz gave free prostate exams to the first 25k fans before the game, and we still had a big blow out at the “Purple Cucumber” on North Ave. afterwards. Did anyone notice we wore our pants that zip up the backside during the game? Goooooooo Jackets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ZinoDawg
October 27th, 2012
9:27 pm
Congrats mighty Jackets! You guys are awesome!
OBTW -was the game a sellout?
Tech4Life
October 27th, 2012
9:27 pm
@ Uh, Tech4Life: Duke is in Tech’s division (the Coastal) , FSU is in the Atlantic. It’s been that way sense ‘05.
CloudmanJacket
October 27th, 2012
9:28 pm
I guess it is still Al Grohs fault we didn’t score an offensive TD.
Paul Johnson
October 27th, 2012
9:29 pm
Man, for guys who claim you are smart, you Tech guys are pretty dumb.
I am intentionally losing these games and destroying the team roster.
What does it take to get fired around here. I just want my payout and to leave this dump.
Don’t you get it?
Stung
October 27th, 2012
9:29 pm
Let’s be 100% honest and embrace reality: GT football is so bad, it’s embarrassing. A school that prides itself on Management but cannot manage it’s own football program?
jacket fan
October 27th, 2012
9:30 pm
On another note, the Gangnam parody video starring Buzz was really good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c11gp4hcsY0
UGA = Yawn
October 27th, 2012
9:32 pm
Pitiful Pauls . . . . Paul Hewitt and now Paul Johnson
CloudmanJacket
October 27th, 2012
9:33 pm
Does anyone think CPJ gets fired this year? If not, we are content sucking.
Resident Georgia Fan
October 27th, 2012
9:35 pm
Who will replace Fish Fry Johnson?
Silly Mutts
October 27th, 2012
9:38 pm
Anyone is finevasva replacement!
Buzzman
October 27th, 2012
9:39 pm
I am so glad that CPJ only has 4 more games to coach. He will be going back to the smaller schools like Ga. Southern, Furman etc. He will not coach at a large school again. His offense proved it today. It is not capable of winning games. It was great the first year because nobody really has played against the triple option. As you can tell, it got worse and worse as time goes on, and all of these teams now know how to defend it. Mark my word, he will not be coaching at Ga. Tech next year. I told you Big Al was going and he is gone. What we will have to put up with is a rebuilding stage that will probably last for a few years. CPJ has set back Tech 10 years with his no brainer triple option. We also will be looking at a new Athletic Director at the end of the year, Mark my word again.This was the final straw, even if we beat Georgia (not going to happen), CPJ and Director will be gone.
ZinoDawg
October 27th, 2012
9:41 pm
So when Dawgs beat Jackets this year will that be 10 out of 11 or 11 out of 12? I’ve lost count!
Disgusted
October 27th, 2012
9:41 pm
The sooner we cut ties with PJ the better.
He is overmatched for real big time CF.
Tech is not going to get better with this wannabee.
OK Tech 4Life...
October 27th, 2012
9:42 pm
…my bad – I thought WF was in FSU’s division with Clemson – yet it still looks like a very bad team from Tech’s division, whether it is VT, Tech, UM, NC State, UNC, or Duke (could still lose all 4 of their last 4 games), could still play either FSU or Clemson (if FSU loses one more, and it possible since both MD and VT are on the road)in the champ game…
Disgusted
October 27th, 2012
9:42 pm
I am a Dawg fan and hate it for you Tech fans — its better when both schools have good programs.
Silly Mutts
October 27th, 2012
9:43 pm
Buzz man I hope your right
Disgusted
October 27th, 2012
9:43 pm
CPJ is a small school coach in a big fish pond.
He cannot hack it. And he is a jerk to the fan base. Personality of a smelly sock.
OK Tech 4Life...
October 27th, 2012
9:44 pm
…I know, I know, I messed up the divisions again…mea culpa…
North Ave Killer Beez
October 27th, 2012
9:45 pm
LOL my my my where has all the support gone? Where are all the TW apologist? Let me guess, it’s the defenses fault that he can’t run the offense?
Disgusted
October 27th, 2012
9:45 pm
CPJ is a baby in a big boy’s world.
CloudmanJacket
October 27th, 2012
9:45 pm
Where are all the CPJ supporters now? I have been on here for 2 years calling for his firing and everyone telling me I was wrong. I am not going to say I told you so. That would be childish.
Buzzman
October 27th, 2012
9:46 pm
To Wild Bill. I am with you on the season tickets, I am not wasting my money anymore watching a high school team. Maybe The board will listen when the stadium is empty the rest of this year and next year. There will not be enough money to pay the coaches. I love my school but I am done contributing…
fan
October 27th, 2012
9:46 pm
who in their right mind would have picked these yellow blowflys to beat a very average Byu team?
Empty seats
October 27th, 2012
9:47 pm
Firing groh was a mistake. Now we can pay him to do nothing as well.
Golden parachutes.
Paul Johnson is a man of honor and wll not accept the $10,000,000 of course.
Oh, wait, nevermind, he will take the money even as he does not earn it.
Remember why you kept Kelly. He believed he should earn his keep. Why is d rad keeping you? Hypocit. Does not represent tech. See the empty seats.
Great hire d rad. Violate more NCAA instructions while someone defends your crap for management skills.
Enjoy, beauracrat!
Ted M
October 27th, 2012
9:49 pm
I just don’t get all these bloggers who don’t understand economics; GT can not fire PJ. 12 million just to buy out his contract then GT would have to buyout all his crappy assistants then hire a whole new staff.
That’s close to 20 million dollars. Yes, Paul Johnson sucks to unimaginable heights but there is nothing GT can do but suffer and suffer we will for 7 or 8 years.
Dan Radakovich can and should be fired tomorrow.
CloudmanJacket
October 27th, 2012
9:51 pm
Unfortunately he wont be fired. Too expensive. 1 more season before they will fire him.
ormewood
October 27th, 2012
9:51 pm
For those who don’t know:
ACC Coastal: GT, VT, VA, NC, Duke, Miami
ACC Atlantic: Clemson, FSU, Wake, BC, MD, NC St
A Iverson
October 27th, 2012
9:52 pm
CPJ will be fired at the end of this season. Yes, we owe him millions, but if he stays, D Rad knows he’ll lose more season tix sales over the long haul. Time to cut losses now and try to repair the damage done. The longer we keep him, the more alienated the program becomes, thus, bleeding more $$ than our federal deficit…
On another note, WOW, I FEEL SORRY FOR MARCUS LATTIMORE! THAT WAS SAD TO WATCH……
ty webb
October 27th, 2012
9:52 pm
At least the tens of tech fans won’t have to dole out expenses for yet another lower tier bowl game defeat.
spider
October 27th, 2012
9:52 pm
keep up the great work tech..im a college football fan living in atlanta and anytime i can go attend a college football game for $10.00, im in, who knows mayby i wlll be able to attend the duke game for 5.00.
Ken in Alpharetta
October 27th, 2012
9:54 pm
Just saw the score and laughed and laughed and laughed…….
GT Joe
October 27th, 2012
9:54 pm
So, gt joe: welcome to the blogs, haven’t seen you here before. What did vad do that Tevin didn’t? He didn’t embarrass the hell out of us, first of all. Tevin’s last two passes were embarrassments to all d1 qbs that have everput on a Jock strap.
Tevin was a sad embarrassment. Vad had more rush and pass yards in just 3 drives. You keep defending the absolute worst qb in gt history
gtmba
October 27th, 2012
9:56 pm
i think we are just between waves of talent and we will be markedly better next year. As long as we are not showering w kids in the locker room I say lets stay the course with our coaches and our institute. lets go jack it
A Iverson
October 27th, 2012
9:57 pm
Ted M- What would be the cost of losing 1/2 your attendence next season plus reduction in appararel AND loss in revenue you normally get from a bowl game (albeit it will be a crappy game but they do make hundreds of thousands of dollars from each bowl game each year). This is a business and while you might owe the CEO 12 million, if he loses $5million/year over the next 3-5 years….it’s not that inconceivable for D Rad to fire him. f
blueridgegt
October 27th, 2012
9:57 pm
WE got beat by a very good team. BTU loss 3 games by a total of 7 pts, I watched their game against ND last week-end. I new it would be long day for Tech.
Buzzman
October 27th, 2012
9:58 pm
To Old Yeller. What good is a good recruiting defense class when all you have to practice against is the triple option. Who in the ACC runs the triple option beside Tech. How can our defense get better when you can’t practice against a pro style offense like Clemson or other teams in the ACC. If you noticed since we have gone to the triple option our defense has gotten worse and worse over the years. We used to have a great defense that kept us in the ball games but our defense will get worse (How much worse is beyond me) I’m sorry fans but we accepted CPJ the first year but didn’t look ahead at the problems his offense would cause us. You could hire the best defensive coach in the nation and it would not help us. We must practice against the offensive’s that are being used in the ACC,SEC etc.
North Ave Killer Beez
October 27th, 2012
10:06 pm
@sillymutts your qb looked like pure $hit all game bro’ get a life!