In return home, Lee incinerates Tar Heels
By Doug Roberson
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The Vad Lee era may have begun Saturday afternoon in Georgia Tech’s 68-50 victory over North Carolina.
Lee, a quarterback whom Yellow Jackets fans have been pleading to see more of all season, entered in the third series and remained the Jackets’ quarterback till the end. He led the team to 55 points, scoring on nine of his 12 drives in front of more than 30 friends and family from his nearby hometown of Durham.
“I just wanted to play my best game and take advantage of my best opportunity,” he said.
Coach Paul Johnson said the plan was to give Tevin Washington, who led the Jackets to their first touchdown, and Lee two consecutive series each at the beginning of the game and then decide who would go out on the fifth series.
But Lee seldom stopped scoring. Then Johnson said it reached a point where it became Lee’s game. Johnson declined to say if Lee would start next week’s game against Duke, though he acknowledged Lee “played pretty good.”
“I’m drained watching him play,” Johnson said. “He’s talented. He makes big plays, but he’s a freshman, but he plays the game.”
Lee rushed 23 times for 124 yards and two touchdowns and completed six of 10 passes for 169 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
“I didn’t imagine this game swinging this way, but anything it takes to win,” he said.
It wasn’t all pretty, but when it wasn’t, Lee usually bounced back.
Lee almost ran a toss sweep into “40 guys” on a fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line in the second quarter. But Johnson recognized the danger and called a timeout just before the snap. Lee said he saw that the Tar Heels had the numerical advantage, but he wanted to try to make a play, perhaps showing why Johnson said he was “drained” watching him. After the timeout, during which Johnson changed the call, Lee barreled in for the touchdown.
Lee then showed again why fans have been clamoring for him to play, throwing a 32-yard touchdown pass with a delicate touch to Robbie Godhigh in the third quarter.
“That … was a pretty good throw,” Johnson said.
Lee later threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown to cut Tech’s lead to 58-50 in the fourth quarter and give the Tar Heels hope. Lee said he had a miscommunication with Darren Waller, who took off up the field. The pass went right to Tim Scott, who didn’t bite on the move.
But Lee answered on the next drive, rushing for 39 yards on a third-and-5 to set up a 22-yard touchdown run by Orwin Smith on an option play. The score gave the Jackets a 65-50 lead with 11:02 left to play.
“The kid makes plays, and he did today,” Johnson said.
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103 comments Add your comment
ENGRGT
November 10th, 2012
11:33 pm
Tevin and Lee both are fine representatives of GT Tech… Good team work and great play!
fuzzybee78
November 10th, 2012
11:56 pm
Lee is just getting better and better and we all are wondering how good can he get?
I want more for TW than to just fade away— not an easy decision on how to handle the transition that just happened in front of us all.
ToeMeetsLeather
November 10th, 2012
11:58 pm
Today was the first day that we have seen the full potential of this offense since CPJ has been at TECH. Next mission, come up with a consistent defense to complement it. I still have confidence CPJ will.
CT_Jacket
November 11th, 2012
12:00 am
I’d at least like to see Tevin break the TD record.
Ignition
November 11th, 2012
12:05 am
Vad has an arm.. Would love to see CPJ open up the offense more and watch Vad throw darts all over the field ..
1 4 GT
November 11th, 2012
12:15 am
As Lee gets more comfortable & confident & CPJ gets more comfortable with him, I believe you will see this offense being opened up to all it can be. We saw shotgun, pistol & under center today. A little 3O & some spread. We could be watching a really good team next year. There is quality in our commits if none of them cut & run. Some of them may have been having second thoughts, but this mini resurgence should put a stop to that, hopefully. There is defensive help coming next year too. I look for good things next year.
1 4 GT
November 11th, 2012
12:16 am
I also want to add, I think we have a good chance at winning out. Time will tell.
dpj98
November 11th, 2012
12:23 am
TW may be a really great person, but remember, he was handed the starting job when Nesbitt was injured. He was unimpressive in those games as a sophomore. Lee is earning the job as a RS Freshman.
fuzzybee78
November 11th, 2012
12:24 am
Ken—-
I thought we might have a big day offensively, but never dreamed of this— because it is the first time these new D coaches at UNC have played a PJ coached team. I am curious what PJ’s record is playing ACC games against first year opposing DC who are trying to stop him for the first time? I bet he is undefeated???
WPinAZ
November 11th, 2012
12:25 am
I agree with FuzzyBee78. Can’t treat Tevin that way. I understand the transistion, but TW has done NOTHING to deserve just being tossed aside like that. The young man is a SENIOR and has EARNED the opportunity to complete his final season IN THE FIGHT. That’s the beauty of college athletics. All must wait their turn, deferring to those before them. TW waited out Josh Nesbitt, just as VL MUST wait out TW. I mean….ain’t like Tevin is un-productive? That’s the way it works in college athletics. Anything less than that would be COMPLETELY BUSH on part of CPJ.
Just my 2 cents worth…….
dpj98
November 11th, 2012
12:36 am
@WPinAZ again, remember, TW didn’t “wait out” Josh Nesbitt. He was handed the job when Nesbitt broke his arm and blew the rest of the season. He didn’t “earn” anything, there was just no one available to supplant him. Now there is and the best player should play and Vad Lee is clearly the best player.
WPinAZ
November 11th, 2012
12:40 am
“he was handed the starting job when Nesbitt was injured”…
Not exactly true. TW was NOT “HANDED” the job. TW was the 2nd string QB. He EARNED that position. JN, unfortunately, broke his arm that night in Blacksburg. Tough break. JN was a Senior. TW was set to start the next season anyway. He has EARNED his position, and is on track now to set and/or break TD records in a season. COMPLETELY BOGUS to deprive him of that. We’re not talking the NFL here. This is COLLEGE athletics.
GTGirl
November 11th, 2012
12:55 am
This coming Saturday is Senior Day and Tevin deserves to start, though we know Vad will get to play also.
dpj98
November 11th, 2012
12:59 am
Actually, JAYBO SHAW would have been the 2nd string QB, NOT Tevin Washington. Jaybo was being groomed to take over for Nesbitt but transferred. Again, TW being handed the job, not earning it.
dpj98
November 11th, 2012
1:03 am
This isn’t little league football where everyone gets a chance to play and gets a trophy at the end of the year. The best player, regardless of year, should play, every coach in college football will tell you that. Just because someone is a Senior doesn’t mean they deserve to play. Washington had plenty of chances to show he could pump this team up, close out games, lead come from behind drives and he plain didn’t.
1 4 GT
November 11th, 2012
1:05 am
WPinAZ….While I have the utmost respect and gratitude for what Tevin has done for GT and admire & applaud what he has accomplished both on the field & in the classroom @ GT, this, as you said in your own words, is college athletics. If you have two guys competing for the same spot, is this any different than the job market? No sir, it is not. The better qualified person gets the spot. It happens all the time in life. If CPJ had put Tevin in the ball game today after it was “in hand”, that would have like a slap in the face & an insult to what he has accomplished thus far. Tevin is a grown man, not some 8 year old, that should be & I imagine is quiet capable of understanding this fact of life. I don’t know of anyone that has not experienced this to some degree. Tevin will get one more start, maybe 2, Next week is Senior Day & if CPJ doesn’t let Tevin start the game & give all at that game the chance to voice our respect for him, then that would be a grave dishonor of Tevin. Otherwise, Vad has earned his spot in the sun now. He may not actually start a game until next season, and that would be OK too. But, having seen the way Tevin has worked & grown & done the best he could, I doubt he would disagree with me. He knows it is fast becoming Vad’s time and I imagine he is OK with it. I have never been one of those that thought he was a glory hound or a ball hog. He has done himself & GT proud.
BLACK BEE
November 11th, 2012
1:11 am
Agree TW should be shown some love. You can’t deny the potential of this offense with Lee in there. Why did we have to beg CPJ to play Lee? And today, Lee gets winded and TW should have been put back into the game. I like the two QB system for GT Next year we will have Thomas and he will deserve quality minutes too not mop up time. So for the rest of the year CPJ and CBB can get experience of playing 2 QB’s.
fuzzybee78
November 11th, 2012
1:49 am
@14GT
well said sir.
I now hope CPJ announces in advance that TW will start on SR day and then give way to Vad. Hopefully that will end in a TD for Tevin breaking JN record and we all will give Tevin a standing ovation!
WPinAZ
November 11th, 2012
2:14 am
If JAYBO truly was to start the next season, why would he xfer out of the ACC for Georgia Southern??? Anyway….VAD is the next coming. Stevie Wonder can see that. I’m just saying…TW deserves to finish his college career on the field, just as VAD will deserve the same. I know….I know…..DESERVES aint got nothing to do with it. Right??
yeller bug
November 11th, 2012
2:17 am
Good win and it’s nice to see how D’s get flustered when they have to worry a little more about the pass. I hope CPJ keeps opening it up. As for QBs, it’s not either/or—play both—they both have different skills and experience. CPJ has a good plan—play’em each a couple of series and see who’s hot. Today was Vad’s day and what a great day ro have in front of family! Next week may be TW. Vad is a much better athlete, but TW does better on reads and sometimes making good reads produces better results than raw athletic ability. So play both, keep them both intense and focused and use them as precision tools in your offensive arsenal.
WPinAZ
November 11th, 2012
2:31 am
…And in closing, I’ll throw in this. Thankfully, college athletics is NOT the job market – the REAL WORLD. At my age of 50+, it has been my experience, in particular in my home town of ATLANTA GA, that the “better qualified person” HISTORICALLY does NOT ALWAYS get the position. But…we’re not talking about the real world. Only College Athletics. Peace!
Jliuatl
November 11th, 2012
2:33 am
Tevin is a class act. All I saw from him on the sidelines was smiles and encouragement for his team and Vad. This kid already has his degree folks. He didn’t have to come back – it certainly wasn’t because he thought he could make the NFL. Yes, he had failures on fourth and short and key INTs, but our defense (I blame coaching there) never should have put him in that position (Miami, MTSU). Tevin understands his time at Tech is almost done and the torch being passed is best fior Tech’s future – it’s all about team for him, and he’s still a leader on the sidelines. He’s in the record books, and I know CPJ will give him a chance to break it next week.
slydog
November 11th, 2012
3:01 am
This tech program has one major problem: the defensive players that CPJ recruited are just not any good, no matter who the coach is.
Wrecker
November 11th, 2012
5:25 am
Well said, Jliuatl. Tevin maximized his talent and played the game the right way.
ray gunkel
November 11th, 2012
5:59 am
Nothing’s free in life – u gotta earn it! Stan Gann was the incumbent starter when Bobby Dodd sat him down in favor of the inexperienced, but, more talented Billy Lothridge. This isn’t some union shop where seniority trumps performance…it’s athletics where competition and performance determines who the players are that give your team the best chance to win. Without integrity in competition at any position but esp at qb, you’ll ultimately fail…just ask B… L….
Jacket Detective
November 11th, 2012
6:40 am
Now that we have agreed on a QB, can I count on Tech “fans” in the West stands not to cut and run?
For example, I viewed the BYU game with their fans on both sides of me though I doubt they got a fourth of what they had paid for their tickets.
In 2009 during the post-game celebration of the upset win over VT, I was informed by the young guy next to me that he was selling his tickets to the Uga game because their fans were willing to pay so much for them.
Not wanting to be the overbearing older guy, I said with disapppointment “you’re selling your tickets to the big game?”.
However I decided I would get on him at the Wake game.
I couldn’t though.
He sold his to that game too.
But now that we have the Messiah at QB, perhaps I can count on us now to man up and show up.
Jacket Detective
November 11th, 2012
6:51 am
And wasn’t it refreshing to get stops and tackles when we needed them like the 2009 season.
And successful field goals like the two that won the Clemson game that year.
I’m not sure even the great Nesbit would make much of a difference last year and this one.
Since in 2010, he could not prevent losing to a terrible Kansas team as well as needing a last second drive to barely beat a much crummier Wake team than the 2009 one.
I assuming here that the 2010 Wake team was crummier since we actually got some stops and kept the game within range of victory.
Funny how defense can do that for us once every two or three years.
What a concept.
Defense contributing to a win.
How long has this been going on?
wreckbone
November 11th, 2012
7:34 am
Nesbitt made a huge difference. And the b backs. Only problem is that Nesbitt and Dwyer and Allen got 3rd and short and 4th and short all the time.
Other guy who says our defensive recruits aren’t any good you have no clue. Our recruiting is the same as it had been as far as talent numbers. Just need a good DC in my opinion.
I was at the game in the middle of the UNC section. They hate Johnson. All opposing fans hope he is gone. It would not be wise. we haven’t been in 1 game this year with lower talent than needed at b back and qb combined with a soft defense. I hope Johnson stays for a long time. You as tech fans see the flaws in the TO watching it every week.opposing teams can’t stand it. everyone hates it. We were in every Acc game. Johnson was right fumble at end of Clemson game two OTs. I’m proud to have him as our coach. He’s competitive and so are his teams. Look at or point totals and average. We have been breaking all sorts of school records on offense since he’s been here. I just want a defense and a quality b back.thought it would bee Perkins. If we get one of those again look out! The qbs he’s getting now for this offense fit the offense. We had some bad endings to close games. That’s football. You just can’t understand how frustrating this TO is to opposing fan bases when working. Anyone who says the coach needs to go as I have seen on here is crazy when we scoring 9 touchdowns on the road to one of the better teams inn our division. A team we own now due to the past 15 years
NOVAJacket
November 11th, 2012
7:36 am
Jaybo left after he saw he was slipping down the depth chart. his arm strength was worse than Tevin’s (which everyone complains about) and he was not as strong a runner.
D’s biggest issue is that all the real playmakers are young – we are paying the price for the 2008 & 2009 classes. 2008 was a coaching transition class and 2009 had a number of guys that didn’t work out for various reasons (e.g. Lanier, McCoy)
NOVAJacket
November 11th, 2012
7:41 am
Wreckbone,
Was at the game as well, and sorry you had to sit with the UNC fans. As a group they are some of the least knowledgeable football fans (although very pleasant outside of that). CPJ isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Tokyo jacket
November 11th, 2012
7:46 am
Watching the GT offense start to pass is like watching Happy Gilmore learn how to putt. It really changes the game and takes “interesting” to dangerous.
Thank you to Tevin Washington. You have played as hard and as smart as you possibly could during your time at Tech. Mr. Lee is obviously more talented, but no one can ever question your effort and dedication. Congratulations on tying the ACC record for rushing TDs by a QB.
Tokyo jacket
November 11th, 2012
7:54 am
@Jliuatl, I sure hope you’re right. I would love to see TW get a standing ovation if/when that happens. He has played hard for a little guy. He deserves that record. He has run the TO to perfection with late pitches and excellent decision making.
Tokyo jacket
November 11th, 2012
7:58 am
Last thing. UNC has a higher ranked defense and offense than UGA. UGA is hanging its hat on a “tough win” against UF. A team that was losing to University of Louisiana Lafayette and and Bowling Green for about 6 quarters. The only team with an offense that they’ve played beat them 28-7. I look forward to that game.
Jacket Man
November 11th, 2012
7:59 am
I think Brandon Watts, Tech’s star LB, yesterday, said it better than any of us could:
“Everybody has confidence in Vad,” outside linebacker Brandon Watts said. “Everybody seems to go up to another level when he’s in there.”
This is a sign of a being team leader. This is what the team has lacked…
Reading between the lines, I’d ask what does THAT say about Tevin Washington? To me, by saying everybody takes it UP to the next level when Vad’s on the field, even for the defense, that means they work at a “lower level” when Tevin’s the starting QB.
I’d also remind everyone Tevin is the Senior and Vad is the redshirt Freshman.
unch
November 11th, 2012
8:08 am
Georgia will have an advantage seeing this offense the week before with Ga. Southern. I do see tech going 6-6, hopefully, enough to keep CJ’s job.
GTJohn
November 11th, 2012
8:08 am
For all of you who think TW should return and play, let’s just suppose that PJ puts him in against Duke and leaves him in and we lose. Then what?
All the fans are upset because the coach has shown stupidity.
Vad is upset because after his performance against UNC he is wondering what he has to do to win the job and even if he gets to play against UGA, he is thinking so what if I di well – will I get replaced again. Frankly, if I were Vad and that happened to me, I would be looking for another school.
PJ is feeling bad because he is now starting to have to consider a new job and his poor decision making is not helping in that respect.
So, on Senir Day, start TW (he will probably get another score) then put Vad in to give him more experience before the Dawgs. Vad having a good game is the only hope we have of beating UGA. Murray has a great passing game, spreads the ball around to a number of receivers and Jarvis and Rambo will give us fits all day.
Coach
November 11th, 2012
8:18 am
Actually…CPJ knows what he is doing. I guarantee you that every week he has evaluated Tevin and Vad, noting Vad’s progress and how he would do on the field. Vad is playing with confidence that he would not have had earlier. I’m fine with whomever he elects to start, but if he starts Tevin I’m ok with that – it’ll only make Vad better when he hits the field. Worked pretty good yesterday!
Now get after those Dookies!
tired from all the frustrations of being a yellow jacket
November 11th, 2012
8:23 am
Johnson will play which QB gives him the best chance of winning. Period!!
Dewnsav
November 11th, 2012
8:34 am
wow, a real track meet….congrats Tech, a much needed win…@ Tokyo Jacket, I look forward to the game also..go dogs
JACKETfan12
November 11th, 2012
8:42 am
Vad can throw the ball all over the field, but we need some consistent WR’s to really take this offense to another level. Too many times have QB’s in the past put balls on the money and we have had dropped passes.
424242
November 11th, 2012
8:54 am
One off season and its all “starting to have to consider a new job”
You know pretty well that Paul Johnson is not getting fired this year, so you can stop with the weird option hate …
buzzwax
November 11th, 2012
9:09 am
WINS and LOSSES are the only record that matters!! No way in hades do we win yesterday if Vad doesn’t play as much as he did. NO WAY!
When GT gets into 3rd and 7+ yards, which QB gives us the better chance to move the chains? Vad Lee!! Better runner, better passer, better athlete! Any questions?
I’d say let Vad put up 50+ on a defense that is no where near as good as UNC’s and let TW play the fouth quarter and direct some game ending death marches for ‘his record’……
ramblingbuzz
November 11th, 2012
9:24 am
I don’t think CPJ is going to kick TW to the curb. I imagine he will play some in each of the next 2 games. And nobody gave TW anything. He earned it. But it’s pretty clear at this point that Lee is more athletic and throws lasers. Obviously he is the future QB at GT. And I don’t think CPJ is going sit Lee down much the rest of the year unless he has one of those games where he can’t move the team. Don’t forget, Lee had plenty of motivation yesterday palying for the home folks.
Limelight
November 11th, 2012
9:25 am
No question Tevin will start on Saturday. CPJ will play it just like yesterday and the most productive QB will remain on the field, probably Lee.
Paddy
November 11th, 2012
9:45 am
Guys, nobody is treating TW bad. He just got beat out of his job. Happens all the time
JACKETfan12
November 11th, 2012
9:57 am
Ken –
What happened to Anthony Autry? Am I missing something?
Jacket Man
November 11th, 2012
10:07 am
Tevin will start against Duke because it’s Senior Day, then Vad will come in, just like he did against Carolina. Autry is out for the year with a knee injury. It’s a shame because he was turning out to be the top receiver…
TechApp fan
November 11th, 2012
10:08 am
Do QBs get tenure?
TW will probably start senior day and PJ hopefully will again play the hot QB. Does any blogger know that QB before they get a chance to get “hot”?
re that timeout….never seen a time out work so effectively. What was surely not a TD became a TD with a good coaching read/call.
Would love to see Tech hang half a hundred (or more) on dook.
...Take The Wheel
November 11th, 2012
10:12 am
Way to go take back your season team!!!!! I LOVE IT!! They played inspired ball yesterday and the pay off is coming! UM lost to VA!!!!! If that aint the stars aligning!! Further proof that the season aint over til its over!! How happy will we all be after THE NEXT 4 WINS!!! Yes I’m reaching… but isnt that what fans do…lol!!
AND…..wait for it…….VAD LEE SHOWED HIS BEHIND!!!!! I was never against him… I just hadn’t been impressed with any of his previous play that warranted all the praise people blanketed him with. Well…. yesterday was impressive. Not perfect, but impressive. His arm is definitely laser-llike. The team feeds off of his energy. And he was clearly playing inspired ball yesterday.
For the record, I think that Tevin was on his way to having a great game as well. He didn’t get pulled for any failure yesterday. It was time to rotate and Vad was just hot and CPJ was wise not to ruin his rhythm. I do think that Tevin deserves to play not only next Saturday in each of the remaining games.
…funny how one game changes things. No more called for CPJ’S job. No more hate for Tevin, and finally some team spirit. I’ll take that!!
...Take The Wheel
November 11th, 2012
10:13 am
And big KUDOS to Godhigh… I hope WnE is somewhere working on way to recant his previous comment about him.
Paul in Nh
November 11th, 2012
10:36 am
I will be surprised if Tevin does not start against Duke but I expect Vad to play more series. In basketball you see seniors start on Senior Day even if they have little time.
Buzzted
November 11th, 2012
10:41 am
WP in AZ are you freakin crazy????? GT owes TW nothing more than what he has received. He was all we had when Nesbitt went down. He was NEVER our next choice!! HELLO….he will sit and watch as VAD gets what is now HIS TURN
Buzzted
November 11th, 2012
10:43 am
The VAD LEE era which was in my opinion too long in the wait….is NOW HERE! Period. TW can have ONE series vs Duke next week cuz he is a senior….then bye bye Tevin. He was never our choice as much as he was all we had at the time. The future is VAD LEE and Justin Thomas
Buzzted
November 11th, 2012
10:45 am
Hey Paul in ph….yes, as a senior TW can maybe start or at least get a series to see if he can beat the TD record but…..truth be told, we should NOT care about that silly record for him. Lot of falling into the end zone TDs does not make me excited as much as seeing what a true passing QB can do in this system FINALLY
Buzzted
November 11th, 2012
10:48 am
Wow WP in AZ you really don’t GET IT. This may be college football but…TW was never a good “back up” anyway….he was ALL WE HAD. Would not start at QB at any other div 2 school cuz he cannot throw a forward pass. Have you been watching? There is no “right of passage” when it applies to sports like football. You gotta win period. Come on now…..
chas_jacket
November 11th, 2012
11:03 am
I believe that CPJ will let Tevin play a few series to break the record – which is great, but Vad will once again take over. It is difficult to replace a Senior QB who has been a credit to the school and is a great young man, but it is time for just that. The offense has sputtered because of a lack of a serious passing threat and there can be no overlooking it.
One issue I have not seen mentioned is that there are 90 plus other players on the team and it is the coaches responsibility to get the best players on the field to win – period. Imagine how other team members feel if they are putting 110% effort on the field and a QB is playing because of tenure and not skill? Tevin is a class act and will continue to help Vad along.
Great win for the jackets – another big win against duke and the ugag game looks to be interesting – although the dwags are playing really well.
White&Gold
November 11th, 2012
11:16 am
Give Tevin the first two drives, let him his TD, and then let Vad get the majority of the reps from there.
AMG
November 11th, 2012
11:19 am
I am happy to see the Lee era begin. I have been an out spoken fan of starting Lee all year round, but I have to say that CPJ has done a great job bringing him around slowly and really preparing him to take over.
Buzzted
November 11th, 2012
11:20 am
Agree with White&Gold, let TW start…..ala Bobby Cremins and his basketball days, and then pull him for the much better talent of Vad Lee and lets see how much more comfortable he can become before the UGA game and hopefully before a Bowl Game that we can finally win because the threat of the downfield pass that we have lacked since Godsey.
Buzzted
November 11th, 2012
11:22 am
I went from being very down on CPJ and our Jackets after the BYU game to being way UP after what I saw yesterday. Yes, our Defense is awful and it will cost us games even still but…..the offense that could ONLY run can now PASS…..look out if we get some quality receivers who can catch!
fuzzybee78
November 11th, 2012
11:34 am
In the past CPJ was in an evaluation process with VL to see how far along he has come in grasping the job of QB. He then had a choice of playing Lee or TW on the basis of “who gives us the best chance to win”. What has changed now is that it is clear that VL “gives us the best chance to win”.
He knows Lee has won the job. He may choose to NOT say so publicly and start TW because to do otherwise is putting in TW as a “token” and Tevin is not some end of the bench guy.
The other approach because where we are in the year and TW running out of games is to say “the torch is being passed”, TW will start on SR day and give way to Lee. This doesnt disrespect TW.
CPJ is going to think about this and handle it well!
o'keefe
November 11th, 2012
11:40 am
TW should start And finish if possible but VL should get the team to the point where we insure the wins. TW is a real class guu and should be treated as such.HE is and will be a real credit to Ga Tech in the future. ALSO, has anyone thought what this offense can be with a real B back who can break a long run?We haven’t had that since J Dwyer left. I was hoping that C Perkins was going to be that guy but he has one problem after another.Laskey and Sims are adequate but neither has that combination of power and speed that is needed for a top notch B back.
chas_jacket
November 11th, 2012
11:46 am
One other thought about waiting as long in the season as CPJ did to bring Vad on. If Vad starts too soon, he could easily revert/rely on his physical talents and be too quick to abandon the game plan.
The other consideration with Tevin in addition to treating him with respect is that we may very well still need him this year – Vad could get hurt or have a protracted freshman relapse.
William Casey
November 11th, 2012
11:58 am
@…TAKE THE WHEEL: Thanks for your comment about Robert Godhigh. Our RG III had a magnificent game yesterday. That dope, who on Friday was saying he’d rather have Caeb King than Robert Godhigh, is probably feeling dumb. Except, guys that dumb don’t realize that they are dumb.
Ga Tech Old Timer
November 11th, 2012
12:05 pm
VAD WAS VALIDATED YESTERDAY!!
The fact that he is ready to run this offense.
The fact that he is a talented player.
The fact that he possesses great leadership abilities.
The fact that he makes mistakes (interception) and shakes it off.
The fact that he can hit a receiver in full stride.
The fact that he has better size and speed to run than TW.
The fact that he looks off the primary receiver.
The fact that his team gets pumped up when he’s playing.
The fact that he gives Tech a better chance of winning.
I take nothing away from Tevin. He has “held” the TO offense together at a time when no other QB was able to due to the ability to run it effectively. Tevin should always be appreciated for what he has brought to the program and institute in terms of additude and effort. He is a fine young man and a tribute to Ga Tech. He has led and played his best in every game and for that my hat is off to him and I thank him for being a credit to the Jackets. Here’s to hoping Tevin much success in the future as a business man – after he breaks the team record for touchdowns – and finishes the season in a bowl game.
William Casey
November 11th, 2012
12:08 pm
@BUZZTED: I am glad that neither myself nor my son had the misfortune of having played on a team with you as a teammate. Your 10:48 post was disgusting. TW was never a great QB but he busted his tail to win for GT. It is you who is clueless.
So What
November 11th, 2012
12:10 pm
Who cares about whether this guy or that guy is a senior of a freshman. The point of the game is to win. This isn’t the senior prom. Put the most talented person in the game. I don’t care about individual records. I want the team to win. Think about Oregon. That coach started a true freshman quarterback over a more experienced player. They seem to be doing O.K. How long you have played a position shouldn’t determine if you continue to start. Who is the best should do that. Washington has only played so so. I don’t want a so so record. Who in the hell wants to go to the toilet bowl every year and get stomped by Georgia every year?
ramblingbuzz
November 11th, 2012
12:10 pm
Don’t see how anyone could diss Godhigh even before yesterday’s game. Pretty obvious that as a former walk-on he has been doing whatever it takes to earn his PT. You’ve got to admire that kind of attitude and enthusiasm. Movitvated, disciplined ball players are not that easy to come by even if they are only 5″7″.
Tevin isn't owed anything.
November 11th, 2012
12:15 pm
He’s gotten a free ride to a school he probably wouldn’t have gotten accepted to if he didn’t play football, and was given more slack as a starter than any player deserves. His ‘record’ is a meaningless achievement highlighted by his 4 TD 4 yard performance against MTSU. It’s a record that he doesn’t deserve, but the upside is that he won’t have it long. As far as Lee goes, he’s the real deal and should have been starting from game 1. It’s amazing that such an experienced coach put so little value into the athletic advantage Lee had. After all he’s the one that said physical superiority cancels all theories.
o'keefe
November 11th, 2012
12:19 pm
S Days has been pretty impressive also.
Michael
November 11th, 2012
1:18 pm
Tevin completed a very wobbly and late pass to Orwin Smith and it was just 15 yards down the field. Had he zipped it, Vad Lee like, Orwin might still be running. This is one of the many little things that make fans want to see Vad Lee play full time with Tevin spelling him.
The more elusive runner – Vad
The faster player – Vad
The more experienced player – Tevin (maybe better reads)
The more accurate passer – Vad
The more powerful passer – Vad
The Flexbone deserves a dynamic QB, not an “adequate” one. Vad is dynamic with home-run threat running ability that Tevin sorely lacks (the A backs and QB need to be capable of breaking long runs consistently when they’re available). Vad is CLEARLY the better passer, both in accuracy and power. There just isn’t anything that Tevin can do that Vad can’t do better, save for the occasional mis-read. I will take a mis-read 1 of every 5 plays or so over mediocrity all 5 plays. There is a good chance Vad turns the mis-reads into a large gain on ability alone.
Tevin is a good backup, he is not a good starter and never has been, not if you’ve watch CPJ teams in the past. His best offenses came when he had a QB that was fast and could throw well (mostly spirals). Tevin can do neither at the level required to remove the handcuffs on the offense. He plays well, but holds it back on ability alone.
Crazy Robert
November 11th, 2012
1:21 pm
I sure hope Tevin gets more playing time but Vad sure made a case for himself. Except Vad, why didn’t you takle Tim Scott after the interception, you did almost everything else? Hahahahaha
60yearGTfan
November 11th, 2012
2:52 pm
Enter your comments here
60yearGTfan
November 11th, 2012
2:57 pm
I met Tevin at an Alexander-Tharpe function. He is just a great person and has represented GT in the best possible way. He should be given the up-most respect so I think he at least deserves to start on Sr. Day. – just saying.
gt34backer
November 11th, 2012
4:44 pm
Went to see a football game and a basketball game broke out! Great job Jackets. I was in the middle of UNC fans and everyone was very complimentary of Tech. ACC fans are great no matter where we play. Vad was great and if our defense can stop once or twice a game with big plays our offense will do the rest. GO JACKETS!!!
DawginNY
November 11th, 2012
5:06 pm
Tech will be scary if they ever get a good defensive coordinator. Hopefully, your myopic fans will force PJ out before that happens. I would say the fact that you couldn’t sell 7,500 tickets to the Georgia game is a good sign.
dry dirt road
November 11th, 2012
5:50 pm
let him start the next game against Duke, then start him against Georgia, TW is in his decline phase, Lee had his introduction phase against NC, now his growth phase starts against Duke, better get all we can out of him before the pros do; the pros got 75% of Favors, Tech 25%
Supersize that order, mutt
November 11th, 2012
5:50 pm
@ DawginNY…..one reason we returned tickets for Athens is because nobody likes to go there. Your fans are the most unruly, obnoxious, and disrespectful fans I have ever seen anywhere. I got spit on there by one of your fans after a Tech win. I will NEVER go there again, even if Tech were favored by 4 TD’s.
GT1990
November 11th, 2012
6:08 pm
Johnson said he is “drained” watching him play. Can anyone explain to me better what that means?
William Casey
November 11th, 2012
6:37 pm
@GT1990: as a retired coach I know exactly what CPJ means. He has a talented but inexperienced QB. It’s a roller coaster.
GT1990
November 11th, 2012
6:40 pm
The kid can play. CPJ is a idiot!
SHOW STOPPER
November 11th, 2012
6:51 pm
Despite Tech’s 68 points Saturday against a better-than-average football team, I’m still saying that “Defense wins football games.”
Lack of the same lost one for UNC.
o'keefe
November 11th, 2012
7:03 pm
SHOW STOPPER the defense won this game.They had 2 more stops than the opponent.
GT1990–If CPJ is an idiot,why did he leave Vad Lee in the game for 3 quarters? Some idiot, huh?
GT1990
November 11th, 2012
7:38 pm
@o’keefe
Why would he say he is drained watching him play? Other than the int Lee played better than TW has in his career. Im not to sure that int was lee fault. I think the WR ran the wrong rout.
DawginNY
November 11th, 2012
8:25 pm
@Supersize, I am sure that we have our share of fans who get carried away. I have witnessed it from every fan base, including seeing Tech fans vandalize the hedges in 1998. A large portion of the Tech culture, as evidenced by your fight songs and your personal screen name, is based upon an unhealthy hatred bordering on obsession with Georgia rather than support for your own team. If it makes you feel better to think that one group of people is inherently better than another based upon some superficial characteristic like one of the athletic teams they support, then I truly feel sorry for you.
The point still remains that Tech has had a problem with fan support this year and there has been discussion that the offense is too tough of a sell. The fact that Tech has a narrower curriculum makes it difficult for Tech to recruit the same athletes other state universities, according to my Yellowjacket friends. If that is so, then an unconventional offense that defenses don’t see every week can level the playing field. Your head coach has had trouble identifying a good defensive coordinator. Given enough time, I think he will eventually find one and then Tech will be very tough to beat. It seems though that the amount of time he will be given may be in doubt, based upon feedback I have heard from Tech supporters and local sports media.
1 4 GT
November 11th, 2012
10:30 pm
CPJ saying he is “drained” after watching Vad play is like me saying my 2 (5 & 3 years old boys) grand nephews tire me out watching them go wide open all day long. Good grief!!!
1 4 GT
November 11th, 2012
10:35 pm
What would your “local” sports media know about GT DawginNewYork? And you must be talking to the same Tech “fans” that agitated for firing Dodd after a 4 & 6 season in 1945. His 1st official year as HC.
1 4 GT
November 11th, 2012
10:51 pm
I concede that CPJ likely needs to have noticeable improvement next year or his seat will begin warming up.
southern bell
November 12th, 2012
12:34 am
I agree that Tevin should start on Senior day, then let Vad play the rest of the time. Vad did look pretty tired at the end though. Guess he needs to get used to playing for a longer period of time than 2 series.
FORMATION 4 SUCCESS
November 12th, 2012
12:53 am
You can’t have it both ways guys. TW is a good player that we are all proud of and thankful for all he has done. But, this is a high powered offense that has been running on 87 Octane. Vad adds the extra umpf that makes this offense do what CPJ and those like me know what it can do. Tough kids that like to hit, fast backs that can move there hips, receivers that will make plays and a QB that has a quick first step, great decision making capabilities and a strong accurate arm will light up the scoreboard and give everyone we play fits. I believe TW should start the rest of the games, but when you have a guy open down field and you have to put in a rope to get it there. Lee is your man not Tevin. Loved to see the execution on Saturday. Now, it is important not to fall victim to the smelling yourself disease. You are only as good as your next play.
ronny mulkey
November 12th, 2012
4:35 am
Showstopper,
Did you hear Lou holz’s comment Saturday regarding the N. Carolina-Tech game – “how about the first team to tackle someone wins the game”.
You are absolutely right about defense and Tech has zero defensive players.
Mulk
Coach Z
November 12th, 2012
8:22 am
@ronny mulkey… Coach Holtz must have been speaking about Georgia Tech defensive players only because it is hard to tackle anybody when you’re (UNC defensive players) on the ground. On most of our TO plays, GT was blocking everybody.
Having said that, I agree GT defense needs to improve. Especially third down passing plays.
Hey O'keefe
November 12th, 2012
8:38 am
The question shouldn’t be why he left Lee in for three quarters. It should be why did Tevin even get one. It should be why didn’t Lee get time earlier? This wasn’t a product of Lee being brought along slowly until he was ready. He was ready game 1. It was a product of him finally a chance to prove himself. Something he didn’t get early because Johnson didn’t think his athleticism would make up for his experience or that Tevin’s lack of such was an issue. He was wrong. Period. This isn’t little league. Tevin shouldn’t get the start just because he works hard or is a good person. The better player should play and it took 10 games for the better player to get starter number snaps.
Rick
November 12th, 2012
8:54 am
What has tevin “earned”. He didn’t earn anything. His record as a starter is medicore at best. We lose Saturday if he plays the whole game. That is without a doubt. He got to play waaayyyy more than he should. He’s a ga southern type qb. Rmemeber we had a backup that transfered there. Lee is bigger and stronger and has an arm. Good grief he should have been playing all season to prep for next year. Get a decent rb for next year and things could turn quickly for the better.
Rick
November 12th, 2012
8:56 am
And I guarantee you if lee starts all year long, we don’t lose to middle tennessee and miami.
Rick
November 12th, 2012
9:06 am
Crazy to think as bad as this season has played out, if they hadnt choked against miami, or as i said before, had vad started the season, then they would be playing fsu for a bcs birth. Could still happen if miami self imposes. Not likely if they beat dook tho. But with so many acc teams not bowl eligible or some not able to play in them, gt could actually get a decent bowl game. Depends if vt wins out.
GT Lover
November 12th, 2012
10:44 am
I told you after the BYU game!
Win four, win four!
I told you we can do it!
Believe and support!
Support your team. support your coach!
Beat Dook and ugaly!
RAMBLE ON!!!
November 12th, 2012
12:17 pm
Vlad Lee is the man, period!
hey rick
November 12th, 2012
12:57 pm
hey rick since your so fn smart maybe we should can cpj and make you coach?
we heard you the first time and the second time and the third time. are you 13 years old? sheeeeesh.
there is no guarantee that vad would have won any of the games we lost. anybody with an ounce of sense that watched all 4 of those games would admit that the d was what lost at least 3 of those games. coach groh and his prevent d and 80+ different defensive formations is what lost us those games not the offense. in all 4 games we scored enough points to win most games had we had a good d.
and as far as who deserves what
November 12th, 2012
1:21 pm
this is not the pros. the players dont get payed. so to compare playing pee wee or jv or high school or college ball to playing in the pros or competing for a job is nuts.
i promise you that some of you that are dismissive of tw would be the first to whine and cry should your little boy be treated the same way that you want cpj to treat tw. GUARANTEED!
while i agree that the whole idea is winning that is not all sports is about at this level imo. maybe i am old school but the last time i looked playing sports is also about learning to handle adversity and giving out respect and a host of other ideals. those are things that seem to be foreign to some of you.
if you jacket fans are all about winning than i suggest you jump on board the saban/bama ‘win at all cost’ bandwagon. me? i want to win but i dont want to do at the cost of tossing a fellow player out with the bath water. tw deserves better.
yes vad is more talented. that does not mean you just disrespect tw in the process. i promise you there are many players on our 80+ player team that are watching closely how well the coaching staff and the fans treat tw.
and you ‘fans’ are the same ones who whine when you think a player has quit on the team. why would i, as a player, give my all for a team / group of fans after reading some of the childish comments on this blog?
imo, tw should start against duke and be given every chance to break that record. once that is accomplished bring in vad to finish the game and gain even more game experience.
as far as the uga game, i would not make a call if i were coach. let uga worry about which qb to prepare for. meanwhile i would consider doing the same thing we did at nc. start tw and finish up with vad.
just my opinion and i could be wrong.
1 4 GT
November 12th, 2012
2:45 pm
as far as…..I believe I and several others said the same thing about Tevin. As for what Coach does about naming a starter, I expect he is just shrewd (sneaky) enough to do just what you said, and that is just what I expect him to do. Keep ‘em guessing!!
1 4 GT
November 12th, 2012
2:46 pm
Enter your comments here
Michael
November 12th, 2012
3:55 pm
I am tired of the “must respect Tevin” crap. Look, they’re all young adults (not kids). They are getting paid in a way with a pricey scholarship. So this is semi-pro ball, don’t kid yourself otherwise.
As a fan I want to see the best possible team on the field, the one with the most upside, especially now that any chances of a national title vanished. If we were undefeated with Tevin playing average ball, you keep him in there every series, but we aren’t. Our defense has been mostly awful, but our offense has been held back due to over-respecting Tevin Washington. He is okay, not great, not even good by FBS standards.
Stop the stupid “must respect Tevin” and “thus he starts” crap. If we had a starting unit full of “must repect them” players, we’d be 0-10 right now.