Jackets roll Duke, await Miami decision
On the same rectangular patch of Bermuda grass where shock, embarrassment and disappointment visited in earlier weeks, Georgia Tech celebrated.
On a brisk late-autumn afternoon, the Yellow Jackets’ reclamation of the 2012 season continued in the form of a 42-24 victory against Duke on Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium. In the final home game of the season, Tech continued its improvement in the second half of the season with a victory that may even secure itself a spot in the ACC Championship game, a destination all but unimaginable just a few weeks ago.
“After the way the season started and everybody kind of wrote it off, I’m proud of these guys for hanging in there and fighting and getting it done,” coach Paul Johnson said.
With high-level execution of the spread-option offense (13 of 20 on third downs) and a strong second half of defense (seven points on four Duke possessions after halftime), the Jackets claimed their fourth win in the past five games. Their performance Saturday demonstrated Tech to be a different outfit than the one that gave away an overtime loss to Miami, sleepwalked through a 21-point loss to Middle Tennessee State and was trounced by BYU, all at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
“Coming back to this predicament we were in, we wanted to finish off the season on a good note,” safety Isaiah Johnson said. “That really drives us.”
With the win, the Jackets claim at least a share of the ACC Coastal Division title. They could receive even better news as early as Sunday. Miami, having earned bowl eligibility Saturday with a 40-9 win over South Florida, has said it will announce its plans on a possible postseason ban in anticipation of NCAA sanctions after it becomes eligible.
Click here to read complete game story.
- Ken Sugiura of the AJC staff
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185 comments Add your comment
Dadgum.....
November 17th, 2012
10:27 pm
Can you believe this Duke team is going to a bowl? I told you people that Duke couldn’t cover the spread! Won me $100 laying the points. The line was 14 points. Are you kidding me? That was like a robbery. But thanks ill take it.
Fl Intl, NC Central, Wake, UVA, Memphis, & UNC are Duke’s 6 wins. They are going to a bowl with that putrid record. Anyone that watched the game saw GT totally dominate every phase. The ACC should be embarrassed that Duke will be accepting the Belk Bowl invite. That team was terrible as advertised. Miami will just thrash Duke next week. Bet on it.
1 4 GT
November 17th, 2012
10:35 pm
GTJ & NAKB….I like Vad & have a nickname for mhim in hand. I believe he has a lot of upside & a very bright future ahead of him @ GT. But, did you two ninnies not see the 2 horrid passes Vad threw back to back….woefully under thrown. He is not yet the savior y’all are trying to make of him yet. Why don’t y’all grow up? Answer at your own risk. I will never respond to a response y’all make to me. I am sick of both you and your one trick dog & pony kaka.
1 4 GT
November 17th, 2012
10:50 pm
Did Ken forget to put up a live blog today for the game? I don’t see one! Always like to read it after I get home from the games to see what everyone had to say.
Augusta Jacket
November 17th, 2012
10:53 pm
Great game tonight. Lot’s to work on before next week @ Georgie though. BTW, great seeing a lot of you guys at the tailgate today.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 17th, 2012
10:55 pm
@ Augusta Jacket……great seeing you today too. And also great tailgating with Ken. That was very cool
Supersize that order, mutt
November 17th, 2012
10:58 pm
@ 1 4 GT……Bradley apparently did the live blog today. You can find it on the right-hand side of the screen on his post-game blog
1 4 GT
November 17th, 2012
11:02 pm
The tailgating has been a welcome edition to my going to the games this year. It has been my privilege & pleasure to meet some of the guys I communicate with here. There gracious hospitality has been much appreciated. Meeting Ken was an unexpected extra. He looks younger than he said he was on his recent b’day. My thanks to all who made me feel welcome.
1 4 GT
November 17th, 2012
11:05 pm
OK….thanks….Ken did forget once for an away game was the reason I asked.
1 4 GT
November 17th, 2012
11:06 pm
OOPS! He might have wanted to be reminded of that. LOL
Supersize that order, mutt
November 17th, 2012
11:14 pm
@ 1 4 GT….I’m reading through the live blog now. Your name-thief was posting while you were at the game.
DecaturHurricanealum
November 17th, 2012
11:17 pm
@Jmonty first the ACC commission and other powers to be want to see Miami/FSU play for the ACC title why do you think the ACC recruited Miami from the Big East? VA Tech and Boston College were just an added plus. To imply that Miami us money hungry shows your lack of knowledge of my “private school” we have money, but the money generated from an ACC bowl game of Miami/FSU is also shared with other ACC schools. ALSO @Jmonty you are a typical hard dumb as partisan fan @Jmonty! A Miami/FSU ACC title game also helps your recruiting at GA Tech dumb ass! It alos helps the image of the ACC dumb ass @Jmonty ! Why wouldn’t you want the 2 teams that everyone wants anyway to battle for the ACC and that dumb as @Jmonty Miami/FSU. You have the silly ignorant nerve to suggest that it is about money for Miami and that is the only reason we would go? Hell why the F@$#^ do you think ACC teams sell tickets and merchandise if it wasn’t about money? It’s all about money fool and right now the biggest money generator for the ACC is a Miami/FSU game so don’t hate use that as a tool to first get some players that can catch the deep ball get some players that are scared to play defense.
CloudmanJacket
November 17th, 2012
11:24 pm
Proud of the way tevin played today. I hope Miami goes to the title game. It should be embarrassing to Tech and the ACC to send a team with our poor record. Who have we beat that is in top 25?
Who'sDelusional?
November 17th, 2012
11:31 pm
Miami doesn’t have any signature wins either. English appears to be a second language for DecaturHurricanealum.
Clyde
November 17th, 2012
11:36 pm
Sober up, DecaturHurricanealum!
1 4 GT
November 17th, 2012
11:37 pm
Oregon & KState both lose today. The dwags will be 100 times more insufferable.
Dawg1
November 17th, 2012
11:42 pm
Nice game today guys…
Rarely post anything close to smack, but I really believe that any chance Tech had of beating UGA went up in smoke when KSU and Oregon lost tonight.
This will be a very focused Georgia team next Saturday.
A-mazed
November 17th, 2012
11:46 pm
Yeah, GTJOE continues his crush on Vad. Today was Tevin’s. I don’t know what game the Vad lovers saw, but the Tech game I saw had Duke blitzing and covering the outside pretty handily. We still have no WR worth a flip. Given that and Vad’s two groundballs and I go with Tevin. And more importantly, so does the coach, who knows both of them and their abilities much better than any of us.
DecaturHurricanealum
November 18th, 2012
12:04 am
@Who’sDelusional, Of course Miami has signature wins @Who’sDelusional,and one was when our team of 49 Miami freshmen beat a JR/SR loaded GA Tech team that it was suppose to lose to by 3 touchdowns. You want me to name the other wins those freshmen won @Who’sDelusional,? Most of the teams we lost to could hardly hang in there with those freshmen ok @Who’sDelusional lets see what happens in the ACC next year then But this year it is Miami/FSU in the title game, @Clyde ? What are you talking about what did I saw that you disagreed with? @Jmonty is a clown why wouldn’t you want FSU/Miami in the title game you three clowns? Are you that dimwitted and can’t see that helps your program in recruiting too?
GT Fan
November 18th, 2012
12:09 am
Dawg1, same goes for UGA in the SEC Title game.
Clyde
November 18th, 2012
12:09 am
I’m trying to figure out what you are typing, DecaturHurricanealum. I mean, you literally need to sober up!
Clyde
November 18th, 2012
12:11 am
Baylor beating Kansas State once again shows that an unranked team can beat a highly ranked team. UGA can and will lose again.
GT TN
November 18th, 2012
12:11 am
GT Joe and North Ave are either twins or the same person..only these 2 guys love Vad and bash TW..TW played great today and they still are bashing him..how stupid are you to even say it more less think that CPJ won’t paly someone so they wont have tape on him..he did hte same thing that he has done the last 3 games..played each QB 2 series and then went with who he thought gave us the best chance to win..Im sure you will find some play TW didn’t make that you show from your arm chair head coach seat..good thing you arent the head coach..you would have played Vad win or lose..did you see who was the first off the bench to greet TW when he threw the TD to Godhigh..I wil tell you it was Vad since you might not have gotten that angle on your TV
GT Fan
November 18th, 2012
12:13 am
What would most GT fans have thought in August with an 8-5 record (including a bowl win) for the season? I don’t think it would’ve thrilled many.
But if GT wins their next 2 games (assuming Miami doesn’t self-impose) then 8-5 will look pretty dam* good!
DecaturHurricanealum
November 18th, 2012
12:17 am
@Clyde the premise of your insult is contradictory dimwitted because you you keep responding.
North Ave Killer Beez
November 18th, 2012
12:19 am
It’s a blog, you voice your opinions. Some GT fans are realist, and choose not to get overly excited about victories over teams like Duke and championship games with 6-5 records. Tevin looked good against Duke and thats great for him. We are playing a real team next Sat and he just can’t compete with the big boys, seen it over and over. So spare us your pathetic TW apologies. Really? two bad passes for Vad vs what, two bad picks and a blown season from TW.
Clyde
November 18th, 2012
12:19 am
I’m just messing with you, DecaturHurricanealum. Miami has won the games to be at the top of the Coastal so I have no problem with them playing FSU for the ACC Championship. It would be a great TV draw. I also hope they get what they deserve for how their administration handled their business, like all crooks should.
GT Fan
November 18th, 2012
12:19 am
6-5 (5-3 in ACC) with TWO OT losses. OT losses where GT’s D couldn’t hold the lead, letting the game go to OT. Win just one of those, and the Coastal is a rap. Win them both (and I doubt MTSU scores 21), and GT’s looking at 9-2.
Look at VT today … WON a 2nd OT game in which they came from behind to force OT. The Hokies (5-6) still aren’t bowl eligible.
...Take The Wheel
November 18th, 2012
12:20 am
Way to turn it around guys!! I never doubted they could salvage the second alf of the season!!!
…hree more to go
I’m extremely proud of you all. Way to leave BDS seniors!
DecaturHurricanealum
November 18th, 2012
12:22 am
@Clyde , I mean in one statement you type you don’t understand what I am typing then your respond to it. It would seem that if you didn’t understand what I was typing then you would ignore it it because you didn’t understand what was being said? But you keep coming back twice now posting how can’t seem to understand me, just like now. @Clyde you are about to respond to this statement and even if it is an insult you still read this and responded. So lets stop trying to be a cyber bully on the ajc board saying things you would never say to people face, shall we and get back to talking football now?
GT Fan
November 18th, 2012
12:25 am
TW’s passing #s look good (on paper) … but in reality? He missed some WIDE OPEN receivers, and Godhigh made a Calvin-like catch on the long TD throw.
1 4 GT
November 18th, 2012
12:28 am
Shut up & go away little boy decatuthurr………………..
Isn't Murray Dreamy.
November 18th, 2012
12:29 am
The UGA quarterback is not only extraordinarily talented, he’s exceptionally good-looking, too, and brilliant. No wonder he chose Georgia. Why do we have Georgia Tech anyway. It’s not a real engineering school, and they’re duplicating the programs offered by our technical schools. Tech isn’t necessary. And more Rhodes scholars have gone to UGA anyway. We need to save taxpayers money and close that North Avenue trade school.
1 4 GT
November 18th, 2012
12:29 am
little school yard bully is what decaturhurr……………………………sounds like to me
GT TN
November 18th, 2012
12:29 am
@DecaturHurricanealum..it doesn’t matter who the ACC wants..it is what is best for Miami..you are young as you stated..if you have bigger thoughts for next year..you better take the bowl ban this year or you might be like Ohio State this year..also, GT is near as old as you say we are..we play alot of young guys and have got guys that are getting great experience playing behind the SR this year..you talk about the GT schudule..Miami has only beaten 2 FBS schools with winning records ..not much different than GT..you still have a game to play so you are automatic to the ACCCG..you are talking like it is a doen deal
GT Fan
November 18th, 2012
12:30 am
1st Downs: GT 28 Duke 13
3rd Downs: GT 13-20 Duke 3-10
Time of Poss: GT 38:10 Duke 21:50
Why was this game not a 40pt blowout??
Man, I hate the Bulldogs, but unless UGA plays like crap & commits a few TOs, I don’t see how GT wins next week. But Baylor beating K-St like they did sure gives me hope…
...Take The Wheel
November 18th, 2012
12:30 am
@gtjoe and north ave you should both take a long walk off a short pier! Can the team have ONE DAY to enjoy a victory!?? I’m sure they all know that next week will be their greatest challenge and I have no doubt they will do all in their power to bring back another victory.
These guys including Tevin fought hard today to keep momentum going, have a great senior night, get bowl eligible and give themselves a shot at the ACCCG!
You miserable fools never take a day off!
1 4 GT
November 18th, 2012
12:30 am
that’s not getting his way & throwing a tantrum…….yet that’s decaturhurr…………….
...Take The Wheel
November 18th, 2012
12:33 am
I know UGA scares some of you but really….what does it take to get some you to just have a little hope!! The team feeds on it.
1 4 GT
November 18th, 2012
12:33 am
Well said Take the Wheel!!!!
Supersize that order, mutt
November 18th, 2012
12:36 am
@ DecaturHurricane…….Tech is NOT a senior laden team; very few seniors at all, as a matter of fact. Quite a few juniors, yes, but it’s the freshman and sophomore classes that are Tech’s future, and the future has begun.
GT TN
November 18th, 2012
12:37 am
@North Ave..you talk about the realist tech fans..I dont think you are a tech fan at all..you have been negative for the last 3 weeks..everyone is complaing about our record..VT went to the ACCCG with a 5-3 conf record in 2008..by the way..that was the last time an ACC team won a BSC game
Supersize that order, mutt
November 18th, 2012
12:38 am
@ Isn’tMurrayDreamy……regarding Rhodes scholar, OF COURSE, UGA has more than Tech does; the vast majority of Rhodes scholars come from liberal arts schools. But since you mentioned it, a new Rhodes scholar from Tech was announced at the game today. Does UGA have any this year? And that question is not meant as a put-down; it’s an honest question.
1 4 GT
November 18th, 2012
12:41 am
I need to say a great big huge THANK YOU to the guys that have resurrected their season & brought me a great deal of pleasure this season, even when things weren’t going so well. Thanks Jackets! It has been a privilege to watch you & relish each win & hurt with you over each loss. I am proud of GT & her student athletes. You will realize good things from your hard work on the field & in the classroom. You will leave Tech with one of the most respected diplomas in the world. Do it one more time! GOOOOO JACKETS THWGeorgie
1 4 GT
November 18th, 2012
12:42 am
Enter your comments here
North Ave Killer Beez
November 18th, 2012
12:43 am
@TTWheel, can’t tech fans have ONE meaningful victory over a descent football team. I hope TW can prove me wrong and I will come on and admit how much of an idiot I was to not believe. But he has proven over and over he can’t. I’m always happy we beat the teams we are suppose to beat. It’s not always TW’s fault but he is the QB it all starts with him.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 18th, 2012
12:44 am
@ 1 4 GT……not according to Isn’t Murray Dreamy…..he thinks a degree from Tech is no better than one from a vo-tech school. I guess if he weren’t so busy fantasizing about another man, he might have some intelligence. On second thought, he’s a dwag fan, so no, even then he wouldn’t have any intelligence
Supersize that order, mutt
November 18th, 2012
12:47 am
@ Beez……true TW has had his share of failings, But remember, some of the losses we have had with Tevin at the helm were due to us having no defense. One stop in the last 44 seconds against VT, and we win, after Tevin led us on what should have been the game-winning TD drive. You, like many others, dwell on his screw up in OT and ignore the fact that it was the lack of a decent defense that put him in that spot to begin with.
Clyde
November 18th, 2012
12:50 am
Did anyone notice much pressure on TW or VL today? TW actually had time to scan the field for a few seconds today.
North Ave Killer Beez
November 18th, 2012
12:52 am
Okay, he drove us down for the win. Defense def should have stepped up. But where was the offense for 31/2 quarters when the D was playing their hearts out? One series to Days, just one shot, why would coach not give him a chance. Has he not worked his tail off. He looked better than TW in the spring game did he not? I just don’t understand it.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 18th, 2012
12:54 am
I don’t think Days looked better than TW in the Spring Game. He fumbled at least twice.