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
North Ave Killer Beez
November 18th, 2012
12:56 am
I was expecting much more this season. I am disgusted more so at the coach than anything else and his stubbornness to refuse to give anyone else a chance.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 18th, 2012
1:04 am
@ Beez…….you are not at the daily practices. you are not on the sideline. No matter who the coach is, no matter what school he is at, the coach is in the position to know what is best for the team. If you don’t trust Johnson, that’s your prerogative, but I doubt that you would trust the coach of any team. I DO trust Johnson. The man wants to win, and all his decisions are based on what he sees that NONE OF US see. Surely you don’t seriously think that Johnson, or any head coach, would make decisions that would hurt the team, do you? I am sure that Johnson is as disappointed or disgusted with the way this season played out as is any fan. But it is what it is, and going into Athens with TWO good QB’s, both of whom have some exceptional talent is bound to be lifting some eyebrows in Athens now. Tevin had a great game today; Vad looked good except for those two terrible passes that he made. The player most likely to beat the mutts will see the majority of playing time next week. If it’s Tevin, I say GREAT; if it’s Vad, I also say GREAT!!!
Clyde
November 18th, 2012
1:06 am
I agree NAKB, but I do think CPJ has finally gotten his team back. I think they strayed away from each other for a while there.
North Ave Killer Beez
November 18th, 2012
1:20 am
Well I’m not so high on trusting Johnson when we sit and watch Vad perform like he does each time he steps onto the field yet he is still behind Tevin. We could have been platooning both QB’s each week from the beginning like we are doing now and things could have been much different. I don’t know more than PJ about coaching for sure but I do know that if the fans had been able to see for themselves then PJ possibly would have had to make a decision he didn’t want to make in benching TW and I truly believe he did not want to. Who knows though.
Clyde
November 18th, 2012
1:30 am
NAKB, have you ever had one of those moments where you said ‘Oh, I see what you’re saying now. That’s how you’re supposed to do it’. It could be that CPJ was waiting for VL to have enough of those to feel good about putting him on the field. I’m truly amazed at how few turnovers this team has compared to the first two years of the offense. The pitch system is looking very solid.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 18th, 2012
1:33 am
@ Beez……did you not see those two terrible passes Vad threw today? He looked like Tevin usually looks, whereas Tevin was on the money with his throws today. Just like last week when Johnson left Vad on the field because he was getting it done on every play, he left Tevin on the field today, because Tevin was getting it done. Vad’s pitches are still not things of beauty, although that will come around. And Vad’s reads out of the triple option are still not as good as Tevin’s. That too will improve with time. But since one of them (regardless of which one) is getting it done, then why bring in the other one? Vad also didn’t look very good in one of the earlier games this year when he came in. I’m not trying to blindly stand up for Tevin over Vad. I don’t care which one it is on the field, as long as he’s getting it done. And whichever one, if either, seems to be getting it done in Athens, then I want him taking most of the snaps. And I think that’s what you will see.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 18th, 2012
1:34 am
As much as I would like to carry on this conversation, I have to get to bed. Have a good night, guys, and GO JACKETS !!!! TO HELL WITH GEORGIA !!!!!
BW
November 18th, 2012
2:02 am
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.
This analysis is way off. The play calling today was straight vanilla. Tevin is a fine 3O game manager, but nothing from GT’s O today meant anything. At most, it means that GT still out recruits Duke by a good bit.Vad played 2 series, scored on one, and didn’t do much with the other(due to two bad passes). Tevin basically played the whole game, and the play calling was extremely vanilla. CPJ assumed GT would beat Duke and did nothing to try to embarrass Duke. And it was not a blowout. Tevin is not a bad QB, but he has never been responsible for 68 pts against an ACC opponent. Tevin is a game manager, and he wins games he should, but rarely sets the world on fire. I hold Tevin in high esteem, I never felt that he didn’t care, and I never felt that games could not be won with him at QB. But the biggest problem with GT is the D, and it will be that way for a long time. The O needs to be electric, and Tevin is not electric. He is methodical. Methodical wins a few games, but it doesn’t win championships, especially without a D. CPJ needs to start trying to score 50+ per game, or else he needs to figure out how to get a D, because he’ll need 50+ in many games. And finally, I like a lot of the players on the D individually. As a unit, they just aren’t performing like they need to.
yellowfever
November 18th, 2012
2:04 am
Enter your comments here
yellowfever
November 18th, 2012
2:06 am
are all UGA fans stupid or is it just the ones on this blog. Yeah, it’s all of them.
ARamblingwreck
November 18th, 2012
3:31 am
Enter your comments here
ARamblingwreck
November 18th, 2012
3:33 am
everyone just relax about vad vs tevin
ARamblingwreck
November 18th, 2012
3:36 am
we have an amazing chance to crush the dawgs hopes and dreams
ARamblingwreck
November 18th, 2012
3:39 am
i’ll be in athens to see it
ARamblingwreck
November 18th, 2012
3:43 am
i think CPJ is about to call his most brilliant game
i believe Tech will win
we deserve it
trueblueeagle
November 18th, 2012
7:38 am
JUST BEAT UGA
bhamwreck
November 18th, 2012
8:34 am
@bw If they had the same amount of possesions as they had in the UNC game they would have probably gotten 88 points. Tevin guided the team to TD’s on 5/6 possesions ( can’t count the victoy formation). Vad guided the team to TD’s on 7/11 possesions (also can’t count the end of first half). Like someone said above just chill on the qb talk. We have 2 good quarterbacks. One of them has a little more experience. Its a good problem to have.
Rock_Eagle
November 18th, 2012
8:36 am
Just beware Jackets. The Dawgs have one secret weapon. The cry of “CHOP BLOCK”. Not delusional enough to think my Eagles would win. But with a first and goal and a haltime lead on the line and on a ‘bang bang” up the middle play, there it was: “personal foul…chop block”. That brought several cries from the red and black morons around me in the cesspool. “They’ve been doing it the whole game”…. Funny, none on them mentioned it until that point. Then after the game, a UGA offensive lineman complains he had been “sliced and diced”. CPJ needs to be in the ear of the officials before the game, because believe me, Richt will be.
GT Joe
November 18th, 2012
9:18 am
Hold on, are the Tevin apologists complaining about vad two bad passes during a 1 minute drive at the end of a half? I’d hardly call that a meaningful drive, not to mention sometimes qb throws the ball in the dirt on purpose when a receiver is covered up and the qb has nowhere to go with the ball. Please, we all know vads accuracy is unquestionable.
I wasn’t bashing Tevin. He had a v great game, just like he always does vs. inferior opponents (like I have noted hundreds of times). But again, does anyone think we best uga with Tevin?
KC
November 18th, 2012
9:25 am
So the Muts have a shot at the National Title! How sweet it would be to ruin their season. Need to play just a little bit of defense because they can’t outscore us. Time to do work Jackets!
Buzzman
November 18th, 2012
9:27 am
I really don’t believe that Tech deserves to go to the ACC Championship game. I’m sorry if I have made everyone hostile, but look back, does Tech really deserves going? They get clobbered by a Div. II team, never show up for other teams. What it really boils down is, a Championship game is for teams that have put out 100% during the season, Tech has not. Sorry about this, but they have let this old Alumni down.
AtWork
November 18th, 2012
9:51 am
@Buzzman
Why not let them prove themselves. If they were to go to the ACCCG and beat FLST…that is on FLST for losing. They did what they had to do to get a shot at it. Wouldn’t care if they were 5-6 going to the ACCCG. You can only play the cards you are dealt.
Focus on georgia this week and come out firing on all cylinders! Going to take a lot of points.
Go Jackets!
White&Gold
November 18th, 2012
9:55 am
Buzzman, no team in the Coastal deserves to go. If Miami decides to not enforce an bowl ban and they play in the title game, I’d be perfectly fine with that. I don’t think we’re ready this year, and our defense would most likely get smoked by FSU’s offense. However, if Miami does lose to Duke or enforce the ban,than the hell with it let’s give it our best. Overall though I wouldn’t have a problem with not winning the Coastal. On a seperate note, the opportunity to beat Georgia next week is awesome. I’ll be there and hopeufully I’ll be witnessing history.
"Hot" Murray
November 18th, 2012
10:12 am
To the idiot who called the Univesity of Georgia a liberal arts college. It’s obvious you go/went to Tech. For your enlightment, the University of Georgia offers degrees in many areas. We are educated by experts from several realms of the world. We have more Rhodes scholars porportionately than Tech simply because we have more intelligent students. I’ll bet you wouldn’t last two days in the UGA curricula. You dunce.
GT TN
November 18th, 2012
10:14 am
@ Buzzman
who do you think should go to the champ game..I have said this before..in 2008 VT went to the ACCCG with a 5-3 conf record..guess what..that was the last time won a BCS ACC tie in game..if I would have told you at the start of the year that Tech would win the Coastal at 5-3 you would have taken it..not sure why you won’t take it now
White&Gold
November 18th, 2012
10:18 am
Hot Murray, it isn’t good sign when you let some troll get to your head, and then expect anybody on here to care about it.
Clyde
November 18th, 2012
10:26 am
My books are smarter than your books.
mike
November 18th, 2012
10:28 am
Tell # 64 on GT, nice block on #47 david helton, know tellin what kind of knee injury this one is. Who in the world teahes to block that way.. if you dont believe it rewatch it in the second half you cannot miss it, helton is taken off the field.. How many guys half do go down to injury before this mess is cleaned up..
White&Gold
November 18th, 2012
10:37 am
mike, I know your whole defensive line has been whining about facing cut blocks but get a grip. We’re obviously not intedning on hurting anyone. Crap happens. BTW, that’s there have been very few injuries from being cut this season.
GT TN
November 18th, 2012
10:40 am
@ Mike..every team in college blocks just not the linemen..watch WR for UGA..they go out cut block DB’s..I guess that makes it ok..Falcon fans had no problem with it when during Turners first 2 years with the old Denver off line coach
...Take The Wheel
November 18th, 2012
10:45 am
@Joe – TW apologist thing is absurd! We are cheering the entire team on to the next 3 wins! You can argue with yourself about Vad vs Tevin. PJ will work through his QB decision and use them both to the best advantage just as he has the last 3 games. I’m just glad to see the other guys stepping up and making big plays and hustle plays. And yes proud to see the defense turning the corner. They’ve all been though a lot and bravo to them for working it out!
Shout out to Tevin, Vad, Uzzi, Thomas, Godhigh, Golden, Laskey, Beano, and all the other players making it happen!! We need all of your “A” games from here on out!
Stay up guys, we got bigger fish to fry!!! THREE MORE WINS
GT Joe
November 18th, 2012
10:53 am
Take the wheel: the question is, assuming CPJ does as he has done the last 3 games (2 drives for Tevin, then 2 for vad, then make a decision), can we afford to spend 2 on Tevin, knowing our defense is going against a REAL offense and likely won’t be able to stop them?
Let’s be real, once vad gets in the game, uga might have 21 points, do you think Tevin gets us 14, or even 7 in his 2 drives?
GT TN
November 18th, 2012
10:58 am
@ GT joe..TW has gotten us a TD every game that CPJ has done this..last week Vad would have gotten a 3 and out on his first drive if not for a pass inf cal on 3rd downl..i think TW helps Vad settle into the game..he gets to watch the flow and relax
Mr BUG
November 18th, 2012
11:02 am
Hot Murray – if Isaiah Crowell can last more than two days of UGA curricula, I think most people can. Not saying UGA is a bad school (I was admitted and almost went there), but I highly doubt their curricula is harder than Tech’s (at least in the sciences and engineering).
GT Joe
November 18th, 2012
11:02 am
TN: “getting us A td” is not enough. We pretty much have to score every drive versus uga.
and You sure like the”if” game. Well, if there wasn’t that pass interference, that was probably a touchdown pass for vad.
GT TN
November 18th, 2012
11:09 am
GT Joe..you asked it he could get us 7 and I answered it..also, the pass inf was a 10 year pass to O. Smith..there is no way it was going for a td
As already discussed, GT Joe...
November 18th, 2012
11:46 am
…CPJ will go with the hot hand next week, just as he did yesterday and last week – Vad played lights out against UNC and TW played lights out yesterday. Vad had his difficulties at the end of the first half (the Supersized mentioned two straight passes in the dirt), and TW got baled out on the first drive of the second half when Beano caught that deflected 3rd down pass and turned it into a first down. Had that play not worked then it is probable that Vad might have been put back in, but CPJ played a hunch, just as he did last week with Vad, and, shazaam, it worked again.
Hence, he will see who is hot next week and Tech can hope for some more “shazaam” – yeah, we know, you think Vad gives a better chance for “shazaam”, but yesterday TW had it, and you cannot argue tha, though I think you probably will…
As already discussed, GT Joe...
November 18th, 2012
11:47 am
uh, “baled” should be “bailed”…
And, yes, Supersize......
November 18th, 2012
11:53 am
…UGA had a Rhodes Scholar announced yesterday, too, someone named Juliet Elizabeth Allan…
fuzzybee78
November 18th, 2012
12:03 pm
Short memories—-
Two years ago in Athens, TW put 34 points on the Dogs. Turnovers and other issues did us in. Vad is an exceptional talent but to the unbiased it is clear he is still learning the TO, but makes up for much with athletic talent. CPJ more than any of us has a feel for what’s needed to give us the best chance to win.
With either QB it will take an error free outstanding game from every player and some help in the way of turnovers from the pups, its possible, ask Baylor, and the Dawgs know it.
10 out of 11 supersized
November 18th, 2012
12:05 pm
Great win Tech. I hope it puts u guys into the ACC championship! I really do despite being a dawg fan. Your D was great in the second half and put pressure on that QB and sacked him multiple times. It was like watching the Tech D of old (Gailey years). Very impressive and congrats again!
White&Gold
November 18th, 2012
12:13 pm
Thanks 10 out of 11. No offence though, but it would be the ultimate gift for us to end your National title hopes. I’ll be in Athens on Saturday, and am really looking foward to it.
And, Derek Dooley......
November 18th, 2012
12:13 pm
…just got canned at UT – won’t even be allowed to coach the KY game next Saturday…
Go Jackets
November 18th, 2012
12:27 pm
One good thing…since the game is in Athens, they will use ACC ref’s. I know that the ACC refs are not the best, but they at least have seen the GT offense every week and have attended the seminar that Johnson taught several years ago about what is an actual illegal Chop block.
And, more importantly, they are not on the SEC payroll so they wont feel the pressure to make sure UGA wins to keep the BCS Championship hopes alive.
Go Jackets.
Buzzman
November 18th, 2012
12:31 pm
If Miami beats Duke, they should go to the ACC Coastal, they would be the only team that deserves it, they beat us and should not opt out. All I can say about the upcoming Georgia game is to hang on, Georgia really has something to play for now. They have to win against us first then Alabama second, then they can play for the BCS. We have a tall hurdle. I would give anything to beat them just to knock them out of the BCS Championship. I don’t care about the ACC, just want to beat Georgia. Tired of being a loser against them..
spider
November 18th, 2012
1:42 pm
COMEDY WEEK…TECH AND UGA FANS GOING AFTER EACH OTHER.
Jmonty
November 18th, 2012
1:48 pm
DecaturHurricane… A new breed of troll.. Miami has always been about money. If you think different, you are just a dumb as I think you are. The “U”…. Honestly, in the best interest for the ACC, I hope the FSU and Clemson stay unbeaten the rest of the year. Miami not taking the right steps only puts more of an ugly mark on them. The NCAA will come down on them less, if they self impose a bowl restriction. Common sense will tell you that. Although… I have dealt with my share of Miami folks. The words common and sense, should never be used to describe them. Now, with that said.. go back to your little Hurricane blog and get the fuc* off ours. Douche bag!!
yeller bug
November 18th, 2012
2:14 pm
With regard to the so-called QB controversy—remember these are 18-23 yo kids and the variance of their play can be erratic so the way CPJ is handling it is the best way—see which QB is clicking and play him. Just like a pitcher in baseball—sometimes their stuff is working, sometimes it is not.
I do hope that CPJ does not play conservative—if we play the odds, we will lose—UGA has a better team. We need an A-back option pass, hand-off with an option pitch from the pistol, shuttle passes on the wing—that actually has some potential if the QB stays behind the line because if it’s dropped, it’s an incomplete pass and not a fumble–in general open the playbook up CPJ! The D needs to find a way to make a few stops and Special Teams cannot give them a short field—Tanner should try a line drive kick angled for the corner—heck even if he kicks it out of bounds that is better than letting them return passed the 50. Forget about the ACCCG—just focused on the next game. A win here would transform our season—tired of hearing the 10 of the last 11 or the new one 25 of the last 32—I think it is also 25 of the last 40—since the dwags start their series count after Tech whipped them 8 games in a row which is the current record for consecutive wins by either team in this series.
Peach Fuzz
November 18th, 2012
2:27 pm
The NCAA enacts tortuous punishment. Just look at UNC. Just prior to the opening game, the
NCAA announced it’s investigation of the Tar Heels. uNC immediately suspended 12 players the day before it’s game against LSU in the Ga Dome. LSU won by less than a TD. UNC could have arguably been in the NC talk that yr. Instead, they withheld many players fr games that yr, to include players that were exonerated fr any violations. In 2012 the fired their coach, who was also exonerated from any wrongdoing, and once again played the yr with key players sitting out while playing under an interim coach. In 2013 they played the yr knowing they were not eligible for a bowl. It has been a tortuous pu ishment for UNC, but it appears they will have weathered the storm and there is much hope with Larry Fedora as coach. Miami is undergoing that same long tortuous punishment of not knowing their fate.
10 out of 11 supersized
November 18th, 2012
2:28 pm
Sad about Dooley. Hate to see anybody lose their job but they r gonna pay him 5 million to go away and I wish someone would pay me half that to go away. Somebody will hire him to be a coordinator or to recruit.
It will be a fun day in Athens next saturday and I will be there but in this case rooting against tech. Not the week after though if indeed you guys make the ACC championship. I will be a tech fan that day.
Crazy turn of events in the BCS yesterday. Looks like the SEC will play for another title. Just crazy and I can’t believe it.