Tech fired up by USC bowl pairing
1. Georgia Tech’s opponent in the Sun Bowl may be finishing a down season, but USC has caught the Yellow Jackets’ full attention regardless.
Wide receiver Darren Waller said he was pumped up when he learned that Tech would be facing the Trojans, who began the year ranked No. 1 before going 7-5, in El Paso, Texas.
“Just when I was growing up, USC was, like, the program in the country,” he said before naming a string of Trojans stars past and present. “Getting a chance to play Georgia, FSU and USC in three (consecutive games), that’s pretty much why I came here, for opportunities like that.”
Outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu had a similar reaction. He said he grew up watching the Trojans, admiring their standard of excellence.
“I was excited,” he said. “I mean, it’s a great opportunity, a program with so much history like ours. It’s just great to play against that type of competition.”
2. Safety Jemea Thomas declined to answer a question about whether he will submit his name to the NFL draft advisory board for an evaluation of his draft status. Thomas, a junior, has had a standout season playing both corner and safety for the Jackets, recording a team-high four interceptions and making 82 tackles, second most on the team.
The board, comprised of NFL scouts and executives, offers players with remaining eligibility on where they might get selected if they declared for the draft. Submitting one’s name does not bind a player to enter the draft. Attaochu said last week that he would seek an evaluation.
Thomas’ most recent play was a head-turner, a diving one-handed interception of Florida State quarterback EJ Manuel near the end of the ACC Championship game. The reason it was a one-hander?
Thomas’ right shoulder was so banged up that he couldn’t move his right arm. After seeing the replay, Thomas said it was “kind of hard to believe how I caught it.”
3. Center Jay Finch practiced Thursday and Friday after missing the end of the ACC Championship game, as did A-back Orwin Smith, who missed the Georgia and ACC title games with an ankle injury. Finch pronounced himself “A-O.K. 100 percent” but declined to specify the nature of the injury.
Said Smith of his absence from the title game, “I felt like I wouldn’t be able to make the plays that I was capable of, so they just held me out.”
Offensive tackle Ray Beno underwent surgery this week to repair a finger broken in the Georgia game. Beno played in the title game and said he expects to play in the bowl game.
4. Tech practiced Thursday and Friday and will continue Saturday. The team will be off for most of final-exam week (next Monday through Friday) and practice Thursday through Saturday again. The on-campus portion of bowl practice will continue Dec. 17-21 before players will be released until they reconvene in El Paso. … As with the media All-ACC team, guard Omoregie Uzzi was the only Tech player to make the first-ever coaches All-ACC team. He was a first-team selection. Return specialist Jamal Golden, nose tackle T.J. Barnes, Attaochu, Finch and Smith were all honorable mention. Quarterback Vad Lee received one vote for offensive rookie of the year.
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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210 comments Add your comment
Delbert D.
December 8th, 2012
4:30 pm
Jacket Detective – Good point about Bielema’s comment on the assistants.
I have yet to see either of these head coaches complain to the refs about cut blocks.
5150 UOAD
December 8th, 2012
4:31 pm
Louis Young
Tired of watching my momma & pop work so damn hard. We gone be str8 sooner then later. DON’T BAHLEEE ME JUS WATCH!! #GT8……………………
Wonder if L. YOUNG is thinking he will get a good rating from the NFL and chose to get it a shot.
xx
December 8th, 2012
4:33 pm
team full of wet milk farts,CPJ included.
5150 UOAD
December 8th, 2012
4:35 pm
did you see how little BOBO gets paid compared to other SEC OC’s? Man Grantham is robbing UGa bad t $850k to Bobo’s $335,000 a year (not including bonuses), which ranked 10th among SEC offensive coordinators coming into the season.
Delbert D.
December 8th, 2012
4:37 pm
Young has a point, but I think parents would rather see their kid graduate. A football career has a lot of uncertainty, especially for a free agent out of college. I think Young is more CFL than NFL based on the results to this point.
5150 UOAD
December 8th, 2012
4:38 pm
WOW off the Upright to end the half…….inches.
Delbert D.
December 8th, 2012
4:40 pm
I will be very surprised if Grantham is at Georgia next year. This is the best he is going to see at Georgia. I don’t think he is college HC material, but he will likely get DC consideration in the NFL with all of the turnover that will occur.
wrecked
December 8th, 2012
4:54 pm
GT only hope is if USC just doesn’t want to be in Sun Bowl, then it may be close. If USC comes to play it’ will be a blow out.J Thomas needs to stay and get his degree, he would go undrafted. He may have the physical attributes but he hasn’t had horrid coaching his entire career.
Rick James
December 8th, 2012
4:57 pm
@Delbert D.
will be very surprised if Grantham is at Georgia next year. This is the best he is going to see at Georgia. I don’t think he is college HC material, but he will likely get DC consideration in the NFL with all of the turnover that will occur.
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Thats funny…When Kiby Smart was flirting with Georgia Nick Saban’s first call was to Todd Grantham.Georgia is losing a lot on defense but has had some good recruiting classes.Grantham is better than you give him credit for,will be back next year unless a better job opens up and Georgia will be fine..I’ll take Georgia’s coaching staff over Tech”s any day of the year.
wrecked
December 8th, 2012
4:58 pm
meant to say he’s had horrid coaching , it may keep him from being drafted.
5150 UOAD
December 8th, 2012
5:03 pm
Yes WRECKED because you get paid to NFL caliber talent.
5150 UOAD
December 8th, 2012
5:05 pm
OUCH……..that Hit was hard…………………….another fumble NAVY is getting LUCKY…..maybe some Notre Dame luck has rubbed off on them.
hit a single
December 8th, 2012
5:11 pm
GT Jacket Club in Boise, Idaho was really disappointed that the Jackets wouldn’t make a return trip to the blue turf.
Delbert D.
December 8th, 2012
5:13 pm
Rick James – I didn’t say that Grantham was not worthy of another college job as a DC. You seem to agree with the Saban comment. I don’t see how next season will approach what he has accomplished this season with his 8 or 9 NFL-ready players. Even this year the defense was not exactly stellar until the Florida game. After next season, the bloom may be off the rose for Grantham’s prospects of getting the NFL job. As for your last comment, the vast majority of knowledgeable football fans would agree with you.
5150 UOAD
December 8th, 2012
5:17 pm
The Army and Navy are running the Counter Dive fake to the QB option is really a good looking play. I would like to see TECH run that some.
man and dog
December 8th, 2012
5:20 pm
With Monte’s lack of sucess with anything other than pro-style offenses, I think Tech has a good chance to win.
I totally agree with the players quoted in the article...
December 8th, 2012
5:26 pm
…playing UGA, FSU and USCw three in a row is why ANYBODY would go to college to play football – USCw is, and always will be Southern California Trojans, and they are responsible for southern football being as good as it is today – if is were not for USCw playing Alabama back in about 1968, with Sam “Bam” cunningham running all over the Tide, and Bear Bryant saying after the game that he wanted some players “like that”, meaning black players, the game down south would resemble Big 10 and PAC 12 football -
So, playing USCw is a great way to remember what college football is all about, at least for these guys, though they do not know that history…
5150 UOAD
December 8th, 2012
5:42 pm
I totally agree with the players quoted in the article…
Nat Northington, who attended the University of Kentucky, was the first African American to play in a football game for an SEC school. The year was 1967 and the game was against the University of Mississippi. I think Bear knew about Black players before the USC game.
5150 UOAD
December 8th, 2012
5:55 pm
Is ARMY going to break the drought?
Delbert D.
December 8th, 2012
6:00 pm
I like that halfback run up the middle that Army does.
5150 UOAD
December 8th, 2012
6:02 pm
Delbert D……Navy and Army have booth run that play today. I hope CPJ and the boys are seeing it and put it in our system.
Delbert D.
December 8th, 2012
6:05 pm
With the fullback lead, that’s a good play. Tech has one set that I saw this year where the right A-back was in the halfback position. Even in the normal position, send him in motion a bit quicker.
5150 UOAD
December 8th, 2012
6:05 pm
WOW………….Army really pulled a RICHT & BOBO at got conservative on the end of the last drive. That might have cost ARMY the game. a TD right there and it is over probably. Navy down 2 scores and the clock running ARMY had them.
Delbert D.
December 8th, 2012
6:10 pm
Wow! Go Navy!
5150 UOAD
December 8th, 2012
6:11 pm
ARMY snatched Defeat from the jaws of Victory……DAMN. Still time but have to get a TD.
Paul in NH
December 8th, 2012
6:12 pm
There was me thinking that Delbert’s comment about Todd Grantham was about CTG getting a promotion from DC at UGA – DC in the NFL would b a promotion.
If I understand Rick James correctly, he seems to think DC at Alabama, working for Saban, is a step up from Grantham’s current job.
Rick James
December 8th, 2012
6:17 pm
@Paul in NH
There was me thinking that Delbert’s comment about Todd Grantham was about CTG getting a promotion from DC at UGA – DC in the NFL would b a promotion.
If I understand Rick James correctly, he seems to think DC at Alabama, working for Saban, is a step up from Grantham’s current job.
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No Paul you dont understand me correctly..Just saying that Saban thinks more of Grantham than Delbert and that I put more into Saban’s opinion.
Delbert D.
December 8th, 2012
6:17 pm
Jason Garrett is the latest firing rumor for the NFL. Grantham used to work there, but it would depend on who the new HC is and what scheme they want to run on D.
5150 UOAD
December 8th, 2012
6:22 pm
UnBelievable………Army fumbles with VICTORY in sight. Damn that hurts.
Delbert D.
December 8th, 2012
6:23 pm
Rick James – As I said before, Grantham has shown that he can produce results with very good athletes in college. I don’t think he has the attributes needed to be a good head coach in college. But, I could say that about several current college HCs as well. I think Grantham is going back to the NFL as soon as he is offered, where he won’t be baby-sitting school boys and won’t working under a head coach that is his polar opposite.
Delbert D.
December 8th, 2012
6:25 pm
51 – I have a lot of friends that are Annapolis grads that are very happy right now.
OldGold1964
December 8th, 2012
6:29 pm
Jemea Thomas HAS had a standout season and above decent colligent career, so far. But, and let’s be honest here folks, it cannot yet be classified as super-sensational, and it does not equate to being NFL caliber, at this point. He needs to return to school next season, and learn some more and enhance draft position status.
Skeptic
December 8th, 2012
6:30 pm
Cadets have a hard time holding on to a ball these days.
http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/west-point-chapel-hosts-lesbian-wedding/
Delbert D.
December 8th, 2012
6:32 pm
Federally-funded.
tech fan for life
December 8th, 2012
6:32 pm
Idiots. Go Trojans. Go Johnson(leave) after USC beats our butt will you all you fans
please refuse to go to Tech games or buy Tech merchandise until Tech
removes Johnson and the 1967 offense. We will lose – no doubt about it
look at our last bowl games.
If you are happy about El Paso shame on you.
I am a Tech Fan for life and that is why I refuse to accept a losing system.
PJ if you are reading refuse the invitation – go back to HS or be an asst at GSU where you belong
and let us get a coach who can recruit decent talent and maybe, might possibly
with the faintest hope beat Georgia.
PJ is an overconfident jerk who cannot admit to himself that he is not fit for big time
football. Go to HS and quit being a loser and taking us with you.
5150 UOAD
December 8th, 2012
6:33 pm
Well how many people are going to make fun of the Army players crying like they did Tebow or McCarron? Man those guys left it all on the field.
Delbert D.
December 8th, 2012
6:33 pm
Biden will probably award the CIC Trophy to Air force.
Delbert D.
December 8th, 2012
6:39 pm
51 – That’s what it’s all about in this game. Steelman will learn from this, and it will help him when he is a platoon leader.
Skeptic
December 8th, 2012
6:44 pm
Delbert D.
December 8th, 2012
6:39 pm
51 – That’s what it’s all about in this game. Steelman will learn from this, and it will help him when he is a platoon leader.
—————————————
Yep. Because the best leader is one that learns from being thrown in the pit. Not somebody that knocks a ring on the desk (politician).
Delbert D.
December 8th, 2012
6:50 pm
Skeptic – Yeah, I’ve known my share of ring-knockers.
Rick James
December 8th, 2012
6:51 pm
@Delbert D.
Had Grantham’s defense been as strong as it was last year he would have been considered for Akansas since Jerry Jones pulls those strings and he worked for the Cowboys.Jones should have charged with tampering regarding Petrino and the Falcons.
kral
December 8th, 2012
6:52 pm
it was great and sad sports moment…5150..and that sAme thought crossed my mind too..then I THOUGHT say what you want about the emotion..just do not say it to no. 8 face..congrats to GA SOUTHERN and VALDOSTA STATE
Delbert D.
December 8th, 2012
7:11 pm
Rick James – Interesting theories. The one involving Jimmy Haslam offering part ownership in the Browns if Gruden would take the Tennessee job got a lot of play in the press.
Skeptic
December 8th, 2012
7:28 pm
Finally found my VHS recording of 1991 Citrus Bowl in the attic. Wow, Musberger looks like a punk, younger than me and all the black dudes have high top fades. Everybody is actually wearing pads and pants. Bobby on the sidelines right after his mama died, along with Friedgen and O’Leary as assistants. We’re whipping the hell outta Nebrasker (like a rented mule, I reckon). Why can’t we get back there????
Bob in Buford
December 8th, 2012
7:35 pm
Student athlete gt13? Didn’t we have to forfeit an ACC title because nobody was going to class?
Bob in Buford
December 8th, 2012
7:37 pm
After some of the crowds I saw this year, attending home football games should be worth extra credit.
Silly Mutts
December 8th, 2012
7:53 pm
Hope they are more fired up than the Basketball Team. The last 2 games these guys look as bad or worse than last year. No press on offense, stand around on offense, no rebounding, layups and 3s for the opposing squad. They look lazy and lethargic all around. Pierre Jordan and Julian Royal are not D-! players. Pretty pathetic all around.
5150 UOAD
December 8th, 2012
8:03 pm
AAU basketball doesn’t teach Defense and neither do most high school coaches.
GSUStud
December 8th, 2012
8:04 pm
Oh no! This is going to be embarrassing. I told you guys at the beginning of the season that Ga Tech would have six losses and you bet $10,000 that they would not. Guess I didn’t see that seventh loss coming. You and I both know that USC could end up winning this thing 66-0. Ga Tech recently has choked in their bowl games and I see nothing different this year. I just hope they would not embarrass the state of Georgia.
Douglas
December 8th, 2012
8:21 pm
You guys obviously have no pride at all. If UGA finished 6-7, we would never vote to go to a bowl game. Bowl games are for teams that have a successful and rewarding season. If 6-7 is a rewarding season for GT, it just shows you how low your expectations are and what “success” means to you. Pretty intriguing for a school who always brags about their academics.