For Jackets, Sun Bowl win means plenty
EL PASO, Texas – It was a non-New Year’s Day bowl game between teams with disappointing seasons. But for Georgia Tech, it ended up being so much more than that.
Most significantly, the Yellow Jackets’ 21-7 win over USC on Monday brought an end to their seven-game bowl losing streak, the nation’s second-longest active streak. It gave coach Paul Johnson his first bowl win at Tech. It probably ranks as Tech’s second biggest non-conference win in Johnson’s tenure, following the 2008 victory over Georgia.
Given the weight lifted from Tech’s shoulders, said offensive tackle Will Jackson, “It feels like we just won the national championship.”
The highlights were many. Quarterback Tevin Washington, maligned as unable to deliver in the clutch, came through with a touchdown drive that raised Tech’s advantage to two touchdowns early in the fourth quarter and then led two more that produced no points but swallowed up eight minutes of the fourth quarter.
Said Washington, “It feels real good, because we’ve been preaching all bowl practice, just finish.”
Washington also entered the Tech record books with a third-quarter touchdown that made him the single-season leader for touchdowns (20), rushing touchdowns (20) and points scored (120), breaking Robert Lavette’s records in each category with 19, 19 and 114, respectively.
The team, which had given up fourth-quarter leads to lose to Virginia Tech and Miami in overtime, not to mention last year against Utah here, held firm.
Said defensive end Izaan Cross, “At halftime, we had a little talk. Can’t let up. We’ve been in this situation numerous times where it’s been one or two plays that’s messed up the game for us when we played so well but we didn’t come out with the victory.”
For cornerback Louis Young, who missed the Sun Bowl last year with an NCAA suspension and struggled through an injury-filled season, the game was rife with personal meaning.
“To come out here and get this win, words can’t explain it really,” he said.
The senior class, like Johnson, won its first bowl game after a run in which it won an ACC title and played for another, but hadn’t won in a bowl. After three bowl losses, Cross, a team captain, stood on an on-field stage to receive the Sun Bowl trophy.
Said Cross, “For me to experience that at the Sun Bowl, that was awesome.”
A season that has had plenty of bumps — a fired defensive coordinator, a fourth consecutive loss to Georgia, an embarrassing 21-point home loss to Middle Tennessee State, derision from fans and media for going to a bowl game with a losing record — ended with a trophy and a win over one of the biggest names in college football.
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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140 comments Add your comment
MFranklin
January 1st, 2013
5:51 pm
Hat tip to GT… that yall got to a bowl was something of a miracle. Beating USC has much of the football world in shock!
Savor the flavor of this one… yall earned it!
gt40pinhd
January 1st, 2013
6:42 pm
i have been a vad lee fan all year. yep, he made mistakes this game. but still like his up side. i do agree w/almost everyone: tw played an excellent game. great student athlete, should be applauded by everyone for his play this game and all year. i wish him well and thanks for coming to gt.
kiffin: so many of my friends want him gone. but haden will not fire him. with limited scholarships this year and next, a #1 recruiting class, the thoughts are that haden will let him stick around for a year, get another high recruiting class in, then dump him when they come off these restrictions.
Brett
January 1st, 2013
7:04 pm
Does anyone know how I can watch this game??? I had to work and only caught the 4th quarter
GTpack
January 1st, 2013
7:08 pm
Congrats to the team for a very good win. I was one that didn’t think we deserved to go to a bowl game, but the team played really hard and didn’t let up. Looks like Kelly might have locked down a chance to be the D coord based on the games he had control over.
Again, Congratulations on a great win!!! Best of luck to the seniors in their future endeavors.
O J
January 1st, 2013
7:09 pm
I personally liked the look man, Kiffin you know how to dress in cognito in that hoodie and sun glasses.
Cats hav fleas 2
January 1st, 2013
7:10 pm
A smiley face on a turd. Congrats gnats….a win over a terrible USC team in a worthless bowl after a miserable season….but next year will be better say the gnat fans year after year after year.
Just Saying
January 1st, 2013
7:11 pm
now that the Chan era is over in Buffalo, can anyone call Giff Smith and see if he wants to come recruit again?
Mike S.
January 1st, 2013
7:24 pm
I guess you could say this is the second best out of conference victory for Johnson. I’d say that only because of snapping the bowl losing streak, not because of beating USC without Matt Barkley. Their D isnt very good, but did a good job containing the option most of the game. Without Barkley though, their offense is a train wreck and could never capitalize.
Fats G
January 1st, 2013
7:30 pm
Writers should investigate the motivational factor USC gave Tech when they did not show up for the banquet. What a slap in the face of Tech. Guess who Tech slapped today? USC is a disgrace for not showing for the banquet.
gt40pinhd
January 1st, 2013
7:45 pm
speaking of kelly, i agree with someone yesterday who said anyone who dresses their daughter in a yellow and gold sweater deserves the job!
unless of course, we get a big name guy who will instantly be a success because he can recruit.
either way, i wish kelly the best.
ken, any word either way?
GTBob
January 1st, 2013
7:51 pm
Maybe ring for a .500 season!
Maurice (Jeff) Jefferson
January 1st, 2013
8:53 pm
35 made deans list Great Job!
Dacusville Bill
January 1st, 2013
9:09 pm
Dacusville High School could have beaten USC (Western One)–Fire Pitiful Paul and get a real coach that can beat UGA at least 2 out of 5 — Gomer Gailey is available and if you can’t talk Bill Lewis into coming back, try Ralph Friedgen—
Jacket Detective
January 1st, 2013
9:29 pm
Bill Lewis?
The coach who’s team did quit on him?
And for good reason.
Freigen’s a multi-millionaire.
He is not looking for a job that is not available.
U want Johnson fired?
Then put up the 10 mil he is owed in his contract.
No one else is going to.
Wrecker
January 1st, 2013
9:57 pm
Anybody who fails to recognize the great job that CPJ has done should just remember that he has a .611 winning percentage. Gailey’s was .578, Lewis’ was .366, Ross’ was .543, and Curry’s was .402. Only O’Leary, with an identical .611 winning percentage, was as successful.
Remember that the program has not been a consistent 9-10 game winner. Coach has finished first or tied for first in the Coastal 3 times, second once and third once.
Happy Stinger
January 1st, 2013
10:07 pm
Congrtulations team!
More of this will fill BDS.
Good Job!
A. Bishop
January 1st, 2013
10:30 pm
Congrats on the win GT. Always nice to watch someone beat USC.
1 4 GT
January 2nd, 2013
2:25 am
Ken, if you get the chance to pass on the good words by Tokyo jacket to Tevin, add my thoughts as being exactly the same. If possible include all of the seniors in that. Thanks for the coverage all year.
Buzz Bill
January 2nd, 2013
7:56 am
Something is wrong at Southern Cal for the coach to allow his team to miss the banquet. Kiffin is wrong for college football. Kick him as an assistant to High School somewhere.
Whiskey Breath
January 2nd, 2013
8:26 am
Nice job Tech. I sure hope this win is a springboard for a new Tech. Please make it happen.
Whiskey Breath
January 2nd, 2013
8:35 am
CPJ has to learn to recruit. I know it is unheard of at Tech, but they have to bring in a super recruiter.
Stanford sure can do it. What’s their secret? Tech has more NC’s than they do.
If CPJ brings in a ” Al Groh” type of coach, you will know Tech is not serious about winning.
old dog
January 2nd, 2013
8:39 am
Well, the secret is out…..y’all CAN play defense. Congrats Teckies. This was a good win, and you represented our state well. As an old ‘Dawg, I really enjoyed your win. Now that you have realized that “D” is a big part of football, go out and get some recruits and come out next year swinging. It is good for our area for y’all to have a good program.
Whiskey Breath
January 2nd, 2013
9:13 am
Tech, get some studs from the Atlanta area. Forget about the high academic standards.
You can win big, but you have to change your recruiting attitude.
MC
January 2nd, 2013
10:11 am
Yeah 7-7 looks alot better than 6-8.
MC
January 2nd, 2013
10:13 am
Anybody that can stick it up Lane Kiffin’s _______________is #1 with me. At least for that day.
MC
January 2nd, 2013
10:25 am
5150 UOAD
December 31st, 2012
11:43 pm
P.O.A.Hater…………All the haters can go cheer for a SEC team of your choosing. Players Graduating & making the Dean’s List and we still made the ACC CG(even with other teams issues) and we WON our Bowl game……….P.O.A. Hater
AND STILL LOST 7 GAMES.
wreckmaniac
January 2nd, 2013
10:30 am
Has USC fired Kiffin yet for the backwoods trash failure of his team to show up at the players dinner ?
I hope the Sun Bowl sends USC a bill for their portion of the dinner.
Tech fan for 50 years
January 2nd, 2013
10:37 am
Can’t help but mention the loss of Larry Morris. He was one of the greatest Tech players in history. He was also MVP of the NFL championship (before they called it the SuperBowl) playing for the Chicago Bears, linebacker number 33. I have known Larry and Kay for 50 years since he went to Decatur High School with my brother in law. He was a great player and a great person.
BigGAdawg
January 2nd, 2013
10:53 am
Congratulations to the Little Tech School in the Hood. After a bitterly disappointing season you got a win that matters to you. I am genuinely happy for you.
You may have helped Lame Kitten start packing for his departure from USC(west). The boy has NO CLASS but LOW CLASS. (Reminds one too much of Bobby Quitrino in that regard.)
Anyone who gives Kiffin a trip to the woodshed can’t be all bad.
I wish you a Happy New Year. We’ll see you in the fall.
Be sure that you guys keep Moobs Johnson around forever! We love that guy!
WOOF!!!
JM
January 2nd, 2013
11:06 am
Congratulations to the Yellow Jackets!
Mike S.
January 2nd, 2013
12:05 pm
The only way Johnson can “learn how to recruit” is to get a different system. Top recruits dont want to run the option. Thats why in 5 years he has yet to recruit the same level of talent he inherited from Gailey.
Those that think you cant recruit at Tech have no idea what they are talking about. Gailey’s last class was top 20, and he was projected top 20 with the 2008 class before getting fired. If Vanderbilt can recruit and get 9 win seasons out of the SEC, so can Tech. Vandy’s current class is ranked in the top 20. Stanford has created a machine out there that competes for PAC 12 titles and BCS bowls. Northwestern is going to finish in the top 20 out of the Big 10 with a couple of wins over SEC bowl teams. All this despite high academic standards, so why not Tech?
Georgia is one of the top recruiting states in the nation. There are plenty of athletes that can make the grades. Grades arent an excuse for poor recruiting.
mansup
January 2nd, 2013
1:04 pm
Fantastic effort by all….but especiall defense and special teams. But, now I’m confused. Where did that effort come from? It was totally surprising given the way the season went.
Oh well. It felt gereat didn’t it? And now, I can hardly wait to see the Jackets in 2013! Go Jackets!
Tech Troll 13
January 2nd, 2013
1:25 pm
The CPJ haters can say what they want, but CPJ never gave up on this team and the team never gave up on the season. That speaks volumes about CPJ and his relationship with the players. With all that went wrong, it would have been easy to quit. Good job guys.
The real USC
January 2nd, 2013
4:35 pm
Southern Cal did not want to be in such a low level bowl, against a no name middle school football team, that has not since 1955-56 attended two major bowl games in a row. GT has no brand in any sport. USC actually thinks they are big time. I predicted a fairly easy win for GT for the above reasons. USC simply had no respect for Tech,
As a UGA man, I love knowing that you all whupped USC but good. See you all in our Atlanta home field next November.
dry dirt road
January 2nd, 2013
9:57 pm
unis + when Sun blocked by clouds won game for Tech; uni art + temps/wind + blocked Sun + mountain backgound won game for Tech; return to old unis won game, better O line play like when old unis worn when Hamilton qb, no wide mod gold chest stripe on jerseys this time under CPJ like before once when lost b/c of stripe; solid navy jerseys better=winners
Pro fan
January 3rd, 2013
12:36 am
@ the real USC….lol and aren’t you a master mind…Please ,do us all a favor and never talk again..As a uga man I’m sure you know that football is ALL that uga does have except for women’s sports..I like uga and GT but I assure you GT puts MANY more kids into the Pros in all sports than uga does.See what you can do about UGAs baseball team..I get tired of watching GT take them to the woodshed year after year..At least get to where uga can win a series from GT..I think uga has 4 series wins against GT since 1986 ….Talk about Owning someone…
Byron Farmer
January 3rd, 2013
4:16 pm
Where did the Sun Bowl get those officials, you ask? Why from sunny southern cal, of course. From the bad call on the usc field goal attempt to the last four calls in a row against Tech at the end of the game.
I watched the re-play today and those last four calls were omitted. What a joke for officials. Even ol’ Vern was amazed. The whole Kiffin clan was wearing stripes.
We whipped their rear ends anyhow.Go Jackets !
Facts
January 4th, 2013
3:31 pm
Pro Fan: “I like uga and GT but I assure you GT puts MANY more kids into the Pros in all sports than uga does”
ALL CURRENT PRO ATHLETES (WOW Tournaments at Dragon Con Not Considered a Sport)
UGA – 51
GT – 40
...Take The Wheel
January 4th, 2013
11:05 pm
Great effort by the entire team! Charles Kelly deserves the job! He’s done well with the guys in a short time. Based on their response to him and the comments – they clearly respect him.
Should be exciting to watch next year!
...Take The Wheel
January 5th, 2013
12:09 pm
@wow – you’re delusional
He put tevin in there because vad had previously fumbled! Most coaches want the player known to hold onto the ball in at that position!