Notes: Tech cheerleader’s effort not flagging
The unlikeliest star of the Sun Bowl?
That would be Brendan Espey, the Georgia Tech cheerleader who fought gusting winds to run the gold Tech flag out of the tunnel to lead the team on the field before the game, won by the Yellow Jackets 21-7 over USC on Monday.
Leaning forward and head down, Espey carried the flag into the teeth of winds so strong that they blew him off course and almost knocked him over. He was concerned he wouldn’t make it to the end of the field, but was motivated by pride and self-preservation.
“It was either (keep going) or the team and the (Ramblin’) Wreck is coming right behind me,” said Espey, a senior in his third year on the cheerleading team.
Espey’s adventure was on the broadcast and later made the game highlights on ESPN’s “SportsCenter.” Espey, a former high school football player and wrestler who can bench press 295 pounds, knew he was in trouble when he thought he had run out to the 50-yard line, only to realize he was still only at the 20.
“I literally felt like I was walking,” said Espey, a business administration major. “I was a little embarrassed because people next to me were barely jogging. I was like, I’m trying, guys, I promise.”
(You can see a clip of it here.)
In the record books: Cornerback Rod Sweeting and nose tackle T.J. Barnes entered the Tech record books by playing in their 54th career games, breaking Rashaad Reid and Scott Blair’s record for most games played in a career. Sweeting and Barnes played in every game they were eligible for, starting with the 2009 season opener against Jacksonville State. Defensive end Izaan Cross played in his 52nd game, tied for fifth most, and made his 41st career start.
If Tech goes to a bowl game and the ACC Championship game next season and safety Jemea Thomas plays in every game next season, he’ll break Sweeting and Barnes’ record by playing in 55 games. Thomas played every game as a freshman in 2009, but redshirted in the 2010 season and has played every game since.
Rare play: Quarterback Vad Lee’s 3-yard touchdown pass to B-back David Sims in the second quarter marked an unusual first. It was the first touchdown pass covering less than 8 yards in coach Paul Johnson’s five seasons.
Tech has scored 119 touchdowns of 9 yards or fewer since the start of the 2008 season. Apart from three 9-yard passes and one 8-yard pass, the rest have been runs. Not surprisingly, Sims said he was surprised when the call came into the huddle. Sims snuck out of the backfield to the left, where Lee found him.
“I wanted the ball, but I didn’t know he was going to call the pass,” Sims said. “It was wide open.”
Defensive numbers: Inside linebacker Jabari Hunt-Days led Tech with 10 tackles, followed by outside linebacker Brandon Watts with nine and Cross with six. Watts also had a forced fumble and a tackle for a loss.
Tech had eight pass breakups, its most in a game under Johnson. Defensive linemen accounted for three of them, including one by Cross that forced a fourth-down incomple pass in the third quarter.
Defensive line coach David Walkosky “has been doing a good job training us and telling us when a ball comes up and you might not necessarily be able to get the sack or rattle (the quarterback), put your hands up and see what happens,” Cross said. “That’s what I did.”
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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82 comments Add your comment
juvenal
January 2nd, 2013
2:09 pm
besides, it’s called “notes”, tidbits Ken does a great job bringing out for actual fans…..welcome back, Super, good job…..
Greg
January 2nd, 2013
2:10 pm
lol @ our flag boy running for more yards than any of USC’s receivers got in the game
1 4 GT
January 2nd, 2013
2:21 pm
Really George, who cares what Groan has to say? We have seen the difference in his coaching style and Coach Kelley’s coaching slowly evolve into the defense we saw in the Sun Bowl on the 31st. I have thought for a while that CK deserved at least the opportunity to make his case for the job of DC. I am now convinced he deserves serious consideration for the job. In fact, I would be happy if he was given the job if he wants it. CCK has changed the attitude of the defense & has them believing in themselves. They have proven to themselves that they can “play”. USCw was not without playmakers Monday. GT defenders have given up 7 points in the last 6 quarters. That is top 5 in the country defense. Or better! Since the change was made after game 6, CCK has made strides in changing the defense’s play and made adjustments in the 2nd half (except for Georgie). Monday, the defense played a complete game. Oh sure, they got beat some, but they never gave in. If the team we saw against USCw shows up next fall, especially with the much ballyhooed VL &/or JT and this defense, GT will be on the cusp of being scary bad. IMNTBHO! Many may not agree, but I have now said my piece. Coach Kelley would make a fine DC for GT! I know there are others out there that would do the same, but the transitional period would wipe out the growth of this team and slow down that growth & push them back some. GOOOOO JACKETS…THWGeorgie
Tokyo jacket
January 2nd, 2013
2:23 pm
@George Stein, I’m not sure that I would expect him to say anything different. For him to propose that CPJ runs a that is divisive I think is unsubstantiated based on the number of long time assistants he has that have been with him at multiple programs. For him to say it was a clash of styles was probably not far off course. He had the keys to the kingdom yet couldn’t produce for nearly three years.
I’ll say one thing for Chan Gailey, he did accept after being fired that he hadn’t produced in Buffalo. CAG ought to have had the same self awareness.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 2nd, 2013
2:23 pm
@ Greg……good one there; I like that
Supersize that order, mutt
January 2nd, 2013
2:26 pm
@ Tokyo jacket…..well put !!!
1 4 GT
January 2nd, 2013
2:26 pm
I hope Ken puts up a blog about team “quotes” soon. I’m interested in hearing what the coaches and players have to say and think.
1 4 GT
January 2nd, 2013
2:32 pm
Don’t have the stats, but Greg is probably right. The yardage was equally hard either way.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 2nd, 2013
2:34 pm
@ 1 4 GT ……. for post-game quotes, go to —-
http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/010113aab.html
Greg
January 2nd, 2013
2:44 pm
I’m no math major (did go to Tech as an Econ major), but he ran at least 50 yards there. USC’s leading receiver had 41 yards.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 2nd, 2013
2:53 pm
Greg, I think he probably ran about 80 yards with that flag, since the cheerleaders were on about the 20 yard line at the other end of the field from the tunnel.
5150 UOAD
January 2nd, 2013
3:06 pm
Well since a football field is 52 yards wide I would bet he ran pretty close to 80-90 yards total.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 2nd, 2013
3:13 pm
@ UOAD…..very true
1 4 GT
January 2nd, 2013
3:13 pm
What happened to my comment at 3:10 PM (approx). Why did the stupid filters capture it. Nothing but a positive comment.
1 4 GT
January 2nd, 2013
3:14 pm
And running bent over @ 45* angle!
juvenal
January 2nd, 2013
3:25 pm
kind of like that parachute drill……..
Chan
January 2nd, 2013
3:54 pm
I clicked on this article thinking I would find a story about good looking college women cheering for their team. Instead, it is a story about a dude. I should have figured as much for tech.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 2nd, 2013
4:09 pm
@ Chan…..then go back to the fry pit where you belong. I’m still waiting on my order.
GTJohn2
January 2nd, 2013
5:32 pm
Chan, I clicked on this article and found the ramblings of a buffoon…you clueless troll.
Just Saying
January 2nd, 2013
6:34 pm
anybody still wanting more laughs….read the L A Times /sports/USC…some fans are still going at it over the loss…one blogger said the quarterback was looking for comfort, encouragement and direction but got none from Kiffin who stood there alone decked out like the Unabomber. lol
Just a thought boys
January 2nd, 2013
6:39 pm
Toyko you are right on…Giff signed all of GT’s NFL players from the last few years…we need another Dwyer, Bay Bay, Morgan, Burnett and Michael Johnson. Anybody able to ask CPJ about that in an email or phone call?
I mean the dude is currently unemployed.
I thought about CPJ using Vad Lee as receiver or A back when Vad wasn’t playing qb. I hated seeing him on the sidelines so earnest to get out there. Wonder if that would have made a difference in the FSU game.
Just a thought boys
January 2nd, 2013
6:40 pm
should someone let Al Groh know there is an opening for DC at SoCal.
Gray
January 3rd, 2013
5:41 am
Congrats to gtu for throwing a td pass. Lol. You all just suck.
Buzzed
January 3rd, 2013
11:14 am
Flagboy lives!
Buzzed
January 3rd, 2013
11:16 am
Thanks to USC, the Sun Bowl combatants finish the year at +1 combined over .500. Awesome.
wreckbone
January 3rd, 2013
9:56 pm
He was on SportsCenter. It was funny. Also about the USC fans calling Kiffin unibomber.. Thats hilarious. Kiffin blamed the weather at least four times in his interview. All he said was we tackled well. What a spoiled brat. Got beat in all facets of the game and can’t give any credit to Tech. Doesn’t matter he sucks like these guys above me here calling us GTU…..whatever that is.
...Take The Wheel
January 4th, 2013
12:56 pm
Ken wasn’t Tevin “in the record books” in this game as well? I know he’s not a returning player but let’s recognize his last game efforts as well please.
Thanks!
LOL
January 4th, 2013
3:16 pm
The jokes write themselves.
Ken Sugiura
January 4th, 2013
5:51 pm
Take the Wheel – regarding Washington’s records – right here.
http://blogs.ajc.com/georgia-tech-sports/2012/12/31/for-jackets-sun-bowl-win-means-plenty/
...Take The Wheel
January 4th, 2013
11:20 pm
You do great work Ken!
…and yes the flag bearer was definitely a star of the day! Though I chuckled as he ran full steam ahead against the relentless wind, I must say his determination was very heartening!!
Good job Mr. Espy!
GTAAA 77
January 7th, 2013
11:57 am
Quayshwan Nealy? if this is Hassan Ahmad send, your aunt Pat new pics of the baby.
Anyway, I didn’t go to Tech for the Athletics, BUT, PJ has made it fun to go to the games again, and BG has the Bball team looking good. It’s great to be an alum in the office again!
GTAAA 77
January 7th, 2013
11:57 am
Quayshwan Nealy? if this Hassan Ahmad send your aunt Pat new pics of the baby.
Anyway, I didn’t go to Tech for the Athletics, BUT, PJ has made it fun to go to the games again, and BG has the Bball team looking good. It’s great to be an alum in the office again!