Tech overcomes personality disorder in win
Here's Demaryius Thomas scoring on a fake punt. This was something that went right for Georgia Tech Thursday night. (Brant Sanderlin/bsanderlin@ajc.com)
When they began ACC play a year ago, we discovered early that Georgia Tech would take a step forward under Paul Johnson. They won at Boston College, then nearly upset Virginia Tech a week later.
When they began ACC play Thursday night, we discovered early that Georgia Tech has the ability to be a major player this season in the conference, or just its greatest enigma.
The Jackets did nearly everything right. And then nearly everything wrong. They watched a 24-0 lead explode like the
And this would be something that went wrong -- Clemson's C.J. Spiller breaking free from the Tech defense. (Brant Sanderlin/bsanderlin@ajc.com)
Sherwin Williams factory that must have exploded on the Clemson team, because that’s the only explanation for the Tigers showing up for a nationally televised game wearing all purple uniforms and orange helmets. (Nobody told them it wasn’t a costume party.) In the end, Tech was forced to rally with two late field goals and defeated Clemson, 30-27, at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
On a stat sheet, it looks like a simple win.
In a college psychology class, it’s a term paper on psychosis.
They gets points for resolve. But beyond that, let’s forget about conclusions for a while. The season will help define what we witnessed Thursday. It counts for something that the Jackets thoroughly humiliated Clemson for most of two quarters. It counts for something that they didn’t quit after allowing 27 straight points to fall behind early in the fourth quarter. Everything in the middle — that mostly means Paul Johnson won’t be short of material for any blistering analysis this week.
“We’ll probably watch film Saturday,” defensive end Derrick Morgan said. “I’m sure he’ll have something to say when we get to the second half.”
This was to be Tech’s coming out party. They started the season ranked 15th, relatively thin air in these parts. They handled Jacksonville State with expected ease in game one. But they were sloppy enough and lacked sufficient focus for Johnson to reduce them to flotsam in his post-game analysis. This was the test. The conference opener, national TV, a home crowd large and loud. With Miami and a string of difficult opponents coming up, this game figured to be pivotal for how the season turned out.
Results? Inconclusive.
“Mixed emotions,” safety Morgan Burnett said. “I think we went through every emotion possible.”
The Jackets won. But they can’t afford to have too many more games like the one just played by their defense (240 yards and 20 points allowed in the second half) or quarterback Josh Nesbitt, who completed only 3-of-14 with two interceptions. Tech’s best quarteback was kicker Scott Blair, who threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas on a fake-field goal play to make it 21-0 in the first quarter. Blair eventually won the game the more conventional way — with a 36-yard field goal with 57 seconds left. Nesbitt at least figured key in that, completing a 39-yard pass to Thomas on third down to get the Jackets in position.
But nobody figured it would come down a kick in the end, least of all the Jackets.
Clemson looked overmatched for a while against the triple-option offense. Anthony Allen, generally considered Tech’s third-best running back, ran 82 yards for a touchdown on the Jackets’ second play from scrimmage. For the next seven minutes, the Jackets looked the part of a top-10 team. The Tigers didn’t even look top 10 in South Carolina. The Tigers tried a fake field goal. But a quick kick backfired when the Clemson kicker booted it right to Jerrard Tarrant, who returned it 85 yards for a touchdown.
That was followed by a Clemson interception, which was followed by Tech’s fake field goal that resulted in a 34-yard touchdown pass from Blair to Thomas, which was soon followed by a 24-0 Tech lead that had Tigers coach Dabo Swinney looking like a wildebeest staring at an uncoming Winnebago. But as it turned out, Clemson wasn’t run over. Freshman quarterback Kyle Parker threw three touchdown passes, and the Tigers scored on their first four possessions of the second half. The Jackets’ offense sputtered. After a field goal made it 24-0, they had five punts and a Nesbitt interception in the next six interceptions.
Things turned out to be not so easy.
Morgan again: “We let up a little in the second half and lost some of our intensity. That can’t happen. They scored 27 unanswered points. That’s unacceptable.”
But they survived. That counts for something. Maybe one day it will all make sense.
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341 comments Add your comment
bajbuzz
September 10th, 2009
11:26 pm
What a game. Way to hang in their Jackets. And before the Clemson faithful start whining about the holding call, yes it was a bad call. We got a break. Get over it.
bajbuzz
September 10th, 2009
11:26 pm
Sorry, “Way to hang in THERE Jackets….”
bajbuzz
September 10th, 2009
11:27 pm
Sorry….”Way to hang in THERE Jackets…”
GT92
September 10th, 2009
11:29 pm
My head hurts
Jay Barfoot
September 10th, 2009
11:29 pm
Ugly win but I’ll take it against Clemson. Tech better find a killer instinct by next week or Miami will blow them away.
White, GA. Dawg
September 10th, 2009
11:30 pm
Another 3 point beat down?
Give up 24 unanswered points.
Yeah, you won but there are some serious problems at Tech.
Tampa Wreck
September 10th, 2009
11:35 pm
Good assessment Jeff.. Nesbitt was miserable most of the game.. Threw into coverage and made what looked like some terrible reads on pitch. I’m all for an occasional pass attempt on first down, but you just can’t throw it up if the man is covered. What happened to the scrambles we say last year where Josh made something ou of nothing.
Secondary was less that stellar most of the game too.. Very lucky on the second interception. Edwards was beaten on play and ball was way underthrown. Thank god for Derrick Morgan and (I can’t believe I’m writing this) Scott Blair.
Crapper John
September 10th, 2009
11:36 pm
GT92 – I was just reaching for the motrin myself.
Pago Flyer
September 10th, 2009
11:36 pm
The DAWGS don’t want gt or clemson…
Bullseye
September 10th, 2009
11:37 pm
Get ready to get blown away by the Miami Hurricanes.
Yellow Fuzz
September 10th, 2009
11:38 pm
Paul’s Johnson admirer:
“After Tech’s beatdown tonight”
Wrong again dude. You and DawgInLace are getting good at being wrong.
See if you azzholes can handle the other South Carolina team this Saturday.
GT FAN UP NORTH
September 10th, 2009
11:39 pm
Don’t want to hear anything- yes was nervous but a win is a win- GT sucked it up- say what you want- 2-0. Josh needs to work a little more on the passing- good game for GT…..Go Jackets…THWG!
Tampa Wreck
September 10th, 2009
11:40 pm
By the way… you gotta hand it to Clemson and their coaches.. They fought like crazy to get back in that game when they could have very easily given up on themselves. Very tough loss (sort of like last years GT loss to VT), but that program is finally headed in the right direction.
jonathon dwyer
September 10th, 2009
11:41 pm
WE WILL BE READY FOR MIAMI…DONT WORRY BOUT THAT….. U JUST WORRY BOUT THE OLE BALL COACH!!!! GO GAMECOCKS!!!!
Herschel Talker
September 10th, 2009
11:42 pm
CLEMSON IS GARBAGE! JACORY HARRIS AND THE CANES WIN BY 3TDS IN MIAMI! BOOK IT!!!
Props to Persevering
September 10th, 2009
11:42 pm
Paul Johnson doesn’t say things to make people feel good and we he says Clemson is a great team, you best believe it. They are much better without James Davis and have the fastest RB, WR combo in the country.
Clemson would beat UGA and Clemson would beat OKie Dokie State too.
GT FAN UP NORTH
September 10th, 2009
11:43 pm
Also I will kindly say Dawg fans win a game and then come back and talk your trash!!! Good luck against the second best team from SC!
coach smith
September 10th, 2009
11:44 pm
TECHIES are in TROUBLE
Your QB WILL NOT SURVIVE running the ball 20+ and your defensive line is NOT good (except one guy)
TECH loses to
VaTech
Miami
FlaST
Georgia
Tampa Wreck
September 10th, 2009
11:46 pm
So.. what would you have thought if someone told you Tech would score 2 touchdowns on special teams, kick 3 field goals, get 2 interceptions, hold Siller under 100 yards rushing (didn’t see final satatistics, but expect that is the case), and wouldn’t put the ball on the ground all game? Not a 3 point win I expect. Argh!! Thought I was gonna have a heart attack in second half.
Saint Simons
September 10th, 2009
11:48 pm
get along little doggies!!!!!! 24 – 10 hahahahahahahahahahahaha
GT FAN UP NORTH
September 10th, 2009
11:49 pm
I also love the fact that Chris Fowler said best fight song in the nation!
Tampa Wreck
September 10th, 2009
11:51 pm
Let’s not taunt the doggies tonight, That was nothing to brag about. I’d say both schools have some work to do.
Volman
September 10th, 2009
11:53 pm
Nice job Mr. Schultz….BUT WERE YOU THERE?!?!
It seems like you made it to the UGA games and took pictures. Didn’t see any pictures on this game.
I hope AT LEAST that you were there.
White, GA. Dawg
September 10th, 2009
11:56 pm
J. Nesbitt 3 of 14 for 83 yards and 2 ints.
Where was Dwyer? Where was Roddy just scored again Jones?
You need to worry about your QB.
I would be after that pathetic performance.
Did you watch the game. He was horrible.
9-17-09 in Miami is going to be ugly.
Elizabeth Taylor
September 10th, 2009
11:58 pm
Is Paul Johnson really a man? He looks like he has some type of hormon imbalance.
ccrider
September 10th, 2009
11:58 pm
Herschel Talker: You better worry about your 0-1 Dawgs. Your QB had a bad game and you lost, our QB had a horrible game and we still won. Oh and you are an idiot and that includes every blog you log in on.
ccrider
September 11th, 2009
12:00 am
White, GA.Dawg: See my last reply to Herschel Talker. It applies to you as well>
Taylor
September 11th, 2009
12:01 am
UGA fan here. Good game, glad I watched. Tech was lucky though, needed a punt return and a fake field goal to win. I do not think it means they will necessarily lose to miami or anyone else though.
GT FAN UP NORTH
September 11th, 2009
12:01 am
Who is starting Saturday for UGA at QB? I heard Buck Belue was at practice???
You know White GA Dawg-…..Shut them down they did and Tech still got the victory-I don’t care how they do it…Like a said earlier a win is a win! And no matter how you wish to spin it- 2-0.
Tech loser
September 11th, 2009
12:02 am
Tech is terrible…..the offense is a gimmick….why do highschools that have no qb run it? why was it successful at navy?? because navy plays NO ONE (yes notre dame is no one)………why is it that the only team that had seen a triple option offense in the past 40 years (Gardner-Webb of the FCS) was almost able to beat Tech? Because the offense is terrible and so is Tech….they escaped with a win that saw a freshamn qb, on the road, lead his team from a 24 point defecit…..im sorry Tech fans being ranked should be fun for a few more weeks……and clemson is awful as well…wont even make a bowl……hahaha….lets pay paul johnson the most money in the acc for one good year that will turn out to be a result of no one facing such and out of date offense…..what a disgrace….shut the school down or move it out of GA
White, GA. Dawg
September 11th, 2009
12:03 am
Enter your incomplete pass comments here.
Tide Rising
September 11th, 2009
12:03 am
What a game! Tech jumps out to a huge lead, falls asleep as Clemson storms back for a 4th qtr lead, then rallies in the waning moments to get momentum back, and the win of course. Congrats to Tech.
ccrider
September 11th, 2009
12:04 am
coach smith: Which girls flag football team are you coach of? You need to worry about your dogs, as well. Maybe your coaching experience will help.
White, GA. Dawg
September 11th, 2009
12:04 am
Enter your 24 unanswered points comments here.
jacket option
September 11th, 2009
12:04 am
White GA Dog: (sorry let me respell it for you to understand, “dawg”) you have plenty of issues to deal with in Athens to even begin to say anything about tech’s. Id still take Nesbit as a passer of Joe Cox
misterwax
September 11th, 2009
12:06 am
I would say GT will be the underdog next Thursday. Don’t want to say it, but it is realistic….Nesbit throws high long and deep off his back foot – 2 INTs…..better learn to stop throwing into double coverage and stick with shorter routes…but 300 yds rushing in Miami will help a lot. Blair had a major confidence builder….a very good night.
Taylor
September 11th, 2009
12:07 am
Nesbitt over passer of Joe Cox? That’s pretty stupid but they are really comparable because they are running totally different offenses. I think if everyone just ignored the trash talking idiots on here it would be possible to have a real discussion, instead it turns into 45-42, nerds, rednecks, you suck ,your mom sucks board
Angry Jacket
September 11th, 2009
12:07 am
We’ve got a long way to go.
Tech loser
September 11th, 2009
12:08 am
Saint Simons….I see your posts on here and wonder if you even have any idea what football is about or why you repeatedly post……you are a helpless tech fan that cannot see the facts right in front of you *check my last post…..oh yeah is OKST ranked in the top ten at the end of last year and the beginning of this year?? Where did Clemson finish? Where are they ranked now? Oh yeah and they won’t make a bowl either…..have fun being mediocre in a mediocre conference….oh yeah maybe if you ever played a down of football you would know that stopping the option is all about assignment football….you are a step late its a gain…..miss a tackle its a gain….all the offense is, is hoping the other team loses the game instead of your team actually winning one…….great hope i never see your posts on here again….at least not on a UGA blog……
third quarter fan
September 11th, 2009
12:08 am
I may change my name to first quarter fan. Wow. Three games tonight. Tech,
then Clem and finally Tech.
Perhaps that will be the last time Nez goes 2 for 99 and still wins!
2-0 What a start!
jacket option
September 11th, 2009
12:08 am
What do you think about the game then Taylor?
HERBIE
September 11th, 2009
12:10 am
I think you jacket option and saint simons are dam fools
Taylor
September 11th, 2009
12:11 am
we are awful 45-42 is what im suppose to brag with…..thats all i got…oh yeah i like calling people rednecks even though most of them are smarter and more successful than I am
dt4c
September 11th, 2009
12:11 am
Offense scored 10 pts. I think that is the real indicator of where PJ’s offense is headed. I can’t wait for the last Saturday in November when this paper thin offense is exposed for good.
Boo Boo
September 11th, 2009
12:11 am
Hmmmm Up by 24 points. How did that happen? Tremendous offensive domination? Nope. Clemson’s bad playing caused it. They let a running back run 82 yards. The quick kicked and didn’t tackle the man who caught the ball and started running with it. And, they allowed a fake field goal to become an easy TD, by not covering a player. Golly gee. If Clemson had come to play in the first quarter, they would have gone up 21-3 by the end of the third quarter.
Clemson practiced all summer stopping the Paul Johnson spread offense. They (other than the first quarter 82-yard run) did a tremendous job at that. Too bad Clemson didn’t practice all summer stopping Clemson from making mistakes. Tsssk tsssk
One team is 2-0 beebee.
Taylor
September 11th, 2009
12:11 am
jacket option, I think tech was riding high with momentum in the beginning and got some lucky plays. kick return, fake field goal. The holding call at the end on Clemson was really bad. Nesbitt looked awful. Every pass had lots of air and he threw off the back foot. I think Clemson showed how to stop that offense tonight.
GT FAN UP NORTH
September 11th, 2009
12:12 am
Tech Loser…I guess your a dawg fan? Yes a red shirt freshman did that on the road…and what did a 5th year QB do in Stillwater? Well??? oh that’s right he brought home a big L…Again I will say one more time….win a game and then come back and talk all your trash….and just for your info- that triple option has won 2 NC since UGA’s last!!! Look up before you throw out years—Osborne with Nebraska!
dt4c
September 11th, 2009
12:12 am
BTW who the hell plays football on Thursday night? Losers!
GET A LIFE TECH FANS
September 11th, 2009
12:13 am
its not a spread!!! its called the veer which is a triple option……stop talking football when you dont know what you are talking about….SAINT SIMONS and BOO BOO
GET A LIFE TECH FANS
September 11th, 2009
12:15 am
yeah why did nebraska abandon the run altogether? because its obsolete……..tech fans are impossible to talk any sense into and that was 14 years ago……..get real football has changed…and i repeat…..PLAY ANYTHING RESEBLING A SCHEDULE AND THEN COME TALK TRASH……this is absurd