Georgia Tech sends a message — loud and clear
As Morgan Burnett is indicating, everything is pointing up for Georgia Tech. (Johnny Crawford/jcrawford@ajc.com)
You wanted a statement? This was it.
Something that screamed they’re a player in the ACC. Something that suggested that the faceplant in Miami last month was an aberration — “a perfect storm,” as Paul Johnson put it. Something that gave everybody reason to watch with at least some curiosity Sunday when the first BCS rankings come out, especially given the relatively soft schedule that lies ahead.
Georgia Tech is a team following its coach, a team following its quarterback, a team getting better every week — a team so unlike Georgia in every way.
You wanted a statement? Try this: The Jackets just drove Virginia Tech, the No. 4 team in the nation, into the turf. They danced on the sideline. They danced like they hadn’t danced since winning in Athens last season. And who would’ve thought after that dramatic victory over the Bulldogs that something could seem bigger this soon?
“This is by far the biggest win since I’ve been here,” quarterback Josh Nesbitt said.
Why?
“Because it’s the ACC. Because it’s over a top 5 team. That’s bigger than Georgia.”
When the Jackets dumped the Hokies 28-23 on Saturday night, it was their first win over a top-5 ranked team at home since a 7-6 win over Alabama in 1962. Tech had gone 0-17-1 since. Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer didn’t take it any better than Bear Bryant did 47 years ago.
Fans stormed the field when the game ended. The goal posts officially fell at 9:16 p.m.
All lingering doubts about whether Paul Johnson’s offense could work against the nation’s elite fell with it.
“Their offense [was] just hard to stop,” Beamer said. “Their quarterback was doing a great job, and we got into a little bit of a guessing game.”
Tech’s defense, mangled at Miami and Florida State, was the story in the first half, holding the ACC’s highest-scoring team to a field goal. Nesbitt and the offense took over in the second. The Jackets rushed for 258 yards in the second half. Nesbitt led everybody with 122 yards and three-touchdowns, including a Hokie-chokey 39-yard score with three minutes left to make it 28-16.
Not long after, they celebrated. They didn’t tear down the goal posts in Athens. But they did rip out chunks of the famed hedges.
This shot is a keeper. It's Demaryious Thomas catching a 51-yard pass from Josh Nesbitt, the quarterback's only completion of the night. (Johnny Crawford/jcrawford@ajc.com)
When asked if he envisioned a bigger win was possible this season, Demaryius Thomas said: “Honestly, I didn’t think so until tonight.”
He was the Jackets’ leading receiver. He had one catch, the only completion of Nesbitt’s seven attempts.
“But we made it count,” Thomas said, laughing.
Yes — it went for 51 yards in the second quarter and set up a touchdown. Nesbitt’s 1-yard score gave them a 7-3 lead. They led the rest of the way.
They have won four straight since that 33-17 debacle at Miami. It may be a while before they lose again. The rest of the regular-season schedule: Virginia, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Duke, Georgia. Every game, winnable.
The Jackets have a chance for a special season, and Nesbitt is the biggest reason why. Earlier this season, it looked like quarterback would be a position that could hold Georgia Tech’s offense back. It doesn’t look that way anymore. Nesbitt is making plays. He’s making the difference. His 31-yard run to the Virginia Tech 4 in the third quarter set up his second t0uchdown for a 14-3 lead. When the Hokies answered with a 66-yard touchdown run by Ryan Williams, Nesbitt had two third-down conversions in the following possession to set up another TD — an improbable pitch, despite being sandwiched between two defenders, to Marcus Wright for a 13-yard touchdown. That made made it 21-10.
After the game, Johnson recalled how he talked to his players about Virginia Tech’s ranking, about the 0-17-1 streak, about the odds. He told them, “None of that mattered because you can’t get any points for that.”
They got the message. So did everybody else.
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360 comments Add your comment
dagnabit
October 17th, 2009
10:20 pm
RogerDawg, RogerDawg. Come out, come out, where ever you are.
DMWC
October 17th, 2009
10:22 pm
Josh Nesbitt is not a perfect player by a long stretch, but he is a flat-out winner.
And great performance by the defense in the first half.
Ramble On!
October 17th, 2009
10:23 pm
GT will be in the top 10 when the AP polls come out. The tiebreaker comes down to the BCS standings, even though Miami beat us. The Jackets are a top 10 team for sure. Now, all you dawg fans that were saying that we run a high school option, what was that? I can’t hear you? GO Jackets.
BUSTER64
October 17th, 2009
10:24 pm
Just can’t win with that dadgum gimmick offence. ha ha ha ha ha ha
Tech82
October 17th, 2009
10:25 pm
Great win by a great team with a GREAT coach!
I see us moving to around #12 in the polls. It will be interesting to see how far down VT moves. I could see this being one of those situations where we beat a team head-to-head but still rank a spot or two behind them.
GO JACKETS! THWG!
Clemson WILL beat Miami next week paving our way to the ACC championship. Now, it’s up to the Jackets to take each game one at a time and take care of business.
Tech Tony
October 17th, 2009
10:25 pm
I agree with those preaching caution and not looking ahead. Tech’s always had trouble with the Cavs and even more at Scott Stadium so it’s far from a given. Many teams suffer massive letdowns after a big win such as tonight’s so let’s just look to and focus exclusively on Charlottesville and let all this other stuff take care of itself.
morgwreck243
October 17th, 2009
10:25 pm
Great game! Wish I was there, but church group in Athens runs on a different schedule. If they continue to play like that, especially the defense, then Tech is headed to a BCS Bowl Game. And maybe to Tampa for the ACC title game (depending on how the tie-breakers go).
Prediction: Duke’s great upset will be against Miami
Paul's Johnson
October 17th, 2009
10:25 pm
As much as it pains me to say it…congrats GT for a great win tonight.
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
October 17th, 2009
10:26 pm
Ramble, I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I suspect you’re overestimating the opinion of the sports writers. Keep in mind that GT dropped from 12th to 26th in their poll earlier this year after losing to UM. Miami, going into that game, was ranked 21st (I believe), but climbed all the way to the top ten on the strength of their win against us. Face it … Tech still doesn’t garner the respect of VaTech, Miami, or even FSU. If we’re going to pass UM in the polls, it will only be because Miami loses again.
UGAFan
October 17th, 2009
10:27 pm
Congrats to Tech and all the classy tech fans.
Jeff, funny even in a Tech article, you can’t resist taking a shot at UGA. Pitiful.
CatsFly
October 17th, 2009
10:27 pm
Flag Boy is caught up in “who’s got the biggest”. He has failed to grasp”quality over quantity”, which means he most likely is an all-around loser.
UGAFan
October 17th, 2009
10:28 pm
Ramble On. There are plenty of DAWG fans congratulating you…
calling coach smith
October 17th, 2009
10:28 pm
We need your normal take on the Va game….Boy, you sure know your football!
The second year thing…. is still going!
Ramble On!
October 17th, 2009
10:30 pm
Thanks UGAFan! I agree, but there are plenty that don’t.
Billy Jack
October 17th, 2009
10:33 pm
Tech82- I agree about us being around 12 in the polls. If anyone has heard anything about the status of Julian Burnett, please share. He’s a great kid and I hated to see him injured.
gtne80
October 17th, 2009
10:33 pm
Just win. The polls will take care of themselves. That said, there’s no way that a 2-loss VT team should be ranked ahead of a 1-loss GT team that just beat them. Only Lou Holtz would be stupid enough to vote VT ahead of GT at this point.
GTALUM:
October 17th, 2009
10:34 pm
Well, next week will be tough to win in Charlottesville. I have family that attends UVA. Anyway, I wish GT the best and hope they win, but we have always had problems with UVA. Unfortunately for UVA Jemal Sewel, QB got hurt today against MD and will be out. Verica will be at QB next week for the Cavs. I don’t wish any player any harm and never like to see an athelete hurt. I still say it will be a battle at Scott Stadium.
Baba O'Riley
October 17th, 2009
10:35 pm
gtne80- I agree, but logic doesn’t always win out in college football
Ramble On!
October 17th, 2009
10:36 pm
GT will be in the top 10, bank on it! GO JACKETS!
JacketFan
October 17th, 2009
10:36 pm
What a game! Great night at Bobby Dodd – cold weather, great fans and our defense showed up! Keep the train running!
Go Jackets!
To Hell With Georgia!
UGAFan
October 17th, 2009
10:36 pm
Ramble On! Understood, but the important thing is to stay above the fray. I suspect Mark and especially Schultz write these things just to get people stirred up. Hits on the sites are gold to them. Anyway congrats again! Enjoy it while you can cause my DAWGS will be back, my friend!
Ok time to think about da Bears!
GeeTee
October 17th, 2009
10:38 pm
enjoy this victory, BUT WE HAVEN’T WON AT VIRGINIA IN MANY MOONS AND UVA IS 3-0 AND THIS IS A TRAAAAAP GAME!! Don’t count our chickens just yet. Seriously folks. CPJ needs to keep this team focused b/c this isn’t the same Virginia team that opened up at 0-3. I’m not optimistic about going to UVA and playing them right now. Just saying….
Dawg Whisperer
October 17th, 2009
10:39 pm
Enter your comments here
Baba O'Riley
October 17th, 2009
10:39 pm
We need to score some “style points” the next few weeks
Old School
October 17th, 2009
10:40 pm
For those Dawg fans who have offered congrats, thank you. It’s nice to see some class from the Red and Black,
Jeff Schultz
October 17th, 2009
10:40 pm
Column has been updated. Imagine Tech players saying this was bigger than beating Georgia.
GeeTee
October 17th, 2009
10:40 pm
PS: Love beating those Hokies. Revenge is a beyotch!! Congrats to the Ga Tech D for keeping VT grounded. Isn’t their fault our O gave up 2 turnovers at critical times.
Dawg Whisperer
October 17th, 2009
10:41 pm
This time, I’ll actually enter a comment. Congrats on another impressive win. This is definitely becoming a pattern.
Old School
October 17th, 2009
10:42 pm
As much as I love the win tonight, if I had to choose between tonight and the game on Nov. 28th I would say the latter. Guess that’s why I’m Old School.
DMWC
October 17th, 2009
10:42 pm
It’s true that Tech hasn’t won in Charlottesville since 1990. It was also true that we hadn’t won at FSU ever and had lost seven in a row to Georgia. It’s a new day in Paul Johnson’s America. The demons of Chan are becoming a distant memory.
justin
October 17th, 2009
10:43 pm
Congrats GA Tech and Paul Johnson. I used to watch him here in Annapolis. The guy is a winner. Hopefully the TERPS can fire Ralph and bring him back to Maryland.
Baba O'Riley
October 17th, 2009
10:43 pm
Old school: you may be able to have your cake and eat it too.
Old School
October 17th, 2009
10:44 pm
I think you are right, Baba!
Buster
October 17th, 2009
10:44 pm
The table will be set for UGA to win their first game vs a ranked opponent.
Baba O'Riley
October 17th, 2009
10:46 pm
One game at a time. Tunnel vision focused on UVa
A Tech Fan
October 17th, 2009
10:46 pm
yawn… just another day in the life of CPJ.
Baba O'Riley
October 17th, 2009
10:49 pm
Jeff- I’m also interested in the status of J. Burnett. Any word?
UGAFan
October 17th, 2009
10:50 pm
Old School…. True, but you have your “Yellow Fuzz” too. Class goes both ways.
North Avenue Ned
October 17th, 2009
10:56 pm
One ACC team beats another. Ho hum.
Georgia Tech sends a message — loud and clear | Jeff Schultz | Georgia realestate live today
October 17th, 2009
10:57 pm
[...] Tech upsets No. The rest is here: Georgia Tech sends a communication — blasting and country | Jeff Schultz Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: a-statement-about, acc, and-certainly, certainly-the-local, [...]
Georgia Tech sends a message — loud and clear | Jeff Schultz | Georgia realestate live today
October 17th, 2009
10:57 pm
[...] Schultz October 18th, 2009 | Author: admin Georigia Tech upsets No. The rest is here: Georgia Tech sends a communication — blasting and country | Jeff Schultz Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: a-statement-about, acc, and-certainly, certainly-the-local, [...]
GTJay
October 17th, 2009
11:00 pm
No way that ‘high school office’ will work the ’second time around’, especially against the ‘big boys’ like Bud Foster and the Hokies…er…no, wait…never mind.
richard cranium
October 17th, 2009
11:01 pm
We owe it all to Saint Paul !!!
Chuckles™
October 17th, 2009
11:02 pm
Outstanding win by the Jackets. A Tip O’ The Cap to coach Johnson – his winning ways at Ga. Southern, and Navy weren’t an aberration. And it’s not just his ‘gadget’ offense. He’s a solid football man in general.
And he’s doing this with someone else’s players. Imagine how this team will look when he gets four full years of recruiting under his belt. He’s never had any inkling of ‘funny business’ about his programs, he has a history of turning programs into winners, and Tech hasn’t look this consistently good since.. shall I say it? Bobby Ross?
I’m a BC alum, so I have no Dawg in this hunt (sic), but Isn’t this turnaround of fortunes in Georgia college football amazing?
GTJay
October 17th, 2009
11:03 pm
Oops.. that ‘high school OFFENSE’ won’t work either
dh
October 17th, 2009
11:06 pm
The environment and atmosphere are so much different since CPJ has taken over. He has brought a different attitude down on The Flats. Tonight was proof of that. An exciting and historical victory for the Jackets. However it will be all for nothing if Tech goes up to UVA next week and loses again. Tech fans be like CPJ and the players, worry about the next game, and everything else will take care of itself as the season continues.
GO JACKETS and beat the Wahoos next week.
gtne80
October 17th, 2009
11:07 pm
Top 15 at best. Kansas and Nebraska lost. Oklahoma was ahead of us in the USA Today poll and they lost. If we assume that we jump Virginia Tech, that puts us in the top 15. Still 5 or 6 weeks left in the season for most teams. A lot of big matchups and rivalry games left for teams ahead of us in the polls. Like I said earlier, just win, the polls will take care of themselves.
UGAIsSoLastYear
October 17th, 2009
11:13 pm
Polls are funny and we, for some reason, don’t garner the respect others do. Va Tech was #4 – having already had a loss. They were 5-1. We beat them, have 1 loss, are 6-1. Why shouldn’t we, then, be #4!!?? But most are right on here. We probably only move up to 13 or 12. Va Tech will be below us at 15 or so. No let down next week Jackets. Beat the Wa-Hoo’s.
Starring Ted Knight as Judge Smales
October 17th, 2009
11:17 pm
Hey Kam Chancellor: I see you really figured out how to stop GT’s offense. I’m sure EVERYBODY will be calling you to find out how to stop it. LOL
Rick H
October 17th, 2009
11:21 pm
It doesn’t matter if we look ahead. I don’t think our coach is going to let the team look ahead.