Georgia Tech wins, but this was nothing to celebrate
Josh Nesbitt had an early 4-yard touchdown run to get Georgia Tech going. Nesbitt ran for two scores and threw for two more, but it turned out to not be such an easy night.
NASHVILLE — When a team has won five straight, launched itself into the BCS bowl picture and generally has left the impression it will skate through the “Nerders Row” portion of its schedule — Virginia, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Duke — it doesn’t expect to have games like this.
Georgia Tech defeated Vanderbilt on Saturday night 56-31. Looks one-sided. It wasn’t. Nor should it have been this sloppy or this difficult.
Expectations on North Avenue suddenly are meteoric. Maybe the altitude got to be too much.
It’s all still sitting there for the Yellow Jackets, everything they could possibly have wanted when this season began. A double-digit win total. An ACC championship. A BCS bowl game. A top-10 ranking. A second season under Paul Johnson to reaffirm that the first season under Paul Johnson wasn’t nearly a fluke.
But this game was a not-so-subtle reminder that there’s still the possibility of the bottom falling out. Vanderbilt entered this game with a 2-6 record. Its only victories had come over Western Carolina and Rice — and they don’t really count.
But where was this game at halftime? Tied at 28-28. When the Commodores drove to a field goal on their first possession of the second half, they led 31-28.
How bad should the Jackets feel about that? Bad enough to inch toward the balcony and maybe seek therapy.
In Vandy’s six previous losses, the Commodores totaled 9, 3, 7, 13 (that against Army, and only because of a field goal in overtime), 10 and 10. One of those 10’s came against the Bulldogs. So you need not wonder why Tech defensive coordinator Dave Wommack is as unpopular on The Flats as Willie Martinez is in Athens.
If the Jackets don’t want to concern themselves with impressing poll voters, that’s one thing. But they can’t give up an 80-yard kickoff return or a 62-yard touchdown run, as they did Saturday night, and expect to skate again. They can’t assume any of their remaining opponents will implode the way Vandy did.
Because there’s only one Vandy.
Jonathan Dwyer gave Tech a 35-31 lead late in the third quarter with a 3-yard touchdown run. Then Vanderbilt turned back into Vanderbilt.
On the ensuing possession, running back Jamie Graham fumbled on the Commodores’ 19-yard line. (It was one of three Vandy fumbles.) Two plays later, Dwyer was in the end zone again from 3 yards out and suddenly it was 42-31 after two touchdowns in a span of 40 seconds.
Early in the fourth quarter, quarterback Josh Nesbitt connected with Embry Peeples for an 87-yard score, and the game looked like a rout. But for most of the night, it wasn’t.
It would be overstating things to suggest this was an “escape.” It was more like a reminder.
After a string of impressive conference victories over Florida State, Virginia Tech and Virginia — two of those coming on the road — expectations surrounding this program skyrocketed. The Jackets had the look of a team that was together and focused, that was following their coach, that seemingly would not be derailed in this home stretch.
Even coach Paul Johnson, while stating he believed Vanderbilt was better than its record indicated, did not anticipate any sort of a letdown. When asked earlier in the week about playing a non-conference game against a lesser opponent, he said: “I think our football team, to be a special one, has to go out and want to win every game. … I’m not worried about [a letdown]. I hope our guys are mature enough to realize that Vanderbilt is a good football team. We’re playing against the SEC. We’re not supposed to be able to compete. It’s a chance for our guys to match up with [an SEC team] again.”
Except that when you think, hear and see Vanderbilt, you don’t think, hear or see SEC. You see a small stadium that’s one-third empty on a campus where football doesn’t matter
It matters again at Tech. When you stumble, everybody notices.
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469 comments Add your comment
stiggywiggy
November 1st, 2009
12:02 am
Jeff, I’ll defend you here. You have no Georgia agenda and no Tech agenda. You have a “bad-boy” journalism agenda. You can turn a sports phrase like Leonard of Leonard’s Loser’s, but in order to cultivate the “edgy” image you’re trying to achieve, you must stir stuff up. And what better way to stir, than with sarcastic anti-homer invective? Yeah, yeah. You’re “irascible.” A regular Lewis Grizzard with irony. We get it already.
Jackets Keep Rollin'
November 1st, 2009
12:03 am
Jeff, you know good and well if Vandy wins you would be touting this as an SEC team beating an ACC team. I can see the awful article already.
Because TECH put 56 on Vandy (and I know they are an SEC team, because Georgia sure does count their win over Vandy as and SEC win), you are downplaying the dores.
Another sad, bitter article from a sad, bitter man. Go put your black helmet on buddy.
Cuz
November 1st, 2009
12:04 am
Sarge, it was not suffering. It was full torture. Me and my Dawgs want a rest at Gitmo.
Ross
November 1st, 2009
12:04 am
Jeff – someone should get them matching handbags.
-drl
Cuttysark
November 1st, 2009
12:04 am
Yes the defense and kicking game gave up a couple of touchdowns, but the offense rolled for almost 600 yards and put up 56 points on an SEC defense that was giving up 17 points per game. I’ll take the 25 point win and move on to play Wake next week.
Go to http://isportsweb.com for a review of the game on Sunday afternoon. Go Jackets!
Jeff Schultz
November 1st, 2009
12:04 am
BG — Defense has been a problem all season, you’re right. But this was Vandy. VANDY. Did you see their point totals before this game? Plus, Jackets had played so well in last 3 games — and yes, even better defensively.
Eric L Jones
November 1st, 2009
12:05 am
Is it funny to anyone else that Jeff Schultz is so insecure that he reads (and comments on) comments to his column?
Dude, decaf. Get some.
Hey
November 1st, 2009
12:05 am
Rush Limbaugh is a moron.
Andy Johnson
November 1st, 2009
12:05 am
I’m a graduate of GT and a GT football fan for 45 years. But I shut the TV off at halftime. This was the most embarrassing defensive GT team I have ever seen take the field. They looked like highschoolers out there. And the special teams? How is it that we seem to give up a kickoff runback every game, yet we have gone without one now for 140 games……probably a world’s record. And the kicking team? Half the high schools in Georgia have a kicker who can kick it farther. Dave Wommack has got to show me a lot more to stay at GT. It’s good that the offense can outscore opponents, because that is the only way we can win!
whats up with that?
November 1st, 2009
12:05 am
now that it is all over but the crying do you think Mr. College Football and the rest of the AJC sportswriters ocan take a look at GT’s Johnathon Dwyer as a Heisman candidate? 180 yds rushing tonight against Vandy, but nooooooooo all Barnhart can talk about is Spiller of Clemson..how bout getting your head out of Georgia’s behind and give Dwyer some favor..The ESPN announcers of the game said they felt GT was the best one loss team in the country, funny that national media starting to see it but not Mr. College Football blind as a goat in a hailstorm..any support from local media would be appreciated even though the nation will make up their minds without it
Jeff Schultz
November 1st, 2009
12:06 am
Procrastinator — No kidding. But seriously, I have no problem with some people having different opinions. Just keep it clean, and understand that I really don’t have a dog in this hunt. (And no, I don’t mean dog as in Georgia.)
TechMD
November 1st, 2009
12:07 am
The offense looks great, as usual but the defense took a big step backward in the first half. We’re not too bad on the fundamentals, tackling etc but we seem out of position at times. I’m not sure whether that is play calling or player responsibilities but we need the defense to perform better than that with consistency. I’m confident Johnson will get it fixed but I hope it’s this year and not next year.
Jeff Schultz
November 1st, 2009
12:08 am
Eric L — Insecure? I’m supposed to read comments and respond. It’s called interaction. It’s encouraged by both my bosses and my readers. But if you prefer, I’ll just ignore you from now on.
T.M. MCFARLAND
November 1st, 2009
12:08 am
This is about what I expected from this idiot–his beloved Dawgs stink it up in J’ville so naturally stupid has to take a shot at GT to massage the gator bites–Tech had a rough-confused !st half–made adjustments at the half–allowed only 3 more points while pulling away for a blowout–stupid can’t see the forest for the trees–well, get ready GT will be in the Orange bowl with 1 loss while the Doggies could very well be at home with 7 losses (Tech, Auburn, and Ken.+ the 4 they already EARNED! GO JACKETS!!
Procrastinator
November 1st, 2009
12:08 am
Andy, I’ll be willing to bet that Paul Johnson won’t have a problem getting rid of Wommack if he feels he can get someone better.
Ross
November 1st, 2009
12:08 am
Here’s an interesting stat – by taking three knees at the end, the Fearsome Bugs ended up with only 597 yards on offense.
Jeff Schultz
November 1st, 2009
12:08 am
And by the way, decaf is a waste of time. I generally go straight from high-octane coffee to scotch.
Jon
November 1st, 2009
12:09 am
I agree that Tech’s D gave up some big plays in the 1st half. Lets not forget that Tech lost 3 guys on the D line to the NFL…and we were pretty good on D last yr. Besides, speaking of the game against Vandy tonight, Tech only give up 3 points in the 2nd half!
Procrastinator
November 1st, 2009
12:10 am
Eric, You are a dumbass! Jeff’s interaction is what makes him special. For God’s sake Tech was lousy!!!!!!!
stiggywiggy
November 1st, 2009
12:11 am
Really, Eric L. Think of it as a town hall meeting. We are expressing our grievances at Scultz for his column and he’s willing to take the heat. At least his damn column wasn’t 1990 pages.
Jon
November 1st, 2009
12:12 am
Vandy didn’t play like Vandy in the first half…but they did in the second half. Either way, Tech has not accomplished anything until now. D is inconsistent but has potential. Kickoff coverage is horrendous.
BG
November 1st, 2009
12:12 am
I’m sorry, but a 25-point win is never “lousy”.
BartBuzz
November 1st, 2009
12:13 am
I have three words for Jeff Schultz. YOUR ARTICLE SUCKS! Tech won the 2nd half 28-3. I would say that Coach Johnson made his adjustments at half time. I didn’t like the first half either but I felt the same when Tech beat FSU. They won the 2nd half of that game 21-9.
So, give it a rest on the talk of Tech stumbling.. Focus your frustrations on UGA. They got an old-fashioned thumping today.
stiggywiggy
November 1st, 2009
12:13 am
Can’t we all get along? Two truths can be justaposed here: (1). Our defense sucked, yet (2). we still kicked the asses of a team in the allegedly mighty SEC, in a manner that no actual member of said allegedly mighty conference, was able to do.
Ross
November 1st, 2009
12:13 am
Hey how is that kid Etheridge who had a neck injury in the Auburn-Miss game?
TechMD
November 1st, 2009
12:14 am
I think Jeff’s point is that we need a more consistent D if we want to win the ACC championship and win a BCS bowl.
SickandTired
November 1st, 2009
12:14 am
Jeff I enjoy your writing but please, for your own well being, please, please, please don’t cover a Georgia game. It will put you into deep depression to see a school that uses state money put a product on the field like they do.
stiggywiggy
November 1st, 2009
12:14 am
Yeah, I know: juXtaposed. My typing sucks as bad as our linebackers.
Procrastinator
November 1st, 2009
12:14 am
BG, when it should have been a 56 point win 25 is lousy and I can assure you I have been a Tech fan long before you were a gleam in your fathers eyes!
Ross
November 1st, 2009
12:15 am
Oh don’t look now, but Tennessee is a damn good team. Suddenly the new SEC is looking like the old SEC. Tech is now 3-0 agin’em this year.
Kurdt Kobain
November 1st, 2009
12:16 am
Tech’s D played lousy for a half. The D played great in the 2nd half, and the offense was great all game long. One bad half by one side of the ball doesn’t make the entire performance “lousy”.
I get that we need to improve our consistency on defense, but this wasn’t a faceplant, or a stumble, or anything.
Another G(T)uy
November 1st, 2009
12:17 am
Yeah, the defense was porous. We’ve had plenty of defensive problems this year, but had tightened things down of late. However, I knew, since we were playing Vandy, that it would be a let-down game. Fortunately, it wasn’t such of a let-down that we lost. I think PJ will use this as a wake-up call for the WF and Duke games.
BG
November 1st, 2009
12:18 am
Procrastinator, you’ve got to be kidding me. How bad is your memory, old man? Do you recall the Chan Gailey era? How can you complain about this win? I’ll take this victory and I’m happy to have it. Good job, Jackets!
Cuz
November 1st, 2009
12:18 am
Jeff, Vandy allowed an average of 2.14857 offensive touchdowns per game prior to playing Tech. Tech scored 8. Am I missing something or would you like me to e-mail you my spreadsheet?
stiggywiggy
November 1st, 2009
12:19 am
The dawgie contingent seems awfully silent tonight. I was hoping to get their thoughts on retiring the color black. After the Alabama game last year and tonight’s “black hat” debacle, I’m beginning to think that 50% of their school colors are bad luck. Maybe instead of red & back, they might want to consider changing over to red and very red.
Blue Pants
November 1st, 2009
12:19 am
Tech exceeded expectations won by 25 in which I was laying (-13.5). The so called experts were calling for a closer game, let down and/or trap game. The bottom line was an easy victory on the road against an SEC opponent. I like to see teams deal with adversity. To me that’s the problem with the Choklahoma Sooners, they hardly ever face it outside of playing Texas. That’s why they haven’t made it over the hump.
jimbob
November 1st, 2009
12:21 am
Tech’s defense and special teams are pretty weak, but WOW is this offense good, and fun to watch. Not a ‘let down’ at all. Like a great boxer that throws a lot of body shots, tech hogs the ball and wears out the opponent. By 4th quarter, tech is moving the ball at will while the opponent is sucking wind.
And to think that this is only the 2nd year of the CPJ era. In year 2, Tech is playing at a level that some of us figured would take more like 4 years to get to. It shows what a real coach can accomplish.
BartBuzz
November 1st, 2009
12:21 am
One more observation. I think the Vandy defense was ranked 34th nationally. 597 yards ain’t too shabby.
Cuz
November 1st, 2009
12:22 am
stiggy, I loved the black helmets. I hated the way the red helmets looked with the black jerseys. I guess we could retire the color black. Kinda like Tech did the last time we slapped them silly when they were wearing it.
MWC
November 1st, 2009
12:23 am
EEER..8 AND 1…hmm…sour grapes…nuff said…get use to it.
stiggywiggy
November 1st, 2009
12:25 am
Good idea, Cuz. Past glories are fine antidotes to current failures. Dust off your old “Munson’s Greatest Hits” cassette and listen to him scream Lindsay Scott’s name over and over. That might help.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 1st, 2009
12:25 am
cuz, hopefully Tech has scrapped the blue crap after the LSU debacle last year. I agree with you, I think GA should scrap black too.
mtraininjax
November 1st, 2009
12:26 am
Shultz, like your columns, we read the whole column before we pass judgement, you can watch the whole game before you act like you are a head coach with a winning record.
Unless you are Mark Richt.
Larry Munson
November 1st, 2009
12:26 am
I see Papa John’s pizzas falling out of the sky.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 1st, 2009
12:27 am
You know, I don’t imagine what CPJ says to the team is much different than what Jeff wrote in his column. None of us should EVER be satisfied with mediocrity, even it is only for one half. I imagine CPJ thinks it was a pretty lousy win too. And that’s what I love about the man. He’s never totally satisfied, and with that kind of attitude, that means there is always a desire and an attempt to improve.
Not Disappointed
November 1st, 2009
12:28 am
Jeff, are you still at the stadium or do you have 4G wireless such as: “Clear Atlant Sprint, Att” I’m just wondering.
Jeff, I like article. Tell it like it is, but we won. A win is a good thing still.
Nite all!
TechMD
November 1st, 2009
12:29 am
No doubt about it, the offense ROCKS!
Rodney Dangerfield
November 1st, 2009
12:31 am
No respect I tell ya!
I watched a piss poor Iowa team do everything they could to lose a game today to an Indiana team that got beat by 40 by a low level ACC team that lost to freakin’ William and Mary called Virginia. Yet ESPN says they are the comback kids, lets slap everyone on the back and have a fun time. But then GA Tech O basically dominates Vandy for an entire game and “the worst SEC team hung with the best ACC team for a half, just sayin” from Pat Forde at ESPN.
Obviously he did not watch the game and see how GT’s O basically did what ever they wanted and Vandy get some lucky big plays. Tech dominated this game. I wasn’t even worried when Tech was down 31-28, because I knew Vandy could not keep running back kickoffs, getting freakish tipped passes, and long runs all night long.
Now even the hometown paper calls it nothing to celebrate. WOW.
On a side note maybe ESPN can spend more time mancrushing Tim Tebow since USC and their freshman STUD QB got freakin’ smoked by Oregon.
And I bet ESPN will do a big expose on how Notre Dame beat the crappiest team in college football and annoint them a BCS contender.
Kurdt Kobain
November 1st, 2009
12:34 am
Anyone see Manu Ginobli kill a bat on Sportscenter? PETA’s gonna be all over him now.
Procrastinator
November 1st, 2009
12:37 am
BG, I was around for Bobby Dodd. Yea a real old man and yes I remember Chan Gailey. My wife still remembers the fit I threw when Tech hired him.