There’s no stopping Georgia Tech this time around
Jonathan Dwyer ran for two touchdowns, and Georgia Tech is on run of eight straight wins.
DURHAM, N.C. — Don’t misunderstand. It’s not like Georgia Tech reached some new plateau Saturday. This isn’t the first time the Jackets have won 10 games in a season, nor the first time they’ve clinched a berth in the ACC title game, nor certainly the first time they’ve beaten Duke.
But there is a difference in 2009. A different feel about what’s going on. A different expectation for what comes next. A 10-1 record, a trip to Tampa, a 49-10 win over Duke — this is not as good as it’s going to get for Tech. There is no ceiling. Only three more potential wins.
“We’re not satisfied,” running back Jonathan Dwyer said. “We won the ACC Coastal Division today, and, don’t get me wrong, that’s good and we’re going to celebrate. But we haven’t finished what our main goals were, which is to win the ACC and be in a BCS bowl game, and then win the BCS bowl game. And right now our minds are on Georgia.”
Even Paul Johnson found it difficult to be upset about too much Saturday.
Their minds were on Georgia three years ago. Just not like now. In 2006, the Jackets thumped Duke, 49-21. But even at 9-2, Chan Gailey didn’t have universal support. Even at 9-2, there was an uncertainty about the team, and the head coach, among the fan base.
In the next three games, it was reaffirmed why. The Jackets lost to Georgia (again). Then they lost to loss to Wake Forest in a dreary ACC championship game (9-6). Then they lost to West Virginia in the Gator Bowl. A 9-2 record with a No. 16 ranking turned into 9-5 and a mile from the top 25.
Gailey was given one more season by the new athletics director, Dan Radakovich. Then he was gone. Radakovich wanted a coach who would elevate the Jackets to higher ground and excite the fan base. When he hired Navy’s Paul Johnson, it was like plugging the program into a wall socket. Johnson has coached 24 games. He is 19-5. Cue the trumpets.
“Sure,” Johnson said when asked if he thought this was possible so soon. “We just missed it last year. … The thing these guys have done is they’ve bought in and worked hard. Sometimes I get after them. I got in the face of a couple of them today, even when the score got to be [one-sided]. They’ve learned to accept that and go on. Other kids might not. So my hats off to them. They’ve earned it.”
The Jackets stumbled out of the gate, falling behind 10-0. “We didn’t adjust,” Johnson said later, “we just started playing better.”
Duke punted on its next four possessions. Tech scored touchdowns on four of its next five. Game over.
Backups took over in the third quarter when the score grew to 42-10. It was welcome time off for the starters, who’ve labored for 16 straight weeks of practices and 11 straight games without a bye. Now, they can embrace the bye week before the Georgia game. The season could not have unfolded any better since that loss at Miami in Week 3. Tech has strung together eight straight wins and climbed to seventh in the rankings.
“We were devastated after losing that game,” said Dwyer, who in the past four games has rushed for 610 yards and six touchdowns. “Coach told us at that time that the good teams don’t lose two games in a row, and we’ve used that as momentum ever since.”
Long after the game, you could still hear Tech players shouting from outside the locker room.
“We’re excited,” Johnson said. “A lot of people have doubted them along the way, especially early. And they’ve just been resilient. Sometimes it’s not pretty, and they do some dumb things. But the bottom line is they found a way to win.”
Three years ago, we stopped counting wins after the Duke game. Nothing suggests that’s going to happen this time.
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355 comments Add your comment
Not Disappointed!
November 14th, 2009
6:26 pm
Lets go Jackets! Finish the drill! Ramblin Wreck!
Not Disappointed!
November 14th, 2009
6:28 pm
Good Luck tonite DawgPound. We will resume the Good Old Fashion Hate in two weeks. Go Jackets! Finish the Drill!
About acc, duke, no., georgia tech, yellow jackets | Find me About
November 14th, 2009
6:29 pm
[...] DURHAM, NC — Don’t misunderstand. It’s not like Georgia Tech reached some new plateau Saturday. This isn’t the first time the Jackets have won 10 games in a season, nor the first time they’ve clinched a berth in the ACC title game, nor certainly the …Read Original Story: There's no stopping Georgia Tech this time around – Atlanta Journal C… [...]
Chan Gailey
November 14th, 2009
6:30 pm
God, I miss golfing with David Braine. What a classy guy.
MalibuGT
November 14th, 2009
6:33 pm
great win! i’ve got my hotel & flight set up for Tampa. Can’t wait.
thanks to the classy dawg posters. good luck tonight!
reebok
November 14th, 2009
6:34 pm
Good luck tonight against Auburn, Dogs & Dog fans…this Tech fan thinks the game tonite is a tossup.
But the main thing is: WAY TO GO YELLOW JACKETS! BEAT GEORGIA AND THEN WE”RE ON TO TAMPA FOR THE CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!
Beautiful Monte
November 14th, 2009
6:36 pm
The folks who keep expecting – or are they hoping? – opposing defenses to “figure out” Tech’s offense should keep this mind: the Yellow Jackets are still a work in progress.
For example, depending on whether or not they were redshirted, UGA’s seniors have been running Saint Mark Richt’s offense for four or five seasons. That’s four or five years of spring practice, preseason practice, regular season practice, offseason workouts, etc.
On the other hand, Tech has been running Paul Johnson’s offense for less than two years. And don’t forgot that most of the Jackets were recruited to run an entirely different scheme.
Just think how proficient Tech’s offense will be once Johnson has been there for five years and the roster is stocked with players who were recruited specifically for his system.
Chan Gailey
November 14th, 2009
6:40 pm
It takes awhile, Beatiful Monte. Imagine how good those recruits would be in MY offense — the right one for them. In year six, I was planning on putting it all together. Doubtful CPJ will be able to do much better once all my recruits graduate.
jacket3
November 14th, 2009
6:47 pm
All guts…now the glory. Great Job. Great D today – simply shut Duke out after spotting them 10 points. Imagine these guys are all underclassmen except a few – wow – next year will be even more impressive.
Really dedicated coaching staff and solid performance all season long. Thank you Georgia Tech. And Thank you Dan for your vision.
pilgrim
November 14th, 2009
6:53 pm
Jackets show impovement every week. The players deserve tremendous credit. A pleasure to root for this team.
Delbert D.
November 14th, 2009
6:55 pm
Chan – I think the “stupendous” Notre Dame money is going to buy someone named Urban.
Dawg Whisperer
November 14th, 2009
6:56 pm
What can I say? I checked the Mayan calender and discovered that it is the year of the nerd. GT is steamrolling everyone and Stanford clobbered USC.
Delbert D.
November 14th, 2009
7:00 pm
“The U” is dead.
sharecropper
November 14th, 2009
7:01 pm
Not to be a kiljoy, but might we assume that come the practice field Monday, Johnson is going to go off with some 10,000 BTU steam at safeties, cornerbacks and the defensive coaches? When did they stop teaching how to wrap up a tackle? I guess I’ve seen more missed tackles, though I’d have to think about it, but never so many where the runner went on for another 10-12 yards and first downs. It looked like they were trying to get on Sports Center with a big hit, which is interpreted as throwing shoulders into runners. Betcha some blisterings take place in the film sessions.
Delbert D.
November 14th, 2009
7:04 pm
Where are those “The U” smack talkers?
Delbert D.
November 14th, 2009
7:07 pm
Some kind of automobile show has usurped the Auburn-Georgia game.
Kudzu
November 14th, 2009
7:07 pm
I live in Tampa, now. Life long GT fan…you think I’m going to the game? With my son, brother, other son, uh…how many tickets do i need? Please come to the game GT fans….
Mark Richt
November 14th, 2009
7:07 pm
Also don’t forget that I make more money than both Paul Johnson and Mack Brown and about 120 other FBS coaches. I’m smugly chuckling all the way to the donation plate.
Kudzu
November 14th, 2009
7:08 pm
Shopping for tickets now…
GT HATERS ARE AWESOME
November 14th, 2009
7:11 pm
Guys please get your tickets to the uga game on thanksgiving. show them how good tech fans can be….go out and support them. i will be there
Cecil34
November 14th, 2009
7:11 pm
I know that “Chan” is just messing around but what an indictment on Gailey that he was fired from KC in addition to Tech and the Dallas Cowboys. Is there any place he hasn’t been fired?
Gailey is history – literally. Whoever would hire him in the future is a fool.
Tech needs to temporarily forget this ACC business and focus on the real championship in November – the GA Championship.
I want CPJ to do nothing the next two weeks but to plot how he is going to lay 50+ on this under-performing, consistently over-rated UGA team, so that Richt can really feel uncomfortable the next 8 months.
Ol’ 35 year old Nesbitt needs to rest up for the big one in two weeks.
Let’s force Evans to make the ultimatum to Richt to relieve Martinez of his duties. I would love to be a fly on the wall for that conversation!
Go Jackets! We ain’t done yet….
Jackette
November 14th, 2009
7:17 pm
I was at the game, what a nice fan base to drive to Durham and all were not Techies. I met some Ga Southern grads behind me who drove from South Georgia just to cheer on CPJ and GT. That is the impact and respect this team deserves! Already have my tix for Tampa, anyone who doesn’t you better jump on that now..(Ticketmaster..West Stands is COASTAL side…check out theACC.com for stadium layout.) Just know Clemson is ordering today as well so please do not let the stadium fill up with orange. Congrats guys..I am so proud of you..Go Jackets!
Savannah fan
November 14th, 2009
7:19 pm
Great game-DOG lovers you have two weeks to prepare-it will not matter
U-no
November 14th, 2009
7:26 pm
This is a wonderful time to be a Yellow Jacket! Work still to get done, though. We need a win in two weeks, and then win in Tampa. Coach Paul Johnson has done a awesome job in two years with this team, and our future is bright! For now a well deserved two week rest and recovery getting ready for the Puppies!
About georgia tech, duke, no., acc football, jackets | Find me About
November 14th, 2009
7:28 pm
[...] Jonathan Dwyer ran for two touchdowns, and Georgia Tech is on run of eight straight wins. DURHAM, NC — Don’t misunderstand. It’s not like Georgia Tech reached some new plateau Saturday. This isn’t the first time the Jackets have won 10 games in a …Read Original Story: There's no stopping Georgia Tech this time around – Atlanta Journal C… [...]
Johnboy
November 14th, 2009
7:45 pm
Dognation, you represent with class. It will be a great atmosphere @ Grant Field! For the the first time in my life, I have confidence that we will stay focused, and MAKE ADJUSTMENTS and play with a level head because our boys are being coached up! A HELLUVA HELLUVA an engineer!!!
The Murf
November 14th, 2009
7:51 pm
THWG!!!
GA Tech Insider
November 14th, 2009
7:51 pm
A few items after todays game against Duke:
GA Tech’s 7 ACC wins ties for the most ACC wins in a season in school history (1998, 2006).
This is the Jackets best overall record since 1990 National Championship Season.
This is the Jackets most road wins since 1998.
GA Tech’s 8 game winning streak marks its 5th longest winning streak in school history.
This is the Jackets most wins versus Coastal Division teams since 2006.
Since the formation of the 2 ACC Divisions, GA Tech is now 17-8.
The Jackets 19 wins in the past 2 seasons is the 3rd most for 2 seasons in GA Tech history.
Today’s game against Duke was the 4th game of the season that the Yellow Jackets have scored over 40 points.
The Jackets 519 yards of total offense is the 9th game out of 11 where the team has had over 400 yards of total offense. It’s also the 3rd time in 4 games they’ve had over 500 yards of total offense in a game.
Stephen Hill’s TD reception makes him the 4th different Jacket receiver with a TD reception this season.
Jonathan Dwyer went over 1200 yards today. It marked his 16th 100 yard game in his career tying him with former Jacket great, PJ Daniels. Jonathan has now also had 4 consecutive 100 yard games, which is the 3rd most in GA Tech history. Jonathan’s 32 career rushing TD’s rank him 2nd in GA Tech history.
Josh Nesbitt had a 289.8 passing efficiency today. That’s the second best in GA Tech history behind George Godsey (Navy 2001).
The team will be off the next 2 days, and then no physical contact until Wednesday. The team will practice Wednesday – Friday and then take the following weekend off.
GA Tech’s Coaches will be on the road on Monday recruiting.
Paul Smith
November 14th, 2009
7:54 pm
i have been watching gt football since 1968, and i can say i havent had so much fun watching gt football since we beat nd without throwing a forward pass. i dont care if we play cu or bc. even if they have improved since we beat them, we have also improved but more than they have. we just need to play one game at a time and beat uga. go jackets.
Tokyo jacket
November 14th, 2009
8:07 pm
1 game away from a season without a loss to an unranked team…finish the game!
Proud GT Parent
November 14th, 2009
8:16 pm
What a great game today by the Jackets! It started a little shaky, but then they hit the gears both offensively and defensively. I’ve gotta say I was proud of our defense. I was a little scared that the passing game of Duke might give us fits.
Now focus on beating UGA!
(By the way, if you go into a store around ATL that has tons of UGA stuff and little or no GT gear, tell the manager. I’ve had quite a time letting the local establishments know I would have purchased something from them but they didn’t have it in my STYLE!)
Not Disappointed!
November 14th, 2009
8:28 pm
Chan, isn’t it time for your meds? Bedtime still around 8:30pm. Lights out at 9:00pm. Be a good boy. You know Santa is coming in
GTGirl
November 14th, 2009
8:58 pm
Proud GT Parent –
There is a store in the Discover Mills Mall in Gwinnett called Tailgater’s Alley and they have more Tech stuff than any other store! They are very friendly and are always willing to help. They are the guys that are out at every home game on Fowler Street near the stadium. That’s where I got my “State Champs” shirt last year and I’m planning on getting another this year!
Stinger
November 14th, 2009
8:59 pm
To the obnoxious dawg fans that have bragged about anything less than 10 win season being a disappointment. Looks like that applies to us now and 6 will apply to you.
Techies
November 14th, 2009
9:01 pm
Tech suxxxxx
Michael
November 14th, 2009
9:20 pm
There’s a Barnes & Noble on 5th Street that has TONS of Tech gear.
Jeff Schultz
November 14th, 2009
9:32 pm
Back to Charlotte after a little dinner, a little wine, a little song, a little dance, a little seltzer down my . . . (sorry, it’s the vaudeville in me).
Falcon 34 – Nice comments.
Sharecropper (kill joy) … No practice Monday. Players have a few days off with bye week. But I’m sure tackling will be addressing. However, they got better after early problems.
GT Alum – Like I’ve never heard of sarcasm. (see how I did that?)
*** Hey, is anybody else watching this Georgia game? ***
Independent Thinker
November 14th, 2009
9:52 pm
There’s a reason a lot of UGA stuff is in the stores…..they have fair weather fans, too, and they are not buying nor wearing as much of it! Other than athletics, they don’t have much to brag about, and when it wanes, stuff doesn’t sell.
thunderbull56
November 14th, 2009
9:53 pm
Somewhere in the heavins,Bobby Dodd, is slappin’ his thighs, and shoutin’,that’s ma boys!
Joesph
November 14th, 2009
10:02 pm
Just returned from Kroger. There was a rack in the store with clothing. All UGA clothing. It was full meaning not much sold. And nothing for GT. Idiots.
Big B CH 99
November 14th, 2009
10:02 pm
hey, as a Tech fan, we appreciate the nice comments by some of the UGA fans here (Falcon 34).
My dad pulled for both when he moved to Atlanta over 30 yrs ago, but got turned off of UGA by some of the bad fans, it probably would’ve been different if he ran into some of the nicer fans like U back then.
Paul
November 14th, 2009
10:43 pm
Go Jackets!!
Alabama Jack
November 14th, 2009
10:46 pm
Congrats to all you Jackets. Great game, great season, so far. Now lets finish the drill.
On a sad note, dawgies had two injuries tonight – Green and Rambo. Hope both recover fully, but maybe not until the first of December.
TML
November 14th, 2009
10:55 pm
2009 ACC Coastal Division champions. Has a nice ring. Three games left to go to finish off the greatest Tech season in a LONG time. Congratulations to CPJ and the Jackets for a wonderful season so far. Now we just have to “hunker down” and close it out. Most years I kinda dread the U[sic]GA game…this year, these next two weeks can’t come fast enough
.
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SEC Fact Check .com
November 14th, 2009
10:56 pm
Chan lost site of truly, the most important game . . .
BEAT GA
SLP
November 14th, 2009
11:01 pm
I think the boyz in Athens still have some fight left in them, J-Shoo.
Joesph
November 14th, 2009
11:03 pm
With usc and miami losing, the door swung open for someone to get in the bcs. who will it be?
Brad
November 14th, 2009
11:07 pm
The sad thing is we won’t get the chance to see if boise and tcu are the two best teams. TCU looks very good. I think they could give bama and fla a run for their money. A 4 team playoff is all that is needed.
Jackets Keep Rollin'
November 14th, 2009
11:08 pm
THAT is how #7 should get it done! Great win!
On to the next challenge…Georgia will be ready to play spoiler and they still have the athletes to do it. But I don’t think PJ’s bunch will be in the mood for any of that nonsense.
Jackets keep rollin’!!!!
Hutch
November 14th, 2009
11:14 pm
Ga will not be able to hang with us. It may be close in the 2nd qtr but by the end our skill will show and we will dominate. With them having to get ready for uk and us having the week off, I predict
GT 42
Ga 20