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
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 15th, 2009
10:29 am
HEY NO JERKETS……….DIDNT YOU SAY THE SAME THING LAST WEEK ABOUT AUHBUN GAME?
CatsFly
November 15th, 2009
10:30 am
You know, I wanted to Paul to come to UNC, he being, a native North Carolinian. That said, I have developed great respect for Butch and the way he runs a program. Both Paul and Butch (they have split their last two games) will play a huge role in making the ACC a top-tier football conference. While both programs are strong this year (Tech being super-strong), their futures are very, very bright.
“If you git the pig, we gonna git you. If yo mamma git it, we gonna git her”. Marvin Austin, UNC defensive beast
mansup01
November 15th, 2009
10:30 am
Fellow Tech fans – The UGA game is going to be tough, and very close….it could go either way. UGA has underachieved all season and I doubt they will do that when they play the Jackets. Did you see the Jackets poor tackling yesterday? The defense, on whole, had a much better day yesterday, but I’m thinking some of that was due to the lack of competition. We need to be realistic. Let’s don’t start sounding like that redneck bunch in Athens.
Go Jackets
November 15th, 2009
10:32 am
No…I said you would beat Auburn…your “schedule” now gets tougher…and then it’s on to the Weedwacker bowl in Shreveport.
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 15th, 2009
10:33 am
CHECK YOUR PAMPERS….YALL SH#T ON YOUR SELF OVER WORRYING ABOUT DOOKIE…OH YES DAWG NATION CRINGES OVER THOUGHT OF DUKE
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 15th, 2009
10:36 am
OUR SCHEDULE IS ALWAYS TOUGH
Wreckmaniac
November 15th, 2009
10:37 am
Well this party’s over. We are now going up against the BAAAAD UGA BULLDOGS. They are from the mighty SEC which means they will KILL Tech. Its going to be nasty. We just haven’t played against the speed, the innovation, the skillset that these mid-level SEC teams have. And the SEC defenses. And AJ Greene. What more can I say. PJ, you’re in trouble now.
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 15th, 2009
10:38 am
MANSUK01/ …WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 15th, 2009
10:39 am
GO BACK TO YOUR LSU HIGHLIGHTS ASS-HAT…LOOK UP SPEED
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 15th, 2009
10:41 am
AND YOU THOUGHT SHERMAN TORE UP ATL…….
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 15th, 2009
10:41 am
WAITING………………………..
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 15th, 2009
10:42 am
MUST BE IN YOUR 5 PAGE MEDIA GUIDE
CatsFly
November 15th, 2009
10:43 am
So what think you? I think PJ has a Steve-Spurrier mentality. No-nonsense win at-all-cost (within reason) toughness. He is going to be a thorn-n–the-side for everybody he ever plays, and I don’t believe he will ever leave Tech because he will win there big-time. Spurrier is not through at SCar either.
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 15th, 2009
10:43 am
SEE PAGE 2……..WRONG WAY ROY LOOK HIM UP
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 15th, 2009
10:46 am
Enter your comments here
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 15th, 2009
10:48 am
PJ AND SS….YEA BOTH SOMETHING ELSE
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 15th, 2009
10:49 am
PLEASE DONT LEAVE ME!!!!!!!!
Dave from GT
November 15th, 2009
10:50 am
Just where in the hell is Hartwell.
Hey – Dumb …$$ GT already put Clemson away this year.
And that is what is going to happen again after the Dawgs become road kill.
Wake up idiot!
Buckhead Bulldog
November 15th, 2009
10:51 am
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA : Bad hang over? Are you okay, bro’?
bob
November 15th, 2009
10:51 am
Now, will GT even sell out their allotment of tickets for the ACC championship game? They cant sell out their home stadium even when winning, thats pathetic.
Its amazing how you see no support for the team until they win a few games, now you see a bunch of old men in GT golf shirts and car flags, that explains the lack of passion in atlanta.
Wreckmaniac
November 15th, 2009
10:54 am
The Dawgs will put everything they have into the Tech game. One reason is that CMR knows that losing to Tech is one of only two things that will get him fired. Since UGA is going to the “who cares” bowl they are looking to Tech as the only route to redemption. If UGA wins, CMR can keep Martinez. CMR has huge motivation to win in Atlanta.
PJ needs to be reminded by DRAD that this is the biggest game of the year for Tech. The ACC schedule is just a warmup. The ACC champ game is equally impt but a bowl game, unless you’re playing for #1, is 2nd priority. Nevertheless, thanks for a great season (SO FAR) jackets.
bob
November 15th, 2009
10:56 am
“Glaring dominance and supremacy of SEC.”
Are tech fans really talking smack about the same team that demolished them in the bowl game last year? That game wasnt nearly as close as the score even reflected, it was a total domination start to finish, that gimmick offense is useless against a team that has a month to prepare, its why playoffs appeal to PJ, its the only way he could win a NC at tech. Whats going to be great is if GT gets into the bcs game and then gets demolished by BSU or TCU.
Dave from GT
November 15th, 2009
10:57 am
Couldn’t agree more about wiping out UGA!
However, I think I was much more apprehensive about Mississippi State, than I am about UGA.
Now winning with all those cowbells blaring ??!!! That is an accomplishment.
Hardly compares to a couple of drunk idiots from the farm yelling “Woof Woof, Woof”.
Y’all be sure to bring those snazzy black helmets though!
Dave from GT
November 15th, 2009
11:00 am
You know, LSU really put the “smack down” on La Tech last night, Huh? Didn’t they??
Dominance ….. what a bunch of Dawg Crap.
bob
November 15th, 2009
11:01 am
“If UGA wins, CMR can keep Martinez.”
From everything I have heard, willie is done after this season, quite a few of the huge boosters wanted him gone after the Tennessee game for the piss poor look of the defense, getting beat by a better team is one thing but having a defense look completely lost is unacceptable. Win or Lose its pretty safe to say willie is gone before spring.
bob
November 15th, 2009
11:03 am
“You know, LSU really put the “smack down” on La Tech last night, Huh? Didn’t they??
Dominance ….. what a bunch of Dawg Crap.”
No, whats amazing is that is the same Fing team that killed GT in their bowl game last year, get over it La Tech isnt horrible but I have said all year that LSU is not a top 10 team, they are top 20 at best and this is still a team that demolished that offense when given extra time to prepare for it. GT’s only hope at winning a bcs game is if they play a big 12 opponent(well that isnt texas)
Vic
November 15th, 2009
11:04 am
Trash talking mutts. What losers. Can’t wait to give them another L. Delusional morons. I guess some just don’t have a clue.
GT wins by 4 tds over an outmanned, out coached tech team with far better players. The game being at tech, the reds have no shot. It’s going to be fun going on a 10 game winning streak against that useless team.
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 15th, 2009
11:09 am
MARTINEZ IS GONE EVEN AFTER STEPPING ON BUGS………….LSU KICKED IT
Dave from GT
November 15th, 2009
11:09 am
Bob…. what about those Helmets ????
Now you think La Tech should join the SEC, if UGA can get into the Big East?
I admit that the LSU beat down was bad…. Probably the best LSU has played in 80 years…. and almost the worst for GT.
The only thing that I learned from that game is what a Asshole Les Miles is.
Dave from GT
November 15th, 2009
11:10 am
What is a fing team?
bob
November 15th, 2009
11:16 am
“What is a fing team?”
Jesus, try and keep up. Typical tech fan, good in classes but *ZERO* common sense, I was referring to the idiots making fun of LSU barely winning but yet this is the same LSU team that killed GT last year.
I was hoping that tech would do UGA a favor and make sure willie was gone but now I dont care, I hope they pour everything they have in this game to win it and they will have the time since its a bad UK team next weekend.
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 15th, 2009
11:16 am
TALK ABOUT LSU LAST NIGHT?……..HOW BAD DID YOU BEAT SAMFORD LAST YEAR?…YOU PEOPLE EVER GET OUT OF THE GHETTO ,CHECK OUT HARTWELL ………
TechStud
November 15th, 2009
11:17 am
UGA your going to get beat down in 2 weeks. Get ready for us to drop 50 on you. Your fans are stupid and we are your bosses….hahaha.
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 15th, 2009
11:21 am
C-L-E-M-S-O——————-N!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dave from GT
November 15th, 2009
11:22 am
I am not Jesus, but if I were, Les Miles would be on my “redemption list”.
But thanks for the compliment and for explaining everything to this idiot with a “calculus jones”. Can you spell that correctly ….j….o….n….e…s?
If UGA beats UK, just sets them up for the inevitable let down against GT.
If UGA loses to UK, all the better, they will still get wiped out by GT.
Either way, same result. Impeccable Logic.
So …. I be GT cleans up UGA in BBall this year too.
All this in a crappy economy, and the ObamaNation…. a Miracle.
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 15th, 2009
11:22 am
AND THATS AFTER GLORY,GLORY
1eyedJack
November 15th, 2009
11:25 am
Simply…congratualations to the yeller jackets.
Don’t think you can run that dive play against us. We have three future NFL DTs plus Rennie.
You better hope you can get it to the corner or throw it.
OldDawg
November 15th, 2009
11:25 am
To the sane, rational GT fans…congrats on winning your division and a great season so far!
To the likes of saint simons, M=idiot..thus a new word is christened…Midiot, ramble on, and the rest (ya’ll know them)…that loud collective groan you heard yesterday afternoon was the AD’s of the ACC when they realized they immediately lost 1 1/2 to 2 million dollars in ticket sales when GT clinched their division! IF Clemson wins next week they will pick up some of the slack…God forbid for the sake of the ACC if Boston college and GT are the match up it could be even more embarassing than the 1/3 filled stadium when GT played weak Forest in Jax!!
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 15th, 2009
11:26 am
SO …..I BE GT……….DAMN YOUR A GOOD ONE TO CORRECT SOMEONE DAWGS BEAT UK,THEN SMACK DOWN TICKS…….CLEMSON PUTS ONE ON YOU TOO
Dave from GT
November 15th, 2009
11:27 am
I’m gonna be BBQ ing Viet Namese (GA) Dawg Burgers in Tampa before the game!
Dave from GT
November 15th, 2009
11:30 am
Reggie Ball was a UGA mole from Hartwell.
But you bring those Clemson women to Tampa.!!!
We’ll take care of them for you’all.
eastofA1A
November 15th, 2009
11:36 am
Derrick and Jon, STAY! Next year with you guys could be very special.
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 15th, 2009
11:36 am
TECH (I MEAN TICK) BRINGS 3000 TRAVELING TO TAMPA, BUT NO FEAR ACC BOWL PEOPLE, TIGER FANS BUY THEIR ALLOTMENT AND TICKS NO SHOW TICKETS………..AARP REPORTS OLD PEOPLE NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THAT FAR…………………..
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 15th, 2009
11:40 am
DAVE……DONT BRING YOUR HALL OF SHAME QB IN TO OUR CONVERSATION……….LOOK HIM UP….PAGE 4 OF YOUR 5 PAGE MEDIA GUIDE
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 15th, 2009
11:42 am
AARP SAYS NOOOOOOOO TO DRIVING BEYOND STOCKBRIDGE GA
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 15th, 2009
11:43 am
CLEMSON TO TAMPA YOUR A$$
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 15th, 2009
11:44 am
WAITING DAVE……… THINK NOW ….OH THATS RIGHT ,YOU DONT KNOW HOW…..
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 15th, 2009
11:46 am
YOUR CHINK BURGER IS BURNING, TYPE QUICKLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 15th, 2009
11:47 am
HAT
bob
November 15th, 2009
11:52 am
“All this in a crappy economy, and the ObamaNation…. a Miracle.”
And still GT’s home games wont sell out, nice fan support tech fans, that is really pathetic since your stadium is roughly half the size of sanford. Thats ok UGA fans will buy out half of your tickets and turn any game within a short drive from athens into a home game. Whats really funny is that when GT never had a shot the stadium was basically an UGA home game and Im sure this year the stands will be about 60%-70% bulldog fans win or lose.