Tech loses bragging rights, chance for something special
Look a little different than the end of last year's Tech-Georgia game? The Jackets lost to the Bulldogs, 30-24, and they won't soon forget this. (Brant Sanderlin/bsanderlin@AJC)
Signs of change were everywhere.
Bobby Dodd’s stands weren’t half-red. Thus, the game didn’t have the usual neutral-site feel to it. Bowl officials didn’t jam the press box. What for? Georgia Tech’s future was fairly simple, and Georgia’s was fairly depressing. The Jackets could be headed to the Orange Bowl, a game with history. The Bulldogs could be headed to the PapaJohns.com Bowl, a game with anchovies. The Dogs even had a temp-Uga on the sideline.
But if the Jackets feel like they just got knocked back in time, there’s a reason.
A year ago, they stunned Georgia at home and tore branches off the sacred hedges. On Saturday, with an eight-game winning streak and a fantasy season unfolding, they fell behind early to the Bulldogs 17-3 and fell short in a comeback. They lost 30-24.
The 12 months of bragging just kicked off from the other direction.
It doesn’t mean Tech can’t win the ACC title. It doesn’t mean the Jackets can’t play in Miami and finish 12-2. But this one will sting for a year because this is one most expected they would win. They were playing a mediocre Georgia team coming off a loss to Kentucky, and it doesn’t get much worse than that.
Tech coach Paul Johnson downplayed the significance of this game earlier in the week. He believes everybody should focus on the big picture, and that picture includes conference championships and competing for BCS bowls, not just bragging rights over big brother from Athens. “I don’t want to leave the wrong impression because I do realize that the game is important and I know for a lot of our fans that this is the game they want to win,” Johnson said. “[But] we want to get to the point where our program is bigger than one game. We want to win the game, but we want to do some other things that just beating Georgia won’t do for you.”
And Johnson’s right. Tech’s season is about more than beating Georgia. But beating Georgia ranks pretty high.
Bottom line: This was the Jackets’ chance to take charge, and they failed.
Tech quarterback Josh Nesbitt left the game in the first quarter with a sprained ankle but returned later. (AP photo)
This won’t do much to boost morale in the ACC’s offices, either. The conference’s two championship game entries, Tech and Clemson (to South Carolina), both closed the regular season with losses to SEC rivals.
Tech trailed 17-3 at halftime. It clawed back to within 30-24 in the fourth quarter after a touchdown run by Josh Nesbitt, who keyed the comeback when he returned from an ankle injury. When Georgia’s Blair Walsh missed a 55-yard field goal attempt with three minutes remaining, it gave them one last chance. But a dropped pass by Demaryius Thomas at the Dogs’ 35 ended the final threat.
There was a general consensus that this would be a high-scoring game, with the game’s two defensive coordinators, Georgia’s Willie Martinez and Tech’s Dave Wommack, taking turns absorbing blows like those old inflatable clowns that keep bouncing back up after being punched. (In Martinez’s case, there’s no guarantee he’ll be bouncing back up after the season.)
What nobody figured: At halftime, Tech would be trailing 17-3 and its run-dominated offense — one of the top units in the nation — would be outrushed by Georgia 204-80. (On second thought, maybe it’s Wommack who won’t be bouncing back up.) That kept the Jackets’ offense off the field.
Not only was Tech limited to four possessions, it lost Nesbitt, who might as well be this team’s transmission. When he suffered a sprained ankle with 1:03 left in the first quarter, every projection about this game changed. He tested the injury on the sideline, eventually went into the locker room, presumably for a wonder cure, and returned during the second. But backup Jaybo Shaw ran the next possession and threw an interception, which the Bulldogs turned into a touchdown and the 17-3 halftime lead.
But Nesbitt played Tech’s final possession of the half, not looking full-speed, and then returned strong in the third quarter. He led the Jackets to touchdowns on their first two possessions of the second half (including a 77-yard scoring pass to Thomas). But the Dogs’ responded with touchdown and field-goal drives and held a 27-17 lead. If nothing else, it had turned into the game most expected.
But the end wasn’t what Tech players or fans expected. Last year was about getting attention. This year has been proving their worth. It can still be a great season. But not nearly as great it could have been.
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1,802 comments Add your comment
30-24 We're just better than you.
November 29th, 2009
2:16 pm
ANOTHER gaping hole in the gtu “defense”.
GT is a 4th rate high school team
November 29th, 2009
2:17 pm
PREDICTIONS: BIG WIN FOR TECH. BIG LOSSES FOR GEORGIA, PETA. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA FOREVER
CHAINGANGDAWG
November 29th, 2009
2:17 pm
HEY SAINT SIMONS YOU NEED TO BE REMINDED THAT THE ACC STANDS FOR ALMOST COMPETITIVE CONFERENCE (((30-24))) HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
30-24 We're just better than you.
November 29th, 2009
2:18 pm
Russ took a HUGE dump on the gtu logo after the game. LMAO
Solid Gold Dancer
November 29th, 2009
2:18 pm
Is uga better than Tech? From what I witnessed last night………………Yes. We better start working towards playing some defense in years to come. Congrats uga
GT is a 4th rate high school team
November 29th, 2009
2:18 pm
NEW ITEM: GT BETTER THAN MEDIOCRE MIDDEL SCHOOL TEAM. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA FOREVER
DAWG
November 29th, 2009
2:19 pm
I would like to thank the Tech nation for my early Christmas gift, and thank you Dawgs for my gift. All of the Tech fans can put their shirts and hats back in the closet.
30-24 We're just better than you.
November 29th, 2009
2:19 pm
And the game wasn’t EVEN that close. LMAO
GT is a 4th rate high school team
November 29th, 2009
2:20 pm
REPEAT NEW ITEM: GT BETTER THAN MEDIOCRE MIDDLE SCHOOL TEAM. HAHAHAHAHAHA FOREVER
With Georgia Tech loss, ACC struggling for attention again | Jeff Schultz
November 29th, 2009
2:20 pm
[...] Georgia Tech lost to Georgia Saturday. Clemson lost to South Carolina. So both halves of next week’s ACC championship game in Tampa lost to mid-level SEC teams that are headed to third-tier bowl games. That’s not how a conference gets money or clout or a big TV contract or the benefit of the doubt. [...]
Blind Seer
November 29th, 2009
2:21 pm
You will find a fortune, though it will not be the one you seek. But first… first you must travel a long and difficult road, a road fraught with peril. Mm-hmm. You shall see thangs, wonderful to tell. ……………….. And, oh, so many startlements. I cannot tell you how long this road shall be, but fear not the obstacles in your path, for fate has vouchsafed your reward. Though the road may wind, yea, your hearts grow weary, still shall ye follow them, even unto your salvation.
30-24 We're just better than you.
November 29th, 2009
2:21 pm
I’m not sure what’s more enjoyable, beating gtu or watching the suffering of the gtu fans. LOL
GT is a 4th rate high school team
November 29th, 2009
2:21 pm
REGGIE BALL QUIT POSTING, YOU HAVE BEEN RETIRED BY UGA. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA FOREVER
30-24 We're just better than you.
November 29th, 2009
2:22 pm
Thanks gtu, you make my life so much more enjoyable! LMAO
Cmill
November 29th, 2009
2:23 pm
Where is Saint Simons?
30-24 We're just better than you.
November 29th, 2009
2:24 pm
The a-she-she “championship” is an “annual disaster”… just like gtu football. HAHAHAHAHAA
this game means the world to tech!!!!
November 29th, 2009
2:24 pm
there goes ealy and cox and curran and oops how many yellow wigged tech frat boys chasing them lmao…take up chess or shuffle board techies……football has never been a sport for nerds..lmfao
Reggie Ball
November 29th, 2009
2:24 pm
I hate UGA fans. Classless. SHULTZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!! Help a brother out here.
fanfromathens
November 29th, 2009
2:25 pm
Mr. Schultz,
I think your sports columns/blogs are in decline. You’ve clearly lost your touch and other writers are on the rise.
How could you have been so stunningly wrong in your predictions of a new era of CPJ dominance over CMR? Just like coaches getting paid to win games, you’re paid to produce and write accurate sports analyses.
I’m not saying that you’re a bad sports writer…I’m just saying that perhaps you need to do a little soul-searching and make some changes before your readers lose patience.
this game means the world to tech!!!!
November 29th, 2009
2:26 pm
st simons was on here early.. i think he was driving his tech yacht out to the bermuda triangle…lmfao..
the warden
November 29th, 2009
2:28 pm
Now that you thugs won the game. Please report back to the prison and finish serving out the remainder of your sentence until the great bowl game occurs in some podunk place.
30-24 We're just better than you.
November 29th, 2009
2:28 pm
Thomas just dropped ANOTHER pass. LMAO
this game means the world to tech!!!!
November 29th, 2009
2:28 pm
hey Jeff shultz , don’t worry about calling Coach richt and telling him you were wrong, he just outclassed Coach Johnson in front of the civilized world…but then he lied and said tech had a great team……..yeah a great team for the asheshe conference..they would be projected 6th in the SEC, speed eliminates competition!
30-24 We're just better than you.
November 29th, 2009
2:29 pm
What a GREAT day.
Dear Orange Bowl
November 29th, 2009
2:29 pm
Due to your affiliation w/ the ACC, we must drop you to a Dec 28th date. Let us know if the “old” Big 8 tie-in w/ the Orange Bowl is a possibility. If so, we will be happy to put you back into the rotation. With this being said, I am sure GT/Clemson vs. Cincinatti match-up will be a blockbuster in attendance and viewership so the 1pm slot on Monday, Dec 28th will be ideal.
Sincerely,
BCS
this game means the world to tech!!!!
November 29th, 2009
2:30 pm
better luck in 2010 yechies just 364 days to savor your typical loss to the states bestest football program…..play alot chess this summer you nerds maybe you will figure out our superior strategy
30-24 We're just better than you.
November 29th, 2009
2:31 pm
ANOTHER gtu loss to the Dawgs… it was expected.
the warden
November 29th, 2009
2:32 pm
“bestest”…typical UGAy English….
Can you really afford to be paying for your internet connection this month just so you can gloat…
Loser !!!!
Go Gators.
30-24 We're just better than you.
November 29th, 2009
2:33 pm
If you look up the word “defeated” in the dictionary you will find a picture of Paul Johnson and gtu accompanying the definition.
GTbill
November 29th, 2009
2:33 pm
The game was close. Georgia did not win in a blowout, any more than we did last year. We won by one field goal against a Pre-Season #1 team from a far superior SEC conference. You won by two field goals against what you call a pretender team from the inferior A SHE SHE conference. Now which team had the better win.
this game means the world to tech!!!!
November 29th, 2009
2:36 pm
we accept the orange bowl bid now since we probably won’t take any fans to the acc championship game , don’t expect a big turnout,,one suggestion would be to invite blondie or stevie nix to town to make up for lack of attendance………..thats what we do at Grant Stadium to make up for poor football showings!!!!!!!!!rolling sideways on the floor and laughing my f** a**** offffffff!!!!!
GTbill
November 29th, 2009
2:36 pm
oh forgot GO TECH TO HELL WITH GEORGIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
30-24 We're just better than you.
November 29th, 2009
2:37 pm
What fun it is to be superior to gtu.
this game means the world to tech!!!!
November 29th, 2009
2:37 pm
dear the …warden man..we made it back to our cells and we are watching a replay of yesterday’s game …lmfao!!! by the way we won 30 to 24
the warden
November 29th, 2009
2:37 pm
Don’t worry Techster.
These gay boys always show up to gloat when their bunch of criminals magically pull of a win. We sawit when they all thugged their way into the endzone and did their dance.
We own them and by rights we own them worse than they claim to own you..
So as far as I can see,
These bozo’s can act big…
just like the little wimp bully does when the big boy is not around…..
but they all know who their DADDY is….
open wide UGAy boys !!!
By the way UGAy boyz.
When do you want to come do some of your boasting on our sites again?
Signed
The Gators
and for good measure
The Tide !
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Dear Tech fans
November 29th, 2009
2:38 pm
Please note that we will not be able to credit any hats, shirts, pocket protectors, etc that were recently purchased from us. Obviously, we will not credit any “worn” or “used” items but we have enacted a new policy that we will not credit any “unused” items either. I mean, come on, what would do with this “unused” merchandise?
Regards,
Wal-mart
30-24 We're just better than you.
November 29th, 2009
2:38 pm
We ARE just plain better than gtu.
30-24 We're just better than you.
November 29th, 2009
2:39 pm
gtu = second rate
this game means the world to tech!!!!
November 29th, 2009
2:39 pm
gi bill …bless your little heart..i am horse laughing at the tech fans who predicted a 50 point blowout of georgia, heck the over under was only 58, course your 1950’s army style offense is real potent when they end a game with 3 hail mary’s and a dink pass…lmfao
30-24 We're just better than you.
November 29th, 2009
2:40 pm
How sweet it is!!!
30-24 We're just better than you.
November 29th, 2009
2:41 pm
O-VER-RATED! ::clap-clap-clapclapclap::
this game means the world to tech!!!!
November 29th, 2009
2:42 pm
i think ole closet techie ….aka..Mark Gayry Bradley is silently giggling..lmfao
this game means the world to tech!!!!
November 29th, 2009
2:43 pm
wheere oh wheere is furman bisher when you need him!!!!! bobby dodd field will never be the same
30-24 We're just better than you.
November 29th, 2009
2:44 pm
Paul Johnson’s head looks like his neck threw up.
Nubby David
November 29th, 2009
2:46 pm
St Simons——30-24!!HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
fanfromathens
November 29th, 2009
2:46 pm
GTbill,
The UGA win last night was bigger b/c it officially kills all the chatter (largely perpetuated by Schultz and Bradley) about GT taking over dominance of the series. It kills alot of the momentum and press that your program would’ve gotten for the next year, which is critical when you’re breaking in a new coach. It (along with Clemson loss) makes the entire ACC look like garbage, which puts a huge stain on your ‘fantasy season’
That ‘preseason’ number 1 team you beat last year had already logged in a disappointing season by the time you got to us. You didn’t ruin our season, it was already ruined.
Big L
November 29th, 2009
2:47 pm
Paul Johnson insinuating that this is just another game is stupid. John Wooden said that about Ohio state playing Michigan. He is in College football HOF and got fired cause he could’nt beat Michigan. Take note Paul.
1eyedJack
November 29th, 2009
2:48 pm
Before I leave….
Caleb King just scored another touchdown!!!
GTbill
November 29th, 2009
2:49 pm
For your information I never said tech would win. I have watched these games for fifty years and have seen many times the favorite team lose. If you read my other posts you would see that I have recognized that Ga has a great football program and some very good players. It’s just some of their fans that suck. When they win, they can’t wait to rag the other team’s fans, but when they lose they whine like a bunch of little girls when the other team’s fan’s give them some of their own medicine. Ya’ll won this year and I will take my ribbing like a man, not like the whinny little Ga fans.
30-24 We're just better than you.
November 29th, 2009
2:52 pm
It was reported after the game that Richt said that of Georgia’s 60 wins over gtu that this one might have been the easiest.