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
Wreckmaniac
November 29th, 2009
10:22 pm
The comment was made earlier that FL is UGA’s biggest rival and I guess it is. But I doubt that FL looks at the UGA game any differently that if it were Jax State.
SCDAWGBOI
November 29th, 2009
10:22 pm
Amazing coincidence, I arrived home from ATL today and low and behold there was an order form from UGA for bowl tickets. After thinking about it for 5 minutes, I respectfully decided that the only WIN in ATL this year happened last night and there was no need for me to order Chik-Fil-A tickets. I would much rather collect a pool of money and buy TECH another ring, 30-24, GO DAWGS!
Wreckmaniac
November 29th, 2009
10:29 pm
Although I am a great fan of the ACC, I am a greater fan of my team so I don’t really care what conf they’re in.
If UGA were not in the SEC they would probably suspend football at UGA. It seems that UGA cares more about the SEC than UGA. When you are consistently not the champ of your conference it seems that rather than
beating the drum for your conf you would want to be the champ of your conf. But thats only how I see it.
Is your only source of pride being 5th in your conf ? Help me understand this.
Devin
November 29th, 2009
10:31 pm
What’s hilarious is how UGA knew they were going to run all over the YellowPhaggots. King and Ealy had it written all over them, literally!!
Domers
November 29th, 2009
10:34 pm
Wreckmaniac,
This coming from a tool that has been hiding behind UF for the past 20 years. Your hypocrisy is beyond pathetic.
Once a loser, always a loser
November 29th, 2009
10:36 pm
What makes this win so sweet is that the Yechers had actually thought they had turned the corner, FINALLY!!!! But nope, still stuck in the basement of the state!! LOL!!!
30-24 We're just better than you.
November 29th, 2009
10:36 pm
gtu… consistently our b*tch since 1893. LMAO
supp
November 29th, 2009
10:40 pm
With two weeks to prepare, and the 7th best team in the nation, and that’s all they can do against a mediocre SEC without their best player?????
415 yards of a$$whoopin!!!
November 29th, 2009
10:41 pm
Beating the worst football program in the entire state at their own game!!! Classic!!!
Crestview Gator
November 29th, 2009
10:46 pm
Gators rule! We beat FSU! Proves we’re great.
West Palm Gator
November 29th, 2009
10:47 pm
Tebow os the greatest QB of all-time! No one else is even close. He’s a superstar. We are lucky to have been alive during his reign.
Ft. Walton Gator
November 29th, 2009
10:48 pm
Urban Meyer is NOT going to the NFL. That’s a LIE! It’s a vicious rumor.
Orlando Gator
November 29th, 2009
10:49 pm
Alabama has no chance against Gator Nation!
Tampa Gator
November 29th, 2009
10:50 pm
Florida has the toughest schdule in the NCAA, that’s why we’re #1 ranked. GATORS ROCK THE WORLD!
Timmy
November 29th, 2009
10:52 pm
This Florida run is like no other in the history of any sport. Sad to see the dynasty come to an end.
Wreckmaniac
November 29th, 2009
10:57 pm
Dawgs, I get it. You won fair and square. When will the bull begin about your great recruiting class ? When you lose 5 games in 2013 am I still supposed to think you had a great recruiting season ?
The dawgs are okay with losing as long as its in the SEC. Thats proven
every years. ” We Love to lose to SEC teams”
45-15 we are amazing...
November 29th, 2009
10:58 pm
we really did good against FSU. Go Gators!
45-15 we are amazing...
November 29th, 2009
10:59 pm
what a way to gout out with Tebow’s 5 td’s
45-15 we are amazing...
November 29th, 2009
11:01 pm
Did you SEE ALL THOSE FLASHBULBS GOING OFF. TEBOW WAS A ROCK STAR. GO GATORS! WE BEAT FSU, WE ARE AMAZING!!
BamaBoy
November 29th, 2009
11:09 pm
we will CRUSH the gaytors next week lololol
we OWN FU. 13 NC!!!
gATOR hEAD
November 29th, 2009
11:12 pm
TEBOW IS SO MUCH BETTER THAN GEORGIA’S. HE’S REALLY GOOD. WHAT A GAME AGAINST FSU WE DOMINATED. FSU IS REALLY A MUCH TOUGHER TEAM THAN IT SEEMS, SO WAS TROY, THOSE ARE GOOD PROGRAMS. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL IS AN UP AND COMING POWERHOUSE– WE REALLY BEAT THEM LIKE CRAZY TOO.
Duke
November 29th, 2009
11:15 pm
Next year Tech will play a video of Paul Johnson, “All the way, b*tched slapped….I got all the way, b*tched slapped….Mark Richt all the way b*tched slapped me.”….30-24…suck on it Saint Simons.
BamaBoy
November 29th, 2009
11:16 pm
hey gator come git your whoopin!!!!!!!! hahahahahahaaaa
Gator Bill
November 29th, 2009
11:17 pm
Florida is #1- always and forever.
BamaBoy
November 29th, 2009
11:23 pm
next week the TIDE will be #1… suck it gators!!!!!! hahahahahahahahaa
BuLLdawg
November 30th, 2009
5:41 am
Jeff Schultz, you made a fool of yourself before the game gushing over Tech and what they would do to UGA, while I guaranteed the win by South Carolina over Climpsum Farmers and while I guaranteed the 60th win by UGA over Georgia Tech.
BuLLdawg
November 30th, 2009
5:58 am
When are the AJ-C writers and Tech fans going to come back in here and own up to what they promised before the game ? And, when too will they both admit that the NCAA has Georgia Tech on PROBATION for Academics in Men’s Basketball with a 914 Academic Progress Rate APR today and therefore reduced the scholarships to only 11. Your bias for Tech is complete with the statements about all the Tech injuries in the game. Every single Tech player came back in and played.
bitemetechfans
November 30th, 2009
8:41 am
Whats the good word?
The Other St. Simons
November 30th, 2009
8:56 am
GT’07 is a d-bag that lives in his mom’s basement and plays World of Warcraft with his special friends.
((((((((((((((((30-24))))))))))))))))) Losers. Hahahahahahahahahahaha.
Gator Sam
November 30th, 2009
9:01 am
Gator’s rock my world!
RealityYech
November 30th, 2009
9:06 am
According to all the delusional bandwagon Yech fans on here, GT was supposed to win 78-0. What happened?????
Tech Sux
November 30th, 2009
9:16 am
Wow, talk about a beatdown!!!!!
Techno is for hot man on man
November 30th, 2009
9:18 am
Cool game. Hey Sam, stand upright and pull your pants up.
Where are those stupid videos that were being posted all over?
I dont know which is worse. UFG or UAT. Both of them are beyond obnoxious.
Thanks for the win Dawgs
hahahahaha!!!!!
November 30th, 2009
9:22 am
30-24!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ST. SIMONS
November 30th, 2009
9:44 am
GIVE ME A BREAK. I AM ONLY 12 YEARS OLD.
Go Dawgs!!!!
November 30th, 2009
9:47 am
The Dawgs simply whipped Tech’s butt at the line of scrimmage! The Dawgs played a much much tougher schedule than Tech and it showed up in which team was physically tougher, the Georgia Bulldogs!!!! 30-24!!! Running up the gut!
45-15 we are amazing...
November 30th, 2009
9:53 am
Gators are amazing. We beat a strong program on the upswing FSU 45-15, and ran up big points against up-and-coming powerhouses Charleston Southern, Florida Interntational, and Troy. Some great programs. What a year and what a QB that Tebow. We are truly amazing.
Gator Tator
November 30th, 2009
9:58 am
What a year for the Gators. It’s been a winning streak that defies comparison. Gators are the most dominant tean in the history of athletics, going back to the greek civilization. They will live on for thousands of years as will stories about the incredible QB skills of Tebow. What a QB. He’ll be drafted #1 in the NFL next year, easy, because he’s the greatest player of the millineum.
The Sad Truth
November 30th, 2009
10:11 am
Let’s face it, the ACC is horrible and Georgia Tech is overrated. Clemp-sun, Free Shoes University, and the Nats all getting a big brother beatdown on Turkey weekend. All you slide rule jockeys keep your pie holes shut for another year, if I were you…. I’d be embarrassed about this one. The “mighty” jackets (best team since 1990), go down to the worst team Georgia’s had since the Donnan/Goff years. Oh year, I forgot… Paul Johnson says “this is just another game”. Have fun chasing C.J. Spiller for your “high school championship” game. See you next year for another reminder of who owns this state bee-atches!
SugarfreeSailor
November 30th, 2009
10:22 am
Celebrate your one credible win all season. There’s 11 other games during the regular season, and you guys flopped on 5 of ‘em. Rivalry games going south for the ACC doesn’t justify your mediocre teams in a top-heavy conference. November 27, 2010 can’t come soon enough.
SugarfreeSailor
November 30th, 2009
11:23 am
Brookhaven Bull-pup, I don’t think the school you cheer for (you probably didn’t attend) ever wants to be compared intellectually to the Georgia Institute of Technology. UGA’s entrance SAT’s are more than 100 pts. lower than Tech’s. That AVERAGE is 1364 vs. 1237. (NOTE: Average = Total scores added together / Number of scores) Beating us does not make your schedule look better, it makes you sound like an idiot for defending your other wins. Don’t talk about us being overrated if you guys want any chance at delivering free Papa Johns to your players if you guys get to Birmingham.
“Take the lose with a little dignity.” I’m a Techie and obviously can’t spell, so I’m not even going to correct you on that one.
Bragging Rights?
November 30th, 2009
11:27 am
What “bragging rights?” UGA OWNS this state: the ruling class of Georgia, baby! A one-year “fart” on the part of the ‘Dogs losing last season was just their playing chase against that high school offense. It’s figured out now by the way. Back to the ol’ drawing board Techies.
Clark
November 30th, 2009
12:53 pm
Most UGA fans barely graduated from High School, much less considered or even could have attended college. And if so it was some type of technical school where they learn to wear a uniform and work on my car! In the game of life TECH fans are destroying you!
This reality check has been brought to you by a TECH ALUMNUS!
Villa Rica DAWG
November 30th, 2009
1:52 pm
What happened?
@Clark
November 30th, 2009
3:04 pm
You should try justifying some of those idiotic claims you’re making. Enjoy your cubicle at Dell tech support, dweeb.
Clark
November 30th, 2009
8:23 pm
I can tell by your response to this that you didn’t go to school at UGA….maybe no college at all for you…..and no ITT Tech and Devry don’t count! My statement doesn’t apply to people who actually went there because they don’t act like idiots at the games………UGA students….actually have a bit of class. Their fan base of rednecks on the other hand! I mean how many trailer park dwelling, toothless idiots can like one team? Here’s a shocker….almost all UGA Alumni will tell you the same thing. Soooo, to answer your question regarding justification………look at your fan base genius! Oh, wait…..I almost guarantee you are one of the people I’m talking about. So save your “great comebacks” for the people who are also impressed by your double wide and the fact that the plastic walls in your house clean easier than those of us normal people!
30-24 We're just better than you.
November 30th, 2009
9:27 pm
Yes, we are STILL better than you gnats.
martin
November 30th, 2009
10:07 pm
tech may have a great season…but it’s unfulfilled losing to Georgia.
I say it’s great to be a Georgia Bulldog!
SWFLJacket
December 1st, 2009
9:42 am
Kentucky,Kentucky, Kentucky, Kentucky, Kentucky
Suck it, you puppies lost to Kentucky!!!!
30-24 We're just better than you.
December 2nd, 2009
9:37 pm
Always better than gtu. Always! LMAO