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
CBB1
November 29th, 2009
12:03 am
Some Tech fans saying they lost because they lost Nesbitt for a quarter. We won without our #1 receiver, A.J. Green. Keep making excuses. Tech had last week off too. The SEC rules. I would like to see Tech run that offense every week against Florida, Alabama, LSU, Auburn, Tennessee, South Carolina, etc….. Why is it that the SEC has won 4 BCS National Championships since 2003. The ACC’s last and only BCS National Championship? Florida State in 1999. Miami in 2001 doesn’t count since they were in the Big East then. SEC Rules!!!!
Carolina, Florida, Georgia
November 29th, 2009
12:03 am
You wish you could be us…SEC SWEEP!!!!!!!!!!
beachdog
November 29th, 2009
12:03 am
30-24
Not trying to pile St.on Simons but you may want to hide for 364 days.
NYDAWG
November 29th, 2009
12:03 am
30 -24 lmao HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
Saint Simons
November 29th, 2009
12:03 am
we had two weeks to prepare and we still lost to the worst UGA team since 1996. this is our best team since 1990.
i just realized that we are overrated. we suck. fire paul johnson
uga1989
November 29th, 2009
12:03 am
Congratulations, Georgia Tech. You lost to the worst Georgia team in a zillion years. How pathetic is that?! 30-24!!! 30-24!!! 30-24!!! 30-24!!! 30-24!!! 30-24!!! 30-24!!! 30-24!!! 30-24!!! South Carolina pwns Clemson. Georgia pwns Tech. Too bad, so sad!
dale in newnan
November 29th, 2009
12:03 am
This is what happens when little brother tries to “buck up” to the big boys. little brother should of given big brother the proper respect due. Now that he has gotten spanked he huddles in the corner whimpering. the more things change the more they stay the same. Where is that cross-dressing moma’s boy St simons? To the rest of the respectable GT fans good luck next week.
St. Simon's Daddy
November 29th, 2009
12:03 am
Wonder if Paul Johnson will come out next year and announce it is just another game? No big deal? For the jacket fans who the think the DAWGS will be down next year. You had your chance this year. UGA will be much stronger next year.
PAUL HAS A SMALL JOHNSON
November 29th, 2009
12:03 am
ST SIMONS AND YELLOW FUZZ WILL NOT BE ON THIS BLOG FOR ANOTHER YEAR
TO BAD
I WILL MISS ALL THAT NERDY I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT MY PROGRAM TALK
Buzz Jizz
November 29th, 2009
12:04 am
M and Saint Simons can you get me some tickets to the ACC championship game? It is sold out and I can afford what STUB HUB is charging. I will give you a $1 for each one if you will pay my way to Tampa!! have fun u f-ing losers!!!! 30-24
mwb
November 29th, 2009
12:04 am
Second String Scrub QB for the first half, and Paul Johnson not being Paul Johnson at the end of the game and we still could have one that game at the end. Do you really think you would have won that game if Nesbitt plays the whole game? Georgia still sucks everything went your way and we still had a great shot to beat you at the end if PJ sticks to the game plan.
David Duncan
November 29th, 2009
12:04 am
If the shoe had been on the other foot and Georgia Tech had brought a mediocre team to Athens, Mark Rict’s team would have routed them like he did Chan Gailey. Ga Tech will never have a coach that can beat Mark Richt more than once in ten years. Ga Tech had by far the better team. Coaching does make a difference. If ga Tech had played Georgia’s schedule, Tech would be 7-5
Elliot
November 29th, 2009
12:04 am
I think my 85 year old grandfather could have been UGA’s QB tonight and won. “Let’s see…just hand the ball to him. Ok, hand it to that guy over there. Hmmm….this is easy….”
GT Grad 84:
November 29th, 2009
12:04 am
Congrats on the win. You needed it. Now you go to the pizza parlor instead of the landscapers bowl. You should be proud of your 7-5 season. great year!
j
November 29th, 2009
12:04 am
That scraping sound you’re hearing is all those new tech decals being removed.
Motown Hound
November 29th, 2009
12:04 am
Maybe South Carolina and Georgia should play for the championship??
Mayor of Suh-mur-nuh
November 29th, 2009
12:05 am
Damn Stained Symons…nice way to throw your coach under the bus…he gives your team it’s best season in years and you want him fired?
pete
November 29th, 2009
12:05 am
I guess Coach Paul “Man Boobs” Johnson isn’t really so great after all. It’s going to be a looooooooooooooong year for the tools
JOE BOB THIBODAUX
November 29th, 2009
12:05 am
Fantastic Win! The dogs played with style and heart.
Joe Bob Thibodaux
OMG!
November 29th, 2009
12:05 am
As bad as we are, I can’t believe a Tech fan would even show up here! I’m still laughing my ass off!
Jeff schultz II
November 29th, 2009
12:06 am
My dad sux, Ga Tech sux, the ACC sux. 7- 5 against SEC and the best is better that 10-2 vs. the ACC and the others. Go win the second rate ACC and lose the Orange Bowl!
Dville-Dawg
November 29th, 2009
12:06 am
Some things never change!!!
GT sux
November 29th, 2009
12:06 am
we suck. we suck. we suck. we suck. we suck. we suck.
MauiDAWG
November 29th, 2009
12:06 am
Let’s give a hand to RUSS!!!
Saint Simons
November 29th, 2009
12:06 am
UF beats FSU
USC beats Clemson
UGA beats GT
What does this mean???
The ACC sucks! Fire Paul Johnson
GT Grad 84:
November 29th, 2009
12:07 am
What do you think the line will be in the pizza bowl. UGAG -3 over Duke, or Wake, or Fla. State. I wish you the best in Nashville. THWG!
Joe Hamilton
November 29th, 2009
12:07 am
If I had been playing tonight, we would have won. I would not have been academically eligible, but we would have won.
Jeff schultz II
November 29th, 2009
12:07 am
My dad sux, Ga Tech sux, the ACC sux. 7- 5 against SEC and the best is better that 10-2 vs. the ACC and the others. Go win the secind rate ACC and lose the Orange Bowl!
ACC Champ Tickets For Sale
November 29th, 2009
12:07 am
I have 2 tickets to the ACC Championship game for sale for $1, any takers??? I didn’t think so.
DAWG A
November 29th, 2009
12:07 am
Still no jeff? Wow… he’s no different then the GT nerds and must be in hiding!! Time to go to the real DAWG blog site! See you!!
BitDawgBarking
November 29th, 2009
12:07 am
GT wasn’t man enough. PJ wasn’t coach enough. The ACC sux, How sweet it is!
Right On Time
November 29th, 2009
12:07 am
Well…
The DOMINATION continues!
That’s REAL domination. Not the Yech 1 year kind.
Eat it!
Hope it hurts!!!
Tired of all you bugger eatin geeks with a computer.
UGA with a replacement mascot, missing the best receiver in the country and against the best cheap shot team in the country and still win!!!!!
Geeeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now shut your mouth,
CJ Spiller
November 29th, 2009
12:07 am
I just got the game tape…I’ll be watching it all week…lookin’ for me and Jacoby to get about 2 bills each!
The Grinch
November 29th, 2009
12:08 am
Who’s Jones and Dwyer?
Give me Ealey and King anyday.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
Fierce Dawg
November 29th, 2009
12:08 am
where are we playing next week????
WE DONT CARE!!!!
((((30-24)))) HAHAHAHAHA!
DawgsCRUSHJackets
November 29th, 2009
12:08 am
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! ACC Championship between 2 teams that got their butts handed to them on a platter by 2 mid tier SEC teams. Yep, Tech maybe before you spout off about beating the Miss. States (who could beat Tech now) and Vandy’s of the world, maybe you can play Arkansas or Ole Miss next year. What a joke. Two running back, not 4 running for over 360 yards. Just like LSU last year, the UGA 7-5 team beats up on the little guys down on the flats. What is that now, 8 out of 9 years? Virginia Tech, will be ranked higher than the two teams in the ACC Championship. Another LOL! The ACC Championship opposite the SEC Championshp!
Sanford Drive
November 29th, 2009
12:08 am
Wow, I can’t believe some Tech fans are still on here talking smack.
Saint Simons
November 29th, 2009
12:08 am
we have all been admiring paul johnson all year. after losing tonight’s game to the dawgs and next week to clemson, we are going to fall from playing in bcs orange bowl to a blue field in idaho.
http://www.firepauljohnson.com
Ed
November 29th, 2009
12:08 am
“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.”
You get paid for this?
OMG!
November 29th, 2009
12:08 am
As bad as we are, I’m amazed a super intelligent Tech fan would show up here! Honey…..where’s my fly swatter? LMAO!
MOTOWN HOUND IS GENIUS...
November 29th, 2009
12:08 am
S.CAROLINA AND UGA SHOULD PLAY FOR THE
ACC CHAMPIONSHIP!!!
Y’ALL SUCK. ENJOY IT FOR THE NEXT 7 YEARS!
montanadawg
November 29th, 2009
12:08 am
TECH NEVER LED IN THIS GAME!! AND THINK ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE…..Clemson – the team Tech is playing in the ACC Championship got beat by SOUTH CAROLINA…..and also, FSU GOT stomped by the GATORS…..and yes, UGA BEAT TECH.
WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU ABOUT THE ALL MIGHTY ACC????????????
UGAFan
November 29th, 2009
12:08 am
@GT Grad 84 Actually I am very proud of the DAWGS. They have been through alot this season. They made alot of mistakes with turnovers and penalties, but they didn’t roll over and give up on the season. The best thing about this game is the fire I saw in Richt eyes. Bodes well for the future…Go DAWGS!!!!!
Dave from GT
November 29th, 2009
12:09 am
First, They rolled Nesbitt’s leg and ankle. Dirty, cheap play.
A page out of the FSU gameplan. Richt should be locked up in the slammer. A lot less respect goes his way.
Regarding the rest of the game, looks like GT’s defense was exposed…. again. Offense didn’t bail out. Can’t blame a dropped, should have been caught 4 down pass.
Bottom line, UGA ran the ball in the 1st half, GT didn’t stop them. Richt didn’t let Cox throw after that game with KY.
So, now we have to put up with the SEC crap the rest of the year.
Not much else to say, unless they put UGA in the Orange Bowl for a rematch….. and there ain’t much chance of that happening.
So…. congrats to UGA, enjoy playing in the music city bowl – against ACC number 5.
Mike Rowe
November 29th, 2009
12:09 am
Georgia Saturdays – Bend over Tech
reddog
November 29th, 2009
12:09 am
There are still issues at UGA but not at running back! I think Ealy just got another first down! Hope you techies enjoyed the last year b/c the next is gonna suck 30-24 hahahahahahhahahahhahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 8-1 DAWGS RULE JACKETS SUCK!!!!!!!
Crickets
November 29th, 2009
12:09 am
What’s that techies??? all I hear out of your blog is crickets. Why is that?
I suppose YELLOW jackets is a very appropriate name. You can dish it out, but can’t take it. ALLLLLL that SH*T Talking and now that you let a 6-5 team come into your house and PUNK you by beating you at your own game you are no where to be found?!!!
339 YDS rushing!!!!
Washuan Ealey is STILL RUNNING!!!!!!
Sentient
November 29th, 2009
12:09 am
Beating Tech sure helps, but it was a rough year to take — too many turnovers and penalties. A lot of lessons to be learned from this year (and last) will make next year better. Ealey is a horse — let him run wild next year. ACC is still a crappy conference (3 losses today to SEC teams … South Carolina and Georgia — two mediocre teams this year — beat the class of the ACC). And Florida, well, what can you say … FSU didn’t stand a chance … btw — GO DAWGS — TECH is over-rated , and Saint Simons wears color-matching panties and bonnets.
Nesbit was faking an injury
November 29th, 2009
12:09 am
I got scared…
Ramble On:
November 29th, 2009
12:10 am
Unlike most of your redneck fans, I actually have class. Great win for UGA. Now, you can get ready for your awesome bowl in Nashville with Johnny Cash playing the opening ceremonies. I say you beat the crap out of Duke. LOL. However, as a UF Grad and GT fan, UF still owns you.