The best thing I saw all year: Bowden, lightning and a theft
Mojo is a music magazine published in England, and it’s great for many reasons, one being its year-end review. In addition to the usual best-of listings, Mojo asks various big-name musicians to name the best thing he/she has heard all year. Because I just finished reading the latest Mojo — Tom Petty picked the Leonard Cohen live album — and because we’re coming to the close of 2009, I’ve stolen appropriated the idea for posting purposes.
The best sporting moment I witnessed personally this year had to involve Georgia Tech football virtually by default. The Hawks won a playoff series for the first time in a decade, but it was a crummy playoff series that featured blowouts in every game, Game 7 included. Nothing happened in local college basketball, and Georgia football just posted its worst season under Mark Richt. The Braves and Thrashers didn’t make the playoffs. The Falcons won’t make the playoffs. (Though they did play in a postseason game on Jan. 3, 2009. And lost.)
No, it had to be Tech, and I was sorely tempted to pick the ACC title game in Tampa, which came down to the final minute and involved no punts and much scoring, or Paul Johnson’s go-for-it decision on fourth-and-one in overtime against Wake Forest. As good as those moments were, there was one better.
Oct. 10, 2009: The first half in Doak Campbell Stadium was the longest and wildest in the history of college football. (No? Try finding another like it.) It started with Bobby Bowden, who’d come under fire that week from the chairman of Florida State’s board of trustees, marching onto the field arm in arm with two of his players, the rest of the Seminoles in lined lockstep. It featured nine touchdowns on the first nine possessions — the only time a team didn’t score in the first half was when Tech ran off the final 19 seconds — and ended with FSU leading 35-28.
Oh, yes. The part about it being the longest half ever? There was a 78-minute delay for lightning.
The second half was calmer by comparison — how could it not be? — but culminated with a display of willpower that came to signify this Tech team. (The offensive part, anyway.) With eight minutes remaining and Tech up 42-38, quarterback Josh Nesbitt slung a pitchout wide of Roddy Jones. Nigel Carr, an FSU linebacker, picked up the ball and began to run with it. Nesbitt accosted him and stole it back. Two snaps later he scored the clinching touchdown.
Said Paul Johnson: “That was all No. 9.”
Nesbitt: “I was going to try to tackle the guy, and then I saw the ball. When your back is behind the wall, you’ll do anything.”
On that long night/early morning — the game ended at 12:45 a.m. – it became clear that Tech wasn’t going to be halted shy of an ACC title. There would be subsequent moments when that goal was in doubt, but there was never a doubt about the Jackets’ sense of purpose. (Yes, I know Tech lost to Georgia. Tech is still the champion of a BCS conference.) When I saw Nesbitt re-steal the ball, I pretty much said to myself, “That guy’s not going to let them lose.” And that guy is going to the Orange Bowl.
To call Nesbitt’s play the best I saw in 2009 does it an injustice. It was the best play I’ve seen in several years. The best, I’d say, since David Pollack stole the ball in the end zone in Columbia, S.C. And there was a rain delay that day, too. Coincidence? I think not.
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116 comments Add your comment
SatchelBuzz
December 22nd, 2009
7:25 am
Despite the upset in November,…ugag knows the deal. Were clearly the better program right now. We’ve got the better head coach and our situation is only going to improve. What do they have,…uniforms and problems a plenty. Were ACC champions,…playing in the Orange Bowl. ugag is headed to Shreveport,….or they might be there already,not sure when that “game” is played. Face it mutts,…were on a headling tour,…while you guys are the warm-up band that plays on a make-shift stage outside the venue.
THWG!!!
Amber
December 22nd, 2009
7:48 am
The best thing I saw all year was a “Vick Supporter” wearing a Vick jersey and causing a disturbance while acting like a complete hoodlum, punk and arrogant, chest-thumping jackball with no manners or consideration for others and getting shoved to the ground, beaten like a rented mule (like he deserved) and then crying and screaming for help outside the CNN Center by the brave men and women of the Atlanta PD who were there protecting the rest of us.
That brought a smile to my face. I only hope the real #7 gets more of the same and then some.
The second-best thing I saw this year was Tim Tebow crying like a little girl at the Georgia Dome.
Oh, yeah…..
ROLL, TIDE, ROLL !!!!!!!!!!!
rodney king
December 22nd, 2009
7:54 am
Can’t we just all get along?
Kim
December 22nd, 2009
8:03 am
Amber, you alabama hillbillies will never have a QB like TT, you should be crying. Also, I’m reconsidering my support for bama/sec on Jan 7.
Sad but true
December 22nd, 2009
8:07 am
Here’s a sad but true statistic. On ESPN.com they had a poll. Which of the 4 non-national championships bowls do you want to see most? This was with 100,000 people voting. The orange bowl and Ga Tech: 5%. That is awful. Back when they were in the BB National Championship game against UConn it was the least watched National Championship game ever. GA Tech and I don’t hate you but as far as the world of sports goes no one is really interested when you are involved.
RealityYech
December 22nd, 2009
8:07 am
SatchelBuzz,
First off, it’s never an upset when your daddy beats you, it’s considered second nature. “Better programs” don’t lose to teams having their worst season in years, without their best player, at home, with two weeks to prepare. Spin it any way you like, but those are the realities. Situation is only going to improve? How do you figure that? Gailey’s all ACC everything players are ALL going bye-bye at season’s end. Even with those guys staying you were staring at a bleak season next year with the schedule, but with them definitely being gone, you will be lucky to win 5 games. Besides, the ACC is such a joke right now amongst the voters, it’d require an undefeated ACC team to even be considered for the big show. A feat Yech will never accomplish. Despite your pathetic attempts to convince yourself of a reality that doesn’t exist, you and I both know Yech is destined for a doomed season to come and UGA will surely rebound and regroup from this disappointing year. Enjoy your first major bowl game in over 40 years, because we all know Yech will not be returning for the foreseeable future.
The true Robert
December 22nd, 2009
8:21 am
I feel that my name has been dragged thru filth, having been used by some scummy Dawg on this blog. I don’t expect that guy to be posting in the future because the Uga reign is over. This years loss was the last they will have in a long time over Tech, because CPJ has a loooong memory.
gtfanfrom1951
December 22nd, 2009
8:22 am
Bulldogs fan know it true Tech is moving up and they are moving down. They are afraid of the coming years because they know their a second tier in SEC East team behind Kentucky. Have a Merry Christmas Bulldog Nation. It will be long time before you get back on top! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 22nd, 2009
8:23 am
Biggest story of the sports year doesn’t include the Dream’s playoff game bumped due to building overbooking?
Yeah I wouldn’t have included it either.
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 22nd, 2009
8:28 am
How ’bout up two with two to play and going Norman to lose the Masters?
That would have made Bisher’s List.
Best thing I saw all year
December 22nd, 2009
8:38 am
[...] the story on Topix Posted in [...]
TRUTH
December 22nd, 2009
8:40 am
30-24! 8 out of 9!
Bulldogs rule the state!
The ACC is weak conference with a weak champion!
Georgia Tech is way overranked and sooooo overrated!
TDone
December 22nd, 2009
8:41 am
The biggest sports story of the year that no one has highlighted was the combined announcement at the beginning of the Tech-Muttland game by each Tech and Muttland presidents. All the Tech fans cheered Dr. Peterson and all the Muttland fans booed Michael Adams. If you want to know the relative worth, psyche, and pulse of each school, that’s all you need to know. Also, it says which business each school is in.
Go Jackets!!!
Colorado1990Champs
December 22nd, 2009
8:42 am
Georgia Tech is proof that an overrated team with an inflated won-loss record due to a weak schedule in a weak conference can get into a BCS Bowl.
Reality
December 22nd, 2009
8:43 am
The Georgia Tech cockroaches have the only fans I have ever seen that booed the national anthem!
No surprise since Techies have never exhibited class or dignity!
1eyedJack
December 22nd, 2009
8:50 am
If Tech loses the Orange Bowl and no Tech fans are there to see it….did it really happen?
Lonely Truth-teller
December 22nd, 2009
8:56 am
Yes indeed, that play will live in Tech lore for a long time. Great effort by Nesbitt!
GT Alum
December 22nd, 2009
8:57 am
Nesbitt for Heisman in 2010!
TW
December 22nd, 2009
8:58 am
Gotta go with the Dawgs re-establishing the natural order of football here in the state. While Johnson’s flag-football offense might be fun, real teams eat it up.
Mikey
December 22nd, 2009
8:59 am
The best moment was when the camera panned up into the stands and the faces of the tech fans when their little bubble burst.
Go Dawgs!
Joke Program
December 22nd, 2009
9:01 am
Biggest play of the year….when we were robbed by the lousy call in the LSU game. We should be SEC Champs!!!! We should be Nat Champs. We are the greatest team of all time. Our ONE Nat Championship was the greatest in the history of College football. Why isn’t Joe Cox projected to be a first round draft pick???? We run this state, the US and the world. WE ARE UGA!!!!!!!
nelson
December 22nd, 2009
9:01 am
Superb call on best play of the year. Josh Nesbitt has the look of an assasin. He wants the ball when a big play is needed. He will get it done against Iowa.
Steve from Atlanta
December 22nd, 2009
9:04 am
============
Georgia Tech is way overranked and sooooo overrated!
=====================
That’s funny – because your own beloved Mark Richt has ranked GT ahead of UGA – Even he thinks GT is better than UGAg – suck on that for a while.
Herschel Talker
December 22nd, 2009
9:08 am
FIRE WILLIE MARTINEZ!
FIRE BOOBY COX!
IT’S TIME TO CLEAN HOUSE!
1eyedJack
December 22nd, 2009
9:09 am
There’s something to be said for having the “look of an assasin” on North Ave. It might prevent one from being robbed at gun point and help one to blend in in class with Haji and Mohammed.
WonderDawg
December 22nd, 2009
9:11 am
Yeah, Tech may have the best record for a couple of years, but that is because of the acc competition. Play our schedule. UT, SC, UF. Ask FSU and Clemson about those guys. Or have you forgotten that 0-3 Saturday about a month ago already?
Mike S
December 22nd, 2009
9:20 am
{{{{{{30-24}}}}}} Yep, NesBITES sure made sure Tech didn’t lose!!!
John
December 22nd, 2009
9:21 am
Ga won because they played with emotion for the first time of the season. And why did they finally do it? Cause they knew it was willie’s last game. Funny how things work. If ga beats ky, which they should have, willie liekly isn’t canned or at least not before the end of the season and ga plays their normal game and loses.
GT
December 22nd, 2009
9:21 am
You kind of forget there was ever an argument about Johnson and his boring offense and how people would never support it. This is the great thing about sports, college in particular. The world can be against you. You can be kicked around to the amusement of others for years. Then one man shows up with a different attitude. There is no denying the reality of sport. All the talk and the credentials cannot change the truth. Tech is the truth and will be. Like a big river they are rolling now and will keep on rolling. Best story of not only the year but probably this decade. An inspiration, all the riches and grace was given to Athens and the SEC, out of what was left over, after the rich kid had eaten, CPJ made a successful football team.
Jackets2009
December 22nd, 2009
9:22 am
Tech fans, listen to all the Georgia fans and then get revenge and lower your taxes while raising their’s.
Sales tax that is.
Buy less or buy in another state.
I bought my last laptop in SC.
This idea lowers your taxes while getting revenge.
What’s not to like?
BG
December 22nd, 2009
9:22 am
The best game was UGA running all over Tech!!!!! 30 to 24.
GATA RUSS
December 22nd, 2009
9:22 am
Sorry and thank you again for trying to revive intrest in Tech.
Furman is gone and he has carried that torch since the 1950’s.
Techmites are back in the wood after the lowly Dawgs won the ACC.
Sorry UGA dominated the ACC Champs and the bestest Coach Furman has seen
since back when Furman and Beano Cook covered the Tar Pits Bowl.
Admit it-the Tech UGA game still dominates the states emotions no matter what out of staters think or want to believe.
Even with Russ over UGA and Wayshaun replacing Noshown
WE RUN THIS STATE
Parker
December 22nd, 2009
9:25 am
Shut up with the schedule bs. GT had the 22nd hardest schedule from sagarins. That’s right there with fla and lsu. By playing gt, ga’s schedule strength went up. So your argument about the schedule is so contradictory when your schedule is high from playing an acc team. Same thing for bama.
Dave Frye
December 22nd, 2009
9:25 am
Best play I saw all year was my son’s intereception and return for a touchdown during his final home game at LaGrange College. Way to go Joe.
Jackets2009
December 22nd, 2009
9:26 am
Jackets fans will not follow my lead but I do want to thank all Uga fams who have angered me into reducing my credit card debt to zero.
I have no debt and pay less sales tax.
Maybe I write a bood. Archrival hate your way to being debt-free.
Works for me anyway.
collegeballfan
December 22nd, 2009
9:26 am
Yeah the Nesbitt steal was a play to remember and the comparison to Pollack at USC is appropriate.
Re the UGA / GT best players thing. UGA has the better players, always has since Dooley arrived at UGA and probably will under Richt. UGA should win the vast majority of the games. But GT will show up and win a game now and then.
Chris
December 22nd, 2009
9:27 am
The Tech offense is super fun to watch. I’m glad Nesbitt bounced back strong after the ankle sprain (?) under the pile vs. UGA. Please, PJ have someone coach some D.
Hey Colorado1990Champs, shouldn’t you have an asterisk beside your name that denotes 5th down play?
Jackets2009
December 22nd, 2009
9:29 am
Hey what would Dawg fans have done with losses to Tennessee (a surprise, Florida (of course) and even Kentucky (a huge surprise) without an archrival win?
Their team had to win to keep from being screamed at for the next nine months.
CMR Wins the 2009 George Hamilton Cocoa Butter Open!
December 22nd, 2009
9:29 am
Hey, WonderLicker, you forgot Kentucky! LOL!
CMR Wins the 2009 George Hamilton Cocoa Butter Open!
December 22nd, 2009
9:31 am
Chris, CNC1990 is just another jealous mutt that hates having to admit that Tech not only has more NC’s, but a more recent one.
Jackets2009
December 22nd, 2009
9:33 am
I agree with Mark’s column.
I think Paul Johnson is Tech’s best head coach since Dodd and the equal of O Coordinator Freigen who was the reason behind O’Leary’s success.
The team saved Paul in both the FSU game and especially the Wake game.
Paul looked very worried in replay until Derrick Morgan’s sack which also should have been mentioned in this competition.
Wake about to kick winning FG until Morgan’s bull rush and dive to sack QB.
Red Foreman
December 22nd, 2009
9:35 am
Ahhhhh, Saint Richt….what a friggin HOMO!!!!
SeminoleDale
December 22nd, 2009
9:37 am
I was at that game Mark. It was a good game. Florida State’s defense was horrific but that has been the case all year. If we had stacked the box and blitzed constantly, FSU probably would have won, but i am just a Playstation All American! Congrats to Tech, make the ACC proud by beating Iowa.
Joke Program
December 22nd, 2009
9:41 am
Oh come on GT fans….we are better than you and you know it. The Weedeater bowl is really alot better than the orange bowl. $1.4M payout is really better than $14M. 7-5 Record is really better than 11-2. 1 NC is better than 4. You just do not get it. We are UGA and we are simply better.
Jackets2009
December 22nd, 2009
9:41 am
This is two blogs late.
I know everyone is fed up with Paul Hewitt.
But I think Zachery Peacock’s heroics were the story missed in all the whining.
I think the freshmen will play a lot better.
The game showed however what an experienced senior can do.
And embarrassed a couple of bloggers ready knocking Peacock before he took his first shot.
Scro-Tom
December 22nd, 2009
9:43 am
Have you seen those two nuts hanging around????????????Bobby Cox and Frank Wren.
Jackets2009
December 22nd, 2009
9:46 am
Georgia has to break in a QB next year and worse has an early game vs the evil genius at SC’s stadium.
SatchelBuzz
December 22nd, 2009
9:49 am
Reality,….enjoy Shreveport.
THWG!
Mark Bradley
December 22nd, 2009
9:50 am
Just to be clear, this was never intended as a Biggest Story of the Year entry. This was more personal. It was the Best Thing I Saw in 2009.
Mark Bradley
December 22nd, 2009
9:53 am
But now, if you’re asking, what will be the biggest stories of 2010 … I have addressed that issue.