In its first ACC test, Georgia Tech plays like … Georgia Tech
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The team that got overrun at the end by Kansas last week in Lawrence? Those weren’t these Yellow Jackets as driven by this coach. Those were impostors. Here on Saturday we saw … well, let’s let the coach express it.
“The encouraging thing,” Paul Johnson said, “was that we played like Georgia Tech.”
A Georgia Tech game doesn’t have so much a rhythm as a heartbeat, and at the end it’s usually Johnson’s men who have the bigger heart. There will be palpitations en route, most of the due to Tech’s defense or the lack thereof. But these Jackets are accustomed to that by now. They don’t get antsy when they fall behind. They didn’t get antsy here, where they trailed three times in the first half and again in the second.
They just kept fighting, and for once the fight wasn’t all about Johnson’s stylized offense. Though the offense did muster 448 yards, and Joshua Nesbitt did complete three of four passes for 76 yards and a touchdown, and the Tech offense did essentially run North Carolina’s offense off the field. Said Johnson: “I really didn’t feel like they could stop us if we ran the ball three times. Or four times.”
That said, the Tech D — yes, the Tech D — did its bit. It limited North Carolina to seven points over the final 40-plus minutes. Granted, the offense did its bit, hogging the ball for 32 of those 4o-plus minutes, but on its final five possessions Carolina managed four first downs (one of those by penalty).
In sum, this wasn’t the Dave Wommack-coached defense that ould start badly and get worse. This one improved as it went. Said Al Groh, the new coordinator: “When players had to make plays, they made ‘em.”
It would be wrong to say Groh’s group figured it all out Saturday. There were enough defensive howlers to stamp this as a vintage Tech game. Said Johnson: “The first half it looked like nobody was going to stop anybody.” But the Jackets had a chance to lose this vital game after Nesbitt sailed a pitchout past Roddy Jones late in the third quarter, and Brad Jefferson’s recovery of T.J. Yates’ fumble on Carolina’s first snap saved the day.
Said Groh: “Our personality, our identity, our brand is to play with energy , toughness and passion on every play.”
Yes, it’s a brand in progress. But there’s no question that the overall Tech persona — starting with Johnson and trickling down through the indomitable Nesbitt — isn’t so much skill (though there’s much of that on hand) as stubbornness. Said Nesbitt: “We go into every game with the mindset that it’s going to be a dogfight.”
That Tech team that lost to Kansas? Those weren’t the real Jackets. We saw the real Jackets here for the first time this season, and they looked pretty much the way they did a year ago. And in 2009 they were ACC champs.
By winning here, the 2010 team has given itself a chance to repeat after itself. The schedule remains difficult — the Jackets still must travel to Clemson and Virginia Tech — but this date at Kenan Stadium always loomed as the key early test. It didn’t matter how many Tar Heels were missing due to suspension; to be taken seriously again, Tech had to win this game. It did.
“It’s too early to write an ending for this season,” Johnson said, but the ending now has a chance to be brighter than if Tech went 1-2 over its first three games. This was a conference game, a division game, a statement game. And the Jackets’ statement was: “We might not have Derrick Morgan or Demaryius Thomas or Jonathan Dwyer or Morgan Burnett anymore, but we’re still Georgia Tech.”
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223 comments Add your comment
Delbert D.
September 18th, 2010
9:26 pm
You forgot “Mark it down” and “Book it.” Whenever one of the trolls says to take it to the bank, ask for his account number.
Old Gold
September 18th, 2010
9:30 pm
Shows how weak the ACC is!
BUZZMAN
September 18th, 2010
9:35 pm
It is going to be a long year for Tech Defense,they couldn’t stop a High School team, missed tackles, blow coverage, way to go Al. And you are wondering why you were let go by Virginia. Paul wake up and start looking for a new defensive coach. Tech was lucky to win today. What is going to happen when you play a real team where half of their defense is grounded. Lose to Miami, Clemson, Va. Tech, you might pull out NC state and Wake Forest. Who knows about Duke. LIke I said last year, it is going to be a long year. I still love Tech but let’s get real and get a defense.
Technophobia
September 18th, 2010
9:41 pm
Buzzman, you are a phony, probably a UGA fan.
Idiots
September 18th, 2010
9:45 pm
Enter your comments here1-2 hehe
DooDawg
September 18th, 2010
9:49 pm
Yeah, we all know that UGa has a great offensive line, and their QB is a real star. So, a great season is in the bag. Just need to get started on it. Hey, LSU won a NC with 2 losses. No big deal, with a great offensive line and a 5-star QB. And really, Bobo is just priceless. He just keeps the other team off-balance with his clever machinations. Yep, this is the year for UGa, for sure……………
DooDawg
September 18th, 2010
9:50 pm
To Rodney Dangerfield – Thank you. You said it all, man !
Tommy
September 18th, 2010
9:51 pm
Come on dawgs lets talk about it
Old Tech & Mountaineer fan in NC
September 18th, 2010
9:52 pm
Great Tech win and as they say up here in NC, football as it was intended!
Delbert D.
September 18th, 2010
10:01 pm
Clemson just tied it up.
MuttH8ter
September 18th, 2010
10:04 pm
Chill Nuggetlegs. It was Steve who said he had a ’slow’ girlfriend (read his comments). Most real Tech men are bright and therefore clever enough to catch onto a grade school level pun.
I am beyond caring about mutt fans in any way and believe me they earned anything they get!
Technophobia
September 18th, 2010
10:05 pm
C’mon Clemson, I rarely cheer for ya but I like the spirit you’re showing and don’t like some of the cheap shots Auburn is making.
AtlHeel
September 18th, 2010
10:05 pm
As a UNC alum, I have to congratulate Tech on the win. Tech did exactly what they needed to do to win. With that said, we were missing most of our defensive starters. Our second team players can play, but are just inexperienced at this point. With the starters out, our depth is very questionalble. But our guys played hard! Tech had to work to win this game. The only good news for us is our next year’s defensive players are gaining experience this year.
rbb
September 18th, 2010
10:07 pm
yep, just like ‘09, ACC champs lose to UGA
Jack this
September 18th, 2010
10:11 pm
I would like the GT fans to read this racist comment made on the Junkyard Dawg blog by BoBo the Clown ….why AJC or Bill King would allow this is beyond me..SHAME ON AJC AND BILL KING, but typical uga fan
September 18th, 2010
5:45 pm
I was disappointed that Richt didn’t demote Bobo when he got rid of Willie. We either run the ball, try a screen pass or throw a vertical route. We have studs at every position on offense, there are NO excuses left!! GET RID OF BOBO!!
Hey Uncle Jesse….You lost to UGA last year…Got beat by KansASS this year and “beat” a NC team missing 13 players (mostly starters). Shut your pie hole you stupid Camel Jockey!! BTW–U will lose to GA this year too.
NESBUTT for HYMAN–The only thing he wins is the trophy for fattest lips!!
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Jacketsrule
September 18th, 2010
10:14 pm
Nuggetlegs: You mean those management majors who are making six-figure incomes now. Also, I wouldn’t put down people who cheer for Tech and didn’t go to school there. Without those “subway alums”, Tech would be lucky to put 20,000 people in the stands.Non Tech graduates money is just a green, and Tech has never stopped payment on the check for season tickets or contributions. Go Jackets.
Delbert D.
September 18th, 2010
10:21 pm
Jack this – Send an email to the AJC via the “Tell us what you think” box. I’ve sent a few, and never got a reply, but maybe a flood of comments would.
12 starters missing?
September 18th, 2010
10:25 pm
good think UNC was missing those 12 starters…what a joke. How did KS look against southern miss. hahahah.
Technophobia
September 18th, 2010
10:32 pm
No, not 12 starters, 12 players were out. They had 13 out when they played LSU. So I guess that means LSU is even more of a joke.
clowns in action
September 18th, 2010
10:35 pm
UGA has lost to two teams that are in the top 12 while missing what many consider the top receiver in the nation. GT has lost to a 1-2 team that lost to north dakota state and just defeated a 1-2 team missing 12 starters. According to the CMR hater Shultz UGA’s Graham is spiraling downward and Bradley says AL Groh is doing great. What a couple of bias fools.
Delbert D.
September 18th, 2010
10:38 pm
The clowns are here. I knew they’d come eventually.
Defense Delivers, Jackets 30 UNC 24 | Georgia Tech: Ramblin' On
September 18th, 2010
10:38 pm
[...] at the end of the day, Mark Bradley is correct…the Jackets finally played like the Georgia Tech team we’ve come to know and [...]
2BT
September 18th, 2010
11:18 pm
Nuggetlegs, go F yourself, and tell me how to feel about the cesspool. Sincerely, 2BT!
JohnsonRod
September 18th, 2010
11:19 pm
Paul Johnson said, “was that we played like Georgia Tech.”
Translation: We played a decent team missing multiple starters and won. Good thing it wasn’t a team as good as that team that crushed us in last years bowl game.
Jonathan
September 18th, 2010
11:23 pm
Its well documented by the pound puppies about the UGA vs Tech series being lop-sided to the butt sniffers… Johnson or any other coach can not rewrite the past… so far the series is 1-1… lets see who moves ahead this november.. the SEC isnt that great this year behind BAMA…
Dave
September 18th, 2010
11:30 pm
Mark
Still want to stand by the win loss predictions for each team?
Chris
September 18th, 2010
11:33 pm
The defense came out in the second half and really played well. I was happy to see that. But we need a full game. Also good to see Scott Blair nail his kicks.
The acc can’t catch a break in ooc games. Clemson outplayed auburn but lost.
GT easy schedule
September 18th, 2010
11:34 pm
Mark, how many top 10 teams will GT play? Well, then how many top 15? Ok, well then how many top 25?
Did you say 1? Thanks for answering.
Mack
September 18th, 2010
11:35 pm
Lsu barely beat this team on a neutral field. We beat them by more at their place and with 3 more players who were out that game. Gt is as good as any sec team aside from bama. Bama is the best team in the country by a lot imo.
ACC blows
September 18th, 2010
11:37 pm
Why are the techno geeks celebrating beating a team with a 1-1 record and missing multiple starters?
Do any of these nerds not think UGA would be 3-0 if they had played GT’s schedule? GT playing UGA’s schedule and they would be 1-2.
I smack mack
September 18th, 2010
11:38 pm
Lsu barely beat this team on a neutral field.
ROTFLMAO….once LSU put their reserves in, UNC scored points. please try again.
Uga easy schedule
September 18th, 2010
11:38 pm
Lets look at where teams are ranked at seasons end. Sorry your lousy team won’t be sniffing the top 25 again. Maybe by week 6. VT and GT will both be ranked this week or next along with fsu. When bama is done thrashing sc and ark, they will drop out after their other unexpected losses. By seasons end, both conferences will have about the same amount of teams ranked. Clemson is better than auburn even though the final won’t show it.
Funny Stuff
September 18th, 2010
11:40 pm
Clemson is better than auburn even though the final won’t show it.
Funny how it works when they really keep score.
Mack
September 18th, 2010
11:41 pm
Half of unc’s starters are “reserves” against lsu. They had 3 back against us. Putting in a couple of 2nd string is not the entire team. Go back to your blog loser. You are IRRELEVANT!
0-2 Hahaha
Funny Stuff
September 18th, 2010
11:41 pm
VT and GT will both be ranked this week or next along with fsu.
All three have suffered major beat downs by so-so teams. But when the ACC writers vote them in the top 10, they might creep into the top 25. Which shows what a sham the polls are.
GT patsy schedule
September 18th, 2010
11:43 pm
UGA has already played two teams that are better than any team GT will play all year. The truth hurts.
Trey
September 18th, 2010
11:47 pm
Furman scores 19 against south carolina! Ugag could only score 6. ROFLMAO!!
Furman!! better against sc than ugag!
Jeff G
September 18th, 2010
11:48 pm
Not nearly as bad as the beatdowns uga has had.
ZERO and TWO against a weak sec!
SC really looked great against those palladins!
GT Tony
September 18th, 2010
11:54 pm
Arkansas has Bama next week and they still went into Athens and won. Watch SC and Arkansas fall hard when they play bama and auburn over the next 3 weeks. Sorry your team sucks ga fans. Time to go back to your loserville blog. Even Ga state almost beat Jax state that beat the mighty ole miss! Haha!
Technophobia
September 18th, 2010
11:54 pm
Nothing but excuses from the last place team in the SEC east. Man up wussies.
Jeff G
September 18th, 2010
11:55 pm
Uga versus South Caro 6 points
Furman versus South Caro 19 points
Nuff said.
Technophobia
September 18th, 2010
11:57 pm
Funny, Furman more than triples the scoring of UGa against SC. What a joke.
Jeff G
September 19th, 2010
12:02 am
The Bulldogs are 2-6 in their past eight SEC games. They are 1-5 in their past six against ranked foes.
Hahaha! And they are on here talking trash. Talk about losers.
UGA
September 19th, 2010
12:10 am
The bottom dwellers of the sec
Bottom dwellers
September 19th, 2010
12:11 am
How does it feel to be a bottom dweller?
Southeastern Standings
East Conf All
South Carolina (13) 1-0 2-0
Florida (10) 1-0 3-0
Kentucky 0-0 2-0
Tennessee 0-1 1-2
Vanderbilt 1-1 1-2
Georgia 0-2 1-2
Wreck
September 19th, 2010
12:19 am
UGA fans = predictable idiots.
See you in November, tools.
Bradley Watch
September 19th, 2010
12:24 am
Bradley said the Dawgs will finish in the top 15 this year. They can barely score on average defenses. You gotta be careful with Bradley predictions. He is like the Anti-Prophet. At the MLB All-Star break this year, he wrote an article listing 10 reasons the Braves would make the playoffs. It’s going to be close. And then there was the all time kiss of death… When he wrote “Braves in Six, and Pitching is Why”. The Braves lost to the Minnesota Twins and The Bradley Jinx began… This guy should be banned from predicting anything.
Reality Bites
September 19th, 2010
12:27 am
At least all you Georgia fans have your degrees to fall back on. Get over here and change my air filter, Dawg!
mtnjacket
September 19th, 2010
12:32 am
A perfect day for me:
GT wins
ugla loses
notre dame loses
mtnjacket
September 19th, 2010
12:37 am
For Steve, who said “UGA sux this year”
uga sux every year.
The W-L record of the football team has nothing to do with it.