Outmanned Tech fights to the end but can’t finish the drill
One guy coached a winning game. The other coach won. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
Athens – Give Paul Johnson a couple of months and he could take the remaining Rolling Stones and have those geezers rushing for 300 yards a game. Say what you will about the man, but he can coach the heck out of what he has. At issue Saturday night was whether he had enough.
There aren’t many coaches who can outdraw Johnson with the X’s and O’s, but the game, as we’re constantly reminded, isn’t played on a whiteboard. It’s played by real-life players. And Johnson’s Jackets lost to Georgia here Saturday not because they didn’t play hard or well but because in the end they just weren’t as skilled. Try as they might, and they tried mightily, they could never take the lead.
If anything, Saturday’s game showed us how clever Johnson is. He bled 512 yards out of an offense missing its best player. Tech held the ball for 38 minutes and 14 seconds, ran 92 plays to Georgia’s 48. And even at the end, when the Bulldogs appeared to have scored the clinching touchdown, they looked up and realized the old fox on the far sideline had one-upped them again.
As Johnson said, allowing Georgia to score was “the only way we could win the game.” And rather than alert its players to the possibility and advise them to get a first down and then fall on the ball, the Bulldog staff was caught unawares.
“We didn’t coach very good there,” Mark Richt said, speaking of Washaun Ealey’s 20-yard touchdown run with 1:29 remaining that put Georgia up eight points. “We got outcoached right there. It was good strategy by Coach Johnson. I thought when it happened, ‘He got us there. He got me.’ ”
It was that kind of night. Georgia won the game but left the distinct impression that it had gotten away with one. Johnson’s Jackets messed up early and often and still were one drive from winning the thing. (And then, one possession later, one drive from forcing overtime.)
Tech fizzled twice early — getting stopped on fourth-and-2 at the Georgia 19 after recovering a fumble on the opening kickoff, fumbling inside the 10 not five minutes later. And here came the Bulldogs, seizing a 14-point lead that at the game’s outset seemed like twice that much. But back came Tech, back on the strength of those two Johnson staples: A running game and a sheer stubbornness.
Even the hardiest of Jacket backers were dreading this strange game, in which the team with the lesser record entered favored by two touchdowns. Georgia clearly has better players than Tech, and without quarterback Joshua Nesbitt there are moments when it seems Tech has nothing at all. And yet the visitors kept fighting after falling behind by those two touchdowns, and soon it was apparent that the team lacking its best player wasn’t lacking in guts.
It was 14-all with one minute left in the first half, 21-all with a minute left in the third quarter. And this wasn’t because Tech was playing letter-perfect football; on the contrary, it had taken three Georgia turnovers and gotten nothing from them. And still the game was tied, the underdog having become the aggressor, the Bulldogs looking as confused as they had all season. (Which, given how the season had gone for Georgia, was saying something.)
Late in the third quarter Tech was driving to take the lead when Roddy Jones fumbled. Georgia nosed ahead on Washaun Ealey’s touchdown burst on fourth-and-goal. Then Tech fumbled again, quarterback Tevin Washington pitching to Jones as the Tech back was about to get splattered, and the resulting loose ball was taken for a touchdown by Georgia linebacker Justin Houston.
Another two-TD lead for the home side, this with barely a quarter to go. Surely there was no responding from this, not with the redoubtable Nesbitt a spectator with his broken arm. But doggone — no pun intended — if the Jackets didn’t surge to one touchdown and then, beggaring belief, another. With 4:56 remaining, the Jackets were within a point of even.
And Scott Blair, who hadn’t missed an extra point all season, missed the extra point. And surely that was that. But no. Georgia didn’t lose six times by its ability to deliver under pressure. The Bulldogs moved within field-goal range, chose to go for it on fourth-and-1 and saw Aaron Murray fumble the snap. At last Tech had its chance to take the lead.
And it couldn’t manage a first down. Tevin Washington was dropped for losses on first and second down, threw incomplete on third and fourth, and the Jackets had to be done, didn’t they? But Johnson pulled his let-’em-score trick and still his Jackets kept coming, flying across midfield with 45 seconds left. And then finally it was done, Washington delivering an interception.
Georgia had won and rendered itself bowl-eligible, but the lasting memory of this game won’t be of the Bulldogs and their escape: It will be of Johnson and his Jackets and how close they’d come with all their fumbling and without their No. 1 quarterback. It will be of the coach with the lesser players forcing the Bulldogs to the brink. If Paul Johnson can ever recruit similar talent on a consistent basis — admittedly, it’s a big if — Tech won’t wind up 6-6 again anytime soon.
“I wish I could have found a way to help them win the game,” Johnson said, speaking of his players, but he’d done all any coach could do. He’d put them in position. His undermanned team just couldn’t finish the drill.
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859 comments Add your comment
dawgster
November 28th, 2010
12:37 am
above comments should say “what a classless piece of journalism”
saint simon
November 28th, 2010
12:37 am
Dawgster: give UGA credit for what? Tech moved the ball AT WILL. Tech actually stopped UGA a few drives.
Akita Dawg
November 28th, 2010
12:37 am
Offensively Georgia has talent. Defensively is another story. Georgia lost 3 D-lineman to the NFL. They have not replaced them. Except for Dent their linebackers are mediocre at best. The secondary is inexperienced and makes mistakes Three DBs graduated as well from last years team. Georgia should be 8-4. If Green had played all year that would have materialized.
Mark Bradley
November 28th, 2010
12:38 am
The above post has been updated to include quotes from both coaches, included Richt’s admission that Paul Johnson outmaneuvered him on Georgia’s last touchdown.
Cobb Dawg
November 28th, 2010
12:38 am
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{MBA}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
saint simon
November 28th, 2010
12:39 am
Yes, let’s give UGA credit for the missed PAT. Credit for scoring that last TD (instead of taking a knee like a smart coach would). Extra credit for not kicking a FG at the end to go up 4. And finally, credit for squandering top 10 recruiting classes every year.
Miami Beach
November 28th, 2010
12:40 am
Are there any good JC players that are for sale this year? Maybe UGA can ask for donations for the purchase of few player like Auburn has done. The difference is Auburn has a bank, Casino, Dog Track and State Politicians to steer money into recruits pockets. UGA has only a good christian man running the program.
saint simon
November 28th, 2010
12:40 am
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{but you are dumb}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}]
Fort Worth Dawg
November 28th, 2010
12:40 am
Lived up to the expected Rivalry game it should be every year! @St Simons, I hope you are true to your word and stay off Georgia blogs for 3 months! Neither team belongs in a bowl game after their pathetic seasons. To the IDIOT (forgot his name since it was not important), Murray bashing can officially stop with all your ‘Stats’ discrediting him as a good QB.
saint simon
November 28th, 2010
12:41 am
CPJ is playing chess, Richt is playing checkers.
Cobb Dawg
November 28th, 2010
12:43 am
saint simon, I have an BBA degree in Accounting from UGA and a MBA from Vandy. Let’s talk about you. You live in Brunswick, right?
Navigator
November 28th, 2010
12:43 am
Let’s get real now folks, two teams and neither have a defense and don’t through the 9-1 crap, unless you own up the to 20-1 or whatever you have with Florida (boy did they get thumped by FSU). Fact is, UGA isn’t competing anymore for the eastern division, and depend on beating Tech to have a year. GTech can’t beat VaTech regularly either, and Clemson is beating GTech too, as is NC State. So GTech has lost to better teams than UGA and will again next year. We have Ego Johnson and you have Clueless Richt. Now I think about Christmas and leave football until next year.
Miami Beach
November 28th, 2010
12:43 am
That offense CMR plays well in the ACC, and in the ACC defenses are not a priority, just look at the league as a whole, great offenses , no defenses, more and more like the PAC 10 every year.
saint simon
November 28th, 2010
12:43 am
LOL neither school compares to GT. but you already knew that.
Miami Beach
November 28th, 2010
12:45 am
Please pass the hat, we need players and UGA needs to hire some Auburn coaches on how to properly buy players and avoid the NCAA rules and regulations, and ignore the NCAA and FBI.
Classy Tech Fan
November 28th, 2010
12:46 am
Go Jackets! http://www.stingtalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49921
Jimbo
November 28th, 2010
12:46 am
I doubt that Cobb dawg even graduated from high school. Cob-bites are not very smart.
Dawg Fan
November 28th, 2010
12:46 am
Yeah but the problem is that Tech will never get those top prospects. I wouldn’t play offense for a team that still uses the Triple Option. The top prospects are looking forward to the NFL and not many players come out of Tech and go the NFL.
Cobb Dawg
November 28th, 2010
12:48 am
saint simon, when did you go to Tech? What was your degree?
saint simon
November 28th, 2010
12:49 am
Dawg Fan: Tech doesnt need top prospects for its offense. Which is one reason we hired CPJ, Tech historically doesn’t get top prospects…
Miami Beach
November 28th, 2010
12:49 am
The two best teams in the BIG 12 put up 47 and 41 points, I guess the defenses in the other leagues are just not as important as they are in the SEC. And folks we are playing defense like a Pac 10 and Big 12 school,
And thank you lord for the BOISE ST. loss last night…now Tim Brando please shut up about Boise St. Now Lord please give retribution to Auburn for cheating their way to our great dome…
saint simon
November 28th, 2010
12:49 am
Chemistry and chemical engineering, 1991-97… want to come to my house? I live off Johnson Ferry. chump.
Jimbo
November 28th, 2010
12:49 am
Dawg fan check the stats, more Tech players in the last two years were drafted than UGA players.
saint simon
November 28th, 2010
12:50 am
want to know my social security # too?
saint simon
November 28th, 2010
12:50 am
You sound real proud of your degrees, but just know that the UGA degree does nothing but detract from your vandy degree. I’d leave it OFF the resume.
Thomp
November 28th, 2010
12:52 am
The perfect ending would be Richt tucking tail to Miami! How can any true Georgia fan not see he is toast! Mediocre is as mediocre does… Why don’t Georgia fans demand us be competitive with the best in the SEC? Please don’t say we beat tech so he deserves another year. Beating tech is a given…
saint simon
November 28th, 2010
12:52 am
This just in: Richt taking his talents to South Beach. Lane Kiffin in contract negotiations with UGA..
GTBob
November 28th, 2010
12:52 am
I’m actually pretty happy with my Jackets tonight. They played hard and UGA could not stop our offense. We pretty much beat ourselves. That gives us some hope for next year. If we can get a little better on defense and special teams, them watch out. We have some enormous potential.
Miami Beach
November 28th, 2010
12:52 am
I know one thing, if I was a stud running back I would sign with Tech in a moment, because you know you will touch the ball 20 times a game at a minimum…..and in todays game with all the passing offenses, spread offenses a back just does not touch the ball as often as they used to. I am a UGA fan and even I realize GT runs the ball very very well and plays in a decent conference.
Georgia Tech Fan
November 28th, 2010
12:52 am
Georgia Tech played a good game I’m proud of the Tech players even though they lost.
saint simon
November 28th, 2010
12:54 am
Um hey Wrecks. news flash, UGA has better talent. Now, GT has better coaching, hence our games are now competitive. It is what it is.
Martin the Calvinist
November 28th, 2010
12:54 am
Mark you are right, as soon as I saw Ealey score I thought, oh great, Tech is going to get the ball back with time and tie this thing up. Glad he didn’t. Yea I enjoy the fact UGA has a huge lead over Tech, I’ll say this, Tech played one whale of a game and deserved to win. I’m just glad they didn’t. Good game Tech. As a Georgia fan, I sure hope Richt figures out what in the world is wrong w/ UGA and fix it. 6-6 doesn’t cut it.
That “high school” offense is impressive. UGA had no answer for it. I think UGA fans should quit denigrating that offense. It gets the job done. Again, I’m just glad we were a little bit better or fortunate. I don’t know which one yet. Just glad for the W!
flagboy?
November 28th, 2010
12:55 am
Close one.
good to see the internet tough man competition has gotten underway now that the game is over. Hopefully ESPN will show the highlights
All the editorializing about the game is fine for right now, but it’s a win. In a month, it will still be a win. In six months, it will still be a win.
Go Dawgs!
Miami Beach
November 28th, 2010
12:55 am
CMR’s best UGA days left with Stafford and Moreno and get even worse when AJ, Durham, Houston, Dent leave us after our bowl game….
reality check
November 28th, 2010
12:55 am
we WON but were out coached and out played. Tough year but at least we won! go DAWGS
saint simon
November 28th, 2010
12:55 am
Oh yeah wrecks, you do realize that this was OUR worst team in seemingly forever, and we started a freshman backup QB in the biggest game of his life in front of 65000 at the not-sold-out Sanford and son stadium.
UGA 92
November 28th, 2010
12:56 am
Mark Richt was not out coached night, because Mark Richt’s team won the game. CMR has out coached his opposite during this meeting nine out of the last ten years. The arguments and far reaching assumptions in the article are ridiculous.
saint simon
November 28th, 2010
12:56 am
and almost won.
flagboy?
November 28th, 2010
12:57 am
The thing about a “stud” RB and tech’s offense is you take a beating every play, whether you touch the ball or not. It isn’t a great selling point.
reality check
November 28th, 2010
12:58 am
Might be the best case scenario for our beloved Coach Richt to head to south beach. Odd timing to break as the end of our in state game is ending with some out coached plays…. That way what appears as the next direction of decisions is easier and works best for all involved.
The Ghost of Wally Butts
November 28th, 2010
12:58 am
Focus on replays of E-Bay Green’s performance tonight. For example, early in the game when he had at least 5 yards to gain before taking a hit, but he chose to run out of bounds (and short of a first down). He’s clearly saving his body for the NFL. So much for Georgia.
WrecksNEffect
November 28th, 2010
12:58 am
re: saint simon
Sorry Saint Simon, TW (#13) is a RS-Soph. in his 3rd yr. out of HS, learn more about your GT FB Program and don’t repeat the mistakes that Bob Davie makes during the ESPN Broadcasts.
Moral victory
November 28th, 2010
12:59 am
It seems all tech Fans are all over this moral victory thing
So as a dawg fan I am going to give nerds edge in moral victory
Nerds 1-0 in moral victory fantasy land game dawgs
Will humbly take the W for Win
Dan
November 28th, 2010
1:00 am
((((42-34))))
((((42-34))))
Miami Beach
November 28th, 2010
1:00 am
This is the thing, a team reflects it Head Coach, and if a coach is an offensive coach they will recruit the best players and put them on offense, if the coach is a defensive guy he will recruit athletes and emphasize the defense. CPJ is and offensive guy, CMR is an offensive guy and it shows. CMR’s first 5 years he had great upfront talent left by a coach who knew defense wins game, and CMR used those players :Seymour, Stroud, etc to their fullest ability. CPJ needs to find a couple of those speedy tall recievers who can actually catch the ball, but when you are primarily a running team it is hard to get those guys to sign. Look at CMR’s recruits who are verbals, it is lacking any outstanding outstanding studs on defense once again….
saint simon
November 28th, 2010
1:01 am
Okay wrecks, it was his 3rd start. What was Murray doing in his 3rd start? Nada.
Vietnam Dog
November 28th, 2010
1:03 am
Mark, my lasting memory is 9 out of 10. Good game by Tech. You can have the moral victories though, I’ll take the W.
saint simon
November 28th, 2010
1:04 am
what’s up with the moral victory stuff UGA fans keep yapping about? dogs won, big deal, home game, 2 TD favorites, against a team with a backup QB in his 3rd start, tech puts up 500 yards, but lose. big whoop.
Miami Beach
November 28th, 2010
1:04 am
Job Openings:
Colorado
N. Texas St.
Miami
Vandy
Where does Gus Malzhan end up?
Does CMR realize he needs to move on?
saint simon
November 28th, 2010
1:04 am
9 out of 13 vietnam dog.