A canny loss to UGA leaves Tech fans giddy about their coach
Paul Johnson thinks of something. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
This we know: Georgia Tech folks obsess over Georgia. (An unkind reference to UGA is included in the song “Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech.”) And it’s beyond dispute that the Jackets lost to the Mutts (another unkind reference) in Athens on Saturday. And yet …
Tech people walked away from that game feeling good about themselves, which never happens when Tech loses to Georgia in any sport. But it happened this time. It happened because Techies, who pride themselves on brainpower, were tickled at having outsmarted Big Brother.
OK, I know what you Bulldogs are saying. I’ve read the responses to this little missive from late last night. To paraphrase the stance of (some) Georgia folks: “If Paul Johnson is such a genius, how come he lost to Mark Richt again? Isn’t the name of the game to win?”
Well, yes. But there can be honor in defeat, especially when the defeat is so hard-fought and cleverly wrought. There can be no denying that the Jackets were the aggressor throughout and the stronger side up front. Those 411 yards rushing weren’t wisps of smoke. (Fun fact: The Jackets ran for two more yards against Todd Grantham’s million-dollar defense than they had against the one misguided by Willie Martinez in the epic upset of 2008. And this time they did it, as I’m guessing you’re aware, without Joshua Nesbitt.)
Urban Meyer, my role model in all things, believes the measure of a coach is how his team fares “when the checkers are equal.” The checkers weren’t anywhere close to equal Saturday night — even Tech people fully expected their team to get blown out — and the Jackets were a PAT from a tie inside the final five minutes. Georgia made three mistakes (two turnovers and a botched kickoff) that yielded no Tech points, while three Tech fumbles spawned three Bulldog touchdowns … and still the Jackets kept coming.
Full credit to the Bulldogs for making the requisite plays at the end, but fuller credit must go to Johnson and his Jackets: They got nearly the maximum from their diminished resources on a night when Georgia’s best player, the sublime A.J. Green, could be seen running out of bounds three yards short of a first down when the score was 0-0. (Georgia scored on the next play, Kris Durham’s catch-and-run, but still.)
And when the careening game finally seemed lost, that rascal Johnson conjured up one last way to make it winnable. He ordered cornerback Jerrard Tarrant to tell the other Jacket defenders, “Let ‘em score.” A Tech employee standing on the sideline heard this exchange and was terrified the Bulldogs would catch on to this strategic bit of jujitsu, but they didn’t. Washaun Ealey burst through the line and kept going and everyone in red and black got really excited — for five seconds. Then they realized they’d been snookered.
Said Richt: “We didn’t coach very good there. We got outcoached right there. It was good strategy by Coach Johnson. I thought [when it happened], ‘He got us there. He got me.’ ”
Said Johnson, almost shrugging: “It was the only way we could win the game.”
In the end his team lost, but the same Tech man who’d told me after the Jackets’ uninspiring defeat of Duke that he fully dreaded Saturday night in Athens was positively giddy in this losing aftermath. And another Tech man, the former captain Taz Anderson, sent this e-mail 18 minutes after the final whistle: “Tonight you saw a great football coach take a group that has little talent and keep them in a game where they were clearly overmatched.”
OK, I know what (some of) you Bulldogs are saying to that: “They’re Techies and they lost– who cares what they think?” And under other circumstances I might agree. But after this wild night I’d suggest both sides saw the same game, which is to say an on-paper mismatch that became an on-field white-knuckler. And I’d also ask this: When was the last time Georgia’s coach worked a game that good?
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791 comments Add your comment
dawgfan
November 28th, 2010
3:46 pm
Anthony Allen:
“Kansas didn’t beat us. Clemson didn’t beat us. Virginia Tech didn’t beat us. Georgia didn’t beat us. We beat ourselves out there.”
Georgia Tech=10-2 in 2010.
Congratulations nerds on yet another season of empty moral victories!!!!
Time for some state of Georgia geography
November 28th, 2010
3:47 pm
A blogger here and obviously a sad little GT fan, was arguing how horrible it must be as a Georgia Bulldog fan to see Alabama and AU playing with state of Gerogia kids. To some extent he is right.
Here is where the goegrpahy comes in ………………..um, ah, GT is also in the state of Georgia and so they too are NOT GETTING kids to play in their funky lil out dated 70s offense. Yes, GT had 42,890 miles on UGA on the ground. Sure did. UGA??
UGA won the game kids. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAH
If I am wrong, ask any GT grad this ….” would you be happay winning vs UGA with 120 total yds and the score of 3-0 and them churning up 3,890 yds??? Hmmmmmmmmmm? Answer is WE WANT THE WIN. UGA WON.
See you in our other home field ………………..Grant Field where it will be 1-10.
gtarch
November 28th, 2010
3:49 pm
i usually don’t comment on these, but i just have to say, tech students don’t really engage in the rivalry like uga students do. it’s kind of funny how uga students can only talk about football and how it’s so important in the south (goes to show where our cultural and sociopolitical priorities are), but tech students are usually more prepared to argue about their rivalry with mit, emory, and top notch schools. apparently uga students are obsessed with their four best years, whereas tech students are concerned with the rest of their lives.
and remember, 9 in 10 means nothing. you’ve only tied the record we held for consecutive wins against you back in the ’60s. so if you’re going to sit there and spew statistics, remember, tech students are actually good at math and being logical, uga students are good at non-sequiturs spewed between drunken bouts.
uga, forever in our shadow
NINE AND ONE!
November 28th, 2010
3:49 pm
Yes Anthony Allen it looks like “Your just going to keep beating yourself.”
kingster
November 28th, 2010
3:51 pm
Mark that was a very good article, I’m sure that other team did not UNDERSTAND it (smile), the only think I do not agree is the first couple of lines, Tech fans are not obsessed with UGA, I think its the other way around, a lot of times there are many more UGA fans on TECH blog than Teckies. In this game UGA had how many 4 and 5 star players and high school all americans, I’m proud of TECH if you believe in moral victories, I think UGA really knows the real deal, sure on the score board Georgia won, but ask people how they REALLY FEEL?
NINE AND ONE!
November 28th, 2010
3:51 pm
gtarch –
What a whiny little nerd. To sit there and say this rivalry means nothing??? Who are you kidding? 2 years ago your techmites could not stay off our blogs for a full year so please go back to your basement with that mindless dribble!
GT fan in MS
November 28th, 2010
3:52 pm
NINE AND ONE!
Your name says it all. That’s the only reason Richt hasn’t been fired. UGA fans will put up with alot. Total Pwnage by UF. Doesn’t he have a losing record against UT as well? Just don’t lose to the Nerds. That will get a coach fired faster than being an also ran in the SEC east. Look at his predecessor …. Lost 3 in a row to GT and was out on his ear.
NINE AND ONE!
November 28th, 2010
3:53 pm
kingster
You guys kill me with that dribble!!! You can have your “moral, giddy” wins. I’ll take mine on the scoreboard. 9 out of 10!
heyberto
November 28th, 2010
3:54 pm
Ah yes, the ‘Moral Victory’ meme rears its head. Then again, that’s about all Tech fans are used to.. 9 out of the last 10 baby… Go Dawgs!!
NINE AND ONE!
November 28th, 2010
3:58 pm
GT fan in MS
Yep, live through those other teams! No, CMR has a winning record against UT. Hey Meyer has a losing record against Auburn, should they fire him? We don’t accept losing to UF. That is why CMR will be under the gun next year. Your Tool box of a coach will stay there for a long time as UGA continues to beat up on them.
Gotta love the way you techies, again, have to bring up other teams that have had success against UGA. It must really hurt because you have no idea how it feels to win 2 in a row for the past decade!
ramblinman
November 28th, 2010
3:58 pm
Nice article Mark…thanks. I was thinking while watching the game as I saw celebrities on the sideline in their UGA colors, 95K in the stands, 5 star UGA recruits on the field, etc “How does Tech even compete?” Paul Johnson proves that great coaching is everything. The program is in good hands and I look for great things to come.
They fought to get the best seats in the house
November 28th, 2010
3:59 pm
I heard that The Bureau, um, that would be the FBI …………….had agents fighting in the Atlanta office for the best seats in the house for the Alabama/AU game.
FBI??? Now why on earth are they interested in watching Auburn?? Hmmmmmmmmm??
GO Dogs.
surfrider
November 28th, 2010
4:00 pm
The big thing is we lost the game. After having 500 yards offense, 32 1st downs, clock time of what 38 minutes and we still loose unbelievable. Now 4 fumbles deep in their terrortory, a missed extra point and what has to be the worse defense in sometime is why Ga. won. They also prorated out a big offense when they had the ball. We need faster and big Lb’s for this defesne to work otherwise let’s go back to the 4-3.
NINE AND ONE!
November 28th, 2010
4:02 pm
To be honest, I kid about CPJ, but he is the best coach you will have. He is a good coach and I would bet IF he read this post and saw that you guys like moral victories he would puke! I don’t see tech losing 6 games again next year. I think he will win about 8 or 9 next year. Of course it will not include a win over UGA. To only win 6 games while in the ACC is very weak. He won’t put up with that.
Glory Glory
November 28th, 2010
4:02 pm
SUCK IT, NERDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NERDS!!! 42-34!!!
November 28th, 2010
4:03 pm
NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!NERDS!!! 42-34!!!
NERDS!!! 42-34!!!
November 28th, 2010
4:03 pm
PS:
NERDS!!!
JR
November 28th, 2010
4:04 pm
You know, Bradley, I quit taking you seriously years ago as a legitimate journalist. I remember covering the Braves with you during the time Tom Glavine signed one of his big contracts with the team. On the day he signed it the Braves were at home and after the game several reporters were, of course, standing around his locker discussing the signing. With most of the questions asked and answered by a very patient Glavie, all of the reporters take their leave. All but you. You are standing right in front of Glavie with your arms crossed kind of staring with that stupid look of yours and Glavine is awaiting your question. I stand off to the side watching the event play out.
With you and Glavine standing their, Glavine obviously feeling a little awkward as you are only about a foot away from his face- I can only imagine what your breath smelled like- you proceed to ask probably the stupidest question I’ve ever heard a reporter ask; “Tom, (long pause) has money changed you?” The look on Glavine’s face was priceless! But, being the true gentlemen that he is, he tried to answer that question with a straight face.
After you walk away he sees me standing there observing and he and I crack up laughing! You’ve got my email address. Shoot me an email and I’ll tell you what he called you that night. I don’t think Glavine ever took you serious after that.
My point? No one in Atlanta really takes you seriously and this article is just case in point and really provides more humor than true reflection. After growing up a little the comic papers just weren’t funny anymore. Thank goodness you now provide that much needed humor on a Sunday afternoon!
Progressive Humanist
November 28th, 2010
4:05 pm
Yes, the win was not the most satisfying one to UGA fans, but this idea about how GT’s athletes were so overmatched is BS. The running game is a strong measure of athleticism because it’s all about physicality and power (whereas a successful passing game can sometimes be a product of smoke and mirrors). An overmatched team does not roll up 400 rushing yards on their “superior” opponent. I was at the game and it was clear that GT was physically taking it to the Dogs all night. UGA had the speed advantage in the passing game, and GT certainly outcoached UGA, but it’s bogus to talk about how the poor, overmatched GT players overcame so much adversity. They played well and they lost. That’s it. Oh, and Mark Bradley has a man-crush on Paul Johnson.
brokeback jacket
November 28th, 2010
4:05 pm
The FBI wanted some last-minute to some tech games this season, and they were pleasantly surprised to find some in the front row every single time. They reported back to Washington that those butt ugly cheerleaders were a national security risk.
PHIL
November 28th, 2010
4:05 pm
Bradley I agree with the guy who said “where was the genius last year when he got pants’d at home by a Joe Cox led team w/o AJ Green and a dead man walking DC? The “genius” also had Nesbitt, Thomas and a better fullback. ” LAst year UGA had a team that was actually worse than this one and he had the ACC champs, what ever that is worth. Also, if he is do great why did he have such an over matched team on the field? Is he not responsible for that part of coaching also? Great coaches find and sign great players. At Auburn you pay them and at Alabama you sign more and more and just cut players from the team. You latch onto a narrative and go with it despite facts or outcomes to the contrary. I always wondered if you were stupid or if you were just out to stir up crap. Now I know. Hope the AJC gives you big bonuses.
On a subject related to getting better players, I can’t wait for the FBI to put it on Auburn so hard they don’t even have a football team in 5 years! Bwaaaaaahhhhaaaaahhhhaaaaa
brokeback jacket
November 28th, 2010
4:06 pm
Last minute tickets, I meant. I got distracted just thinking about those butt ugly tech cheerleaders, and I can’t get these numbers out of my head:
42-34
Vick=Dog killing Thug
November 28th, 2010
4:07 pm
The state of GA does have 1 good football team. GO FALCONS !!
reality
November 28th, 2010
4:08 pm
So it comes down to the fact that UGA has nothing to hang their on this year but a victory at home over a 6-6 GT team. Think of all of the embarrassment which has led UGA to this point. There is no pride, no integrity in UGA’s program. Enjoy your bowl game because you represent all that is wrong with college athletics.
kp1
November 28th, 2010
4:08 pm
I know you had to write something, but this is such a stupid article.
Monkey Business
November 28th, 2010
4:09 pm
Okay you Georgia Fans want to break it all down with the BIG WIN on Saturday Night against a team that was 6-5 coming into the game in a conference that is across the board rated as the 5th best BCS conference behind the SEC, PAC 10 BIG 10, BIG 12 then the ACC.
You by all accounts have lost to some pretty good SEC teams and a pitiful Big 12 team soon to be in the PAC 10 on the road with your best player back on the field. By all accounts UGA is in the bottom half of the conference of all overall schools. By all accounts UGA has had more arrest and police reports issued than any other school in the conference. UGA ranks in the top 25 teams with personal foul penalities running for the past 5 years. UGA has changed its entire defensive staff due to poor performance for the past 4 years running. UGA’s head coach was rejected by a former UGA player to become D.C, and turned down by 2 others for the same position. It is widely recognized that very very few coaches on the current UGA staff would be hired by any other SEC school.
The state of GEORGIA is rated as the 4th or 5th best High School talent available year in and year out. UGA has experienced some great recruiting classes in CMR’s early and mid years, but as of 2005 those classes have not been in the same league as those first ones and it has shown on the field.
UGA has done the Penalty endzone celebration against UF, the Black Out at home against Alabama and since those moments the discipline on the squad as diminished to epic proportions.
Arrest, poor decisions, AD issues, minor NCAA violations by the staff( which every school commits) and Jersey Gate have made the Sport Page Headlines. You(UGA) make those headlines because you are the state school.
The current recruiting class is hinging on signing 3 players, and only one of those is a dominant Defensive player. If UGA does not get all three of these players the recruiting class will finish in the bottom half of the top 20 nationally. Finishing out of the top 10 nationally in a state that produces top 4 or 5 talent is unacceptable and is a road map to failure.
UGA ranks in the middle of the pack in facilities in the SEC and lacks one key element that CMR has requested since he first arrived at UGA, a full fledged INDOOR Practice Facility, not a walk thru building. For those of you that have not visited other facilities around the league, take a few trips and see the weight rooms, training facilities, the academic centers, the practice facilities, the support facilities, and you will see how far down the line UGA stands.
This program beat a 6-5 team now 6-6 that is an average team in a below average conference and even Tech fans are giddy because they know they are catching the STATE SCHOOL every year and with the current staff in place at both schools it is a matter of time before they pass the STATE SCHOOL.
Oh how the mighty have fallen
November 28th, 2010
4:10 pm
Nothing left to brag about but beating Ga Tech. From SEC champs to best of the lest, the most impressive 6 and 6 team in the country. Can’t compete in the SEC, 4 and 5 star recruits but still going to a losers bowl just like Tech, two peas in a pod. And barely won at that. The mighty junk yard dog D could not even stop a 4th rate high school team offense.
Progressive Humanist
November 28th, 2010
4:10 pm
GTarch,
Only one of the two schools had a Rhodes scholar this year and it wasn’t Tech.
Sshhhhhhhhhhhhh! The Weedeater is calling GT
November 28th, 2010
4:10 pm
The phone at the GT athletic complex is on auto. It says ” thank you for calling GT. At this time, we are dreaming about a trip to sunny Nashville or to sunny Boise and that blue carpet and if you are with the Weedeater Bowl …………AKA The Independence Bowl …………………..PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE A MESSAGE> UGA fans will be cackling when GT gets and ACCEPTS the bid to Shreveport.
My aunt and uncle live there and are in the glitzy part of town where the MDs live. I had one blast there last year and so did my 24 year old son ( UGA class of 2007 ) with some comely LSU gals in her hood. GT? Naw ………………….y’all will be out at the by pass in the Shoney’s Inn. Their shrimp meal deal for $4.99 ain’t that bad, I heard.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAH The Independence is a coming up fast GT.
Oh how the mighty have fallen
November 28th, 2010
4:11 pm
barely beat a bunch of nerds, a disgrace to the SEC
Too Funny
November 28th, 2010
4:13 pm
I wonder if they’ll get some rings this year for almost winning a game against UGA.. GT is and will always be the red headed step child. Now back to North Ave. Try again next year nerds.
Oh how the mighty have fallen
November 28th, 2010
4:16 pm
up 14 points twice but could not hold the lead, took a missed x-tra point to win against a 4th rate high school team with a QB who was starting only his third game, down go the dogs, down go the dogs!
GT fan in MS
November 28th, 2010
4:17 pm
NINE AND ONE!
I’m not about moral victories.
I just simply refuse to hang my head about this game. I am very proud of GT’s effort and I’m optimistic about Tevin Washington running this offense next year.
UGA was a 15 point favorite going into the game last night? UGA’s coaching staff had 2 weeks to prepare for a “High School Offense” they’d seen the previous 2 years being run by a QB in his 3rd start and first on the road. UGA was supposed to dominate this game but got dominated instead. Georgia’s Football U got all they wanted last night. It was great seeing GT continutally run the ball right down an SEC D’s throat and seeing UGA’s players with hands on hips. So, no, I’m not going to hang my head over last night’s game.
John
November 28th, 2010
4:19 pm
Next year is going to be rough on uga losing 75% of their receiving offense.
Just as tech couldn’t overcome the losses of 4 players, ga will have the same fate. The difference is, we were coming off a bcs bowl and you’re coming off a 6-6 season. Good luck with that. Murray is a good qb but losing these playmakers will hurt a lot. You don’t replace these two guys very easily and certainly not in one season
2011 Gt goes 9-3 with a win against ga
Ga goes 4-8 with opening losses to boise and sc and if richt doesn’t leave for miami now, he won’t be returning to athens next year.
papadawg
November 28th, 2010
4:19 pm
They’re Techies and they lost– who cares what they think?
NINE AND ONE!
November 28th, 2010
4:21 pm
Ha Ha …. man I forgot about the ring stuff. Hey I bet the team will get rings for being “GIDDY”
urban meyer
November 28th, 2010
4:21 pm
UGA is 3 of 21 against UF! I guess it is a good reason to come to Florida baaaahaaa we get ur money and a win!
Oh how the mighty have fallen
November 28th, 2010
4:21 pm
Since Ga fans are on here bragging it is obvious that Tech has been put on a pedestal by Ga fans this year and beating Tech IS the highlight of Ga’s otherwise sorry ass season.
NINE AND ONE!
November 28th, 2010
4:22 pm
John
Smoke em if ya got em!
Jones
November 28th, 2010
4:22 pm
62k to 43k starting salary for tech versus uga – the only stat that really matters for a college
bradley- kentucky is a joke of an institution- you should be kissing the campus grounds of uga and ga tech-
-cmr can now take his thug act to miami- uga should pay derek dooley whatever he wants to bring him to ath
Alan
November 28th, 2010
4:22 pm
This website has gt playing boise???
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/bowls/predictions
nick
November 28th, 2010
4:24 pm
That is a pathetic article. Hang your hat on an unconventional tactic that didnt work in a game you lost if you want to.
Oh how the mighty have fallen
November 28th, 2010
4:24 pm
How do you have a 6 and 6 season with 4 and 5 star recruits? That’s easy, just send them to uga:
9-4
7-5
6-6
down go the dogs
down go the dogs
dwdawg
November 28th, 2010
4:24 pm
Wrong, Mark, it really is about the scoreboard
Too Funny
November 28th, 2010
4:24 pm
Hey “Oh how they mighty has fallen”..4th rate high school team? Really, you mean the same 4th rate high school team that leads the nation in rushing? Yeah, that’s who the Dogs beat.. read it again if you have any questions.. “You play to win the game” to quote a famous coach.. You must be a GT fan.. GT: Kings of the Moral Victory.. We run this State. Drive safely.
coach smith
November 28th, 2010
4:26 pm
yeah CPJ is soo smart and such a great coach he just taught his players how to lay down and give up
Oh how the mighty have fallen
November 28th, 2010
4:26 pm
Ok, if you want to show some respect for beating a good team last night I can accept that, but calling Ga Tech a 4th rate high school team came from a Ga fan
Oh how the mighty have fallen
November 28th, 2010
4:26 pm
I’m Giddy with envy!
coach smith
November 28th, 2010
4:28 pm
Oh how the mighty have fallen
get your facts straight you moron
2008 UGA was 10-3 and won the capital one bowl (not 9-4)
2009 UGA was 8-5 and won the Independence bowl (not 7-5)
2010 UGA is 6-6 so far the same as your techies who we just beat
Oh how the mighty have fallen
November 28th, 2010
4:28 pm
UGA: King of the 6 and 6 teams. Oh how the mighty have fallen