In this Tech-Tech slugfest, the Jackets are undone by a punch
Georgia Tech's Tevin Washington scored three touchdowns. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
Technically speaking, this wasn’t the ACC championship game, but you can’t go wrong assuming the winner between the Techs will play for the conference title. It has happened every year the league has staged a championship game, and it figures to happen in 2011, too.
But which Tech might it be this time? The one that was ranked in preseason and is ranked still, or the one that began play unranked, worked its way to No. 12 in the polls, fell out after two ugly road losses but wedged its way back after upsetting No. 5 Clemson? The former is officially known as the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, the latter as the Georgia Institute of Technology. For purposes of space, we’ll call them Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech.
For a series only in its ninth installment, this has become a corker. The past three meetings — those since Paul Johnson arrived here — had been decided by a total of 15 points. What transpired Thursday night at a not-quite-full Bobby Dodd Stadium was more of the same. One Tech got ahead. Then the other Tech did. Then the first Tech scored 16 consecutive points to retake the lead. Wild, wacky stuff.
Details? Sure. Georgia Tech led 7-0. Then Virginia Tech went ahead 14-7. Then Georgia Tech kicked a field goal to draw within four points. Then — shades of the Miami game — the Jackets allowed a touchdown inside the half’s final minute. The Hokies led 21-10 and seemed to have taken control. But no.
Georgia Tech drove 61 yards in 44 seconds to a catalytic field goal as the half expired. Then the Jackets, aided by a Virginia Tech personal foul, opened the second half with a drive to one touchdown. The Hokies’ lead was two points. Virginia Tech moved inside the GT 20, at which point Julian Burnett smacked the ball from David Wilson’s grasp. Soon Georgia Tech was ahead by five points and poised to throw a hammerlock on the proceedings, whereupon linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu threw a punch.
The Jackets had stopped Virginia Tech. Attaochu was about to complete a third-down sack of quarterback Logan Thomas. But Thomas, who weighs 254 pounds — 31 more than Attaochu — didn’t go down, and Hokies linemen rushed to his aid, and Attaochu wound up taking a swing at an opponent. He was flagged for a personal foul; he was lucky he wasn’t ejected, and he might yet face a suspension.
To his credit, Attaochu didn’t t dabble in denial afterward. “It was an overdose of adrenaline,” he said. “There’s no excuse for it.”
Said Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech’s coach: “The big penalty kind of changed the game.”
Handed its mulligan, Virginia Tech did what a good team is supposed to do. It fashioned a drive that changed the careening game yet again. The massive Thomas scored on, of all things, a 12-yard quarterback sneak, and the Hokies were back ahead. Then Paul Johnson did the Paul Johnson thing and went for it on fourth down on the wrong side of midfield — at the Tech 31, to be exact — and Tevin Washington was halted.
“Maybe we could have called a better play,” Johnson said. “But we didn’t execute the play that was called very well, either.”
Why had he gone for it? “I felt like we needed to score. From the second possession of the game, we couldn’t stop them.”
Again the Hokies took their windfall and cashed it in. A Thomas touchdown pass made it an eight-point game. Washington slipped and fell trying to pass on third down, and Georgia Tech had to punt. By now Virginia Tech’s offensive line was pushing the Jackets’ defense backward, just as had happened over the final 10 minutes of the first half, and a field goal with 3:02 to play pushed the Hokie lead to 37-26.
And that was that. A crackling game had, at least for the home side, fizzled at the end. The winning Tech is again in playing-for-a-championship mode, while the losing Tech has been eliminated from the division race. To be blunt, Virginia Tech seemed the more talented team for much of the game, but Georgia Tech will long wonder what would have happened had Jeremiah Attaochu kept his hands to himself.
By Mark Bradley
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534 comments Add your comment
CPR
November 11th, 2011
6:59 am
Well no loss here, Tech would have just vacated the ACC Title anyway…
Burgess
November 11th, 2011
7:10 am
Paul Johnson could not be a pimple on Chan Gailey’s ass
Weather Channel Expert
November 11th, 2011
7:11 am
I can’t wait to fill up the Nerd Stadium. It’s going to be all RED & BLACK. WE RUN THIS STATE.
ditto
November 11th, 2011
7:17 am
Thank you Hokie Fan for being the voice of reason…..not much left to say.
“Good game tonight Jackets. People would be saying how smart and great and aggressive CPJ was if they’d made that 4th and short. And with our D-line as banged up as it is plus he’d made a 4th down earlier, and up to that point, the GT O had shredded our D in the 2nd half, it probably really wasn’t a dumb call.
As for the punch…Jack Tyler hit your guy way out of bounds too. They all do dumb things in the heat of the moment. #45 will probably hear about that again during the week. I’m sure CPJ will give him a big lesson in negative feedback to discourage him from doing that again. And Tyler will be running the stadium steps at Lane.
It’s a game of inches and this one could have gone either way. VT’s unofficial nickname is the Chokies for a reason. One or two plays go differently, and GT is much happier. Good luck against Duke and UGA.”
Al Groh
November 11th, 2011
7:18 am
When I told the defense to hit the Quarterback….
TechMan
November 11th, 2011
7:31 am
He should have gone for it on fourth down. If we make it we have chance to win – PJ plays to win you bunch of loser fans. So what if we punt it at that point, all they had to do was run a qb sneak and they could get 5-7 yrds each time. My only complaint was he should have ran option maybe but that doesn’t make him a bad coach…cmon now, do you really think we had a chance to win if we punt in that situation?
ATl Sports
November 11th, 2011
7:33 am
STUPID 4TH DOWN CALL!!!!!!!!!
WORSE THAN THE PUNCH!!!!!!!
JOHNSON WAS OUTCOACHED AGAIN BY BEEMER!!!!!
7-3 IN THE ACC IS NOT SOMETHING TO GET EXCITED ABOUT!!!!!!
EVEN IF WE BEAT THE DOGS IT WILL BE A BIG LETDOWN FOR THE SEASON!!!!!!
THIS OFFENSE WILL NOT WIN A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!!
WE WILL BE 9-3 ON OUR BEST YEARS AND 7-5 ON A SO-SO YEAR!!!!!!!
IS THAT WHAT WE ARE SATISFIED WITH AT TECH??????????
TechMan
November 11th, 2011
7:38 am
Attaochu gave me flashbacks and the picture I was seeing was Reggie Ball…never again recruit a guy that spells his last name like he just sneezed, because he won’t be sneezing, he will be choking.
GaTech fan in Kentucky
November 11th, 2011
7:42 am
Its time for CPJ to go. Do we really think we can win a National Championship with this guy? He’s sooooo stubborn. How do you expect to win games if you only have five passing plays? Something is broke and He wont fix it!
James
November 11th, 2011
7:45 am
Tech’s won one of their last four. The announcers talking about Tech players SAT scores and why they always know where the ball is made me LOL. Then when Attachou takes that punch, how come no mention of SAT scores? Dumb play of the year topped only by going for it on 4th and 1 from your own 31 with 14 minutes left in the game. The punch cost the game, the 4th and dumb just put icing on the cake.
The DAWG
November 11th, 2011
7:46 am
I don’t think both spots have been filled for the BLUE CARPET Bowl yet. They like High School Offenses out there
hank
November 11th, 2011
7:47 am
for the 10th time in 11 years, VT has beaten an Al Groh led defense…As a Hokie fan, I hope GT keeps Groh forever!
Blazerfan
November 11th, 2011
7:51 am
Groh has got to go! And take Attaochu with you. This is at best a mediocre Tech football team and unfortunately it shall remain that way as long as the defensive genius (Al Groh) is there. I still believe in Paul Johnson, but he has to get a different defensive coordinator.
HokieNGa
November 11th, 2011
7:52 am
Thuggery seems to be everywhere in the sport. I remember the classless Marcus Vick stomp from a few years back. A suspension from the team would do Attaochu a world of good and show that GT runs an honorable program. Best of luck against UGa, and keep your fists to yourself.
rj
November 11th, 2011
7:55 am
FIRE PAUL JOHNSON. ‘NUFF SAID
perk
November 11th, 2011
7:59 am
dawg fan here who went to the game- was on 10th row in front of personal foul – GT was rolling on D until then. the next play they had a chance to drop the TB for a loss and he scattered for a gain. You could feel the mo sucked right there. The 4th down call -?- I think he did it to get some momentum back. The back should have made it.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 11th, 2011
8:01 am
Tech is so smart yet so dumb when it comes to sports.
If you cant win in the sorriest conference your not too bright
Hal
November 11th, 2011
8:02 am
What I learned last night.
1. GT played hard but not smart.
2. VT has much more talent and size than GT. It looked like a high school team against a college team. The D line weak.
3. VT’s running backs run with stregnth . GY backs can’t keep their balance and are slower.
4. We tackle high when we should be tackling low.
5. Finch is not as good as MacRae.
6 When GT is behind. It is a waste of time to try to pass. Either GT can’t get the ball off or the reciever drops it.
7. CPJ needs to work on improving the weak the between the two guards is on short yardage situations.
Will
November 11th, 2011
8:04 am
I can’t believe some of you all think the Defense was the problem last night, did you all see how long they were on the field, most of the game, and on top of that our guys are small compared to VTs. Our D played like the Clemson game, but for much longer. It was our Offense that didn’t come through, aside from the one stupid punch
Cecil34
November 11th, 2011
8:05 am
Here are some facts:
A) VA Tech has better players….
B) Johnson’s offense virtually guarantees at least 4 or more losses most years due to it’s inconsistency….
C) Tech’s talent level in the defensive secondary is not ACC level…
D) Johnson himself is his own worst enemy when it comes to play-calling and decision-making….
E) Tech needs just the kind of big QB VA Tech has to run the TO – and that is not Tevin Washington….
F) Johnson’s tenure at Tech in the next year (or two, if the alumni can take it that long) is going to be increasingly suspect and will not end well.
G) The next coach for GA Tech will run the spread – Mike Leach anyone?
dawgfan
November 11th, 2011
8:07 am
Paul Johnson is now 2-5 against arguably the two biggest opponents on Tech’s schedule every year: UGA and VT. Throw in an 0-3 bowl record and you really begin to understand what a genius he truly is.
LMAO.
Brent Cheez-burger
November 11th, 2011
8:07 am
Your looking live………. at historic Bobby-Bu-Shay stadium!!!!!!!
WHere the Drunken Wreck from GT lost another game against decent competition
hahahahahahahahahahaha
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 11th, 2011
8:09 am
GT Joe
What happened to mighty GT
blahahahahahahaha
Excuses count
November 11th, 2011
8:10 am
VT was the better team last night. Tech would have had to play a perfect game to win and they didn’t. CPJ has gone from the “NEW Sheriff in town/ football genius to arrogant dumbass. Sounds like UGA fans……
Tech better get their chin off the deck or they will lose to DUKE. Keep the faith bumble bees your team will play real hard agains UGA. They always do. Your whole program is defined by that game.
Brent Cheez-burger
November 11th, 2011
8:11 am
Your looking live……… at historic Bobby Dump stadium
Where Thuggary from North Ave takes the field again with a Sucker Punch
hahahahahahahahaha
Nativebird
November 11th, 2011
8:12 am
Calling Al Groh, calling Al Groh…..you’re daily geritol dosage is ready. You have a message waiting from Shady Oaks Assisted Living, they said the room you picked out before the season started is now ready.
Brad
November 11th, 2011
8:14 am
Thanks Attaochou for costing us the game. You have a qb sacked for a huge loss on 3rd and what 20? And you punch his helmet? Brilliant!!
Enjoy sitting on the bench against Dook. And PJ you didn’t help matters going for it at your own 30. Talk about two bonehead decisions.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 11th, 2011
8:14 am
GT Joe
What went wrong. According to you GT is among the best teams in the nation; able to destroy LSU
Crickets churping
Crickets churping
Crickets churping
Crickets churping
GTman
November 11th, 2011
8:14 am
Why did Al Groh play such an agressive defense against Clemson and then comes out against VT and plays this soft, passive defensive scheme?
He let Thomas get in a rhythm and gain confidence. You can not do this! If he plays this scheme against even Duke and especially against UGA, we lose both games. Play an aggressive scheme and get the QB out of rhythm early!
J Wnc
November 11th, 2011
8:15 am
One play (or penalty) does not win or lose a game. Critisize Attaocho if you will; and I am sure you will —– but don’t overlook the fact he was bumped from behind during that exchange (I’ll post the offender’s number later). ?He just retaliated instead of brushing it off; and against the wrong person.
Enough negatives ocurred to offset the positives in this loss. “Timing of events” is critical.
Gorilla Biscuit
November 11th, 2011
8:18 am
Well, well, well. Coach Fishfry outsmarted himself again in this one.
I said 31-28 VT, but was a little off. You guys incredulously asked if I thought VT could score 31 on your defense. 4th and 1 on your own 30 and you go for it? Attoachu(sic) thinks he’s Mike Tyson?
Clemson was a blip. You just matched up well with them. The Dawgs are gonna clean Al Groh’s clock.
You guys called for a “whiteout”, but some of your fans didn’t get the memo and instead came disguised as empty seats. Embarassing that you can’t fill up that little stadium. Just embarassing.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 11th, 2011
8:19 am
Brad
Its not Attaochou fault
Paul Johnson teaches players this garbage.
Thats why he tells GT fans to punch UGA fans.
Dont blame the player he is just doing what is taught by Turkey Neck
Harvey D. Pooka
November 11th, 2011
8:19 am
It hurts. But, come Saturday evening, GT will shake it off.
Finishing 9 – 3 and with post-Christmas week Bowl win, we’ll feel much better. You can see the improvement in this team. Tighten up a bit here-n-there and they’ll be fine. Forget UM and forget VaTech final score, the defense is gaining respect; they just need get killer instinct and force moe opportunistic turnovers.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
November 11th, 2011
8:20 am
Brad
Turkey Neck teaches this to players and GT fans
Brent Cheez-burger
November 11th, 2011
8:21 am
Your looking live……… at historic Bobby-Bu-Shay stadium
Where another Tech game has 1000’s of empty seats in a high school stadium
Goldenrod
November 11th, 2011
8:23 am
I cannot believe I froze my ARSE off last night to support our Jackets, only to see Attaochu throw a punch and throw away our season.
Folks, I am seriously concerned about the lack of leadership of Coach Johnson. We’ve had Reuben, the NCAA findings and penalties and now a punch thrown to the head of an opposing player.
I am disgusted with this team and mainly with this coaching staff. We will curb stomp Duke but I’ve got to be honest, I think we’re only going to beat the Leghumpers by 10-14 points.
Brent Cheez-burger
November 11th, 2011
8:25 am
Your looking live……… at historic Bobby-Bu-Shay stadium
Where delusional GT fans earlier this year thought they would be playing in the National Championship game
hahahahahahahaha
eloop
November 11th, 2011
8:25 am
Fishfry throwing the players under the bus: “Maybe we could have called a better play,” Johnson said. “But we didn’t execute the play that was called very well, either.”
The triple-option is a gadget offense and is NOT a scheme – it is fine for a play or two, but is NOT to be relied on for season-long success. Defenses who quickly figure out how to stop it continually embarrass the offense, but with the players GT has, there are not many other options.
Mountain DAWG
November 11th, 2011
8:26 am
Attachou punched the QB and delivered a TKO (Tech Knock Out) to the wrong team, his own. Way to go! What a disgrace to see him on the field for the very next play. Should have been sent to the locker room.
The Grinch .
November 11th, 2011
8:27 am
Tough loss, guys. I don’t watch tech football too much, but here’s my take on where the program is at:
* Love it or hate it, Johnson is going to stay with the triple option. In most instances it will score you enough points to win most games on your schedule.
* Your passing game seems to be an afterthought and the rare passing plays seem to be to chuck it up and hope for an athletic/acrobatic catch.
* Your defense is atrocious. There was a debate when tech added Groh and UGA added Grantham, but I’ll take a loose cannon like Grantham any day of the week over a cadaver like Groh. How old is that guy? Were he and Paterno in high school at the same time or something?
The highly anticipated “Grinch summary”:
* Fine tune your passing game and you’ll score over 30 points all season long. Don’t hit me with the “average points per game” because the Kansas game will skew things. What I’m saying is that if you have an adequate passing game you’ll score 30+ week in and week out.
* Get a new DC. Here’s a suggestion: make sure the new DC can fog a mirror if you hold it under his nose.
Vince
November 11th, 2011
8:27 am
Its somewhat incredible to me that Johnson let this kid play the whole rest of the game after throwing that punch. Says something about Johnson’s character, or lack of.
The Grinch .
November 11th, 2011
8:27 am
Mountain DAWG
November 11th, 2011
8:26 am
I was also surprised that Johnson didn’t yank him from the game. What a boneheaded play.
DC
November 11th, 2011
8:30 am
Too many trolls for this blog…I read page 1 and i could tell that it was 2 people using several different names…
The Grinch .
November 11th, 2011
8:30 am
dawgfan
November 11th, 2011
8:07 am
but……but…..the UGA game doesn’t mean anything. Johnson says they’re all about winning championships……
BWAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Mountain DAWG
November 11th, 2011
8:33 am
No sweat, Jackets. It was only the ACC championship game, anyway. It wasn’t like it was a REAL college conference championship game you missed out on. Maybe you might be able to sneak in the Ga High School State playoffs. Nobody would know you were a college team- high school-type offense, high school-sized stadium.
Brent Cheez-burger
November 11th, 2011
8:34 am
Your looking live……… at historic Bobby Dump stadium
Where Tech fans are scratching their heads wondering what happened to their undefeated season
Gorilla Biscuit
November 11th, 2011
8:35 am
You could re-engineer that stadium and take out another 10,000 seats.
gator
November 11th, 2011
8:36 am
Why not go for it on fourth down? Tech can only punt the ball 20 yards and they were against the wind
The Grinch .
November 11th, 2011
8:37 am
Looks like most tech fans have left this blog early. Sort of like those fans attending last nights game……
College Fan
November 11th, 2011
8:37 am
Thanks Mark Bradley for calling it what it was – a punch. Not a closed fist like your colleague, or a “mistake” like some others. If it had been another team in the state, you all would have said how they were a bunch of thugs… Seems the boys on North Avenue are getting a free ride here.