Georgia Tech coulda/shoulda won this, but somehow it lost
After much ado, this is how the long night ended: With the other Tech celebrating. (AP photo)
Blacksburg, Va. – Yes, crowning a division champion on Labor Day is more than a bit presumptuous, there being three months of football remaining. But we say it again: The winner of Tech-Tech has taken the ACC Coastal title every year there has been a Coastal Division, and as of this moment you’d have to say …
The Tech based on North Avenue is not the team to catch.
Georgia Tech came very close to a famous upset but fizzled in the final 44 seconds of regulation, watching Virginia Tech drive 51 yards to the tying field goal as regulation expired. Then, in the first overtime, quarterback Tevin Washington tried to make something happen and wound up helping his team lose. Washington forced a pass under duress, and the interception doomed the Jackets.
“I was trying to throw the ball away,” Washington said. Instead his weak throw was taken by the Hokies’ Kyle Fuller, meaning the home side only had to kick a field goal to win. Which it did.
After two lesser seasons, Georgia Tech needed a winning start, the kind of start that could well feed into an appearance in the ACC championship game come December. The Jackets almost had it, but then it was gone. And now they head home knowing that, for them to win the Coastal, Virginia Tech must lose not once but twice.
“We had a great opportunity to win the game, no question,” said Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech’s coach.
Even before the frantic ending, it had been a strange evening. I flash flood watch was issued early, but the game went off without a drop of precipitation. This was great news for everyone who recalled Aug. 27, 2000, when the two Techs sought to open the college season in Lane Stadium but were undone by lightning, a slash of which destroyed the rental car of the famous ESPN prognosticator Lee Corso.
Then there were the uniforms. The Jackets unveiled their new mostly-white look. The only gold to be found was on the helmet decal and the sleeves, and the most memorable feature of the headgear was its honeycomb effect. (What, no antennae?) Not to be outdressed, the Hokies broke out their quadruple-scoop ice cream cone ensemble — black socks, white pants, orange jerseys, purple helmets.
Speaking of duds: For 30 minutes, both offenses qualified. These two Coastal powers, neither of which is based anywhere near a coast, staged an opening half that might have had the neutrals watching on the Worldwide Leader hoping for lightning to liven things up … or, failing that, flipping the channel. Virginia Tech managed 137 first-half yards, Georgia Tech 107.
The third quarter was different for one Tech. The Jackets’ seasoned offensive line began to push the Hokies backward, and the visitors outgained Virginia Tech 85 yards to minus-7 in the quarter. The final period began with David Scully making a 34-yard field goal to put Georgia Tech ahead, and it stayed there after Virginia Tech blew a shortish field goal of its own. (Hey, aren’t Frank Beamer’s guys supposed to aces on special teams?)
The Jackets couldn’t move after Virginia Tech’s miss, and the halting affair entered the final 10 minutes. The massive Hokie quarterback Logan Thomas hadn’t done much, but he found Marcus Davis for 35 yards on a slant. Then Demitri Knowles, a third-string wideout, ran past cornerback Rod Sweeting to snatch Thomas’ pass in the end zone.
Now the visitors were in arrears on the road, and the orange-draped crowd was at full roar. Worse still, the best Jacket ballcarrier — A-back Orwin Smith — was gone with a shoulder injury. But that’s life in the big time: If you’re going to win a game of consequence, you can’t do it with a faint heart.
Quarterback Tevin Washington, who nearly engineered a famous victory here in 2010 while spelling the injured Joshua Nesbitt, broke a long run to give the Jackets field position. Then he muscled for a first down at the Virginia Tech 41. Then Paul Johnson, who earlier had gone for it (and failed) on fourth down at his 49, appeared to order a punt from the Hokies’ 37 with 3:03 remaining.
Then, remembering that he’s Paul Johnson, he called time and rethought. Whatever play Johnson called broke down, but Washington dodged away from pressure and found B.J. Bostic in front of three defenders for the vital first down. Then, inside the final minute, Washington stood in against a rush and found A-back Deon Hill on a crossing route, Hill diving in for the take-the-lead touchdown with 44 seconds remaining.
Then Georgia Tech’s defense, stout most of the night, wobbled. Virginia Tech drove to the tying field goal as regulation expired. Thomas found Corey Fuller twice, the second time on fourth-and-4 with 13 seconds remaining.
The last game of the long weekend would go longer. And it would end poorly for the team in white. Credit the effort, yes, but not the outcome.
For further reading, if not edification: Here are three observations (made by yours truly) regarding the excruciating game, and if you missed our well-visited live chat during the game itself … well, here you go.
By Mark Bradley
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
256 comments Add your comment
JB
September 4th, 2012
12:52 am
Yeah, Tech had a great high school offense.
And the Notee Dame “box” is special, too.
MarkGT
September 4th, 2012
12:57 am
D played strong all game but got lulled to sleep on the last drive of the 4th with no pressure on Thomas. Have to figure out a way to close out games like this especially when it comes to playing Va Tech!
Red Stick
September 4th, 2012
1:04 am
Tough loss for Tech. I thought they were going to win.
BOB
September 4th, 2012
1:10 am
Nice throw Reggie Ball……..LMAO
AMS Jacket
September 4th, 2012
1:12 am
Liberal Arts;
Right you are…I stand corrected.
GT77
September 4th, 2012
1:20 am
Johnson has turned us into Annapolis South…a mediocre team in a weak conference…just looking at other games this weekend makes me realize how few bonafide Div1 athletes we have
Preston Lyon
September 4th, 2012
1:21 am
It hurts doesn’t it macrotech…..I give you credit for coming here to fight though……Fun on the Flats!!!!! It’s the Perfect Option!
Rmblg Wreck
September 4th, 2012
1:23 am
This will be the 5th yr for the savior Jonson.
Get it done this year or get lost.
Liberal Arts Major
September 4th, 2012
1:23 am
AMS….you guys have sand to come here knowing the trolls like myself are here to give you grief….college football is great…
Bill Martin
September 4th, 2012
1:24 am
I have seen some dumb defense calls but to let a team go most of the field in :44
secomds with an 8 men back just says come down the field and beat us. No pressure
on the Q’back. About as ugly as ugly Uggla.
Rmblg Wreck
September 4th, 2012
1:27 am
No bowl wins.
Just happends to beat GA once.
.500 record since 09. No more free passes.
Al Groh's Sweatshirt
September 4th, 2012
1:29 am
Watts is a player…..Attachou is a player….that is all.
Nate Stimson
September 4th, 2012
1:32 am
boring game……I hope someone comes to the game next week to see the game against the Blue Hose.
Buffalo Bull
September 4th, 2012
1:35 am
Buffalo plays Georgia tougher than Tech.
ATL Sports Fan
September 4th, 2012
1:35 am
I read a comment on the last page that said Paul Johnson has been the best thing for Tech since Heismen. Then they went on to say something about Tevin Washington being in competent. Last time I checked Paul Johnson is the head coach and he makes ALL decisions. Where is VAD LEE? If he cant beat out Tevin Washington or Synjin Days, then I don’t think you’ll ever see him play except in April
XUSIE 24 hours worldwide news » No. 20 Virginia Tech wins OT thriller over Georgia Tech – USA TODAY
September 4th, 2012
2:01 am
[...] Associated PressNo. 16 Hokies Beat Georgia Tech in OvertimeNew York TimesGeorgia Tech coulda/shoulda won this, but somehow it lostAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Greenwich Time -Fox Newsall 563 news [...]
Michael Clarke Duncan dead at 54: ‘The Green Mile’ actor dies nearly two … – New York Daily News
September 4th, 2012
2:03 am
[...] as time expired to force overtime, …No. 16 Hokies Beat Georgia Tech in OvertimeNew York TimesGeorgia Tech coulda/shoulda won this, but somehow it lostAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Virginia Tech edges Georgia Tech in OTNewsdayGreenwich Timeall [...]
JL
September 4th, 2012
2:07 am
Who are all these trolls calling for CPJ to be fired? Tech lost a game, on the road, to one of the best defenses on the field. Incidentally, Rod Sweeting, the most talented player on the team and a guy who’s certain to go pro, seemed to blow his assignments. Stuff happens, let’s move on. This is the best team we’ll play until UGA. I think things will be OK.
Andy Staples: Hokies survive Yellow Jackets, grab drivers seat for division title – SI.com | Global Sports Insiders
September 4th, 2012
2:20 am
[...] Journell boots OT winner as Virginia Tech rallies past Georgia TechESPNNew York Times -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 570 news [...]
Meat Cleaver Weaver
September 4th, 2012
2:29 am
Good Ole Lucky 13!
Only one rule in overtime – NO TURNOVERS!
Michael
September 4th, 2012
2:34 am
I am not a big fan of Tevin Washington. He is, the best I can say, sufficient in most areas. He is a mediocre runner for an option QB as he has almost no ability to make a man miss to break a big run. He did manage to escape a few tackles tonight, but several chances to bust a long run vaporized quickly due to lack of agility and speed.
He passes okay, and I am guessing he is better at it than the other QBs on the depth chart, but his lack of big-play running are killing the GT offense against any reasonably good team. I would love to see another QB get in more and see what they can bring. I suspect that a few big plays from the QB would occur with a better runner.
I am not sure why, but the entire time PJ has been at GT, we have had plodding option QBs. As I recall watching GSU and Navy, his best (most consistently good) offenses were found when a FAST QB was starting, not a plodder with no agility. I would just like to see a big run occur occasionally from someone other than an A-back. The B-back big runs seemed to have left with Dwyer, though I think Preston Lyons and now Zack Laskey were the best at getting solid yardage nearly every run (the other starters the past few years have too many ’stopped for no gain’ runs).
I would love to see Justin Thomas, Vad Lee or anyone at QB that actually can make a big play with his feet. I would trade off an extra incompletion or two a game for the threat of a big play. Washington does not bring this to the table, except against FCS teams maybe.
tom
September 4th, 2012
3:03 am
Play calls in the fourth quarter were pretty stupid. Three times they tried to throw a pass in the flat behind the line of scrimmage and failed. Did not work and they kept doing it. QB on a keeper on a third and long.???? Defense late looked tired. Had a win and let it get away.
Charles Jackson
September 4th, 2012
3:03 am
There’s no would’ve, could’ve, should’ve in the Jackets loss to VA Tech. A loss is a loss and there will be more.
List Mama » No. 20 Virginia Tech wins OT thriller over Georgia Tech – USA TODAY
September 4th, 2012
4:08 am
[...] titleSI.comVirginia Tech edges Georgia Tech in OTYahoo! SportsHokies a work in progressESPN (blog)Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -Los Angeles Timesall 598 news [...]
dc74
September 4th, 2012
4:56 am
Since these two became Coastal “powers” Ga Tech’s record in this game is 2-6. One of these teams hardly qualifies as a “power”.
Charleston Jacket
September 4th, 2012
5:51 am
Why do we open with such tough division openers? Overall feel good about the team with the exception of TW. Too inconsistent and I have no confidence with him when the game is on the line. He disappoints too many times. Flash back to Reggie Ball. Need a Spurrier type coach who will yank a QB in a minute, unfortunately CPJ is more inclined to be a CCG type. Time to change QB, but I know we will not. D looked much improved, O took a step back.
UGA = Yawn
September 4th, 2012
5:51 am
We ended last season with a super thud and started this season with one. Not sure how any GT fans could find something positive to say. Something needs to change. His record against VT and UGA is awful. Add in his dismal bowl record and he really is bad. The numbers don’t lie.
meandawg in Virginia
September 4th, 2012
5:54 am
How does Al Groh explain not going into a prevent defense the last 44 seconds of the game with the lead and the Hokies on the 25…then, having been successful in playing a good base defense 97 percent of the game and not blitzing, he goes and decides to blitz when Va Tech is in a fourth and six with 20 ticks remaining and needing 25 yards for a successful FG attempt. I don’t get the gamble! Somebody?
lkmantsk
September 4th, 2012
6:04 am
The first is a long of many……….
DevilDogOz
September 4th, 2012
6:17 am
Another case of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory… I am unsure whether the issue is physical or mental conditioning (and suspect the latter) but how may times will we watch this team with an opponent (figurativly) on the ground and dead and we pull him up and hand him the game… Utah last year is only one of a number of these defeats – we need some mental toughness here…..
dawg tired
September 4th, 2012
6:41 am
When you run an offense where passing is rare, don’t be upset when your QB has trouble completing passes.
Bill Lewis' Ghost
September 4th, 2012
6:50 am
Complete and utter ineptitude on both sides of the ball. Bring on Petrino.
georgiadawg70
September 4th, 2012
6:50 am
CPA can coach but it is obvious he can’t recruit. It was painful to watch the lack of talent on the field. If the score was based on talent, Va. Tech would have won hands down. CPA’s coaching kept them in the game. But the bottom line is I don’t think he will last. You can put some of the recruiting on
Ga. Tech. It is not a place blue chippers, with a few exceptions, want to go, but Gailey did a respectful job of recruiting. CPA has not.
kpw
September 4th, 2012
6:54 am
Same old song!!!!!! Besides the “pansy” uniforms, the team and coaches are the “Not ready for Primetime players”.
georgiadawg70
September 4th, 2012
6:56 am
I meant to say CPJ. Sorry
Loon
September 4th, 2012
6:59 am
Let me share a hearty ha ha ha to start the new day.
The as always overrated jackets choke away another one with their high school approach to a man’s game. Pathetic!!
George P. Burdell
September 4th, 2012
7:03 am
This will be the beginning of the end for Mr. Washington. He plays with a lot of heart and tries, but he just isn’t doing a good job of running the offense when the going gets tough. Yes he did engineer a touchdown drive when we really needed it, but that was in our “run around until someone gets open” offense, not our base offense. He made the wrong reads constantly or just makes up his mind and then rushes to make the pitch or keeper with no gaming the defense. In short, he plays more like a sophomore than a senior and we cannot have that at this point. Even if he is ahead of Days and Lee, I’d rather go with them and build for the future while still winning more than we lose now. He has topped out and that peak is more like a Georgia hill than the Alps.
Fish Frys make u fat
September 4th, 2012
7:05 am
Sweeting was toasted the whole tying drive. Opponents are gonna watch that film and see that he is the weak link in our defense. If Tevin is the best we have under this system, then maybe it is time for a change at HC. Look at the record. 1 win against VT, 1 win against Miami(who stink), 1 win against Ugaggs, 0 bowl wins. Gailey(who stunk as a HC btw) proved we could get the talent here, now we have to have someone who can coach it. My first thoughts for next years HC are for Ga’s DC or the head coach from Vandy. I mean, you KNOW this team is 7-5 at seasons end with losses to Clemson, Miami, BYU, and the Athens pig-farmers, followed by another mediocre bowl loss to put us at 7-6.
MC
September 4th, 2012
7:07 am
“Most exciting offense since Woody Hayes”. That’s classic. lol
Still Chantastic | Get The Picture
September 4th, 2012
7:08 am
[...] Mark Bradley haz a sad. [...]
Spike
September 4th, 2012
7:10 am
Maybe it was the golf ball helmets….
MC
September 4th, 2012
7:11 am
George P. Burdell with CPJ as your coach, your future is now. It’s only going to get worse.
Rd
September 4th, 2012
7:12 am
Tech lost beacause it has a lousy qb and coach. I thought this offense couldn’t be stopped. Funny it was passing where they could only score.
This coach is the biggest joke I’ve ever seen. He stinks and is so overrated. Jackets would be better to get rid of him and that anemic offense.
Fish Frys make u fat
September 4th, 2012
7:15 am
“I had my eyes in the backfield,” Sweeting said afterward. “That was my fault.”
Sweeting gave up the touchdown pass, was called for interference, and NEVER looked for the ball in deep coverage when they threw his way. Both of Fullers catches were over Sweeting. Man, this season is gonna suuuuuuhuck.
MC
September 4th, 2012
7:18 am
“Georgia fans: No one cares to hear your opinion. Keep on thinking you have a top 10 team and we play high school football if it helps you sleep at night. Our day will come.” Dirtybirdsin12 how much longer do we have to wait? LMAO
MC
September 4th, 2012
7:20 am
Wait till Aaron Murray and Co. get a shot at Sweeting. Can you say gonna be really ugly?
MikeD
September 4th, 2012
7:20 am
Disappointed by the loss, but much improved play by the defense and special teams. If we can find a receiver who can catch the ball, we will be in good shape this season, and Va Tech will blow one at some point, so we can be right back in it.
MC
September 4th, 2012
7:24 am
I hope CPJ stays at GT forever. But if I was Drad I believe I’d be calling Mike Leach. Another few years of CPJ recruiting and God won’t be able to fix his mess. At least a guy like Leach can recruit some outstanding skill players and generate some excitement.
Fish Frys make u fat
September 4th, 2012
7:28 am
Good call MC….
MC
September 4th, 2012
7:29 am
Sweeting vs the Clemson recieving corp. Should be a site to see. LMAO