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
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256 comments Add your comment
Matt
September 4th, 2012
7:30 am
VT apparently is cursed ground for the Bees. Disappointing.
Predictor
September 4th, 2012
7:32 am
The ACC isn’t known as a power defensive league. Therefore, I must assume that neither of these Tech’s has any offensive firepower to speak of. Two mules and a turnip…
Reggie Ball Boy
September 4th, 2012
7:35 am
Va Tech is horrible. They couldnt beat Kentucky!
ACC figured out
September 4th, 2012
7:35 am
Unless you can throw, GT with never be able to consistently beat VT, Miami, etc. One dimensional offenses with struggle against these fast defenses.
GT1990
September 4th, 2012
7:39 am
Wise up Tech fans! It’s time for a change. This high school offense isn’t getting us anywhere.
WeBurn
September 4th, 2012
7:40 am
The blitz at the end of the 4th quarter was a HORRIBLE decision. That gave va tech all the space they needed to kick the tying field goal. The loss is on the Jackets coaching staff.
WeBurn
September 4th, 2012
7:40 am
Oh, and remember when Bradley picked Tech to win the division?
Spike
September 4th, 2012
7:41 am
Whatever happenned to St. Simons? HAHHAHA
Smart like a fox
September 4th, 2012
7:46 am
wish we could have pulled that one off….still lots of football fun left in the season. I still wouldn’t trade places with a Georgia fan.
smitty derf
September 4th, 2012
7:48 am
I typically wonder about Johnson’s stubborn play calling and philosophy of the game but I am not at practice or on the sidelines or in the huddle and it is hard to argue with his overall success everywhere he has been. But, that was a game between to mediocre teams with marginal speed and athleticism. Both teams could end up blitzed by teams like Clemson and FSU. that being said what I don’t understand is Tech’s lack of depth. Johnson is using his players by now, not Gailey’s. How can he have only 17 players on defense? how can he have such lack of studs at running back(goodhigh is hardly adequate for instance). Most major college teams are 2 deep, sometimes 3. See the Dawgs for example. what has he and his staff been doing in recruiting?
DIT
September 4th, 2012
7:48 am
Tough loss Jackets. Keep your heads up. Blacksburg is a tough place to play in. I had y’all down for an upset and almost pulled it off. You team will only get better. Mark this down, y’all will stomp ClemPson again. You will win your division with one loss. This Dawg will be pulling for you when your up against FSU in the ACC CG. Best of luck except the last game of November.
Hal
September 4th, 2012
7:48 am
I’d rather be lucky than good”
NCJacket
September 4th, 2012
7:49 am
Playing this game early will make us better the rest of the season. The only thing we need now is a wide receiver’s coach……never seen a team before where the wideouts just jog straight down the field…how about a post, slant, curl, sideline. flag……anything that looks like a pattern coach?! I am tired of throw it up and pray…it makes our quarterbacks look worse than they are. Oh yes one more thing…why can’t we recruit a quarterback for this system? CPJ and Surrier are equal failures in this category. It is painful to watch our offense with out a quality athelete at quarterback. Al G has now completed his project. Will the defense now be better than the offense forever?
doc
September 4th, 2012
7:49 am
what coaching georgiadawg? every play he called on the to was a failure. it wasn’t until he wised up at the end and went pistol that they moved the ball. a smart coach would have employed that throughout the game to open it up. he’s the most overrated coach i’ve ever seen.
Shug
September 4th, 2012
7:52 am
Once again I’d like to read an article about Va. Tech that doesn’t mention Frank Beamer’s special teams mastery. For most of the 90s, VT had good special teams. During this century, it hasn’t. It goes to show that once a reputation is made, it’s hard to change. Especially when promulgated by lazy reporting.
Buzz2011
September 4th, 2012
7:53 am
I am sure no Dawgs are blowing on this blog! They played who, Albany Jr, College and give up 350 yards.. Albany Jr. is Div11 in case you weren’t aware. We will be ready for Dogs later this year. Got to run, Jim Donnan wants to talk to me about investment opportunities..See ya!1
Tampa Gator
September 4th, 2012
7:56 am
Va. Tech is a bit better than Bowling Green and Buffalo. I think Tech played a great game and should have won the game……but Va. Tech is not as good as advertised….nor…..it appears….. is their QB. GT does not have the same athletes in the backfield that they had a few years ago. They look slow now. The QB made a horrible, horrible decision to throw that ball. What was he thinking? But it was a fun game to watch….expecially at the end. Tech D looked good until the end….or Va. Tech’s offense was horrible until the end. Not sure which at this time.
CPJ - great coach - just ask him!
September 4th, 2012
7:58 am
Paul Johnson and Georgia Tech = mediocrity.
Facts:
2-6 in their last 8 games
14-13 since the start of the 2010 season.
15-15 since a 10-1 start to the 2009 season. Then Caleb King and Ealey ran all over you and Iowa flattened you.
0-4 in bowl games. 1-4 vs. Virginia Tech. 1-3 vs. Georgia and 1-4 is absolutely coming.
Johnson did a great job his 1st 2 seasons with Gailey recruits. Since then, his own players show he can’t recruit and / or coach them up.
When you do finally fire him, think of the disaster it will be for the next coach to have to adapt this lack of talent that was recruited to run a high school offense. Years of crap to come!
Predictor
September 4th, 2012
7:59 am
It was a fairly interesting game, only because both teams were equally bad.
In the end… One of these losers had to lose.
squid
September 4th, 2012
8:03 am
simply will not win consistently with Washington as the QB- we’ve got to get Lee and Days on the field, period!
Joe Biden
September 4th, 2012
8:07 am
“back in chains”
WTF
September 4th, 2012
8:07 am
The D was great up to the last minute. Don’t go all postal on the D. If Tech plays like that from here on in, we may beat a team or 2 we ’shouldn’t’ and win those we should.
Decision-making is a large part of a QB’s job and Tevan made a whole bunch of good ones and 1 very bad one. But he threw the ball on-target, on time with no wobbling turkeys.
I’d take this of a good sign of a very good year.
On the other hand, it appears that good D on the other side can and does stop the offense. Being married to a certain offensive scheme just doesn’t work forever and that’s a very real problem for PJ. He has the hubris of the ‘never wrong’ and will go down before giving up. If fans can see it, op-coaches can too. The pure vanilla needs a little chocolate syrup, nuts and whipped cream to be truly unstoppable. But PJ will have none of it. The players deserve better and the fans demand it.
Brad
September 4th, 2012
8:07 am
He wasn’t trying to throw the ball away. He was hoping his duck pass would somehow land in a gt players hands. He had time to throw it away and even then, you don’t have to. Take the sack and kick the fg. He’s a senior playing like a freshman. I am amazed the coach stuck with him the entire game with how awful he played, aside from the last drive in regulation. That was typical gt football. Bonehead plays lead to a loss.
GTBob
September 4th, 2012
8:10 am
Enter your comments here
GTBob
September 4th, 2012
8:11 am
0-1 just like that… Dang we suck… Get rid of Paul Johnson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ed Pilcher
September 4th, 2012
8:12 am
Somehow they found a way to lose the game…….Well, duh, Mark……It’s Tech, for God’s sake!
Reality Stinks
September 4th, 2012
8:14 am
Is coach Johnson up for coach of the year
blahbahhahahahaha
no one has stopped my offense
blahahahahahahah
We have other fish to fry
blahahahahahahaha
nate
September 4th, 2012
8:17 am
cpj with gailey’s recruits = winning formula
cpj with his recruits = undermanned and unskilled players and a very boring team
Reality Stinks
September 4th, 2012
8:17 am
GT Bob
Cheer up
There is always the UGA blog for you to feel relevant
JB
September 4th, 2012
8:18 am
As a Dawg fan evaluating Tech last night objectively, The entire short comings of Tech goes back to the defense…as always. There are 7 or 8 guys on that D who could play for just about anyone, but it really falls off from there. I’m beginning to think that defense is an after thought with Johnson. Scary part, if Tech had a deep defense, they would be Top 5 or so every year.
nate from detroit
September 4th, 2012
8:19 am
Not a Tech fan here, but CPJ is part of the problem. While he didn’t lose the game last night his conceited view of his offense and his teams inability to pass the ball costs him games. When the offense struggles to move the ball, he always blames the players inability to execute instead of looking in the mirror and saying to himself, “What can I do to improve this situation?” He’s a lot like visor boy at Carolina, in his mind he’s a genius and he’s always right so if something doesn’t work it has got to be someone else’s fault.
JB
September 4th, 2012
8:20 am
No defensive depth. You can’t ask 7 or 8 good Tech players to carry that load all night on D ….in that heat.
JB
September 4th, 2012
8:20 am
test
BILLY JACK
September 4th, 2012
8:21 am
Nobody at Georgia wants Manboobs to be gone-we are just getting warmed up..Thangsgiving week beatdown will be here before you know it.
Reality Stinks
September 4th, 2012
8:21 am
Tech Fans
Get a clue
No one in the NFL runs that stupid middle school offense
So do you think top recruits want to come play for Tech?
NOPE
But hey there is always a victories over Duke
Mike Vick
September 4th, 2012
8:24 am
Oh how quickly the mutts making fun of Tech’s uniforms forget those Power Ranger Halloween costumes they got their arses handed to them in last year.
It took a Top 20 team OT to score 20 points on an undermanned Tech defense while a “high school” team hung 20 plus on the mutts “Dream Ream” D in regulation.
Mizzou makes a statement in their inaugural SEC game by dismantling the mutts…
Go Tigers, be like Mike, abuse the dawgs!
LMAO
September 4th, 2012
8:26 am
I am not sure which is worse, losing to a ranked Hokie team on the road, or just the fact that UGA played Buffalo! Buffawho?
Big Ed
September 4th, 2012
8:27 am
Missed blocks, missed tackles, and a missed opportunity. It’s not the end of the world or the end of the season. CPJ out coached Beamer. VT was very lucky at the end. 11-1 could still make this season a success.
gt4ever
September 4th, 2012
8:27 am
The Defense played well enough to win…. I am constantly amazed at the number of people who give this coach a pass on his offense… Our offense SUCKS, and the coach who brought it here
SUCKS!
Rooty Tooty
September 4th, 2012
8:28 am
I agree, the season is not over but you win the games that are close. This was a team loss. Looked like the O was waiting for the D and the D was waiting for the O. The O was so pathetic, I turned to another channel. Give credit to the D for playing great for 59:16. You got to finish the game, however. No way we should have lost that game. Lookedlike we were playing to tie rather than playing to win….
Skitty Fritty
September 4th, 2012
8:32 am
Great Moral Victory for GT!
Truth
September 4th, 2012
8:34 am
Dragon-Con hangover. Just not enough time to prepare.
Reality Stinks
September 4th, 2012
8:34 am
VT a top 20 team
LOL
they are 1-19 against top 5 opponents and when was the last time they won a bowl game
LOL
VT is a bigger joke than GT
Al Bundy
September 4th, 2012
8:36 am
I am not a football coach and don’t pretend to be one, but I can’t understand why Sweeting is playing 10 yards off the line on 4th and 4 with 25 seconds to go in the game? Oh and the uniforms look stupid! Correct me if I’m wrong, but GT colors are gold and white, not gold, white and blue!
BreakingNews
September 4th, 2012
8:37 am
You guys are just lucky that VT played the WORST game I’ve ever seen them play! Beamer AND Richt OWN your joke of a program….can’t wait to see the beatdown in November! By the way, Reggie Ball would like to thank Tevin Washington for becoming the new Reggie Ball!
rob
September 4th, 2012
8:37 am
Tech should not have won this because they are a bunch of losers. The nerds got just what they deserved. They do not play defense WHEN IT COUNTS even against an inept offense, did I say one dimentional offense, like Va Tech’s. Same story, different verse. Paul Johnson is still a pompous #$%. Why would anyone want to go play for him? Other than a few players that slip threw the cracks, he puts no one in to the pros. It’s a waste land for QBs. I guess if you are a running QB with no arm and no other scholarship offers, you might want to consider going there.
Reality Stinks
September 4th, 2012
8:38 am
gt4ever
Good to see you dont drink the kool-aid
SillyMutts
September 4th, 2012
8:41 am
This season is going to suck at GT! I don’t see more than 2 victories in the ACC (Md and BC). Duke will beat GT handily! Lets face it, GT is a d2 school in the making. No talent + no coaching = no victories!
GOTECH
September 4th, 2012
8:41 am
Questionable call on Sweeting could have been influenced by His airplane showboating in front of refrees on any play he was involved in. Can O Smith hand the football to an offical after a play? Showboating is disgusting. Defense showed a lot of what it takes to win most games.
stan
September 4th, 2012
8:45 am
who was the midget at running back??