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Home > Furman Bisher > Archives > 2008 > September > 20 > Entry

Tech is showing its true colors

By Furman Bisher | Saturday, September 20, 2008, 05:25 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Mississippi State hadn’t been to Atlanta on football business since 1929 and by the time the sun lowered over Grant Field on Saturday, the Bulldogs of Starkville realized they hadn’t been missing anything. From “black October,” as the stock market left its mark 79 years ago, to “black and blue September” in State’s current diary. Georgia Tech won the game, 38-7, and at times it seemed some of the towers of downtown turned their heads to avoid the sight of the pummeling going on below.

So let’s take it from here: First, this was the same Mississippi State team that held Auburn to three points last week. This was the same team that beat both Auburn and Alabama last year, coached by the same SEC Coach of the Year, Sylvester Croom. This also was a team that hadn’t scored an offensive point since the third quarter against Southeastern Louisiana two weeks ago, and the streak was extended for three more quarters Saturday. (The Auburn score was 3-2.)

This was an ACC team taking an SEC team to the woodshed, putting a new slant on all the critical jawing and restoring some of the shine on the ACC. To be blunt, it was a game that Paul Johnson virtually turned into a spring scrimmage. Except, in contrast to Tech’s spring scrimmage this year, rife with fumbles as the Yellow Jackets were being indoctrinated in Johnson’s totally mysterious spread option offense. And this was executed under extenuating circumstances.

Tech did it with four quarterbacks, not by choice. Josh Nesbitt, the starter, was gone after eight plays, out with a pulled hamstring after a 21-yard run. To be followed by Jaybo Shaw, a freshman from Flowery Branch; then Bryce Dykes, another freshman, and later Calvin Booker, a senior noted for his passing skill. Jonathan Dwyer had the day of his life, 141 yards afoot, 88 in one stirring dash that set a Tech record. By the time the game reached the fourth quarter, Johnson had very nearly emptied his bench. It was a splendid day for auditioning, though little about it was smooth and glossy, more along the line of wild and woolly.

It was a high noon game played in dazzling sunshine, to a registered audience numbering 48,402. The white uniforms of the Tech band were almost blinding, and the sun’s rays bounced off the oompah horns. It seemed a shame that these two teams hadn’t been sharing visits during all the years they were fellow members of the SEC. There was a reason: Bobby Dodd considered it a step back in social standing to schedule a game in Mississippi, State or Ole Miss. He played Ole Miss once in the mid-40s, a game scheduled by retiring AD Bill Alexander before Dodd became head coach. After that, it was his show and a personal matter.

This game with Mississippi State came about while Chan Gailey was coach, with Louisville on the schedule. He prevailed on Dan Radakovich, the new athletics director, to scratch Louisville, and it so happened Mississippi State had an open date, and willingly it fit. It isn’t supposed to become a steady thing, but Radakovich does have in mind expanding Tech’s geographical range, and with Johnson on station, it is an inviting prospect. However, not until we have seen the sideline photos of the coach and his expressive critiques shall we have a clue as to his view of the proceedings. There was one heartwarming indicator, however, as he departed the field. As the student body cheering cheered, he cheered back, clapping his hands and smiling broadly.

Stay tuned. This is only the beginning. The future is still in the works.

Permalink | Comments (122) | Post your comment | Categories: Tech/ACC

Comments

By OldGold

September 20, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this

Amen brother Bisher…. Break out the shades. The future is blindingly bright on the Flats.

By TechRules

September 20, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this

Just a spectacular effort by the Jackets.

THWG!!!

By austen

September 20, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this

PJ is the kind of coach that is not going to be satisfied going 11-1, he wants 12 and O and God bless him, this is the kind of coach GT deserves, thank you for coming to Ga Tech and thank you Dan Radakovich for hiring him and thank you alumni for having the foresight to see the big picture of greatness to come and to bring Tech football up to this level..GO JACKETS!

By Sharecropper

September 20, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this

Whoever thought running the football could be so exciting, and just plain fun?

By Calvin

September 20, 2008 6:24 PM | Link to this

Nice article, but Mr. Bisher didn’t give Jaybo Shaw enough credit. He wasn’t just one of three substituting quarterbacks.

By johnw

September 20, 2008 6:54 PM | Link to this

Thanks Furman for another fantastic article. I love the line about the skyline looking the other way to avoid watching the pummeling going on below. It is an honor to have you at the flats covering this game.

By ProudTechFan

September 20, 2008 7:10 PM | Link to this

There is only one word I can use to describe the performance today by my beloved Yellow Jackets “Refreshing”. It was refreshing to see the jackets with a noon game time and not come out flat, like years passed. It was refreshing to see the jackets look polished and clicking on all cylinders. But what was even more refreshing was the performance of Jaybo Shaw. This kid looks like a true veteran of this offense, and yes the future is very bright for this Jacket offense. If the defense continues to play with the fire and passion in which they’ve showed of late, this team could be special this year. This was more than beating an SEC opponent, this was beating a top notch defense with speed and athleticism. I was very impressed today and I am looking forward to the rest of the season. I hope Nesbitt gets healthy with a bye week coming up. Lets get behind this team Jackets fans, this thing could get very interesting…

GO JACKETS!!!

By Bk Hawk

September 20, 2008 7:16 PM | Link to this

You just got to love it. Great day for GT, fans, and Ga. Thanks Bisher.

By fred

September 20, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this

Thanks, Furman—-thanks,Paul Johnson—-and enjoy your sky box, Coach Dodd.

THWG!!!

By Terry

September 20, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this

I love Furman Bisher but he was wrong he said Mississippi State had not been to Atlanta on football business since 1929. In 1998 they played in SEC Championship game in Atlanta against Tennessee which they lost, 24-14.

Coach Johnson has done an amazing coaching job.

By son_sir

September 20, 2008 7:57 PM | Link to this

Just got back from the ATL. Outstanding game for the Jackets ! Getting better every week, Jaybo did a fantastic job filling in. The T.O. never skipped a beat. Dominating performance !

By Kevin

September 20, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this

Oh yes Tech show’s there true color just not in stands either more empty seats….as always only time tech student can find it when Georgia is here playin are clemson!

By Wishful Thinking

September 20, 2008 8:23 PM | Link to this

Great article Furman! Kevin check in at your local elementary school, you make NO sense. You obviously have not been at the game. GO JACKETS!

By Joe

September 20, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this

Kevin- Are you the same TA who ghost wrote Leonard Pope’s “resume”?

By michaelgee

September 20, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this

CPJ looked like his vintage Georgia Southern Days, build a lead, a solid lead, then get every one into the game possible. Not saving the first teams but putting GAME into the teams to come in following years. CPJ has always done this, that is why Georgia Southern has SIX National Championship Flags flying in Paulson Stadium.

CPJ expects the players BEST efforst and the guy has a magical way of growing his teams week by week. Every game the team has moved forward in big steps, by the end of the season expect CPJ to become Mark Richt’s worst nightmare.

CPJ speaks straight and backs up his words. Go Bees!

By Michael

September 20, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this

Kevin, would you re-post, clean up your grammar and spelling? I’m anxious to know what compelling point you were trying to make.

By Kirk

September 20, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this

One of the fondest memories of my Tech experience in the ’60s was the pleasure of reading a Furman Bisher column. What sometimes passes for sports journalism these days falls flat by comparison. May the style and grace you exhibit go on forever; who else could conjure the image of tall buidings looking the other way, lest they should watch a brutal pummeling? Magnificent.

By TechCrybaby

September 20, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this

Furman Bisher is still the greatest AJC sportswriter, and Tech is moving towards greatness pretty fast.

By NavyGrad

September 20, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this

I’m a Navy grad really enjoying following PJ from afar — including his sideline “discussions” with players and his yapping back at the media. He hasn’t changed — great stuff as a head coach.

Sharecropper had a great comment “Whoever thought running the football could be so exciting, and just plain fun?” I just wonder where are the comments from all the pre-season naysayers saying that it would be boring, losing, and only 3 yards and a cloud of dust?

And for the media that thinks punting is always a better option than going for it on 4th — PJ just has never figured out why, if they give you four downs to get 10 yards, why you shouldn’t use all four downs to do just that. Particularly if you are behind and your offense normally scores all the points.

Navy’s stadium officially seats 34,000. We had 37,000+ at today’s game with Rutgers - not a record, but general admission spots on the grass on the hill were at a premium. The Naval Academy graduates only about 900-1000 every year - and they immediately leave the area for their duty stations. I don’t know what GT graduates, but it is more, and more of them stay in the Atlanta area. Navy broke their season ticket sales record the last four years in a row. You didn’t have a full house today — but I think what Kevin might having been trying to say a couple a comments up — don’t wait until 2010 to buy your season tickets. It looks like PJ has complete buy-in with the players and they have a fire in their belly — they’re just waiting for the fans to catch up.

By Tech Man

September 20, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this

All I know is that Furman Bisher missed one little tid bit, and that is the fact that Cooper Taylor is a BAMF!!!

By Brewer for GT President

September 20, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this

Thank you Mr. Bisher. It is a shame classy guys like you work with idiots like Cynthia Tucker. Tucker says “Sarah Palin: Cheney with a moose gun”. I say “Cynthia Tucker: Hack journalist with a keyboard”. You can thank her for being a factor in the layoffs at the AJC.

By michaelgee

September 20, 2008 11:43 PM | Link to this

Tech didn’t waste a single dollar hiring CPJ, the MAN works every minute to make Tech better.

Name any other college team that had a total transition in philosophy, playbook, Coaching Stattf etc, and has had this kind of positive influence this fast?

CPJ is Tech’s MVP!

By jacketnation

September 21, 2008 12:16 AM | Link to this

Tech won 38-7 against a good defense. What could be better? If UGA had lost. Go Jackets! And I still HATE Georgia, the trailer park trash bar hoppers from Athens, home of 52 honky tonks.

By BuzzFan1936

September 21, 2008 12:26 AM | Link to this

I have never been so impressed with a new Tech football coach in his first four games putting in dramatically new offensive as well as defensive schemes as I am with Paul Johnson. This includes not only Bobby Ross but Bobby Dodd as well since I am old enough to remember that. I thought Dan Radakovich should have picked Tenuta. I thought the first few games would be disastrous. I was so wrong. Is there an award for AD of the year? If so, I nominate Dan. He is a genius and my hero!

By Jim

September 21, 2008 12:34 AM | Link to this

Always good to read your perspective on the Jackets. As for Mississippi State’s previous trips to Atlanta,few remember that in 1959 and 1961 State played Georgia at Grant Field, believe at least one was a day/night doubleheader with Tech playing in the afternoon.

By MidnightRambler

September 21, 2008 12:55 AM | Link to this

I enjoy reading your columns so much. It makes me yearn for “The Good Old Days” when AJC had such first class Sports Pages.

By Rabun Dawg

September 21, 2008 1:04 AM | Link to this

Jacket nation,you are really classy with tour post! Your daughter probably went to UGA on the HOPE,and I dare say she probably does not live in a trailer, nor do any of us loyal dogs. You are showing what low class is with this kind of post,so can it !! You a re not funny with this kind of hatred spewing forth!

By Rabun Dawg

September 21, 2008 1:04 AM | Link to this

Jacket nation,you are really classy with your post! Your daughter probably went to UGA on the HOPE,and I dare say she probably does not live in a trailer, nor do any of us loyal dogs. You are showing what low class is with this kind of post,so can it !! You a re not funny with this kind of hatred spewing forth!

By BuzzFan1936

September 21, 2008 1:16 AM | Link to this

Rabun Dawg, I agree that there is no need for mutual hatred. A healthy, intense rivalry is fine and should be encouraged. Both teams represent the state and I would want them to play with class, skill, and respect for their opponents. Your coach is a class act. Personally, I hope the Bulldogs win all their games - except against Tech. I think the Yellow Jackets may be tougher than anyone dreamed this year.

By surfrider

September 21, 2008 2:40 AM | Link to this

Great blog Furman. What’s becoming apparent to me is this is real football the way it is played or at least use to be played. Some finess but mostly smash mouth, option, play action and pure athleticism and great blocking. It appears to me the college football world is going to have a hard time with this because everyone had been moving to pro-style, finesse football and blitzing schemes. What Johnson is showing is by playing hard nosed with some option and some passing effectiveness it will beat finesse. The defense is reminding me of O’leary early 90’s defenses where they bent sometimes but did’nt break and made big plays particularly when the chips were down. It’s scary to think how good this offense could be when we have a passing game that hits on 60% plus percent of say 15 to 20 passes a game to some breakaway threats at wr and slot. 450 plus yards on the ground that held the #10 team (Auburn) to 3 points is hard to believe. Either we are better than projected or the SEC may be a little overrated in parts, or maybe both. SEC is still the conference with the top rated teams but the ACC as the NFL knows has plenty of talent.

By William R. Smith

September 21, 2008 3:43 AM | Link to this

I also enjoyed furman’s column as far away as Baghdad, Iraq. I was using game tracker on line to catch the play by play but thee was no audio or announcer. Good to see that the turnovers went the other way htis week compared to the game in Blacksburg.

the offense held on and the defense took the ball away, that is the key.

Looking forward to the tougher part of the schedule starting with Clemson, FSU, Miami and UGA.. the proof is in the pudding. I will be back home on R&R for the Miami game… somebody save me (2) tickets please… going to be fun!!

BZZZZZZZZZZ!!

William R. Smith Baghdad, Iraq

By William R. Smith

September 21, 2008 3:46 AM | Link to this

sorry about the typo errors… damned sand storms make it hard to see the keyboard….HA!

By Ezzard

September 21, 2008 6:53 AM | Link to this

Rabun dawg,

Go pester your toothless, 14-year-old, cousin-wife, and leave the TECH articles to the literate.

Ezzard

By Paddy

September 21, 2008 7:08 AM | Link to this

What Jaybo Shaw did is almost never seen in college football. If there we recruits at the game they had to be thinking, wow I would love to play football for this coach.

Wm R Smith, thanks for all you do in our sted.

By GT in VA

September 21, 2008 7:20 AM | Link to this

Anyone notice that we are consistently playing 4 quarters now? I’ve been watching GT since the 70’s and we have always dreaded the 4th quarter let down. Looks like we have a real coach and he’s built a real time now! Even against VT, when we were turning the ball over, we kept playing until the end. I had my doubts about Paul Johnson’s style, and was positive it would take at least a few years, but this is really fun to watch!

By Don Smith

September 21, 2008 7:30 AM | Link to this

As I watched the game yesterday I thought about two things. One, that this is probably what the Golden Tornados looked like under Heisman, and two, that Bobby Dodd would have had some great, flattering comments on what he saw at Grant Field. I don’t know if this game was a defining moment for this team and PJ, but we will find out against Clemson and more so against UGA. I live in Athens and will be there to see if the transformation is complete. Also, some very knowledgeable UGA fans told me they hoped Tech would not get PJ. Now I know why.

By coachchuck

September 21, 2008 7:34 AM | Link to this

I am a Jaybo Shaw fan from Flowery Branch, I see where he threw a TD pass and had a 20 yard run. How did he look overall?

By gtforever

September 21, 2008 7:49 AM | Link to this

Jaybo did an incredible JOB! The kid can play.

By CarolinaJacket

September 21, 2008 8:03 AM | Link to this

Well, the “high school” offense put a whooping on a great defensive SEC team. Still too many penalties, but a lot of players got in and played well. How about Johnson (we seem to have a thing about “Johnsons”! I was glad that Booker got in for a couple of plays. He is really a team guy and deserves all the playing time that coach can give him. Great win, now everybody get healthy.

By T-Bone

September 21, 2008 8:05 AM | Link to this

Great game!! Absolutely. Young team, new coach, new scheme, etc., and we dominate a team that held AU to 3 points. The best is yet to come.

But let’s not get too high. When they passed, Miss. St. took it to our secondary. And it is true that they did not punt in the first half. I think time of possession was close—and that should not be with our running game eating up yards. Defense needs to step it up.

We’ve got tough games coming against Clemson, UNC, Miami, FSU, and UGA. As high as we are riding now, we could end up 6-6. Let’s take it one game at a time.

Oh, but what a glorious Saturday it was! Thanks, Furman.

By snapshot

September 21, 2008 8:11 AM | Link to this

Paul Johnson is building a football program at Tech that will be fun and exciting to watch. I hope everyone will be patient with him. Go you Hairy Yellow Jackets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By YOCCUM

September 21, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this

I have followed GT football since the early 50s. This is the most exciting team I’ve ever seen. They never quit.

By dawgman

September 21, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this

A lopsided victory at home over the weakest SEC team, except perhaps Kentucky, is not worth much of a ranking…maybe 24 or 25. After six games Tech will have beaten a middle of the pack ACC team, and five REALLY weak sister teams. And they lost to another middle of the pack ACC team.

Could not help but laugh when D-Rad was quoted as saying he liked to schedule teams outide the conference that have Tech’s academic standards..the same week he plays Miss. State.

By mansup

September 21, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this

PJ is a great fit for the institute, no doubt. Thank goodness he is the coach.

But, this team has heart! Even a good coach can’t put heart into a team that is not willing to put forth the effort required. The players are mentally tough and now they have a leader. This is going to be a lot of fun!

By KonaBuzz

September 21, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this

Yeah, dawgman, I guess if we are really worried about academic standards we need drop Georgia, too.

By son_sir

September 21, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this

This game had the remarkably similar look to the many Georgia Southern total dominations of opponents in the 80-90’s. Dawgman, You can try and diminish that all you want, but according to what we read and heard, this was the top rated defense in the SEC that just held the mighty Auburn Tigers to a measly 3 points. You have no idea as to how bad they were steamrolled by this offense with the back-up QB running the show….it was a 1st degree beatdown….and GT is just beginning to click. Anybody who didn’t see the potential of this offense yesterday is blind or insane.
Clean, Old Fashioned Hate is about to be elevated to Clean, Old Fashioned War in the immediate future.

By Sean

September 21, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this

As a lifelong Tech fan I wish they would go back to wearing those Gold jersey’s at home with the white pants and go back to wearing the gold pants they had been wearing on the road the since as long as I can remember.These mustard yellow pants they have now are aweful. Wearing white at home and the road is just plain dull.

By son_sir

September 21, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this

Sean, What color panties do you wear ? Did you not watch the total @$$ whipping taking place on the field ? WHO THE H#LL CARES ABOUT THE UNIFORMS ! If they can continue to dominate like that, they can wear purple with pink polka dots for all I care. Get with the program man.

By Not a beeliever - yet

September 21, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this

On the positive side, Tech had their way with an SEC opponent. After stifling Auburn just a week before, Mississippi State had no clue what to do with the Jackets’ offense. The brighter note was that even with using 4 QBs, we didn’t turn the ball over. On the other side of the ball, our defensive line harrassed the MSU QB and pitched a shutout until a meaningless TD late in the 4th quarter.

Now, let’s take a deep breath.

This is Miss State, not UGA, Florida, Alabama or LSU.

MSU’s offense is totally clueless. I’m not sure that they could have scored if our defense would have gone into the locker room for a 5 minute break.

MSU piled up some significant yards. I know that most people will say that the yards were “meaningless.” I think that’s a short-sighted. I’m betting PJ and his staff don’t see them as meaningless. Let’s see what happens against a team that can throw the ball with some efficiency.

Looking ahead, we should take care of business over the next two games. Hard to say exactly what Duke has. They are 2-1, but their wins are over JMU and Navy. They have UVA next week, while our troops are resting.

It would take a gaffe of Gailey-type proportions for us not to be 5-1 going into the Clem(p)son game.

The good news is that this is NOT Chan Gailey, it’s Paul Johnson. Anyone that’s watched him coach the first 4 games this year can tell you that he won’t let this team get ahead of itself. They will be ready for Duke and G-W.

I can’t wait for the Clem(p)son game. A win there could make me a real believer.

By Not a beeliever - yet

September 21, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this

Well said, Son_Sir, let’s be a bit more concerned about the quality of the young men inside the uniforms than what colors they are wearing.

I actually heard yesterday that the uni’s were designed by the players. I like that. Instead of some “marketing” snot-nose telling the kids what they are wearing, the players get to demonstrate ownership of even that small part of the program. The colors may not be my choice, but I don’t wear them.

What I am watching is Paul Johnson turning these players into quality young men. He’s instilling passion and discipline into them. They are playing the game with joy and dedication. Watching them on the field and on the sidelines yesterday was an absolute pleasure. Contrast this with the cold, passionless teams that Chan brought to the field.

Good times are coming….and possibly sooner than even a skeptic like me could have predicted.

By Macfute

September 21, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this

I used to eat at the Varsity on Sunday so I could watch the Football Roundup on TV. Bisher was just a kid and the panel consisted of all the reporters for the Journal and Constitution including Jesse Outler, Sports Editor of the Constitution. The games discussed were those of the SEC plus the Top 10. It was a lot better than the panels of the networks where there is instant analysis and most of the panels haven’t a clue about the best college football teams.

By dawgman

September 21, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this

Yea,KonaBuzz…drop Georgia, add Mary and William or somebody you won’t lose to eight years running.

By jacketnation

September 21, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this

Rad may like to schedule teams outside the conference with our same academic standards; however the annual game with UGA ain’t one of them. At UGA, you can earn a degree in Food Science, Poultry Science, Cow Science and Hay Bale Science.

By CasualObserver

September 21, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this

While GT played a fairly impressive game I think we would all be kidding ourselves if we do to acknowledge that Auburn was in fact looking ahead to the LSU game with that 3-2 score last week. MSU clearly has an anemic offense and an average defense. I think we should just wait until the Jackets manage to defeat a ranked team before we get all giddy about one game. Go ahead and post your hateful remarks; all I have written is the truth.

By UGA'91

September 21, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this

Hate to break up the Furman Bisher-Paul Johnson lick fest, but I have to remind you that MSU lost to a Louisiana directional school earlier this season. Even the Old Coot’s column acknowledges how inept MSU’s offense has been(unlike Auburn they scored against Tech). That being said it was a nice win (credit is due), but you haven’t beaten anybody of substance yet. But Tech fans are whooping it up like Tech deserves to be a rated team. Time will tell if Johnson can make Tech relevant, but beating MSU proves nothing. Go Dawgs!!!

By BulldogBite

September 21, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this

jack-awfnation, that UGA streak against your bugs really steams you, huh? Get ready to reach for the tissues again this November, geek. Oh, by the way - that was some packed stadium you had there. What was the count - 31,000? LMAO.

By son_sir

September 21, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this

UGA’91: And tell us who of substance you have beaten. Georgia Southern who is rebuilding and lost to Elon last night ? Or was it that powerful Central Mich. team ? Perhaps the Chickens that had a mighty struggle with the Wofford Terriers last night ? Oh, You must mean that offensive juggernaut you faced yesterday that lost to UNLV last week. Your lick fest might be brought to a tragic end this week.

THWG !

By wreckmaniac

September 21, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this

This team is far beyond what we expected but still will be a 14 point dog to UGA. Thats okay because we will get our chance on the field. I expect two more loses and thats fine too. What I hope for as a realistic measuring stick for this season is to get a bowl game other the various Insignificant Bowls we have played in the past few years. I thought we would be a year away from that but I’m beginning to believe that Tech will get to a semi-respectable bowl this year and that, to me, is very good progress.

By wreckmaniac

September 21, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this

Mr Bisher, please schedule a time during a football saturday to sign some autographs. I would wait in a long line. Thanks for your comments about Coach Dodd. If you have seen the Coach on the field you would well undestand some of his attitudes- black Ray-Ban sunglasses, Harris tweed jacket and a tie, of course. Tall and very distinguished. He projected image. These are, of course, new times and we will travel to Starkville next year. We need this experience.

By wreckmaniac

September 21, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this

Kevin: Please obtain adult literacy instruction soon

By wreckmaniac

September 21, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

If anyone watched the video race on the scoreboard at Grant Field yesterday, they saw Buzz vs the Wreck and vs the administration tower. Of course, buildings have personalities, right Furman ?

By wreckmaniac

September 21, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this

Navy Grad: I know I keep blabbing away but thanks for your comments on yesterday’s attendance. I will guarantee you that if we continue to see something even close to yesterdays performance Tech will be the area’s hottest ticket. DRAD had better start thinking about another 10,000 seats. I will never believe in a 80,000 + seat colliseum at Tech but this just might get to be a tough ticket.

By wreckmaniac

September 21, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this

TO D RAD: I saw you yesterday just before the game and you had a smile on your face from ear to ear. I now see why. Thanks for what you have done to restore our tradition and self-respect . Thanks for convincing PJ to come here rather than to the other fine schools that were waving contracts at him. That was your finest moment and we will never forget. We will have our down times this season but what we will see all season is a team and a coach that are totally committed which we have every right to demand.

By The Truth

September 21, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this

Its all well and good and PJ may be a great coach, but Jacket fans need to fill that stadium every home game….way too many empty seats, dont be convinced that PJ wont use us for a stepping stone into a soldout 90,000 SEC gig

By wreckmaniac

September 21, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this

Mustard pants? Good grief ! They sure looked great yesterday. I decided to buy some tomorrow for myself. The Varsity is across the street- dogs and mustard. Mustard is where its at ! The way our defense played(at times)yesterday reminded me of Mustards Last Stand. Tech fans yesterday MUSTAv had a great time.

By wreckmaniac

September 21, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this

Now on my favorite subject-Dawg hatin. How far down will UGA drop this week ? I suppose that CMR is keeping it all “under wraps” for FL? He has told Knowshon to run about 75% until we play FL. Right. Lets revise the rep of the esteemed SEC to 5 top 20 teams protected by 7 teams that make the top 5 look like world beaters ?

By wreckmaniac

September 21, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

Bulldog bite: If you put the worlds elite on a boat, it would be a rather small one, right. If you put all the worlds rednecks and trailer dwellers on a boat it would need to be larger one, right ? GO FIGURE.

By NYJacket

September 21, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

To all the dawgs that post on this blog. Circle the date in late November when the PJ express shows up in Athens.

By Buzzfan1936

September 21, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this

Sean, I disagree with you about the uniforms. Wearing the White jerseys with Gold pants at home is the traditional Tech look from the 50’s, The Golden Years. I like the new look to complement the new coach. The Golds of the helmet, jersey, and pants seem to match better than in the Gailey era. I never liked the Yellow jerseys much. Of course, the impressive win makes a difference. I didn’t like the Blue jerseys of Bobby Ross initially, but by the time they won the National Championship, I loved them!

By Brewer for GT President

September 21, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this

MSU scored after the game was way out of hand and GT’s starters were relaxing on the sidelines. The point is that people who were really full of SEC had picked MSU over GT, especially after MSU’s defense held the 10th ranked AU Tigers to 3 points. LSU let AU score 2 offensive touchdowns last night. GT put 38 on that mighty defense using a backup QB. Still think CPJ’s option offense won’t work against a mighty SEC defense?

By Montreal Dawg

September 21, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this

Mr. Bisher, I wondered why State and Tech hadn’t played each other despite sharing the same conference for 30 years. I knew that you would be able to tell me. You’ll be missed by a lot of us who rely on your knowledge of Atlanta’s sports past.

By jabster

September 21, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this

WGASA about the uni’s! As long as they wind up in the opponent’s end zone, who cares?

By UGA'91

September 21, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this

Hey Sun-Sur, Do you REALLY want to compare schedules?! Thought so.

Montreal Dawg, don’t be fooled, what the old Coot did was tell a story which can’t be indepentantly verified. Whether it’s true or not who knows? Bisher has made a living off of making stuff up and having his sycophants lap it up as gospel truth. He’s been corrected at least twice so far in this thread alone.

When do those AJC layoffs take effect anyway?

By RB

September 21, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this

Nice to see Georgia Tech �man handle the SEC� and still pull up 35th and 41st in the new AP/USA Today polls out today.

Back to reality (Humanitarian Bowl, Emerald Bowl and seven more years of me being yo b***’s Big Dawg Daddy.

I LOVE IT!

By Scooter

September 21, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this

Georgia Tech is without a doubt the finest team in the ACC and would dominate the SEC East every other year if they were lucky enough to have them. There is no way that Tech should not be in the top 25 right now. This is criminal. No pun intended Fleas.

By BulldogBite

September 21, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this

wreckmaniac, that was a very, very weak excuse for not filling up your [tiny] stadium, clown. Can’t you come up with something better that that? Please tell me you have a legitimate reason for not selling out BDS for your romp over the mighty BCS-contending MSU team. Elite? Puh-leeeeeze!!!!! If your definition of elite is one who has attended plumbing and electrician classes at the North Avenue Trade School then I would offer no argument; you got me there, nerd. However, I will offer 51 to 7 odds that you won’t even fill your itty-bitty stadium when FSU or Miami comes calling. One last comment - it has to hurt knowing that UGA has dominated Nerd Nation for so many, many years. huh? Yes, it does. It sure as ‘wreck’ does!!

By JP

September 21, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this

If anyone wants to know exactly where GT is headed check this site. There is more information on that site about Paul Johnson and his coaching philosophy and history than you’ll find anywhere else.

www.huskersforpauljohnson.blogspot.com

By dawgman

September 21, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this

Wow! Beat an SEC team and get 7 votes in the coaches poll and 8 in the writers/AP pole. Guess the big win was a little over hyped in the AJC, huh? Now comes BIG wins over Gardner Webb and Duke, which should get the vote total into double digits in both polls.

What fun it would be to have a ligit interstate rival…as opposed to playing a homecoming rival at Thanksgiving.

By MyDixieWrecked

September 21, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this

plumbing classes? not your how many flamers you have “plumbed” but there are no classes like that on North Avenue? So, how many points are a 3 point basket worth bulldog nibble? I’m glad none of your fans forgot their camera at Hartsfield beofre their flight to arizona.

By MyDixieWrecked

September 21, 2008 7:32 PM | Link to this

An ACC team (Ga Tech) whooped an SEC team that “beats up on each other” but the ugaly fans don’t respect MSU as a decent SEC team. Imagine that. It’s not like Alabamae or Auburn thinks that MSU could “beat them up” like last year. Figure out a new argument for the SEC because your old one just got weak. That’s if UCLA didn’t prove it by taking UT behind the woodshed as Cal has before.

By BulldogsBiteTheirCrotches

September 21, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this

BulldogBite, it used to hurt knowing the coach who allowed all that to happen was kept around for yet another season. But the Jacket Family has moved on, the Gailey Error is water under the bridge. The Wreck will be fine tuned and purring perfectly by time it gets ready to run over mutt #3 this season.

By dawgman

September 21, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this

Hey Dixie… The most ligitimate barometer of the future of a college football program lies in the respect it garners from sports writers and coaches nationwide. As of this week:

Dawgs 1425 or 1388 Bees 7 8

BOB THAT HEAD

By MyDixieWrecked

September 21, 2008 8:09 PM | Link to this

No, dawgman, that would be a barometer of the present. As soon as you lose, i.e. next Saturday, that barometer will change. Simple stuff really if you had any intelligence or indoor plumbing. Get off the public library computer and take Marta back to your trailer and try to think up a better argument dumb@ss

By HughGRection

September 21, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this

We got the perfect option to beat the SEC’s best defense like an f’in drum. Auburn got 3 on them and 20+ on LSU. What did Tech do to the team that held the mighty Allbarn to 3? Get ready trembling chihuhuas!!!

Oh by the way, isn’t UGA due for another probation? I thought the math was every 4.11 years. Must be time.

By dawgman

September 21, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this

Hugh/Dixie…clearly there are 7 sports writers and 8 coaches that agree with you.

And if we lose to Bama and you beat Duke, there’ll still be 7 sports writers and 8 coaches that agree with you next week. Really guys, you need to jump on the Ball State bandwagon.

BOB THAT HEAD!

By ga_tech_92

September 21, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this

Great win Coach Johnson and the Jackets!!

By dawgman

September 21, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this

I guess another question, probably being mulled over by the 2000 writers and coaches nationwide who ignored Tech is, how many homecoming games can one team schedule? Jax State,Miss State,Gardner Webb,Duke…any more? Jeez, no wonder every time you log into AJC.com you get an ad begging us to buy a ticket.

By MyDixieWrecked

September 21, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this

Yeah dawgman, that may be true as we have a bye week next week. We may not get more votes unless we win through our game with Clemson. The difference is that I won’t shoot myself or burn down my trailer next week like you will. Try to live through yourself not the best team Escalades can buy (think Odell if you actually know the players names). Also, a MSU played leaped a Tech player Saturday. Have any cow bell lovers whined about that not being on Sportscenter? It is sad how insecure you rednecks are. Wah, were’ #1, wah we dropped, wah, we’re not on Sportscenter. My god, quit crying and enjoy a chance at a decent season.

By MyDixieWrecked

September 21, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this

By dawgman

September 21, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this

Clemson lost to Bama by three touchdowns, and you are hoping for respect and noteriety with that possible win? Face it, you could run the table except for Georgia (oops, too late) and still be number 24 or 25 nationwide.

And as for the personal attacks, I own my company, a home on the Greatwater side of Reynolds Plantation, a home at Waterlefe CC in Sarasota and an X5….you?

By MyDixieWrecked

September 21, 2008 9:11 PM | Link to this

If you looked at an objective strength of schedule like Sagarin, you would realize that GT has played a tougher schedule than the athens community college (ugaly). Ga Southern, C. Michigan, Tennessee, Vandy, USCeast, Arizona State…I mean seriously, how weak is that schedule???

By MyDixieWrecked

September 21, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this

Wow, you own a plumbing company, lol. And, instead of handling an emergency call, you are on here arguing a case for the athens correctional institute? Probably why you drive an X-5. Trust me, you wouldn’t want to know my credentials given that I probably pay more in taxes each year than what you just presented.

By The Legacy Reborn

September 21, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this

To DAWG_MUTT: Please take a real look at your team before you talk sh*t on the Jackets. 1. You beat GSU (wow) and allowed 21 points!!! 2. Central Michigan….enough said…TAXI!!! 3.South Carolina…last i heard they were SEC bottom feeders that you almost lost to!!! 3.Arizona State…..By playing these kind of teams you will definately lose 3-4 SEC games that have their stuff together. So why are you not #1???? Because a real football team that is the best and proves it every game is King of the hill right now. Could the mutts really beat USC?????? we already know the answer to that. Have you loved the last seven years??? good! We have won 8 in a row before, and all you are trying to do is match that. Must really make you UGAY fans upset to follow in the standards set by GT HISTORY!

And this year will finally be a game to watch, considering you don’t have to feel like Gailey forfited the game before it starts.

The PJ ERA HAS BEGUN LIKE A GOLDEN TORNADO, OR A SWARM OF KILLER YELLOW JACKETS. And the look on that little ugaly dog’s face shows alot for it’s fans. (scratch some fleas, lick my @ss, eat my poop, then repeat)

THWG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By MisterT

September 22, 2008 12:43 AM | Link to this

OK, so the best that the ugayers can come up with is to make fun of our less than packed house. I will have to agree with them on this one. We really need to see this place packed out. We have a truly great stadium for watching the game.

The worst seats in our house would go for triple the price over in Athens. We are winning now ahead of schedule. It is time to come out and get behind this team. Don’t wait for the bandwagon. Jump on now.

Now since bul2#!+bite brought up plumbers & pipefitters…I find it interesting that “The Trade Unions” advertise on both the Tech radio broadcast and the uga radio broadcasts.

The difference in the ads is that on the uga broadcasts they are advertising for members & apprentices and on the Tech broadcasts they are advertising to “please Consider hiring us” for your next project. That is so absolutely hillarious to me. Don’t believe me? Tune in to the next broadcast of both teams. This is absolutely true!

THWG!

By wes king

September 22, 2008 3:42 AM | Link to this

We keep winning we can afford to replace our uniforms next yr!!! YAAA!!

By dawgman

September 22, 2008 6:09 AM | Link to this

Let’s see…. if we went back to late September in any of the last 8 years of DAWG victories over Tech, the Techies would be blogging a proclaimation: THIS IS THE YEAR. We have a new coach, Chan somebody, who will make us into a yellow hurricane. In fact you were all partially correct, yellow was the color. And in each of those eight years you had six or eight coaches and sportswriters who believed in you, and voted you a top 25 September team. Then came reality.

Sad news here: you pay more taxes because you have no business school so you haven’t learned to set up trusts; you live in the glory years of Bobby Dodd because you can’t compete now; and by late November you’ll be hoping for another trip to Idaho.

BOB THAT HEAD

By No B school?

September 22, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this

Dawgman,

Tech’s Business school is ranked higher than UGA’s, but you probably never took a class at UGA, so it doesn’t matter.

U.S. News: Tech 29 UGA 49

Hint: I higher score is worse in this case.

By UgaMatt

September 22, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this

See ya on 11/29 Jackets.

By 17 yr old idiot

September 22, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this

dawgman- noone with a legitimate and business would sign Bob that Head at the end of their post. Go back to your dorm.

By AMG

September 22, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this

The press made too much of CPJ offensive scheme and not enough about the coach. He is a throw back coach that knows how to play this game, very few of these guys around and Tech may have the best of them. Go Jackets!

By GT_THWG

September 22, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this

Is that fear I smell from the mutt nation? CPJ is a true ball coach and is clearly the best man for the job. We’ve taken one SEC team to the woodshed, now we’re gunning for the next mutt.

By jabster

September 22, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this

It looks like the Bulldog Nation’s showing their true colors, too…

By Jeff

September 22, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this

Nice change to a rich football history - Furman do you ever write a bad column? I have never read one. -You fan - Jeff

By Joshua Barlowe

September 22, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this

It’s really sad that dawgman has nothing better to do but harass Tech fans.

I’m not trying to slam him, I’m serious - why doesn’t he have better things to do than troll Tech articles looking to stir up trouble?

We should change the name of this article to “Dog fans showing their true colors.”

By Battle Axe

September 22, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this

dawgman, notice a previous post in which the word “legitimate” is spelled correctly. Please take note so that you don’t look like a fool to your clients in your very succesful business.

You’ll be lucky if you have a head left to bob after the tide rolls into athens.

THWG!!

By yellowjacket5

September 22, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

Hey DAWGMAN,if you were not worried you would not be commenting here,on another note if you think that your schedule is so tough YOU ARE WRONG!YOUR 2 TOUGHEST GAMES ARE ALABAMA AND FLORIDA!if you think auburn and tenn. are tough games you really don’t know much about football,i have some bulldawg fans that have been around football a long-time,trust me they are sweating bullets,they did not want pj at tech,so really take a look at who the dawgs play,you make no sense at what your saying about tech’s schedule!

By GT_THWG

September 22, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this

Sorry about that last post, folks. I sort of got ahead of myself. Now that I have read the article describing UGA’s AJ Green the SEC Freshman of the Week, I’d like to apologize. Please accept my apolgy and disregard the ‘mutt’ term. After all, how could we possibly induce an iota of fear into a team that has owned us for close to a decade? Sorry….I’ll just crawl back into my basement bed, suck my thumb, twirl my hair and wait for mommy to call me up for my Diet Coke & Cheetos snack.

By Ty

September 22, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this

My two cents worth …

Most importantly … Mr. Smith, THANK YOU for your service to our country . . our prayers are with you in Iraq (and I’m impressed you are taking the effort to use the GameTracker to keep up with the Jackets … I did that in Europe a few years back and it takes diligence).

Now to the game . . Jaybo Shaw may be the next Joe Hamilton. Watching him about 4-5 plays into his first series, I watched him make a 5 yard pitch parallel to the line of scrimmage that was UNBELIEVABLE!!

I have full faith in CPJ and wish the best for the Jackets…. Hopeing to see a one-loss Jacket team heading into Athens to face an undefeated UGA squad and give them their FIRST loss of the season.

A year of football like Saturday and I just might have to renew those season tickets!

By USNA73

September 22, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this

Great to see this big win for Ga Tech. There will be some disappointments, but more and more wins will come. Back in December I wrote that the most noteworth trait that PJ would bring to Ga Tech was toughness, and a team that looked like a single, purposeful animal. Now you are beginning to see what I meant.

By GT1

September 22, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this

Dawgman, UGA Football has wasted more talent in the last 28 years than any team in the SEC.They have had just about any 4 0r 5 star player they wanted from inside the state Georgia for this period of time, and what is their crowning accomplishment?Beat Tech 8 years in a row. Why don’t you go over to the Fla,LSU, Alabama, and Tenn., boards and talk? Let me answer my own question, they all have won national championships(some twice)since Uga last did it. If you want to talk the big smack over here at least show the goods in your own conference.

By K_wreck

September 22, 2008 6:55 PM | Link to this

First off let me say that as a Tech fan it is finally good to see some excitement from other tech fans and to see it on the field as well.

Now for all the Tech bashing UGA fans in here. Lets take a look at the difference between Tech and UGA.

Tech has won 4 National Championships (1917,1928,1952,1990) to UGA’s 2 (1942,1980). - And for those of you that want to talk about how UGA is in the SEC and they beat up on each other and its harder to get to the Championship game, Tech was in the SEC from 1932-1964. - Tech would later attempt re-enter the SEC but the re-entry was eventually voted down and the biggest opponent of Tech’s re-entry was UGA.

UGA does have the lead with 59 wins to Tech’s 38 (that mean 5 ties) - The longest win streak for UGA is 7 - The longest win streak for Tech is 8

Now lets talk about the attendance. - UGA has an enrollment of 32,510 (as of spring ‘08) which is down 1% from the previous year. - Tech has an enrollment of 19,400 (including Grad student) which is the highest enrollment in GT history

So UGA has ALMOST twice as many students as Tech, which would mean they have almost twice the alumni/fans.

Give credit where credit is due- UGA has been the better team for the past few years, but considering the circumstances, they should be.

So for all you Tech bashing UGA fans, there is a little history for you to consider. I am a die-hard Tech fan but give credit where it is due, I hope UGA wins every game except for win they play the Jackets.

I’m excited about the direction the Jackets are heading and can’t wait to see whats ahead of both schools.

GO JACKETS!!!!!!

By wreckmaniac

September 22, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this

No one here is trying to say Tech can compete with UGA or FL or Bama or LSU. At least I’m not. What I am saying is that Saturday proved to me that the SEC has a bunch of “top 100” teams that are an even bet with any ACC team. But the press makes you think that the SEC bottom 7 are ready for the Rose Bowl. What a crock.

By wreckmaniac

September 22, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this

Good grief, people. Give the Dawgs some respect. Don’t your realize how hard it was for them to travel more than 100 miles to get to a game ? How many of you Techsters have taken Greyhound that far or driven a RV across the county and back ?

By wreckmaniac

September 22, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this

Duke backetball fans will tell you that ACC basketball is not an attendance contest. Cameron Indoor seats approx. 16000 and if you can’t stand sitting directly behind a post at the game, thats your problem. Its not changing. Neither is Wrigley Field (which is falling down) nor Fenway Park both of which seat less than 35,000. I like our bandbox. Now I do want to fill it up, no doubt. But let Knoxville win the attendance contests.

By bill

September 23, 2008 12:03 AM | Link to this