Home > Furman Bisher > Archives > 2008 > October > 04 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTrying to put fire back in old rivalry
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This was once one of the classic college football series of the South. From the very first, in fact, when a quite ordinary Georgia Tech team knocked Duke out of a trip to the Rose Bowl in 1933. Oh, those Blue Devils were a powerhouse in those times. “Iron Dukes,” they were called, when games were won or lost by baseball scores.
Times have taken a harsh turn; oh, how they have turned. The Rose Bowl gets in line with all those other bowls, like a commoner, in this Bowl Championship Series. Conferences have been scrambled like eggs, old traditions wiped out. Geography cast to the winds. But Georgia Tech and Duke have kept up the tradition, faithfully making their annual date in the fall, though the old rivalry has long since run out of steam. Matter of fact, in the past 18 years, Duke has beaten Tech only twice. Meanwhile, the mighty Engineers haven’t been keeping up with the Joneses, or a lot of other old rivals they carried on with.
So they met again at Bobby Dodd Stadium/Grant Field on Saturday afternoon, carrying on in the faith, but this one had some new pizazz in it. Georgia Tech was panting over its new romance with Paul Johnson, and Duke was going ga-ga over having taken up with David Cutcliffe, who has had some high times — at Ole Miss and lately on Phil Fulmer’s staff at Tennessee. Tell the truth, Duke is already getting nervous about keeping him on campus. You’ve read the news of Fulmer’s travails, and the gossip is that should PF get the ax, Cutcliffe’s the Vols’ choice. You know, rumors.
Georgia Tech had been warned that this was not the same old Duke kind of team they’d become accustomed to taking to the cleaners for years. “We’re playing the Duke of 2008,” Darryl Richard, the senior spokesman, had warned. The Blue Devils were coming to town winners over Navy, Virginia and James Madison, and a heartbreak loser to Northwestern, a ranked team.
Well, for the first 30 minutes all the forewarning was looking legit. First place, Tech was starting an actual freshman, Jaybo Shaw, who’d had a bit of indoctrination, but today the saddle was on his back. Josh Nesbitt, still sitting out the injury he suffered against Mississippi State, never even suited up. The kid from Flowery Branch was put through the wringer in the first half, but did manage to stir up some offense between all the gaffes, throwing to Bay-Bay Thomas and handing off to Jonathan Dwyer. Each time the Jackets approached the end zone, they stepped on their own foot, kicked a field goal and were lucky to go to the break with a 3-0 lead.
By this time you are aware that they turned up the heat in the second half and put Duke to rest. Strange thing, Thomas was the only pass catcher Shaw could locate, and say this, Thomas had to be an acrobat on some of those catches. He collected 230 yards’ worth. Dwyer turned on the steam for 159 yards, and the defense finished its day’s work in style.
It was a peculiar match of coaching styles, and situations, not that Johnson came in to save a sinking ship, as did Cutcliffe at Duke. But both are putting together damaged programs and both have gotten away to good reviews. It’s obvious that Johnson has made the most of it, and neither spent a lot of time exchanging secrets after it was over. Their handshake lasted about 1.2 seconds, after which the two teams took to their knees and had a prayer.
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By sparky
October 4, 2008 7:41 PM | Link to this
Hey Furman, Good days might be ahead for both of them GO JACKETS
By Buzzfan1936
October 4, 2008 7:53 PM | Link to this
SUPERB WRITING, AS USUAL!
By M39Buzz
October 4, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this
Dear Mr. Bisher,
I started reading you articles in the AJC back in 1981, when I first got to Georgia Tech. I still love your style. It reminds of crisp fall Saturday, with fresh smell of cut grass in the air. It reminds me of my first games at Grant Field, of Coach Curry, and Coach Dodd. In short, it reminds me college football.
Coach Paul Johnson and our current group of Yellow Jackets also put me in this nostalgic frame of mind, and it’s great to read your writing about them, too!
“I’m a ‘Ramblin ‘Reck from Georgia Tech and a heck of an Engineer…”
Go Jackets and God Bless!!
By jabster
October 4, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this
Yes, another good one from Mr. Furman…
Duke was a better team than the scoreboard suggested. Methinks they will go bowling this year.
By TechCrybaby
October 4, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this
Furman, as usual, you are right on. Remember the old days, when Duke was soon to arrive, and the newspaper warned that “the big, bad Blue Devils” were coming to town? They perennially won the old Southern Conference championship, and, with Notre Dame and Navy, were Tech’s annual great concern. UGA had to be considered, of course, but Tech led the entire Tech-Georgia series in 1956, and again in 1963. Then things changed.
By austen
October 4, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this
Out with the old and in with the new perhaps - Paul Johnson Stadium, what could be
By H1022
October 4, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this
Thanks Fruman, Back in the day, Billy Teas’s run against Duke. One of the best Tech memories ever.
By Buzzfan1936
October 4, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
Furman, you made my mind wander back to 1951 when Duke ruined Tech’s unblemished, perfect season with a 14-14 tie. They met again in 1952 in the Heralded National Game of the Day. Life Magazine ran a great article entitled TECH BARBEQUES DUKE! - Tech 28 Duke 7. And there was the Billy Teas punt return for a TD which put Tech into the Sugar Bowl. It was a great rivalry.
By BuzzGT
October 4, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this
It is refreshing to read a real newspaper article (even if it is online).
By JacketFan1943
October 4, 2008 11:39 PM | Link to this
I remember those Duke days. During today’s game I recalled the 1954 game as an 11 year old boy. Tech was winning 20 zip going into the 4th quarter and Duke scored 21 in the 4th to win. As I recall it was a miserable Halloween. Great article as always. I wish the old sunday tv show with you Jesse 0., Harry M., and I think Jim Minter was still around.
By True Tech
October 5, 2008 1:26 AM | Link to this
There is nothing better than reading a Furman Bisher column about my Yellow Jackets! Go Tech!
By GT71
October 5, 2008 6:45 AM | Link to this
Savor Furman Bisher, folks. Read every word, save every article. You are in the presence of greatness..of a long term delight and talent for and in all things sports. We cannot say too often, ‘Thank you, Furman’. For being ‘our’ Furman.
By hiveredtech
October 5, 2008 7:45 AM | Link to this
good article. btw…it is “BeBe”..not “BayBay”
By bearcasey
October 5, 2008 7:52 AM | Link to this
Your article reminded me of the 1965 GT-Duke game on Halloween when Kim King dazzled a strong Blue Devil squad. It was nice being 16 again. Thanks!
By john
October 5, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this
no sports writer relishes gt football the way bisher does.
By ga_tech_92
October 5, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
We love your style Mr.Bisher!
Great win, go Jackets!!
THWG!!!
By fred
October 5, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this
I went to the Tech-Duke ‘52 game—as a high school senior. Then, in the fall, enrolled at GTech—-thank you, Man Upstairs!Yes, we have had a roller-coaster ride over the years, but that sure beats a down-hill tumble or a short journey to nowhere.
The Jackets are very much alive and well—-actually, we are preparing to kick —- and take no prisoners.Welcome back!!!
THWG!
By WreckhorngoesTHWUGA!!!!!!!!!!!
October 5, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this
PEN MEETS PAPER!!! I have long admired Furman Bisher’s columns in the Atlanta papers…about the only part of the paper I bother to read these past 5 or 6 years. Too relevant to be merely nostalgic, and too wise to be merely trendy, Mr. Bisher’s writing is at once informed, historic and accurate. How refreshing to relish a true sportswriter who regularly demonstrates that true “objectivity” is not synonomous with “sarcasm,” “shocking revelation,” or “controversial.” Leaves me longing for the static-marred strains of “TOE MEETS LEATHER!!!”
By Rowe Fesperman
October 5, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
Mr. Bisher: I was at Duke 1950-54 and remember the games you mention in your delightful article. It was a great, but respectful, rivalry; I particulary remember the game when both teams were undefeated at 6-7 games, and Tech took out Ed Meadows and Bobby Burrows in the first two plays from scrimmage-both, of course, were All-Americans. These were also the days of great sportswriters-you, Smith Barrier, Dick Herbert, Red Smith, etc.- and great broadcasters-Ted Husing, Bill Stern,etc.. Hope the Denton, NC senior citizen enjoys a long and happy retirement……..
By Rowe Fesperman
October 5, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this
Mr. Bisher: I was at Duke 1950-54 and remember the games you mention in your delightful article. It was a great, but respectful, rivalry; I particulary remember the game when both teams were undefeated at 6-7 games, and Tech took out Ed Meadows and Bobby Burrows in the first two plays from scrimmage-both, of course, were All-Americans. These were also the days of great sportswriters-you, Smith Barrier, Dick Herbert, Red Smith, etc.- and great broadcasters-Ted Husing, Bill Stern,etc.. Hope the Denton, NC senior citizen enjoys a long and happy retirement……..
By statelinejacket
October 5, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
Terrific article Mr. Bisher. Even though I am too young to remember the ‘Iron Dukes’ or any resemblance of I loved reading your articles about Tech and any of her old, proud, rivalries. Good luck to the Coach Cutcliffe and the Dookies but God Bless our Yellow Jackets!
By trublu
October 5, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
I am only 25, but I follow CFB and its history a lot and I know Duke used to be good. To read this article and the comments thereafter really made me feel it…I could almost see it happening! I think I will be looking forward to reading your articles in the future…that was VERY refreshing!
By TTech
October 5, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this
Answer to hiveredtech: Furman was referring to BeBe by the way that its pronounced, not BeeBee but BayBay.
By MidnightRambler
October 5, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this
For several years, yours was the only AJC column I bothered to read, and I Ionged for THE GOOD OLD DAYS! Recently, I have noted an improvement. Perhaps your stellar influence is finally having an effect on the other sportswriters? I hope so.
By Navigator
October 5, 2008 7:04 PM | Link to this
You make remember the great Bobby Dodd with your remarks, but I can’t help remember the coach I loved as a fan, made the biggest mistake of any coach to walk the flats. He took Tech out of the Southeastern Conference, and for whatever reasons he had, it was terribly wrong.
By goober
October 5, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this
Mr. Bisher:
At best I am indifferent about Tech, but … Mr. B, you’re like an old bottle of fine bourbon sittin’ way up on the top of the shelf. Every once in a while I take a sip, savoring every drop, but afraid of drinking too much, ‘cause one day it’ll be gone, and nothing will replace it.
Thank you and God bless you, sir.
By Rich in Milledgeville
October 6, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this
Ah yes, Mr. Bisher, time is a passin’ too quickly.
It doesn’t seem that long ago that I was around 7, and my Dad would always comment (favorably) on your Sunday sports piece. I remember asking why he liked your article so much each week, it had no pictures and occupied a whole column of the sports page (long). He just stated that your writings were the best because you had certain insights and perspective that all others lacked. Now, your writings seem too short. Thanks for covering Tech with you classic style.
By Rich in Milledgeville
October 6, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
Ah yes, Mr. Bisher, time is a passin’ too quickly.
It doesn’t seem that long ago that I was around 7, and my Dad would always comment (favorably) on your Sunday sports piece. I remember asking why he liked your article so much each week, it had no pictures and occupied a whole column of the sports page (long). He just stated that your writings were the best because you had certain insights and perspective that all others lacked. Now, your writings seem too short. Thanks for covering Tech with your classic style.
By Hal
October 6, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
Furman, Do you remember Sunday mornings on WSB when you, Jessie Outlar, Jim Minter, and Coach Mehre had a show. That was so much fun. You were on just before Coach Dodd and Ed Danforth. Now we have Mark May and Lou Holtz talking about the same thing over and over again. ESPN sucks they can’t get out of the way promoting their upcomming broadcasts. At least you guy’s gave the impression you knew what you were talking about.
By ca ruffa
October 6, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this
As a son of the famed “Iron Dukes” I was raised on the great memories of Duke-Tech games. My most vivid is the “lonely end” game in which Tee Morman excelled and Duke won 6-0. Usually, it was Tech spoiling Duke`s season though. This is a refreshing article and I hope to read more like it.
By ca ruffa
October 6, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this
As a son of the famed “Iron Dukes” I was raised on the great memories of Duke-Tech games. My most vivid is the “lonely end” game in which Tee Morman excelled and Duke won 6-0. Usually, it was Tech spoiling Duke`s season though. This is a refreshing article and I hope to read more like it.
By THWG
October 6, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this
Thank you, Mr. Bisher. You are truly one of the few good things left at this paper. I have been reading your work for some time now; in fact, it is about all I bother reading anymore. Please continue the terrific work, especially about the old gold and white!!!
By Under 80 years old
October 7, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this
yada yada yada……snoooze