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Home > Jeff Schultz > Archives > 2008 > October > 18 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USNesbitt shows resilience of winner
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Clemson, S.C. — When a young quarterback misses a month in a new offense, the last thing to expect in his return is art. He’ll miss some reads. He’ll miss some throws. He’ll look left and right and left again and not realize that he is about to run into a wall with arms.
Do you know what you can’t always expect? What Josh Nesbitt did Saturday.
“I don’t know what it is, but he just keeps finding ways to make a play when you need one,” Georgia Tech quarterbacks coach Brian Bohannon said. “In the several big wins that we’ve had this year, it’s really been because of his effort.”
The Yellow Jackets won again Saturday, 21-17 over Clemson. They blew a 14-3 lead but came back. They have evolved from a cute little story into a resilient bunch that suddenly is 6-1 going into home games against Virginia and Florida State, who haven’t intimidated anybody in some time.
“I think the kids have shown some toughness and some character and that makes you proud as a coach,” Paul Johnson said.
No, Clemson is not a national power. This past week, it was closer to a national embarrassment. The Tigers lost their coach (Tommy Bowden) in the middle of the season and then saw a high-profile player, quarterback Cullen Harper, gloat about it.
No, this game won’t be packaged and proudly shopped by the ACC to the networks for a new TV deal. The teams combined for eight turnovers (six by Clemson) and 12 three-and-outs. If offense was art, this was finger painting — with thumbs.
But that doesn’t diminish the win in general and Nesbitt’s late-game performance, in particular. With Tech trailing, 17-14, he rolled right on third-and-14 from the Tech 36 and hit wide receiver Demaryius Thomas just inside the right sideline for a 23-yard gain. Three plays later, a 4-yard gain on a quarterback sneak gave the Jackets a first down. Three plays later, he again found Thomas, this time alone in the end zone, for a 24-yard touchdown pass to put Tech ahead with 5:22 left.
“I knew I would be a little rusty this game,” said Nesbitt. “But once the game wore on, I felt I was getting back on track. I’m just happy it turned out the way it did.”
Nesbitt nearly gave Tech the lead earlier in the fourth quarter. On third-and-long from the Clemson 47, he lofted a perfect pass into the end zone — but it went off Thomas’ fingertips. (The receiver’s admission: “I had alligator arms.”)
“When he didn’t catch it,” Nesbitt said, “I just told him, ‘Don’t worry about it. I’m coming back to you.’”
Nesbitt has shown a flare for late-game dramatics. He had a touchdown pass and a two-point conversion to tie Virginia Tech, 17-17 (Tech eventually lost by a field goal). He had a touchdown run and a key first-down carry at Boston College to secure a win.
Nobody quite knew what to expect Saturday. Nesbitt suffered a right hamstring strain four weeks ago during a 21-yard run early against Mississippi State. He missed the next games and a bye week.
“He was starting to get the hang of the option before he got hurt,” Bohannon said. “But I thought he had a pretty good week of practice and he did some good things after he settled down.”
Clemson seemed more than willing to give the Jackets time to get comfortable. Five days after Bowden’s exit, the Tigers played one of their worst first halves in history. They had three interceptions, three fumbles (one lost), four three-and-outs on offense, 18 yards rushing and a shanked punt. The Jackets had a touchdown — Dominique Reese’s 34-yard interception return — before they had a first down. They led 14-3.
The half ended shortly after Cullen Harper had a pass intercepted at the Tech 16. Somewhere, Tommy Bowden was probably sending a text message, reading: “He deserved that.”
Harper had two third-quarter passes. But his final pass was intercepted. Nesbitt’s final pass was a touchdown. One guy found a way.
Permalink | Comments (88) | Post your comment | Categories: Tech/ACC
Comments
By Greg
October 18, 2008 6:08 PM | Link to this
Nice win on the road. Let’s all root for BC tonight!
By eddie
October 18, 2008 6:21 PM | Link to this
Tech fans: What are the odds that a Gailey-coached team would have lost this game?
By austen
October 18, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this
I attended todays game and it was intimidating surrounded by 85,000 shirts in orange. We, GT fans, sitting in the upper deck Section T, job well done, keeping the team up and encouraged. Under the circumstances, I says Jackets job well done! (Charlotte, NC GT Fan)
By Zach
October 18, 2008 6:55 PM | Link to this
UNC just went down. They’re out. Root for BC! Its GT vs VT for the Coastal now.
By AlabamaRamblinwreck
October 18, 2008 7:00 PM | Link to this
Eddie:
Very high, probably 99% we lose.
He would have run up the middle 3 straight times setting up a field goal to tie or lose. Then, if he made it, he would have probably lost in o.t.
Thank God we have CPJ!
Go Jackets!!
By louisville slugger
October 18, 2008 7:07 PM | Link to this
Eddie & Bama, OK, I know Chan-bashing is in, but you gotta admit, even Chan knew how to beat Clemson!
By Najeh Davenpoop
October 18, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this
Nice win today. One observation: during the few instances that Nesbitt was actually allowed to set up and throw, he made pretty nice, fairly accurate throws down the field. I know passing is not featured in this offense, but it would be nice both for variety in the offense as well as for Nesbitt’s development as a QB to see a little more passing worked into the offense.
By Tech Fan
October 18, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this
I was there as well. 35 yard line, 25 rows up, in the middle of the solid orange.
Love the defensive effort. Offense played hard, but still needs a little more to be special. Great effort by Nesbit.
Team has a chance to be the story of the South if they can hold serve at home the next few weeks.
Let’s keep pluggin’ along and just play hard.
By CW
October 18, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this
it is hard not to be proud of this team. Jackets just need to keep on fighting in these close games. Something tells me every game left on the schedule is going to be hard fought.
By GT '93
October 18, 2008 8:25 PM | Link to this
why in the heck did Nesbitt sit on the bench, behind Taylor Bennett? Nesbitt is awesome! today’s win was huge. we’ve gone from one of the worst coaches in Div I-A to one of the top 2 or 3.
By OG
October 18, 2008 8:51 PM | Link to this
What about Scott Blair’s tackle on that kick? His acting job on the punt was even better. GO Jackets… Calhoun and Georgia Tech!!!
By Craig Pritzker
October 18, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
Great win Jackets!!! Maybe we’ll get noticed now. All I heard last week was how good UNC was. Now it’s UVA. Just keep winning and eventually we’ll get noticed. And PJ should be a leading candidate for the Bobby Dodd Award.
By Craig Pritzker
October 18, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this
Great win Jackets!!! Maybe we’ll get noticed now. All I heard last week was how good UNC was. Now it’s UVA. Just keep winning and eventually we’ll get noticed. And PJ should be a leading candidate for the Bobby Dodd Award.
By SlimG
October 18, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this
We got lucky today. Phantom roughing the kicker call to slow their momentum and that holding call on the 4th down play they converted. How can we let that play be completed?
Our offense is very predictable and we can’t consistently throw the football. Clemson is bad and we let them hang around until we get a gift holding call.
All this rave about Paul is overblown. He hasn’t beat anybody that really counts. We lost to the only decent team we’ve played. Get real people.
If we beat FSU and Miami, then we can start talking about something and that won’t be much because they are not were they used to be.
I see atleast three more losses and a crappy bowl again. We are two years away at best.
By BigAl
October 18, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this
Najeh, I agree about the need for more passing offense. Today though, I agree with PJ’s coaching that slowing moving the ball and inching our way down the field was the best stadegy. But I know that to be a great team, you must open up some surprises with more passes. Yeah, we are a young team and if we try to get too fancy with more passes, there’s going to be more interceptions. But PJ had a passing offense at Hawaii and previous jobs, so I bet he will surprise some in the future with more passing plays. Plus, he said he want to incorporate more passing. I guess we will have to wait and see. Anyways, the team looked like a real team that has high hopes. Let’s keep the W’s coming.
By UrinatesOnDawgs
October 18, 2008 9:24 PM | Link to this
najeh….What does it matter…CPJ wins ballgames..i don’t care if we kick the ball down the field. W’s are all that matter go tech THWG
By ColenelV
October 18, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
Hey SlimG…Thanks for being such an optimist!..BTW..You need to learn how to spell the word “where”…
By Rico
October 18, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
Hey SlimG, or should I say BIGDAWGFAN,your just getting nervous about November 29th. The mighty PUPPIES are not what there were hyped up to be and Tech is a little bettert than good. Your PUPPIES will have at least 2 losses when Tech comes to Athens. The Tech game will make the difference between a BCS bowl game and a toliet bowl game for UGA.
I have no idea who will win, but FINALLY this sgame will mean something.
PS…If you are a TECH fan, please refrain from every watching another Tech game.
By BigAl
October 18, 2008 9:42 PM | Link to this
SlimG, Did your slim sight watch the whole game? Yes, there were some calls that really helped us. But did you not see the really close plays on 3rd down that ended in nothing? I am talking just a few more inches and it would have changed the game - to our favor. There were many plays that didn’t go our way, but if all of the plays had went our way we would have blown out the game. Maybe I am just biased because I am an actual REAL Tech fan. I am an alumnus from 2000 and right now, I am very glad to be Tech football fan.
By I CANT BELIEVE IT!!
October 18, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this
Guys. AT THE BEGINING OF THE YEAR. WHAT WERE YOUR EXPECTATOINS? PLEASE REMEMBER THAT WHEN YOUR C O M P L A N I N G OVER A WIN IN DEATH VALLY. You are the people who give Tech fans a bad reputation.
I mean cmon awin is a win is a win
By ColenelV
October 18, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this
We all know SlimG probably didn’t even get his GED! That’s why he is a DAWG fan who cannot spell.
By SlimG your an Idiot
October 18, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this
Yes “Phantom” roughing the kicker was a bad call. Bad calls happen both ways. That’s football. Not consistent pass offense….Did you watch the Miss St game??? We have not played anyone worth anything? How about BC in Boston and barely losing to VT in Va (which was due to a bad call)? How about a Miss St that beat Vandy??? Sure the O-line has some issues the need to get resolved and Nesbitt sometimes needs to pitch the ball instead of keeping (although a keeper for a few is better than a bad pitch). SlimG you are a moron and need to keep your mouth shut or I guess your hands off a computer keyboard.
By SlimG your an Idiot
October 18, 2008 9:59 PM | Link to this
Yes “Phantom” roughing the kicker was a bad call. Bad calls happen both ways. That’s football. Not consistent pass offense….Did you watch the Miss St game??? We have not played anyone worth anything? How about BC in Boston and barely losing to VT in Va (which was due to a bad call)? How about a Miss St that beat Vandy??? Sure the O-line has some issues that need to be resolved and Nesbitt sometimes needs to pitch the ball instead of keeping (although a keeper for a few is better than a bad pitch). SlimG you are a moron and need to keep your mouth shut or I guess your hands off a computer keyboard.
By GT90
October 18, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this
A W is a W. To win on the road in ANY conference w/ a QB who hasn’t played in a month is an achievement that we should take and build on.
By SlimG
October 18, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this
Fellas, good use of that tech degree as my spellcheck and grammar.lol. What’s a GED? Oh yeah, that thing your brother got in jail(Cole and BigAl). Obviously there were some sticking points.
Miss st. will finish last in the SEC west so don’t think that will really help in BCS standings. Let’s realistically look at our previous games. We have not played a top 15 team all year and that’s why we will not be ranked again this week. ACC is very weak this year and we should win with all the talent that Gailey left.
By michaelgee
October 18, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this
CPJ’s no passing offense is great, but, passing is there if/when you need it. The occasional CPJ passing call WILL be at the perfect time. CPJ’s pass plays will have the Perfect effect.
Everybody in Statesboro still loves and respects CPJ, he is a winner, congrats GT Fans!
Rad needs to get CPJ locked in for the long term before another big time U grabs him away.
By Mark
October 18, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
SlimG: I agree with you. I am am a HUGE Tech fan, but I am not sold on this offense. It seems that as time goes on, other team are figuring out how to stuff the middle and keep Nesbitt in check. I am wary of an offense that relies on 3 or 4 big plays per game to win…Otherwise Dwyer is well under 100 yards..I was very hopeful after the Miss St game, but I just don’t see this offense playing with the big boys. I think we are a solid top 25 team…but I am ready for the next level. I would like to see a more balanced offense with more passing…A top defense will put us in 3rd and long all day….and make for a LONG game….Not to mention 2 poor calls that went Tech’s way and allowed us to win. Still…GO JACKETS.
By SlimG
October 18, 2008 11:07 PM | Link to this
Thanks Mark. Nice to know there are some Tech fans that really do know football. I bet you played some ball.
By BADDAWG
October 18, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this
Rico: NEWS FLASH!!!!
“The game has, does, and always mean something….you my friend are not the arbiter thats decides when “the game” means something, and when it does’nt mean something!!!!
AND even if we do go 9-3 and go to what “you” call a toilet bowl…I PROMISE you it will be a more meaningful bowl game thay the nerd herd has been to in a long time!!!!!!!
AND YOU CAN REST ASSURED THE DAWGS WILL HAVE MORE THAN 241 FANS SHO UP FOR THE GAME!!!!!!!
By Mark
October 18, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this
BADDAWG: I, too,spoke rhetoric after I drank my first beer…………… But, by the grace of God, I will wake up tomorrow a Yellow Jacket fan.
By BigAl
October 18, 2008 11:40 PM | Link to this
I knew it was just a matter of time before an AJC blog turns to useless rhetoric. Its amazing how some folks ONLY believe the hype. Looks at stats before you say such moronic statements as “ACC is very weak”. Well, let me guess “SEC is #1”. Well, genius, if the SEC and other conferences are so much better - then why is ACC vs. SEC 2 / 5 and ACC vs. BCS teams is 8 / 11 and SEC vs. BCS team is 3 / 5. Since you probably went to UGA for almost a year and flunked out that means that vs. BCS teams ACC is 73% winning vs SEC 60%. SlimBrain, what were you saying again?
Looks like VT just lost, putting us at the top of our Division. Pretty good considering the ACC has the majority of top 10 teams in total defense ranking.
By John
October 18, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this
After our loss to Va Tech I came on here and said we are good enough to go 11-1. Glad to see I can still be considered a visionary. Most on here - even GT fans - mocked me. But I have seen them play, in person, 3 times now and they are good enough to beat everyone on our schedule… this year, next year and all the years coming. Paul Johnson can do it. One at a time. Next is UVA. I will be there - will you?
By joe
October 19, 2008 12:03 AM | Link to this
its obvious slimG has never played football before and hes just one of those dumb fans that expects everything the kids are doing to be perfect
i garantee everyone in there except paul johnson was satisfied with the result and thats how it should be
O AND YESS VTECH WENT DOWN
By The Legacy Reborn
October 19, 2008 12:27 AM | Link to this
Hey Slim…. Did you know that Chan Gailey didn’t recruit our talent that we have???? We still have our recruiter that did, except now we have a program to attract even better talent. It’s just we finally have a coach that knows how to use it. And a W is a W. Come on Tech fans (THE REAL ONES) We have not been 6-1 since our last Championship year in 1990 at this point in the season (which at that point we were 7-0, this is the best start since). The ACC is up and down right now, but this is our chance to claim our spot at the top. We have the best W-L ratio in the conference at this point. Our stats are amazing for a team that has been rebuilt in a year and was predicted to be way worse off than we are. And Pooch fans, we are 6-1 too. except that when we are, we really earned it. When we get ranked it won’t be because everyone wants to see us win the NC even if we suck. We have to build ourselves, not have the sports world scratch the fleas off our a$$. I mean people be real, Do you think this is all PJ has to offer? Do you think D RAD would have hired someone without depth? No! CPJ’s resume is nothing but gold, and now we are giving him a chance to take our program that way. SO LETS SUPPORT OUR JACKETS AND NOT PICK APART EVERY REASON WHY “YOU” THINK THEY WILL FAIL!!!! To h3ll with UGAY and the fence riders!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By RICO
October 19, 2008 12:48 AM | Link to this
Hey BADDAWG….NEWS FLASH!!!!
I hope your PUPPY NATION has more that “241 fans”. Your schools intelect attracts every hill billy from Pooler to Ringgold. Dang, to bad you cannot get a full head of teeth from the entire student section.
Now, let’s talk about THIS YEAR. I know it will be hard for you to stay in the present. But, I assure you that this year will be the year that the PUPPY NATION realizes that the rivarly is back.
Seriously..We could win our division and you could win your division. Now, that would make for a great game on November 29th!!!!
By Old Gold
October 19, 2008 1:01 AM | Link to this
Mark and Slim G,
Keep one thing in mind: This was game SEVEN of an entirely new system, new staff, new attitude, new coaches. Aside from a 3-point loss in a hostile environment on the road, an extremely young team has won every time out of the gate - remarkable. As for Clemson, we just put two offensive TD’s on the board (plus dropped a TD pass) against a team whose defense had surrendered three TD’s in the last four games (their offense was responsible for the balance of the points they’ve given up).
Not bad for a work in progress. BTW, this is the first time Tech has started 6-1 since 1999.
By No Real Tech Fan Cares What You Say
October 19, 2008 1:05 AM | Link to this
Any win against a highly motivated team with talent and 80,000 rejuvenated fans on thier side is a big win.
The running into the kicker call was a bad call. It gave us a new set of downs on our own 30 yard line in the 3rd quarter - BFD. The holding call at the end was not only well earned by Richard it was supported by at least 5 other holds that were not called on critcal plays earlier in the game. Basically the patch-work Clemson line was holding the entire game and it finally came back to bite them.
CPJ is a professional football coach. His teams will pass the ball when/if it’s needed to counter what the defense is doing. Let’s remember that he’s still teaching the fundamentals of the OBS to this young team. It seems that rule number one is an offense must run and block before they can pass. No one can argue with the results to this point.
BTW the play of the game for my money was Richard running down Davis on a 3rd down screen pass in the 4th qtr. If Davis has his shirt tucked in who knows where that drive might have gone.
By addicted
October 19, 2008 5:01 AM | Link to this
What I learnt over little less than the last 2 months…
Paul Johnson has NO system. He is a coach who adjusts his gameplan based on what gives his team the best chance to win. If that means throwing key 3rd down conversion plays to a receiver who dropped a crucial TD play in the last drive, then he will do that too.
By hughfree
October 19, 2008 6:39 AM | Link to this
I am with SlimG on one point…I think the verdict is still out on this season. Am I excited about 6-1… absolutely! I am a huge fan of CPJ. I followed his career at Navy with great interest (son graduated from West Point). I was amazed at his ability to be consistently competitive with the constraints of coaching at a military academy. All that being said, we need to keep in mind that last week we were one missed field goal from being tied by mediocre Division 1 AA team! Johnson brings an atmosphere of winning to the flats. I expect great things in the future. I will continue to be cautiously optimistic about this year’s prospects!
By Paddy
October 19, 2008 7:11 AM | Link to this
Slim G… I’ll bet you are a fun guy at parties and at the office water cooler. Yes we are 6-1 and happy about it. We wait all year for football and most of us know how to enjoy it. WOW
By Joe the Thumber
October 19, 2008 7:25 AM | Link to this
Tech fans are the most virulent and loyal fans in all of college Gball. I mean Fball. They play hoaxes on Bulldog fans all the time, no matter how innappropriate the gag. One of my inlaws actually locked a Tech plate on my rear bumper. So I received the jeers of Bulldog fans everywhere I went. How do you explain that you’re really a Bulldog when people are chasing you? My house gets AP’d all the time. I mean TP’d. That’s cause I park in my driveway. BTW: My car’s been pelted with a bumper crop of acorns this year and the finish is scarred. Dont tell me squirrels are bulldog fans too. That really T’s me off. I mean P’s me off. No wait, both letters work there.
Nevermind.
By Teddy Dee
October 19, 2008 7:28 AM | Link to this
Mark,
[ But, by the grace of God, I will wake up tomorrow a Yellow Jacket fan.]
I love it. The absolute best quote I have ever read in a GT Blog. I can’t wait to use it on my Georgie friends.
By Villa Rica
October 19, 2008 7:59 AM | Link to this
Wow 6-1 looks impressive. Only loss on the road in BLACKSBURG by 3. Everyone is saying the BIG XII is the best conference with so many great QBs If they had to play agains SEC or even ACC defenses most of them would have been injured on the sidelines by week 3 of conference play.
By snapshot
October 19, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this
My fellow (TRUE TECH FANS) be patient and good things will come with our football team. CPJ is doing his magic. Go YELLOW JACKETS!!!!!!!
By AlabamaJack
October 19, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this
Some of you guys referred to something that I have heard several coach/announcer/analysts remark on. CPJ may be the best “in-game” coach in the nation with regard to being able to adjust and change the flow of the game.
No matter what, I too wake up every morning, “by the grace of God, a Yellow Jacket fan.”
Remember, wearing a Georgia Tech hat usually signifies you went to Tech. Wearing a UGA cap usually means you have been to Wal-mart.
By CarolinaJacket
October 19, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
Great win. Clemson was really pumped up. I agree with those who mentioned Johnson’s ability to adjust during the game. He seems to be a master at this. Now, with Va Tech’s loss we have a chance for the division title. How about the guys who got hurt? Were any of these serious?
By THWG!!!
October 19, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this
CPJ just knows how to win! If you remember, at the beginning of the season SI predicted that we go 2-10 this season. We have a new coach, new offense, new defense, and new quarterback. I think CPJ has done a heck of a job with all of that! Especially to go INTO Death Valley with Nesbitt’s first start in a month when Clemson is fired up- and pull out a win! Incredible! If it were another coach we would have been blown out! Give CPJ some time and we will be a national powerhouse! He doesn’t know how to lose! Just look at his past accomplishments! Way to go Jackets! Keep up the great work! and let’s get ready for next week! (BTW- who cares if we pass or run the ball? As long as it gets a W ???)
By buzzwax
October 19, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
roughing the kicker was a GOOD call. Clemson player rolled into his legs. This is where the 5 yard version would/should apply. Phantom holding on Clemson? The call was against Darryl Richard who was not shown in the CRAPPY ESPN replay. CPJ wash shown lobbying for holding calls all second half and we finally got ONE. ESPN’s worst covered game I have EVER seen!!
By Historian
October 19, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m getting tired of the announcers saying the interference call was wrong because the ball was uncatchable. Those are NFL rules, not college, and these networks look stupid with announcers that don’t know the rules. At the end of the game the center tackled the Tech defensive player, and the announcers says he doesn’t see the penalty. What happened to quality of coverage that Gowdy and Jackson used to give? I don’t know if the injury caused the problem, but Nesbitt looked really slow. A couple of times he was run down by linemen, that’s embarrassing. Let’s hope he is ready for FSU, or he’ll set a record for being sacked.
By LongBeachJacket
October 19, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this
Great win for the Jackets. I was fortunate to be at the game. Clemson was sky high and motivated. They have a lot of talent. Always have. Winning up there, by any means, is never to be taken lightly.
A message to all the “critics” both real and “faux”. Everyone has a right to an opinion, especially when respectfully tendered, but ….geez…. life isn’t perfect and few football games ever are…if ever.
If you get the win….and you EARNED IT the hard way…as this bunch of Jackets did….enjoy it, be happy, and appreciate the effort.
After a win like this, the team, the coaches and the program DESERVE admiration and appreciation.
Perfection is not the standard. Winning is. And Tech won.
GO JACKETS!!!!
By Navigator
October 19, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this
The Clemson situation may be an embarrassment, but that’s the most diverse offense they’ve run for a long time. Give their new coach a few games, and they’ll be beating people. He was more about inspiring the team to play at their max, than X’s and O’s. At one point, he made a player coming to sidelines run back on the field and run off, because he walked off. That’s the kind thing that’s missing with many of the coaches we have today, and Clemson would be crazy not to hire him for a couple of years. They wore suits to the game, walked into the stadium past their fans, and none had head sets on listening to music. This coach learned from the style that Bear Bryant passed down to his coaches, and that’s to focus on playing the best they can.
By falcon21
October 19, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this
IF TECH PLAYED IN THE SEC, THEY WOULD BE 1 AND 6!!!
By TC
October 19, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
You mean this SEC, hahahaha…
2008 Mississippi State
8/30 @ Louisiana Tech 0-1 (0-0) L 22-14 9/06 Southeastern Louisiana 1-1 W 34-10 9/13 No. 9 Auburn 1-2 (0-1) L 3-2 9/20 @ Georgia Tech 1-3 (0-1) L 38-7 9/27 @ No. 5 LSU 1-4 (0-2) L 34-24 10/11 No. 13 Vanderbilt 2-4 (1-2) W 17-14 10/18 @ Tennessee 2-5 (1-3) L 34-3 10/25 Middle Tennessee State 7:00 PM 11/01 Kentucky TBA 11/15 @ No. 2 Alabama TBA 11/22 Arkansas TBA 11/28 @ Mississippi 12:30 PM
We would have the same record as UGAY and actually be ranked so maybe we should join the SEC.
By SlimG
October 19, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
Thank you everyone for your comments. I cannot help that I let Chan Gailey bend me over the table every week for almost a decade. He continues to do this to me while he at the Chiefs. Please don’t take this personally, I am just a Tech fan only when they are number 1 in the nation and not a real Tech fan. Thank you again but now I have to get back to Master Gailey.
By falcon21
October 19, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this
If tech played Georgia’s schedule they may win 3 games total.Thats if they beat a poor tennessee team.Also Ga. Southern and Central Michigan.
By Lex.Luther
October 19, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this
It is true that we have not beaten any powerhouse teams this year. I don’t think anyone can get around Slimer’s point in that regard. FSU and (yes) UNC make me as nervous as any since Tech has a long history of poor play against both of them.
BUT—all that notwithstanding—lousy teams lose to lousy teams…and that has NOT happened with Tech this year. Doesn’t matter who we have played…6-1 is a significant record.
As someone else said, we need to just keep pluggin’ away.
As for the ACC vs. the SEC, just compare last year’s bowl results. One can add up various and sundry stats until the clouds come home; however, bowl results are pretty much the tale of the tape at the end of the day. The ACC was perfectly awful in last year’s bowl games, while the SEC pretty much rolled. Not a day goes by during football season that I do not wish Tech had never left the SEC.
By MalibuGT
October 19, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this
Falcon21, it must eat you up that the joke that is the UGA’s national title team, built off the back of a win over Hawaii, is now obvious….while GT (along with the Falcons) made the insightful choice for a new coach. Keep hatin’….and we’ll see you in November.
THWG!
By wxwax
October 19, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this
Jeepers, what is it with you, Schultz?
Last column, you write cache instead of cachet.
And now you write flare, instead of flair.
When did the last copy editor leave town?
By StingDoc
October 19, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
SlimG In my view, every successful team is lucky. Read Dodd’s Luck. Great teams seem to get the lucky breaks, probably because they make most of them themselves. Why a Tech fan is so negative right now is beyond me. We have beaten some good teams. One of the reasons they are not ranked is because we have beaten them. Another reason is that the ACC is better than the media are giving them credit for. True, the ACC doesn’t have an outstanding powerhouse this year, but it does have several good teams who are beating each other.
By Lex.Luther
October 19, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this
Birdman. You probably don’t realize Tech used to be in the SEC and held its own. When Tech floated the idea of getting back into the conference, Georgia was one of the two teams that fought it (the other was Auburn.)
As for us ‘playing Georgia’s schedule,’ let me respond by asking what would happen if Georgia’s players had to meet Tech’s academic requirements? Answer: probably nothing different because Georgia would figure out a way to beat the system.
You see, Tech (no. 4 engineering school in the country) is about academics and always will be. The fact that we can also hold our own in football is a testament to the caliber of that commitment. It’s something that a person stumbling around slurring “…’bout them dawgs…’bout them dawgs…” can never understand.
By falcon21
October 19, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this
Nov. 29th, UGA 37 GT 10.
By SlimG
October 19, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this
StingDoc. Which ACC team is ranked? And don’t say VaTech b/c that will change today. I agree you make your own luck, but you must confess the truth. We haven’t played a top 10 team and won’t until the last game of the year.
This offense will not work against good teams! Look at all the offenses that all playing on Sunday. Nobody runs this high school offense. Only teams that can’t pass run this crap. For Pete’s sake, what are we gonna do against a real team in D1.
By Brewer
October 19, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this
The blocking is still awful. This game should have been a huge blowout, but the blocking failed time after time. If a blocker is just going to fall down at a defender’s feet and hope he trips, I’d rather the blocker stand up and get in the guy’s way, at least that would slow him down. There were at least 3 plays that should have been long touchdown runs but the ‘last man’ came off of a weak block to make the stop.
The D played great, only time they got really burnt was on the Word-Daniels injury play. What can you do about that?
By Buzzfan1936
October 19, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
* Lex.Luther* posted: ” Tech used to be in the SEC and held its own. When Tech floated the idea of getting back into the conference, Georgia was one of the two teams that fought it (the other was Auburn.)” I thought UGA wanted us back in the SEC and that it was the 2 Miss. schools & LSU that kept us out.
By falcon21
October 19, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
I agree with you beeman ,it was very smart of Tech for only floating the idea of getting back in the SEC.Good point beeman,you got me on that one.GO DAWGS
By Nilesh
October 19, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
FINALLY IN THE TOP 25!!!! Ranked 21 IN BOTH POLLS!!! GO JACKETS!
By Buzzfan1936
October 19, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this
One reason Dodd left the SEC because he felt the academic requirements at Tech were too tough for him to recruit elite players. This probably hurt Tech in football, but getting into the ACC helped in basketball.
I think Tech should try to broaden its curriculum so that the Jackets could recruit more quality players and keep them in school once they get there. I think some players leave early because the courses are so tough. I have heard the Board of Regents prevents this since most of them are from UGA and they don’t want Tech to recruit players THEY want for the Dawgs.
By Buzzfan1936
October 19, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
I googled it and apparently Lex is right. UGA & Auburn were the main ones that kept Tech from getting back in the SEC. Auburn possibly because Tech didn’t want to go to Auburn with its then small stadium and fan attendence. Since Vince Dooley played at Auburn, perhaps he carried this attitude to UGA.
Sagarin has GT at #16 UGA at #8 and the ACC as #4, only 1 point behind the SEC at #3.
By CarolinaJacket
October 19, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
Back in the Dodd days Tech did try to get a degree (business I believe) that would be closer to what other schools had. The UGA folks in the State legislature passed a law forbidding such action. How strange. Maybe, Tech could try again.
I was interested in seeing that Clemson has 25 players majoring in Sociology. With all due respect, Sociology is not the most demanding degree, but, obviously, it is very friendly to Clemson football players. Despite what some would like us to believe, there is a difference in the academic demands of different institutions. This is not to say that the other universities don’t have some excellent and demanding degrees. Rather, what they tend to have, like Clemson, are “softer” degrees that their athletes can take. That is a fact.
By UGAy likes it in the a$$
October 19, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
There’s a drastic difference between UGAy and Tech. You see, Tech actually values education over sports (a crazy idea for a nationally ranked engineering school I know). Tech just happens to be competitive in sports without putting every bit of their effort into the program. Yes, yes, UGAy is hard to get into, but that’s about it. And it’s only because every drunk in the state wants to go the the “school”. (I hear that during freshman induction they actually go ahead and pass out diplomas. Mostly for majors in Housing and Basket Weaving.) UGAy fans (most of whom bought their team gear at the nearest wal-mart) have to be so die hard because football (and woman’s gymnastics) are all the Athens has to offer. You sure as heck aren’t going for the education. So when Tech has an OK season, Tech grads just go back to their 6 digit+ salary jobs and tell their UGAy fan subordinates what to do. UGAy fans, on the other hand are crushed when UGAy doesn’t live up to the overrated hype that surrounds them and then have to go back to their doublewide and prepare for another day of work answering to the engineer they call “Boss”. So go ahead and whine so more about UGAy not being ranked higher…see you Monday.
By GT
October 19, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
The announcers yesterday were talking about how Clemson fans have too large an expectation for their program. It seems to be a thing in this area. How can every program be what they want it to be. The Georgia teams are always overrated and when they don’t measure up instead of worrying about their own short comings they come over to our blog and tell us about our program. I think we are on a track we like here at Tech, I’m not sure about Georgia and really don’t care. The best thing Georgia can do if they hate us so much is to keep beating us, I think they will find that getting harder and harder and the talk getting more and more.
By Navigator
October 19, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
BCS has Tech ranked 18th.
By Lex.Luther
October 19, 2008 6:48 PM | Link to this
Thanks for having my back BF:
I googled it and apparently Lex is right. UGA & Auburn were the main ones that kept Tech from getting back in the SEC.
In all honesty, maybe they did us a favor. ;^) One could argue either way…but, chances are, Tech would have a rough go in the SEC. It sure would be fun, though, as that is the football conference and we are in the South where football rules the day.
As for round-ball…my dad grew up on tabacco road in the 30’s through 50’s and is adamant that the ACC chomped down on the basketball teat only after its teams conceded they would never be dominant in football.
But…maybe the ACC is positioned to become more competitive. If a couple of teams — such as Miami, for example — can get their act together, the conference will gain more respect.
On a last note — regarding academics and all that — anyone who went to Tech seeking an engineering sheepskin and survived to tell about it knows how truly special that No. 18 BCS ranking is. After all, what is the ranking of the football teams at the three engineering schools rated above GT: MIT, Stanford, UCBerkley? It’s a great balance and most Tech men are pretty okay with it.
I think Coach PJ gets it as well and this is why he is such a great fit for our program.
By MidnightRambler
October 19, 2008 10:56 PM | Link to this
Tech is #22 in the Harris Poll.
By ShutUpMutt
October 20, 2008 7:58 AM | Link to this
You win SlimG… Georgia Tech is a horrible team that doesn’t deserve any credit for taking the youngest team in the ACC to a 6-1 record with wins over Boston College, Miss. St. (SEC) and Clemson. Was that your goal? To trash “your” team? YOU MAKE ME SICK! Go to Athens traitor. (if you were ever a tech fan to begin with)
By ShutUpMutt
October 20, 2008 7:59 AM | Link to this
You win SlimG… Georgia Tech is a horrible team that doesn’t deserve any credit for taking the youngest team in the ACC to a 6-1 record with wins over Boston College, Miss. St. (SEC) and Clemson. Was that your goal? To trash “your” team? YOU MAKE ME SICK! Go to Athens traitor. (if you were ever a tech fan to begin with)
By ga_tech_92
October 20, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
Before the season started we were (mostly) in agreement that we would be doing GREAT to win 7 games, with all the changes. We were picked 4th in our division. We are WAY over-achieving. If you are a GT fan, you are NOT in ANY way allowed to be upset about anything else that happens. The team has already blown out expectations. If they continue to climb, that’s GRAVY…if they have a loss or two down the road, then it’s still far superior to expectations.
KEEP IT IN PERSPECTIVE FOLKS…THE TEAM IS KICKING MAJOR BUTT FROM WHAT WE COULD HAVE REASONABLY EXPECTED THIS YEAR!!
BE PROUD!!
GO JACKETS!
By GT Jacket are lookin GOOOODDDD
October 20, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
i believe that the jackets should use shaw and nesbitt interchangeably to prevent wear and tear on these two QBs. the falcons do it with john abraham and this has been his most productive season but that is just an example. it could be like how the dual running back system is implemented in the nfl system for a lot of the teams.
By RT
October 20, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
Clemson, is pretty country, an easy drive, and has lots of women that are easy on the eyes. The weather was perfect and the stadium was rocking, the game was close and Tech won. It was a near perfect day. The only dark cloud was Word -Daniels’ injury. He was in really good position on the reciever and disappeared just before the ball arrived. It looked potentially serious from where I was sitting.
By dawgone
October 20, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this
Yeah, GT football players are really very intelligent student athletes. You can tell they are by listening to them talk the few times they are on TV. Also, what is a “Recreational Activities” major anyway? Anyway, I hope GT goes undefeated coming into their execution day when they line up against the Dawgs.
By UpstateJacket
October 20, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this
I was at the game. Let’s get 2 things straight. The roughing the kicker call only cost CU 16 yards, because several plays later the refs called a bogus illegal shift penalty (I saw the replay)to force us to punt again. By the way, CU scored a TD on the ensuing drive so no damage was caused by the kicker call and CU kept the momentum. As for the holding call - I agree, bad call. It probably looked different in real speed but still no excuse. But how can all CU fans be so certain that they would have scored. Outside of the 2 TD drives CU only had 2 first downs the entire 2nd half! ACC refs have been bad for some time so every team should expect a couple of bad calls, if not more, throughout the season (i.e. VT game).
By falcon69
October 20, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
Nov 29th UGA 10 GT 37
By reebok
October 20, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
About the holding cal…Clemson’s line was holding all game. It was inevitable that one would finally get called. Tech won, we are 6-1 and nationally ranked. We found a way to win against a fired-up team in a very hostile environment with a starting QB who hadn’t taken a snap in game conditions in nearly a month. Tech is probably the best team in the ACC right now. If Chan Gailey were still running this team, Tech would let down and lose to Virginia by 10. Let’s see what CPJ can do. GO JACKETS!
By Jared
October 20, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this
great win. gotta keep working on the o-line. it doesn’t get any easier from here, but I definitely like where we’re at. just got to keep the intensity up, which is, imo, CPJ’s strongest point.
we’re not gonna lose to many teams we should beat with him at the helm.
By PI$$ on a DAWG
October 20, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this
Is PAC MAN another KneeGA fron UGA or just another KneeGa from Georgia? “Stupid is as Stupid does”, Ni$$er is as Ni$$er was. DADDY why is that COP chasing our best player? CMR says it is ok “HE will play in the BIG GAME.”
By ChattHillsJacket
October 20, 2008 9:23 PM | Link to this
The walk from the YMCA Camp Ground to the Farmers Field was nice, but the WALK BACK WAS BETTER after a 21-17 win and the PUMPKINS still looking FAT and LAZY.
By bearcasey
October 21, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this
FALCON21: You predict that UGA will beat GT by a score of 37-10. Tell you what. I’ll take GT and 26 for $20,000. Meet me at the Fulton Co. Teachers’ Credit Union at a time of your choosing and have the cash because I will. We’ll let a credit union officer hold the money and bet agreement. Nahhh…. I didn’t think so. Just another UGA gas bag.
By not a hater like you
October 22, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
Hi smart a*. ( Schultz ) I messaged you already about your Clemson bashing. Unless it’s someone who went to the trouble of posing as a humble bumble fan- one of these posters points out the obvious BS from yet another gimme W for tech- given by CU’s fumbles or foibles or the ref’s. Your still a homer jerk posing as a journalist. IMHO. not a hater aka CU fan Edward stone, ATL
By SlimG
October 18, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this
We got lucky today. Phantom roughing the kicker call to slow their momentum and that holding call on the 4th down play they converted. How can we let that play be completed?
Our offense is very predictable and we can’t consistently throw the football. Clemson is bad and we let them hang around until we get a gift holding call.
All this rave about Paul is overblown. He hasn’t beat anybody that really counts. We lost to the only decent team we’ve played. Get real people.
If we beat FSU and Miami, then we can start talking about something and that won’t be much because they are not were they used to be.
I see atleast three more losses and a crappy bowl again. We are two years away at best.