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Home > Jeff Schultz > Archives > 2008 > November > 08 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTech plays worst game at worst time
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Chapel Hill, N.C. — If it was early September, this game actually goes down a little easier. Because in early September the plan seemed limited to setting a tone, implementing structure, establishing direction — all of those things new head coaches do with young and fragile football teams.
Problem is, this isn’t early September, and so much had changed in the last two months. That young Georgia Tech team already had won more games than most could have imagined. That young team was overachieving with a 7-2 record and had raised expectations.
That young team just experienced its market correction.
The Jackets picked the worst time to play their worse game. One week after defeating Florida State, which launched the team back into ACC contention, the Jackets landed with a thud. They had two fumbles in a span of three and a half minutes in the second half that led to touchdowns, missed two field goals, frequently broke down on offense and lost to North Carolina, 28-7.
In early September, you expected this.
In early November, it was easy to be convinced they were past the possibility.
“It’s hard,” said quarterback Jaybo Shaw, whose early fourth-quarter fumble led to a North Carolina touchdown that blew the game open at 21-0. “We knew what was at stake and we knew we had a second chance to get to the title game. But we came in here and we kind of killed ourselves.”
The Jackets will go to a bowl game. With games left against Miami and Georgia, they still have a chance for two significant wins, which would take them to a very good bowl game.
But when a team plays its way into an unexpected opportunity to win its division and compete for the conference title, it just isn’t dreaming about the Music City Bowl.
“We were excited,” defensive end Michael Johnson said about the atmosphere that followed last week’s 31-28 win over FSU. “We felt like we got a second chance, and you don’t get many of those. We’ll see if we get a third.”
It has been a strange year in the ACC — but not that strange.
The Jackets finished with 326 yards rushing, but they never really got into a flow. Only Jonathan Dwyer’s 85-yard touchdown run with six minutes left prevented them from being shut out. Aside from that score, they never got closer to the goal line than the North Carolina 23 (which resulted in a missed 40-yard field goal attempt).
They trailed 7-0 in the third quarter and were moving the ball well. But after a 21-yard run by Roddy Jones set them up with a first down at the Heels’ 29, the next three plays looked like an offensive coordinator’s tragic opera:
• 1) chop-blocking penalty for a 15-yard loss.
• 2) holding for another 10 in the red.
• 3) sack.
So Tech went from first-and-10 at the Carolina 29 to second-and-36 at its own 45. End of threat.
The young-team-meltdown followed. Jones fumbled a punt return at the 30. That set up a touchdown that made it 14-0. Two plays into the Jackets’ ensuing possession, Shaw fumbled at the 32. That opened the door for another touchdown.
Some quick analysis from coach Paul Johnson: “Lights out.”
Georgia Tech has an extended break before its next game against Miami on a Thursday night (Nov. 20). The players will need it. They’re beat up, particularly on the offensive line. (Two guards were knocked out of the game, after tackle Andrew Gardner was lost for the season to a shoulder injury during the week.)
Mentally, this also represents the mother of all letdowns, given last week’s results and what suddenly was at stake. But Johnson tried to down play that.
“You guys created all of that,” he said of elevated expectations. “Like I’ve said, we have a very young football team that, from one week to the next, is very fragile.”
Two months later, it showed.
Permalink | Comments (103) | Post your comment | Categories: Tech/ACC
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By jimmy
November 8, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this
what! ? no maggot excuses? they get ALL over GA blogs when they lose…. where are they now on their OWN blog with excuses. what a bunch of nerds!!!!!
By John
November 8, 2008 6:17 PM | Link to this
Daily garbarge posted by ignorant, trailer-trash UGAg fan…….CHECK
On to the game: Tech is a young team. The youngest in the ACC. Back in August, it was expected that Tech would be lucky to win five games. And the Jackets have won seven with two more go go.
Paul Johnson is two or three years AHEAD of schedule that even the most optimistic Ga Tech fan expected. The guy is a winner! And he will start giving the pickup-truck alumni heartburn if not this year, but next year and years after that.
By roger
November 8, 2008 6:19 PM | Link to this
Tech has a first year coach, what is UGA’s excuse? Top 5 recruiting class year after year and still fall on their faces?
By lifelongtechfan
November 8, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this
Never fails - rank Tech or brag on them and they let you down 90% of the time - however the other 10% is worth it all - Go Jackets and to hell with Georgia.
By Ogre
November 8, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this
NERDS!!!!!!
By Wreck
November 8, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this
what? inbred mutt comments? they get ALL over GT blogs when they WIN… why are they now on OUR blog with stupid redneck moron comments. what a bunch of rednecks!!!!
jimmy, do you really not have anything better to do? Maybe study for that GED?
By techie
November 8, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this
I am a Tech Alum and I live in Tampa … so I am bummed that possibly Florida State and Virginia Tech will be playing it out here in the ACC Championship game. Oh well. It is pretty simple to see why NC won:
NC had two weeks to prepare for Tech’s unusual offense. GT had only one week to rest. It was obvious that NC was able to exploit our weaknesses based on things they must have seen on the tapes.
Nesbitt appears to not be 100 percent due to his ankle.
We cant hold onto the ball.
NC is simply a good team that is just as dangerous with the run as they are with the pass. Tech is dangerous with the run, but we are pretty one dimensional with the passing game.
By SavJacket
November 8, 2008 6:30 PM | Link to this
Jeff don’t make too much of this loss. Everyone knew coming into this game that we were really banged up. Nesbit was questionable to play, Word-Daniels out and Gardner lost for the year we knew we were going to have problems. Then add on the loss of more O-Linemen…. we are just decimated in the O-Trenches. If you can’t block plays can’t develope and this offense will never work. We are going to have to look at sureing up the O-Line somehow.
And for the very respectful UGA Fan. You have your own problems to worry about there buddy. Giving up 38 pts to a very mediocre UK team following 49 to Florida. Trust me our D is way better than UK. It won’t be 8 in a row I promise you. Besides what are you doing on a Tech Blog, you must really be an awesome guy.
By Nate
November 8, 2008 6:33 PM | Link to this
Georgia fans, seriously get a freaking life. First of all, we are overachieving with the youngest team around and what are you doing, underachieving with the best talent in the country. Second, you guys almost lost today to Kentucky, so you don’t have a whole lot of room to talk. I will admit, Tech got hammered today, but we will rebound and most importantly, carry out our ultimate goal BEATING THE DAWGS. If not, we have nothing to lose, but you guys already are sucking it up and heading to a crappy bowl with us.
By jarvis
November 8, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this
GA Tech played well enough for other teams to continue looking at Paul Johnson. He’ll land at a contender in two years—max.
By ga_tech_92
November 8, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this
Tough loss…very young team…this is going to happen sometimes…brush it off…prepare for the U…GO JACKETS!!
By Dawg1
November 8, 2008 6:41 PM | Link to this
Paul Johnson is a fine coach. Your having a very good to good recruiting year. My congratulations.
Tech didn’t look so hot a couple of weeks ago and should have lost last week. The youth is catching up a little. Johnson’s system isn’t an easy one, but very effective once his players have it down. Relax, you’ll be fine.
As far as Georgia is concerned. We were over-rated. My contention is that we would have been arriving a year early. Young line (lost our best player before the season started), young defensive line (loss our Senior Nose Tackle after the first game of the season), etc. Over-all, Georgia is actually a fairly young group as well. If Stafford and Moreno come back (I know it’s unlikely that), their actually in a much better position to make a run next year.
Both schools have fine coaches, both schools are strong academic schools. I’ll give you the ‘tilt’ there, but not to the level that you guys pretend that it is. Especially when it comes to Football/Basketball SAT’S, course selections, etc. Very few Tech players actually leave Tech with an engineering degree.
Hey, if Tech were a stock, I’d buy it… Your own the rise and you should feel good about your school, your football program and life in general.
Good luck against Miami and in your bowl game. See you in Athens!
P.S. If you do win, I’ll post a congratulatory message.
By GTHater
November 8, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this
Orange Bowl? Nope. Win your conference? Nope. Win your division? Nope. Losers. Keep your pie holes shut until you actually accomplish something. And maybe play a schedule with quality opponents - 7-3 against a bunch of pansy schools? I’m not impressed….
Oh and by all means - don’t actually ATTEND your games…god no…just sit around on your PC and post crap on the internet. Your school GIVES AWAY tickets every week. And you STILL can’t seem to make it to the game and actually have an impact on it.
LOSERS! NERDS! Ready for basketball season yet? Oh wait…you suck at that too.
By John
November 8, 2008 6:53 PM | Link to this
Thanks Dawg1.
See UGA fans. That’s how you show class. Take a lesson from one of your own.
By jimmy
November 8, 2008 6:54 PM | Link to this
i love gettin you f* worked up!!! the highlight of my day!!! NERDS!!!!
By Scott
November 8, 2008 6:56 PM | Link to this
Dawg1,
Good analyses, and you’re a class act. Good luck to you.
By jimmy
November 8, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this
p.s. i’m not even a GA fan….. NERDS
By gregodawg
November 8, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this
You guys will have a good program with PJ, never mind the stupid-kid bloggers…
Give it a year or two- I think the falcon fans will also learn, there are very few one year fixes.
Tech- dawgs, almost a toss up.
By Forrest, Forrest Gump
November 8, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this
Anybody don’t like this coach/school/team is a idjit!
By John
November 8, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this
What’s wrong, jimmy? Some nerd kid in your class refused to let you copy off your test paper last year, preventing you from advancing to the next grade? Is this why you are posting stupid posts?
By michaelgee
November 8, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this
and CPJ has done so much playing FRESHMEN, just wait Mutts!
We’re STILL coming to Athens, frantic Freshmen and all!
By John Kincade is Gay
November 8, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this
As I suspected:
Step 1: Schultz writes a complimentary article about your team before a tough game.
Step 2: Your team loses.
Step 3: Schultz trashes your team.
It doesn’t matter if it is UGA or GT, he follows the same pattern. Schultz is a putz.
By jimmy
November 8, 2008 7:25 PM | Link to this
john, my nuts are right here… lick ‘em
By John
November 8, 2008 7:27 PM | Link to this
ooohhhhh…..touched a nerve, jimmy?
By GT86
November 8, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this
I am now convinced that CPJ is not the guy. This gimmick offense is prone to fumbles and we always find a way to fumble and lose. We were lucky to win against Garnder-Webb and FSU. We need a coach that wins playing real football.
By chuck e
November 8, 2008 7:32 PM | Link to this
Tech begins it’s usual November fold on it’s way to the blue carpet bowl!!!!!
By bob
November 8, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this
We are way too predictable on offence. All a team has to do is shut down the run and we are lost. We kept trying to run right down their the middle of the line when it was mostly obvious that wasn’t working. We need to pass more and at least develop a threat to pass so teams don’t play so close to the line.
By GotOut07
November 8, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this
I expected Tech to win 4 games at the start of this season and I expected them to win 8 games going into homecoming, They’re still probably going win 8, and that’s more than enough. Heck, even if we do lose to Miami they’re still doing just fine.
CPJ is moving the youngest, least talented team in the ACC along faster than anyone could have imagined and anyone (GT86) that having a meltdown because we’ve lost to 3 teams (two of which will be playing for the ACC championship) has set their expectations WAY too high.
I’m looking forward to the UGA game, looking forward to next year. This team is going to get better and better.
By John
November 8, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this
Just remember UGA fans, Tech has won a national championship since you have and aren’t you supposed to be a national powerhouse recruiter?? Guess not….hahaha
By okeefe59
November 8, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this
GT86 shame on you. You are a true fair weather friend who simply knows nothing about football. When things are good .I bet you are the first one to wave the white and gold. Shame, Shame, Shame.
By jimmy
November 8, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this
boy, i sure am stupid, i know why i don’t have any friends and have a small peter
By RougeHen
November 8, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this
John, I’m not sure jimmy knows what “touched a nerve” means. I wouldn’t expect a response from him/it anytime soon!
By GT JOE
November 8, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this
i didnt get to see the game because i was at the nebraska-kansas game in lincoln, NE. (i live in omaha, NE but im a big tech fan) To be honest i kind of expected to lose this game and not watching it makes it kind of an easier pill to swallow. Just redeem yourself on thurs. and then the dawgs await go TECH
By Delusional
November 8, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this
I have known many DA guys named jimmy and I have never know any of them to be achievers or able! But they have all sure know how to root for the dogs. Jimmy, no one believes you just because you say you aren’t a dog fan. And yes the comment about able has to do with your inability with the opposite sex, whatever that opposite might be. In case you are too dense, I think you might be gay, but I won’t tell your parents who are also brother and sister.
By slim
November 8, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this
Jeff—I think it’s ‘worst game of the year’ not ‘worse game’.
By John
November 8, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this
RougelHen: I think he realizes he was owned on this stupid blog.
Once you start telling folks to lick stuff or other insults, it proves you lost the arguement.
By Jessica
November 8, 2008 8:07 PM | Link to this
whenever any stupid uga fan tries to torment me, i just remind them that we have more national championships and more conference championships (and several of those were in the SEC!!!)
also…wasnt this supposed to be their year?? haha they’ll never win a natl championship under richt. too many discipline problems.
of course they can always blame their losses on their players who couldnt play because they’re in jail!!
By Amazing
November 8, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this
Im always amazed by the fans who say “we are too predictable” and that this “gimmick offense” won’t work. The offense works great, its our own players ability to hold onto the football that is the weakness. Now yes, this offense does lead to more fumbles, but if you look at the number of fumbles Navy had, they were drastically reduced after PJs first year there. So calm down, and give PJ some time. You are pathetic fans if you are seriously doubting the man after he has already won 7 games, without his own recruits, when we were picked to win 3-4 games. I know its tough to swallow, but you have to realize that PJ is raising expectations, and thats a great thing. Yes, it makes losses that much more aggravating, but it also means that our program is improving. Look at CMR and uga (it pains me to say this, but he has really changed that program around). Let PJ work his magic you notalent morons.
Dawg1- nice post. Some, very few it seems, can be civil on here, but many (uga and gt fans alike) are truly idiots. I knew that there would be tons of crap on here from dog fans b/c so many idiot gt fans were talking trash on the uga blog after the unfortunate incident in Jacksonville. So now, b/c of morons like Ramble On and m (who I can’t stand in the first place), I have to read tons of hate from the uga fans (which is also irritating). Anyways, good luck with Auburn, and I look forward to Nov. 29, should be a blood bath.
By Kharma
November 8, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this
I guess all of those post about who was having the better season came back to bite you huh? All of the antagonists have hidden, and the discussions of a National Title that was Colorado’s are coming out. Here is a tip, no one cares what happened 20 years ago. You guys need to worry about the center/qb exchange. But what do you expect from a guy name Jaybo… You want to talk about a “redneck”…
By Nazan Yar
November 8, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this
I think you’re incorrect about the worst game - GW and UVa were both horrid. We generally have an extremely young team, limited depth, and are subject to poor special teams play. Today the defense played fairly well, the offense was statistically decent - it’s just we had so many injuries. Thomas looked Gimpy, Nesbitt obviously struggled - even Dwyer looked gimpy. However, this was a game of three or four plays.
By wreckmaniac
November 8, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this
No real surprise here. I would’t take Tech and 7 points the next time they go to Chap Hill. It just dosen’t work out for us there.
By wes
November 8, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this
This is the biggest group of *ussies I’ve seen at tech in a while…
must be the chan gailey hold overs I’n so sick of those loxser.ss
By STEVE BODINE
November 8, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this
You guys are IDIOTS!
326 yards rushing vs. a D that held BOTH UVA & BC to 98 combined rushing yard.
3rd play of the game (3rd & 26; gave-up 25+yards…UNC eventually scored a TD) and TWO turnovers = the loss!
GT beats UM & UGA (can’t stop the run or the pass).
By vetteDAWG
November 8, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
Hey Steve ‘Jethro’ Bodine - Don’t you know stats are for LOSERS. The Bee’s havn’t beaten the DAWGS this Century - Keep Dream’ing. Have fun @ ANOTHER 3rd rate Bowl —————
By Ludeman
November 8, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
It’s so hard getting behind Tech because you never know which team will show up from week to week. Great school though…and that’s what’s important, right?
By SlimG
November 8, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this
Score was cosmetic. Wasn’t that close. We were lucky to only be down by 7 at the half. Still not sold on CPJ as I’ve said before, you have to have a passing game. Not crazy about some of the play calling as it still seems we only have about 10. Running on obvious passing downs is suppose to fool people but doesn’t when it’s called 6 out of 10 times. Way too predictable. We lost most of our WR recruits so it doesn’t look good. Nesbitt is way too erratic throwing the ball. Stay tuned, it’s gonna get worse.
By George
November 8, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this
You are looking at the game from Tech’s mistakes and not from North Carolina’s play which is quite natural when you cover one team. The truth is that North Carolina played exactly as they wanted things to go. Keep the ball enough to keep Tech off the field. Let Tech slowly gain lots of yards with out scoring, thus using up more clock and making the big plays on offense and defense to score points. Special teams play and turnovers were the difference in the game. It is the formular for beating a team like Ga Tech which is a very good football team.
By HOUDAWG
November 8, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this
Well ….. Nerds ……
After being SO cocky last week …. talkin’ about how Yech was gonna roll into Athens ….. how you doin’ now ??
An under-achieving ; under-performing ; injury affected Dawg team is STILL gonna hand you your A$$ on a silver platter come Nov.29th …… good day.
By Supes
November 8, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
Get ready for another loss next week versus Miami…and then your annual defeat at the hands of the Dawgs. Yip…that 7-4 season coming again. Get those tickets ready for Boise Idaho!
By STEVE BODINESUX
November 8, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
By Go Jackets
November 8, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this
awwwww and ther bairly beat UK, just shows how class less they are posing over here.
By neil marlowe
November 8, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this
“yu guys created all that” about sums it up. The press had everyone thinking that this Tech team had a chance to win their division. Stupid!! I thought the option was supposed to get better and better as the season went along. As has happened too many times since I graduated in 1957, a Tech team gets off to a good start then folds in the stretch. Let’s hope they can somehow beat Miami and go 8-4. Notice I am conceding the UGAG game.
By Michael
November 8, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this
I’m never gonna understand where these nerd comments come from. The guys on our football aren’t exactly all getting engineering degrees. They can, however, actually make it into our school, whereas UGAy has to give 94% of their football recruits special vouchers to get in. So don’t call our team nerds, even if they are smarter than the average dawg. Go ahead and call me a nerd. That’s just code for I’m gonna be your boss one day :)
By HOUDAWG
November 9, 2008 12:14 AM | Link to this
Hey Go Jackets ….
“awwww and ther bairly beat UK, just shows how class less they are ” posing ” over here. What a F!&@&@# dipsh&&t your are …. keep working on your ” useless ” degree …. PUNK ….
By A.S.
November 9, 2008 12:57 AM | Link to this
T-E-R-R-I-B-L-E-!
You would think after loosing to Virginia this team would learn that how important division games (esp. Coastal) are! Tech had a good shot of competing in the championship game and now they will be lucky if they finish the season in the AP Top 25. What a horrific loss. Nesbitt goes down again to an injury, Shaw is unable to pickup the pieces and the defense just got manhandled. This looks like the GT everyone expected going into the season. C’mon folks this is UNC FOOTBALL!
By trellis
November 9, 2008 12:58 AM | Link to this
Yeah, puppies, keep on with that wonderful overconfidence of yours. Underestimate us, overlook us. I dare you.
By macrotech
November 9, 2008 1:00 AM | Link to this
jimmy….without spell check, can you spell GED? better ,yet, did you EVEN GO TO uga? OR, are you one of the MANY fast food servin, slurpee suckin’, mud boggin’, baccy spittin’ rednecks living in a single wide trailor decorated with velvet pictures depicting poker playin canines, with ten kids, six dogs (NOT dawgs) and a mini fridge filled with sour milk and a six pack of PBR? Dawgs eat their own poop! It’s a fact! Wipe your chin, there’s a little left! GO TECH!
By T.H.
November 9, 2008 1:24 AM | Link to this
Gosh…and to think that the way Georgia Tech beat themselves (according to this article), North Carolina could have stayed in the clubhouse the entire game and still won!
What a “homer!”
By GT 90
November 9, 2008 2:35 AM | Link to this
T.H. You’re right. UNC could have dressed down and drank beer in the stands and still come out w/ a win. Tech fumbled their way to a loss and gambled on too many fourth and longs. But this is a young team and CPJ will continue to push them to maturity. I’m not giving up on them as they will be very good next year.
UGA- Don’t give up. You just might win the NC next year…flying under the radar is the best way to go. Look at what T Tech has done. Up until now, everyone overlooked them as an offensive team w/ no D. They are ROLLING! Bama and Oklahoma or Texas in the NC game. Poor old PSU. I feel bad for Joe Pa. Iowa is the Duke of the BIg Ten. That sux.
By robert bussey
November 9, 2008 6:35 AM | Link to this
Jeff. Move. Don’t write anymore articles or predictions about any team from Georgia. Go away. I hear the midwest is lovely this time of year and you can write about big ten. everyone hates you here, even your sister.
By Hal
November 9, 2008 6:38 AM | Link to this
On UNC’s first series we looked stiff like we didn’t have a good warm up. We were in the react mode instead of the attack mode. I felt we were going against a well prepared team that knew what we wanted to do and took it away from us. Roddy Jones looked tired when he fumbled the punt. I know he is much better than that. You can’t make mistakes like that against a good team. They made us pay big time.
By snapshot
November 9, 2008 7:51 AM | Link to this
GThater, Did you loose your job at Burger King? Such hostility. We are playing with freshmen and will get better. Don’t be so negative and check your local McDonalds for a job.
By ChicagoAlum
November 9, 2008 7:54 AM | Link to this
The only thing wrong with this team is that they overachieved early in the season - I’m still trying to figure out what happened in the Mississippi State game. This has set expectations, and rankings well above where we are as a program.
We are way too young to effectively compete at the level we will reach in time. Add to that no depth, and a new system - we are very fortunate to even be bowl eligible.
I felt after the Gardner Webb game that we might be lucky to win another game - well we got Clemson in the midst of a coaching change and we got a miracle at the end of the FL State game. Realistically another win this year will only come as a result of the committment and heart we are seeing on this team. That indicates promise for the future.
PJ has done a fantastic job as well as the entire team - for the first time in years I am really proud of the teams performance.
While it is tremendous to be a winner — it is even better to be a class program. We are well on our way to both of these objectives.
By CarolinaJacket
November 9, 2008 7:54 AM | Link to this
Well, turnovers and penalties. I’ve warned all year that UNC was going to be a killer. There were those who acted as if the Heels would be a pushover. Maybe they will learn to keep their mouths shut until after the win.
I truly hope that Luallen and Washington can run this offense. It appears that we should have four qbs ready to play. It will be interesting to see how they work out.
We’d surely better be ready for the next two or its going to be a long off season.
By CarolinaJacket
November 9, 2008 8:03 AM | Link to this
PS. What is it about punt return fumbles and UNC? For the uninformed, check the 1990 season.
By bearcasey
November 9, 2008 8:11 AM | Link to this
Consistency in football is a product of DEPTH. GT doesn’t have that yet but will. CPJ has us on the right path. He has the right idea… it just takes time. For example, how many five-star pro-style QB’s are there coming out of high school in any given year? Not many and GT would not get them. How many five-star option QB’s come out of high school? Maybe 50. Other schools want them to be WR’s or DB’s. GT says: you can compete at QB. GT gets cream of the crop among these talented players. CPJ knows what he is doing!
By AlabamaJack
November 9, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
Jimmy, when you have to come from behind to win by four over a 10 1/2 point underdog, you really shouldn’t be talking smack.
We lost. I hate it. The sun rose this morning just like it did last Sunday morning (or afternoon for hung over dawgs.)
BTW, North Carolina has a good team and a good coach. Not as good as Alabama or Florida but probably better than Kentucky.
By dawgs2004
November 9, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
For all you TECH people on the AJC DAWG blogs this year. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! NC 28 GT 7
By yellowblood
November 9, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this
Just as troubling as the loss of the game is that the Tickle Pile had to be cancelled as UNC would allow it only if we won the game.
I had always assumed that our Tickle Pile tradition had started in the 60’s but I was recently told by our oldest living alum that our Tickle Pile tradition is quite long. For more info go to www.ticklepile.com.
By N2Pain
November 9, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this
Jackets have been very lucky. While Paul Johnson is light years better than Chan Gailey, his leather helmet, 3-card monty, shell game offense will always lead the nation in fumbles. Don’t expect any top receiver to look at Tech when it comes to recruiting either. There is no passing game and Tech has no QB that can actually throw not to mention the 3-card monty offense prohibits passing. Bring back the no face mask era. It’s alive at GT.
By william
November 9, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
I really don’t see much difference in us this year versus the Gailey years. The conference was down and the Championship was there for the taking and we couldn’t do it. That combined with the fact that recruiting is not a whole lot better seems to indicate that we are right back where we started.
By joe the plumber
November 9, 2008 8:52 AM | Link to this
William,
Our play against GW, UVA and UNC indicate you are correct.
By yellowjackets
November 9, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this
Bad game yesterday. Tech got beat in all phases of the game. Davis is a heck of a coach and had his players ready to play (davis has what CPJ and CMR want and thats a NC on the D1 level). I do like our chances in the UGA game as it looks like their defense can’t stop the run or the pass. However, UGA’s offense looked good yesterday when they did not turn the ball over. Lets get healthy and beat UM then turn the focus on the mutts.
By N2Pain
November 9, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this
Recruiting will go in the tank due to the 3-card monty offense. No outstanding RB, WR, or QB will be looking Tech’s way. Bring back leather helmets and no fask masks.
By Dadgum
November 9, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this
Analysts I have heard today indicate that if GT defeats Miami and UGA then they most likely are headed to the Gator Bowl against either Notre Dame or a team from the Big 12 such as Oklahoma State. If GT loses their remaining two games they will almost certainly be headed to the Music City Bowl. If they beat Miami and lose to UGA which is the more likely scenario then they will most likely end up in Charlotte. Under no circumstances will GT be headed to any west coast bowl which is good for the fans.
By Pensacola Dog
November 9, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this
UGA will put up 50 plus on GT. GT has not played anyone as good as even Kentucky. The ACC is a joke!You have to be delusional if you think you can win for consistantly with an option oriented offense.
By CarolinaJacket
November 9, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this
N2Pain, you say “No outstanding RB, WR, or QB will be looking Tech’s way.” It seems that we already have a four star qb and wr verbal’s and still have a way to go. Even though we surely need even more help, your statement makes little or no sense.
By GT86
November 9, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
Well, I can say I told you so. After last weeks lucky ending which we should have lost, I said we would lose to UNC. We had to block a field goal to not lose to Gardner-Webb! This gimmick offense has been figured out and fumbles will kill it! CPJ is not the answer. Nesbitt is not a good decision maker and Shaw does not execute well. It was fun while it lasted, but CPJ is not the answer. We need to find a coach that does not have to resort to gimmicks to win.
By Wyatt Earp
November 9, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this
I’m coming to Athens…AND HELL”S COMING WITH ME!
By Wyatt Earp
November 9, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
I’m coming to Athens…AND HELL’S COMING WITH ME!
THWG
By LESD
November 9, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this
Things get a little tougher when you aren’t playing Gardner Webb.
By STING NURSE
November 9, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
Hi guys. I have never come here before cause my husband gets really mad when I get on the pc. I just know you guys know him…he is known as “sting doc”. I hear him telling his tech buddies all the time how he “stings” folks on here, and they just have the biggest laugh! Well anyway, I thought I would be “Sting nurse….get it? I think that is really kinda cute. Dont yall?
Well anyway…he is still sleeping. He and his very best friend(they all call him “M”…I have no idea why) watched the game together yesterday. They drank a whole six pack of wine coolers…just the 2 of them…then he was like really mad when Tech lost. He even tried to knock a hole in the sheet rock wall with his fist, and he really hurt his hand. And i didnt here M say haleeeyooowaaaa even once all day, and he says that a lot. They all laugh when he says that. I dont get it but i dont say anything. I think he is like really religious or something. Well anyway not too long after the game and all 3 of those wine coolers, Walton…thats my husbands real first name…it is a family name, he took a tylenol pm, and he is out like a light. Biff has not even called this morning…Biff is M’s real first name. I think it is just a nick name. They all call him M when they get together over here to watch the game or play dungeon and dragons.
Guess I am kinda “rambling”(hey, thats kinda a funny pun huh?) but I jusy had to come here and see what you guys do here. Walton spends sooo much time here…I like really just dont get it. But he is sooo smart I just like dont question him ever. Pleeease dont tell him I was here…he would like get sooo mad. He dont like me on the pc…he is afraid I will get in one of those chat rooms and meet “another” man. Sting is the only man I have ever been with and I love him for who he is…he is sooo smart. And I dont care if he weighs only 135 lbs..he is sooo cute to me…he looks so like intelectual!! We met at Tech…best thing I ever did in my life…going to Tech. I never dated in high school…I am kinda a big boned girl and always wore glasses. The only time the really cool guys had anything to do with me, was when they needed help with their homework or wanted me to write a paper for them. But at Tech…I dont know…it was just sooo different! The guys…they just seemed to like you for what you were…not just what you looked like. Anyway…me and Walton…we were both each others first…it was so special.
Goah there was so much I wanted to tell you guys, but I really have to go…I think I hear him stirring around!!! Guys cheer really hard for the jackets next week…they just gotta win. I cant take another week end like this. Try to get back here later…just dont know when.
PS: God i just dont know what I will do if we dont beat UGA this year. It is just such a strain on our marriage….anyway later guys!!
Abigale…the “STING NURSE”
By HAHAHAHA
November 9, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
To those INSECT fans that continue to talk trash on UGA forums. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To those who actually know a thing or two about football, good luck the rest of the season, except the last game. Very good season for ya’ll considering expectations at the beginning. Definitely worried this year cause of that option, but I think ya’ll need at least one more year and you’re not going to hang a loss on us in Athens. Sorry about the loss, I thought ya’ll would have had won that one.
By Geori
November 9, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this
Bah! With a limping Nesbitt playing the whole 2nd half we only lose 14-7. Still a loss… better to have him healthy for Miami.
By CatSkinnin'Dawg
November 9, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this
Nice post there, STING NURSE. Please give STING DOC our warm regards and extend our sympathy for his team’s loss yesterday. We fully understand your GT background with Doc as there are so many other GT couples exactly like you. I hope your marriage remains strong and that Doc doesn’t catch you on his precious PC. Please limit Doc’s wine cooler consumption during the Miami game lest there be some sinificant hand injuries - that sheet rock wall is virtually indestructible!!!
Finally, please don’t be so down on yourself; hey, big-boned girls with glasses are hot!!
By John
November 9, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
yellowjackets - you must be looking at a different box score then me? We out rushed them, out gained them in total offense, had more 1st downs, etc, etc. We did NOT get beat in every phase. We just were awful in our kicking game and turnovers. Just like in 1990 when they tied us. We had 450 total yards that day to their 150 but we had 5 turnovers. If we can’t get better at turnovers, we will never win consistently.
By GA Hokie
November 9, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
GT Fans:
As a VT fan, we too have had some tough losses this year. But you know what— your team is on the up and up. Don’t let this loss get you down. It’s tough to not let it bother you, but all you can do it reload and prepare for Miami 2 Thursdays from now.
I hope that VT can bang em up pretty good for y’all this Thursday night.
Keep your heads up, keep on stuffing the ball down peoples throats and most likely at the end of the year y’all will hold a 1 game winning streak on UGA. Remember Kentucky did what they did to UGA with 4 freshman wide receivers and a freshman QB— y’all will be fine.
By ed
November 9, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this
Look no farther than another Tech in Texas to see how an imaginative coach with an offensive scheme that works can tun around a program.
When I watch Texas Tech play it makes me want to throw up thinking of our offense carried off Noah’s Arc on a stretcher.
Oh yeah, the skilled athletes will flock to us! Somebody please tell me how you catch up when falling behind. Run the full back up the middle?
By Chan Gailey
November 9, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this
So if the Jackets lose their next two ball games to finish 7-5 and go to another crappy bowl game, do we fire our coach and hire a new one? New Coach…Same Story! God I hate always being mediocre.
By jacketbacker
November 9, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this
giving up 38 points to kentucky?? is it basketball season??…….OVERRATED!!…THWG
By gtforever
November 9, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
Let’s just put the Jaybo Shaw thing to rest! PJ wanted to put some spark into the game?! Jaybo should be at MTSU or Navy. He is NOT a D1 QB and should NEVER touch the ball AGAIN! GOOD GRIEF!
By tom
November 9, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
HORRIBLE!
By Buzzfan1936
November 9, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this
Great effort and it was only 7-0 going into the 4th Qtr. I never dreamed Tech would have this record at the start of the season.
My analysis of the keys to the game:
The week off really helped the Heels, giving them time to learn to defend the triple option. I thought we should have countered that at the start by completing several passes right away to loosen them up since they had 8-9 in the box as I expected. I suggest this approach for the Dawgs who will also have an extra week to prepare and will see this tape and probably for the Canes as well.
Tech is beat up and the injuries hurt us esp. in the secondary. Freshman Michael Peterson # 35 hurt us on 2 big plays. [a] UNC’s 1st possession, 3rd & 26, he was in front of the receiver in double coverage and just waived at the ball as it went by him for the first down. That was a killer and a game changer. Had they punted and Tech scored first, who knows? [b] On Roddy Jones’ fumbled punt, the ball rolled right to Peterson, and he didn’t fall on it. UNC recovered; another killer. I know we are not deep and have to play who we have, but we might consider someone else. Nesbitt wasn’t 100%, and I was afraid he was going to be hurt worse. I thought Jaybo Shaw should have played more. He looked pretty good, except for the fumble. I want Nesbitt to be healthy for the Georgia game.
Score 7-0, Tech has 1st down at the UNC 29, and 2 big penalties killed us. I couldn’t see the chop block on #70 on my DVR, so I can’t say if it was a good call. On the 2nd penalty of holding, however, I thought Dwyer was clearly hit out of bounds and the Raycom announcer, Doc Walker, agreed, but no flag on UNC. They should have been off-setting penalties. Instead, it was an almost impossible down and yardage situation for Tech. *If you agree that it was a bad call that hurt Tech at a critical time, then email the ACC at theacc.com and click on Contact Us on the left.
The turnovers hurt badly, but they came when we were down 2 or more TD’s and pressing. Had some of the factors cited above worked in Tech’s favor, I feel the turnovers might not have happened. I don’t blame Jaybo for his fumble, He was hit twice, and I thought his knee might have been on the ground but it was a close call.
The missed field goals hurt, even though they were long. They were badly off target. Scott Blair did not have a good day punting either. UNC’s punter was great, and this was a factor.
UNC is good and might have won anyway, but I think the game was closer than the score indicated and we could have won had the breaks fallen your way. I give the guys all the credit on the world. They played hard and never gave up. We have a few extra days before Miami, so hopefully some of the bruises will heal up by then. Realistically, I thought we were a long shot to get Division Championship since Va. Tech has the inside track. Now, it would take a miracle,but that’s OK. BEATING GEORGIA WOULD BE HUGE. Bobby Dodd holds the record of 8 straight, and we don’t want the Dawgs to tie it.
GO JACKETS!! BEAT THE CANES ON NATIONAL TV!!
By Wishful thinking
November 9, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
Buzzfan, you are delusional. All teams can have excuses, i.e. injuries, bad calls, freshmen, new coaches. Get over it! Every team have “ifs” they wish were different. The reality is that tech is an average to slightly below average football program at best. Get used to it!
By 7Straight
November 9, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
Well…looks like things are getting back to normal….Tech is back among the ranks of also receiving votes….and if you look at the latest nbc bowl projections they are picked to go to——get ready Nerds——NO BOWL GAME at all…..great hire…..only three more weeks until I have to change my name——TO 8 STRAIGHT!
By StingDoc
November 9, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this
*Wishful thinking: * You are a Redneck, Inbred, Trailer-Trash Idiot. Typically you don’t counter any of Buzzfan1936’s intelligent analysis with any facts or insightful opinion except to spew hatred. I know you are upset because of the underachieving dawgs whose A*******ES have been chomped by Gators and whipped to shreds by Bama until they are Red, Black, and Blue. I know you feel inferior to Tech’s players and students who are so much smarter than dawgs and the fact that you don’t even have a college degree or maybe not even a high school diploma. I am sure you are distressed that the Yellow Jackets have more National Championships than the dawgs, more conference championships as well, and Tech holds a record 8 straight wins against the dawgs. So go back to your trailer and sulk, you moronic trash-talker.
TRASH TALKING DAWGS WHO TRY TO MOCK,
WILL BE STUNG BY ME, STINGDOC!!
By StingDoc
November 9, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this
To the Idiot 7 Straight. My previous post also fits you to a T. I doubt you will comprehend it, but find someone to read it and explain it to you.
By Gotcurry
November 9, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this
N2Pain,
Actually, we just landed a 4-star 6’4” WR that runs a 4.35. Any questions?
By RT
November 10, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
The bad news We lost Our best QB is obviously hurt Our O-line and D secondary are also hurt
The good news We gained 425 yards with a hurt QB and O-line. The D played pretty well until we gave UNC the ball on our own 30, twice. The team is young. The team ws not recruited to play this offense but put up 425 yards, hurt. We have a bye week before we play the U. UGA is weak, reeling, and STILL over rated and on a downward slide and therefore beatable. This team will get better, this year and the next few.
THWG!!!
By Brent S.
November 11, 2008 1:54 AM | Link to this
This will be the only negative thing I will say about the NC game…..It was the most HEARTLESS effort I have seen in a Tech team in a long time!!! I was dissapointed for the most part b/c every freakin’ time we get ranked, we end up losing the same week we crack the Top 25. Now, having said that, I will most certainly agree with most bloggers here and say “yes” we do have a young team that exceeded the entire college nation’s expectations. If we can get to 9 wins this year regardless if we beat UGA or not, then this season was a HUGE success from little expectations. Paul Johnson is an awesome coach and he WILL get the players in here that he needs to run this offense more fluently. The commentators said during the game that PJ would pass more if he had more talent to thow too. So I believe that when he begins HIS recruiting class this year, Tech will begin to fully turn the corner. We’ll be back in the Title hunt again…this was just a pre-cursor of what’s to come on the Flats for a long time. GO JACKETS!!
By Jerry Dawg
November 11, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this
Is this sting doc character serious? Yeah, your comments aren’t actually stinging anybody, but are rather futile attempts at humor which in turn show your lack of common sense as well as demonstrate your inability to function in the real world. Yeah, I’m not exactly jealous of your students. My bachelor’s degree from UGA as well as my master’s is a good reason while I have an upper management postion at a software firm and have several Techies who call me boss. Your football players? You mean the calibur of players that have not produced a top 25 finish in 7 years as opposed to the calibur of players who have finished in the top 10 five of the last six years and has beaten you 7 straight? Not exactly jealous in that area either. And the funniest is the academic calibur of the athletes. I guess you’re talking about the athletes that are just meeting the minimum requirements and have to show up with copies of the test before hand to pass their management classes at a school which is second tier when it comes to business schools. What a joke. So, word of advice to you sting boy. Get out of the computer lab once in a while, so you can develop social skills to go with your degree and will in turn be able to land a job that pays more than your mediocre paying number crunching position. And please let me know if I need to rewrite this in binary code so you may actually be able to read this.
By Jerry Dawg
November 11, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this
Is this sting doc character serious? Yeah, your comments aren’t actually stinging anybody, but are rather futile attempts at humor which in turn show your lack of common sense as well as demonstrate your inability to function in the real world. Yeah, I’m not exactly jealous of your students. My bachelor’s degree from UGA as well as my master’s is a good reason while I have an upper management postion at a software firm and have several Techies who call me boss. Your football players? You mean the calibur of players that have not produced a top 25 finish in 7 years as opposed to the calibur of players who have finished in the top 10 five of the last six years and has beaten you 7 straight? Not exactly jealous in that area either. And the funniest is the academic calibur of the athletes. I guess you’re talking about the athletes that are just meeting the minimum requirements and have to show up with copies of the test before hand to pass their management classes at a school which is second tier when it comes to business schools. What a joke. So, word of advice to you sting boy. Get out of the computer lab once in a while, so you can develop social skills to go with your degree and will in turn be able to land a job that pays more than your mediocre paying number crunching position. And please let me know if I need to rewrite this in binary code so you may actually be able to read this.
By Jerry Dawg
November 11, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
Is this sting doc character serious? Yeah, your comments aren’t actually stinging anybody, but are rather futile attempts at humor which in turn show your lack of common sense as well as demonstrate your inability to function in the real world. Yeah, I’m not exactly jealous of your students. My bachelor’s degree from UGA as well as my master’s is a good reason why I have an upper management position at a software firm and have several Techies who call me boss. Your football players? You mean the type of players that have not produced a top 25 finish in 7 years as opposed to the type of players who have finished in the top 10 five of the last six years and has beaten you 7 straight? Not exactly jealous in that area either. And the funniest is the academic calibur of the athletes. I guess you’re talking about the athletes that are just meeting the minimum NCAA requirements to get into any school and have to show up with copies of the test before hand to pass their management classes at a school which is second tier when it comes to business schools. What a joke. So, word of advice to you sting boy. Get out of the computer lab once in a while, so you can develop social skills to go with your degree and will in turn be able to land a job that pays more than your mediocre paying number crunching position. And please let me know if I need to rewrite this in binary code so you may actually be able to read this.