AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2007 > September > 08 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSo when does the game begin?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Because this doesn’t even qualify as a practice.
This is even more agonizing than I predicted. We have 5:59 left in the third quarter, and Tech is beating Samford 55-0. I’m not waiting until this game is over, or even nearly over, to blog because I might fall asleep first.
Except that it’s so hot. I don’t sleep well in ovens.
This is gross.
Sure, Taylor Bennett was sharper today. Whatcha expect? He had a week in the pocket each time he dropped back to pass.
Tashard Choice rushed 11 times for 110 yards and two touchdowns in the first 13:59. He didn’t play again. He didn’t play Saturday, really. He practiced timing and execution.
This has been an execution, come to think of it. Samford can hardly even field kickoffs and punts.
Tech beat Navy 70-7 in 2001. Wonder if this will turn out worse?
If Samford scores, will Jon Tenuta’s head explode?
I feel a bit guilty making observations about positive developments. It’s kind of like piling on.
But Jonathan Dwyer is a stud. That guy can really motor. If you didn’t see his 40-yard reverse for a touchdown, you missed a sprint. He’s scored twice today. That gives him three in two weeks. Don’t want to jinx the kid, but if he stays healthy, he’s going to threaten all Tech rushing records before he’s finished. He’s very special.
OK, it’s 55-0, and they’re showing a highlight on the big screen from last year’s win over Samford. There goes Jamal Lewis on a 98-yard interception return. Jamal’s watching from the sideline. No, wait. He’s asleep. Don’t they have rules prohibiting players from sleeping during games?
Just kidding. Nobody’s asleep down there. I don’t think.
I’ve got nothing else. My mind is wandering. My son’s team kicks off in about a minute, and he’s playing his first game at quarterback/linebacker. I’ve got butterflies. It’s hard to write with butterflies.
Later.
Matt
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Comments
By smitty
September 8, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this
couple of comments…..it’s a great game to get experience for the younger players ( that includes bennett and i wish they left him in longer to work on his passing) but what concerns me looking at the stats is the poor 3rd down conversions against a weak team (2/9) by the third qtr….on third and short samfords d-line appears to have successfully stuffed the run more than a couple of times….gt countered by successfully going for it on 4th down several times but not being able to convert third downs against an inferior team does not bode well ( especially when it was GT’s strength, pounding the ball, that came up short ) ….hell, we really didn’t get to see much of the first team offense because of all the long runs of 50 yds or more by choice and dwyer…i did like the pass attempts on first down early in the game….hard to really take much from this game…..next week will reveal the true nature of this team…go GT
By RAMBLE ON!
September 8, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this
got home real early from this one
By GoTech
September 8, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this
Well…it was a win but I really don’t like running up the score like that on a team that’s not now or will ever be in the same class as Tech. It makes the team look like a bully. I know most of you don’t feel as I do. If it was UGA or Auburn or VA, hell yeah, run up the score as high as you can get it. But I don’t like to see what I saw today. I felt like I was on a playgound watching the weak kid get beat up. I don’t think it shows much sportsmanship. Just my opinion.
By G-string-dawg
September 8, 2007 5:18 PM | Link to this
You gave up 14 points to Samford. You suck!!! Check out the passing yardage morons. UGA is gonna is drop a Sherman on you ATL bee-honkeys.
By Dana
September 8, 2007 5:22 PM | Link to this
Matt, How much are we paying Samford for the execution?? I say play all 1A teams every year instead of having a cupcake on the schedule like Samford and Jacksonville State next year. Next week should be interesting with BC in town. Thanks for all you do!!
By Chris
September 8, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this
Umm, GoTech, when your 2nd, 3rd and 4th teams put up points, it’s not piling on. It’s called “depth.”
Umm, G-minus, you don’t throw the ball unless you have to, retard.
By cooter
September 8, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this
Ho hum, yawn. Even a “W” is boring in this type game. I am glad to see Gailey play the subs and scrubs and let poor Sam in the end zone a couple of times. They could have gone for the shut out and padded the team’s defensive stats but showed some class instead. Too early to say if this Gaileys best team but to date it looks to be the best coached team of his tenure.
By Chris
September 8, 2007 5:38 PM | Link to this
By the way, G-Minus,:
Honkeys > Monkeys
Take that for what you will
By GoTech
September 8, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this
Chris, it’s called piling on in this case. It’s called depth when the team is closer to or above your own capabilities.
By Chris
September 8, 2007 6:06 PM | Link to this
So Tech should’ve just taken a knee on every snap?
No, in this case, you’re simply trying to get your younger guys some playing time. If they happen to run wild on the other team, so be it.
At least it wasn’t 222-0, right?
By Tashard for the Heisman
September 8, 2007 6:06 PM | Link to this
Go Tech, I don’t think you realize what happened out there today. Our 6th string RB was running the ball at the end of the game. The only reason starters were in the game after the 2nd quarter was to block on FG/EP attempts. Chan did all he could to keep from running up the score. There were no trick plays, nothing but running plays except for 3rd and long. We went for it on 4th downs instead of kicking FGs.
By gtpi
September 8, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this
i know this wont be popular but this is where ya seperate the nd’s from the gt’s etc. AND you wonder why we dont get the same celebratory status as the irish…..
according to nd tradition the student body and fans? stay for the whole game win lose or draw.
i think that this should be a tradition that we should adopt.
imagine a recruit’s family knowing that their kid will be playing to a full stadium even during mop up duty. kinda like we are all part of that kids immediate family……
imagine that!!!!!!!
i always stayed until the last snap in everygame i ever attended. i think the players sacrifice deserves such sacrifice from the fans as well.
just a thought. now trash away!!!!!!!!
By Chris
September 8, 2007 6:18 PM | Link to this
Wow, gtpi. You’re such a good guy. I’m proud of you.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a beer to drink. And UGA is now losing. Awesome.
By Observer
September 8, 2007 6:33 PM | Link to this
It’s not running up the score when you have reserves running the ball for scores. As a coach, there’s no way Chan can put in the subs and tell them NOT to play their best.
As far as the score - I’m glad. Many of the Tech teams of recent years didn’t have the capacity to demolish the teams they should have. Usually, they eould manage to win ugly.
Last week before the ND game, Colin Peek said he thought this team should run the table this season. Prior to the start of the 1990 season, Ken Swilling said the same thing and proved to be right as we went on to win a national championship.
This team may be on the way to a VERY special season.
By GoTech
September 8, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this
Ok, Chris and Tashard for the Heisman, I’ll be back here in a few weeks when we get the score rammed down our throats and I’ll be looking for your comments on that. Hopefully you’ll feel just as good about another team’s 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th string players getting in some great practice time with your team. I’ll be looking for ya!
By Observer
September 8, 2007 6:37 PM | Link to this
WHOA - I just turned on the TV to find Notre Dame beating Penn State and UGAg losing to Spurrier. This may turn into a great day. If Spurrier wins, I may not be able to resist going over to the UGAg blog and having some fun.
By Chris
September 8, 2007 6:50 PM | Link to this
GoTech, for a Tech fan, you certainly spew a lot of anti-Tech venom.
Things getting rammed down someone’s throats? Save that for your mom.
By gtdave
September 8, 2007 6:52 PM | Link to this
This was obviously a game where the intent was not to run up the score. Did anyone notice that Gailey decided not to kick a 40 yd field goal and the end of the first half. One word…class. I was actually watching the game with a buddy of mine who is a big Michigan fan. Needless to say, I have to say that’s how you dispatch a 1-AA opponent.
By 91Wreck
September 8, 2007 7:09 PM | Link to this
Dwyer is a stud. As good as Tashard is, our rushing attack will be just as potent next year when Dwyer is the featured back.
I am concerned about next week though. The only weakness that our team has is in the defensive secondary. If we can’t get pressure on Ryan, he will pick us apart. Hopefully our offense will stay in the field for long periods of time and keep BC’s offense out of rhythm.
By GoTech
September 8, 2007 7:55 PM | Link to this
Chris, I’m not spewing anything. Good Grief!! I don’t agree with you about running up the score so I’m “spewing”. (I’m getting a good chuckle out of that one, that’s more of a term I expect out of a DAWG) And by a score being rammed down our throats I meant having the score run up on us. I’m just stating an opinion. Sooner or later we’re going to play a team that will do the same to us. I’ll just wait to see you whining about it. There’s nothing anti-Tech about anything I said. I was at the game today as I am every home game and most away games. I’m thrilled at having won the first two games and I’m very optomistic about the season.
By Fire Chan
September 8, 2007 8:36 PM | Link to this
Chan should be fired today. You let Tashard Choice play for not even 1 quarter. What is wrong you Chan Gailey. He could of easily put of 400 yards today and been a very good contender for the heisman. Taylor Bennett needs some experience and he only played for 1 quarter. I know it was a blowout but you should always let your heisman candidate play for at least 3 quarters. Chan must not care about his players. Lets fire him please.
By GoTech
September 8, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this
I’m sure Chan kept him out to make sure he wasn’t injured in a blowout game with a gimme team. When the heisman committee looks at total yardage they also look at what teams the candidate racked those yards up on. 400 extra yards look great on the total but when they see he got them against Samford those yards may not look so impressive. They’re impressive to us because we want him to be a contender but not at the risk of being hurt.
By Rick in Warner Robins
September 8, 2007 9:22 PM | Link to this
Our beloved Tech dominates two games in a row. The Flea Bags in Athens beat a lousy team and had to struggle to do it…they’re getting dominated by South Carolina and who does the AJC put in big color pictures…the lousy Flea Bags. What does our Tech team have to do to get respect in this state’s newspapers????
By 91Wreck
September 8, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this
Rick - in order to get the AJC’s respect, we have to start beating UGA at least two out of every five years, and our fans have to actually start going to games.
Take a look at the UGA blog right now. People are posting left and right - after a loss. We are 2-0 with two blowout wins, and yet we’ve had about 25 posts today. If you are the Sports editor at the AJC, who are you going to promote more - Tech or UGA?
However, there is hope that things are turning around. D-Rad has the right plan to take GT to the next level. The Fan Day in August was well attended - there certainly was a “buzz” in the air that day. I was unable to go to the game, but I think they said there were about 40k people - which is high for a game against a Div 1AA team.
By The Big Bug
September 8, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this
G-String-Dawg & Go Tech, Putting the 3rd & 4th string in in the 2nd Qtr is not running up the score, idiots. As the great Bear once said,you don’t deny the benchwarmers the opportunity to score.They practice just like everybody else.We cannot help it if our 6th string is better.You are retarded subspecies.
By Historian
September 8, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this
No contest, but also not sure how they will act when they’re close or behind a good team, let’s hope. Mark these words somewhere, if Dwyer doesn’t get hurt or lose interest this year, he’ll be responsible for a win or two. Teams won’t have to stop just Choice, but now it’s Choice and Dwyer. The next couple of games should give us an indication of how good a year this is going to be.
By Yep
September 8, 2007 11:33 PM | Link to this
Big Bug, or is that Big LUG? It’s easy to brag about your 5th and 6th string being better than a 1AA team. Maybe you should try having a schedule without 1AA teams so the ‘playing field’ is more equal. Oh, I forgot, your record wouldn’t be as good without them. Tech was up 45-zip at half time so how hard do you think Samford tried in the second half. And who said anything about not giving benchwarmers the opportunity to play?
By Navigator
September 8, 2007 11:41 PM | Link to this
I love to watch the mutts when they’re team loses, of course they come to the Tech blog throwing cold water. Oh, well maybe better to let the steam out on the blog, than beat the kids and wife (you only hope).
By Old 'N Gold
September 9, 2007 12:24 AM | Link to this
I’m mad to see that Ugag fans are talking about how we gave up 14 points and a fair amount of passing yards to samford……If they would have paid attention, they would know that the 4th and 5th strings did this….great job on the field today jackets, one of the deepest teams ive seen in a while!
By gtsenior
September 9, 2007 12:35 AM | Link to this
GoTech, you’re a retard if you think we were trying to run up the score. I agree that Bennett should have played longer. Yes you don’t want to see him get injured but he could have used more experience before going up against ACC teams. I was also disappointed in the 3rd down conversions. We aren’t going to be going for it much against the defenses of clemson, VT et al. Still though, this was a VERY impressive win that showed the real depth our team has this year. Most points scored in a home game since 1921. Most points in a half since the Cumberland game. I don’t care how bad Samford is, that’s saying something, especially when the starters only played one quarter. I think this is going to be a really good year from what I’ve seen so far.
By Steve Spurrier
September 9, 2007 1:53 AM | Link to this
Hey man, when are you dawgs gonna cut down them dang hedges? After our win, we couldn’t find out way out of that place. Man, it doesn’t matter. I held my visor (which has GPS) and found my way back to Columbia. This ole ball coach can still whip Georgia with a mediocre South Carolina “bunch of stiffs”. If I was coaching Tech, I would have run it up too. But lately, I’m too busy beating Georgia and doing Under Armor commercials. Now if you’ll excuse me, I gotta put another notch on the ole’ dog collar.
By Sam
September 9, 2007 3:14 AM | Link to this
I was unable to go to the game, but I think they said there were about 40k people - which is high for a game against a Div 1AA team.
Yeah. Guess how many will be in Sanford next week for Western Carolina? 92,746. A sellout, just like every week. That’s why the AJC gives more coverage to Georgia. There’s more interest. Not to mention, UGA losing its SEC opener is vastly more significant than Tech beating the same I-AA team it beat last year.
Now, if next week Georgia still gets better play than Tech, when Tech plays BC and Georgia plays WC, then you have a point. But if Tech loses, and the AJC plays it big, I don’t wanna hear any whining about respect.
By Wally
September 9, 2007 6:55 AM | Link to this
What Chan should have done to keep the score down was to bring Reggie Ball back for the three quarters. I think it could have been a close game with him in there.
By bush loving =Dawg + rednecks
September 9, 2007 7:29 AM | Link to this
AJC sport just want to pour out hate. Go Tech!!! Jeff Schultz is a Dawg fan and Tech hater and Falcon hater oh yea moron moore too!
By jackets 'r good
September 9, 2007 10:42 AM | Link to this
Man, this is the bugs year!! Bring on anybody! We may contend for a MNC this year with this team! I can’t wait until we really play somebody instead of these girls, because we are gonna show’em that Chan has finally got it together. Start planning for expansion of Bobby Dodd Grant Field, we are ready for the big time for the first time since Bobby. I want back in the SEC -oops, let’s don’t get carried away! The jackets are going to rule this year. Can’t wait till the next victim, because we are just plain great. A great team. Look at how many points we put on them yesterday! Show up next week for the game wherever you are. There will be Jacket fans close by!
By jackets 'r good
September 9, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this
Man, this is the bugs year!! Bring on anybody! We may contend for a MNC this year with this team! I can’t wait until we really play somebody instead of these girls, because we are gonna show’em that Chan has finally got it together. Start planning for expansion of Bobby Dodd Grant Field, we are ready for the big time for the first time since Bobby. I want back in the SEC -oops, let’s don’t get carried away! The jackets are going to rule this year. Can’t wait till the next victim, because we are just plain great. A great team. Look at how many points we put on them yesterday! Show up next week for the game wherever you are. There will be Jacket fans close by!
By OldTechFan
September 9, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this
Well the team went out and took care of business yesterday. Having been trapped into not being able to see the game (thanks Comcast) I can’t comment on the running up of the score some think occured. The only measure I have to go by is looking at the player participation report and seeing a very long list of players. I’ll be watching the replay on CSS but it sounds like Coach simply put everyone in for game time. Like was said earlier do you put them in and tell them not to play?
Two weeks in and two wins over not so good talent. What have we learned? I see a very good offensive line and a stable of very good running backs. Defensively, like usual, a hungry, agressive group of player. This upcoming week we face a team with a greater amount of talent that we’ve opened with and I feel this week will tell us a lot about the rest of the season. We’re going to have to pressure QB Ryan and make BC one dimensional. Offensively, we need to continue to run the ball effectively to control the game and time of possession.
All in all, a good start to the season and let’s get a win over a top 25 club next Saturday to keep this thing going well!!!
By jim
September 9, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this
Man you people need to get a life. Have you folks walked the hall a Childrens Hospital lately to see these kids fighting for their life and their parents a nervous wreck. Its just a game folks, yes one that I enjoy but does it really makes a diffrence in life. Yes football and other sports provide unlimited opportunities for young people but all the ranting and raving is really trivial when it comes down to the things that really matter. Yes may the best team win but its just a game folks!
By yellowblood
September 9, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this
Everyone knows that yesterday’s Tech game meant nothing unless they lost. We do need opportunities to develop 2nd and 3rd QB’s and running backs. Last year Chan never gave Taylor a chance to develop at all. If Taylor had played 5-10 snaps per game last year just think how much further along he would be now.
By T
September 9, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this
Matt.. thanks for the update.. my thoughts, I hate you missed your son’s first game. I know that hurt !
Also, I know we played everybody today, but hate to see a ton of points scored on any team. Sometimes you cant help it.
By addicted
September 9, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this
I was at the game and I assure you the last thing Tech was trying to do was run up the score. They were just scoring on pretty much every play, and there is no way a coach can tell his players to stop playing their best. The first string was removed early in the second quarter, and the second half was played by 2nd, 3rd and 4th string teams.
By flackjacket
September 9, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this
Get over this “running up the score crap’. Taylor should have been in the whole game. He needs as many real snaps as possible because our favorie oaf let him warm the bench all last year. Sure, pull out most of the rest of the 1st stringers if you feel bad. But if you think UGA or BC or Miami or any other team is going to call off the dogs if they get us down, you are stupid. Our offense needs to learn from the defense. Go for the jugular!. No quarter asked and none given. From what I have read about Coach Bond, I think we can expect that.
Go Jackets!
Flack Jacket
By Reasonablefan
September 9, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this
Its not whether Tech ran the score up or didn’t. The real question is why schedule Samford anyway. Schedule a weaker D1 team or at least someone who would be decent. This proved nothing except Tech can beat weak teams. It won’t mean a thing when its BC or Clemson or VA Tech. Looking at this schedule it is spattered with weak opponets. Duke, NC, NC St, Va. and even Md. Who knows how good or bad VT even is. Lets keep it in check till we see where we stand.
By flackjacket
September 9, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this
I agree completely. This was a total waste of a valuable game for us. Nothing proven. Not a good work out for our A-team, nothing. Time was, we consistently had one of the toughest schedules in CFB. And we got beat often for it. But at least you could respect it.
Flack Jacket
By SanDiegoJacket
September 9, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this
Boy
Some of you people just amaze me.
We didn’t run up the score.
We did take advantage of the situation and got reps and play time for a lot of people.
Name me one Div 1-A school who doesn’t play at least one cupcake?
It’s all about money
We won and Ugag lost…and there is no number 6.
SanDiegoJacket
By GTNC
September 9, 2007 8:16 PM | Link to this
Flack Jacket….doesn’t EVERYONE schedule a cupcake to help fin tune your team?? Even USC plays a cup cake every year. Come one. Waste of time? I can tell you that anytime you suit and hit somebody, it isn’t a waste of time. Wast of time is when you quit playing which Tech did not from first to third string. They needed this game to help build momentum and work on their schemes, routes, timing, etc.
By Techhater
September 9, 2007 8:35 PM | Link to this
Problem is you schedule numerous cupcakes so why schedule this one. I.E. Duke,Army, and add NC, NC St and Va to the mix.
By jim
September 10, 2007 12:29 AM | Link to this
tech has a good team I”ll admit but dont forget the choke factor which always bites them in the buttocks.B/C 31 Tech 28. Go Dawgs, lets keep the string going against the jackets. Theres really nothing you guys can say till you beat the dogs, any way good luck against B/C.Dwyer looks awesome, great kid!
By Thorpe
September 10, 2007 9:25 AM | Link to this
Next week.
Go BC.
By North Ave Pimp
September 10, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this
Why does it take Chan so long to find the best players for position ? Cory Earls or Jonathan Dwyer clearly should be returning punt/kickoffs Lets see if he trots out the slow white boy #43 again on Saturday… rediculous!!
By North Ave Pimp
September 10, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this
Also Spurrier is a PUTZ!! I enjoyed watching our beloved Dawgz fall sat night watching with all my UGA friends, but him taking shots after the fact is pretty lame.
By flackjacket
September 10, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this
I don’t know/don’t care if everyone ELSE schedules cupcakes. To me it is embarrassing. And no, I don’t think you can fine tune anything by playing a team which is so inferior.
Go Jackets!
Flack Jacket