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Saturday, October 25, 2008
The streak is over
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With a chance to take control of the Coastal Division, Tech turned in a terrible second half.
The Jackets’ win streak ended thanks to three second-half turnovers. Josh Nesbitt fumbled twice and he was picked off on Tech’s final drive.
Tech jumped out to a 14-3 lead. Roddy Jones and Jonathan Dwyer did almost all the work on the first drive, and Nesbitt cashed in with a 1-yard keeper. Following yet another pick by the incomparable Morgan Burnett (6th of the season, 9th career), the Jackets went for the jugular. Nesbitt hit Demaryius Thomas for 42 yards on play action, and Dwyer scored from 3 yards out.
But the Cavaliers answered right away. Tech had major problems stopping screens and dumpoffs in the flat, and QB Marc Verica kept exploiting it. CB Rashaad Reid was victimized on Verica’s 14-yard TD pass to Kevin Ogletree. The true freshman never got his head turned around, and it was 14-10.
Dominique Reese’s spectacular interception — he wrestled the ball away from Ogletree — prevented UVA from taking the lead. Tech took a 14-10 lead into the lockerroom.
Tech had a nice drive going to start the third, but Nesbitt fumbled a snap near midfield and Virginia took over. Verica again picked on Reid, hitting 6-foot-4 Maurice Covington for a 34-yard touchdown. The Jackets thought Michael Johnson got held on the play, but no flag was thrown.
It was 17-14 UVA, and Tech had generated little pass rush.
Roddy Jones’ 29-yard punt return got Tech moving again, but the Jackets squandered 1st-and-goal when Nesbitt fumbled again.
Michael Johnson, after a frustrating day, beat Eugene Monroe and stripped the ball from Verica, Derrick Morgan recovering at the UVA 31.
On 4th and 7 from the 28, CPJ kept the field-goal team on the sideline instead of going for the tie. Nesbitt scrambled for 16.
But when Nesbitt took a sack on third down, Scott Blair drilled a 39-yarder to tie it up w/ 7:34 left.
Cedric Peerman, who had a huge game, ripped off a 31-yard run. On 3rd and 8 from the 11, he turned the corner and got a first down at the 3. Tech challenged the spot, to no avail. Peerman stiff-armed Reid for a touchdown on the next play. It was 24-17 with 3:29 left.
Tech’s final drive came down to 4th-and-6 from its own 45. Nesbitt hit Thomas to move the chains.
But Nesbitt was picked off on the next play, and Tech’s four-game win streak had come to an end.
The defense had one of its poorest games, but this one was on the offense. Tech scored 3 points in the second half as Nesbitt turned the ball over three times.
What disappointed you most about this performance?
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