AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > October > 28
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Vintage FSU defense
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Tech looks to get its offense back on track after scoring three points in the final three quarters Saturday.
It won’t be easy against FSU, ranked No. 15 in the BCS. The Seminoles’ defensive numbers are striking.
The Seminoles boast the ACC’s top rushing defense (79.9 yards per game). They allow the fewest total yards (247.3 per game). They allow 16.6 points per game, third-fewest in the league.
After sacking Virginia Tech QBs six times on Saturday, FSU has 22 sacks this season. That’s one more than Georgia Tech and one fewer than ACC leader Virginia, which took the top spot by sacking Josh Nesbitt four times on Saturday.
FSU’s junior defensive end, Everette Brown, had three sacks against the Hokies. Safety Myron Rolle, corner Tony Carter (9 career INTs), MLB Derek Nicholson and LB Toddrick Verdell also are standouts.
Bobby Bowden (12-0 alltime against Georgia Tech) spoke to the Tallahassee Democrat about the challenge of facing Tech’s offense.
After practice Monday, CPJ made it clear that the offensive struggle on Saturday stemmed from a bunch of factors, not just fumbles. He talked about missed blocks, dropped passes and penalties, to name a few.
Assuming the defense bounces back — Saturday was the first time Tech gave up more than 20 points — the Jackets won’t need an offensive explosion. But they will need to execute a lot better and take care of the football.
Can they do it against this FSU defense?
