AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > October > 26 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USUVA’s Offensive Line Dominates…Cavs Win…
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There will be much discussion regarding the Yellow Jacket turnovers and how they cost Georgia Tech a win and a 7-1 record. Its easy to look at the box score and see the fumble at the UVA 7 yard line and think to yourself…that was the game right there.
Unfortunately, the truth of the matter was the fact that the Virginia offensive line dominated the vaunted Georgia Tech defensive line for a majority of the afternoon. The Jackets were unable to put any semblence of consistent pressure on Marc Verica and the defensive secondary got shredded for 270 yards and two touchdowns as the Hoos completed 29 passes in 30 attempts. That’s a completion rate of almost 75%. Nine different Cavaliers caught passes on the day.
That high completion rate allowed the Cavs to mount four drives that consisted of 10 or more plays…11 for 53, 12 for 66, 10 for 46, and 12 for 27. The Cavaliers ran up 23 first downs on the afternoon, coverting 11 of 18 third down efforts to extend drives and keep the Tech defense on the field.
The nearly 10 minute advantage in time of possession resulted in a play advantage of 75 to 56 for the Cavaliers and it became obvious that our defense was winded in the fourth quarter when Cedric Peerman started ripping off chunks of yardage en route to a 118 yard performance.
So…I submit that the bottom line in this game was the dominance of the UVA offensive line. The lack of pressure on the quarterback allowed UVA to extend their drives and wear our defense down. And the extra time that Verica had to check through his progressions allowed him to find receivers and safety outlets that resulted in passing yards against corners and safeties who simply couldn’t cover their assignments indefinitely.
So what went right for the Jackets? If forced to find positives I’d say that the improved kick returns from Roddy Jones were a nice improvement and the fact that Georgia Tech was only penalized twice all game. That’s about it really…beyond the nice toss sweeps to Jones and passes to Thomas that seemed to be working in the first quarter but then disappeared for the remainder of the game.
Looking forward, its realistic to be content with a 6-2 record and knowledge of the fact that noone else on Tech’s schedule has the behemoth offensive line that UVA possess. No other team possesses a quarterback that is slinging the ball around at a nearly 70% completion rate combined with a senior running back like Cedric Peerman. Tech would have soundly defeated UVA with quarterback pressure and better ball security…and the same can be said of everyone else left on the schedule going forward.
Being married to a huge FSU fan, I’ve watched quite a bit of Seminole football this season. Its been obvious that the FSU offensive line is woefully bad. They are nowhere near as good at pass protection as the UVA line is. Tech WILL get pressure on Christian Ponder. BUT…FSU seems to have found their running game and Antone Smith is extremely dangerous. It should be an interesting game and one in which Tech can bounce back and get to 7-2 and solid bowl eligibility before facing UNC on the road in two weeks.
But again…the Jackets MUST pressure the quarterback and must protect the football.
Go Jackets!
THWG!
Comments
By m
October 26, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this
Virginia’s offensive line had more tackles than their defense. I think there were two holding calls actually called on Virginia, out of 70 or more plays. There were probably a dozen FLAGRANT holds that were not called. If the ACC officials are going to continue to allow FLAGRANT holding, then our defensive scheme of getting pressure on the QB by our defensive line is doomed to fail. The two fumbles in the second half were the real killers however. The future is still so bright we may all have to wear shades. And, as always, thank God and Greyhound that Chan Gailey is gone forever. Amen.
By Coz109
October 26, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
Is this any different than the Chan Gailey era?
By AlabamaRamblinwreck
October 26, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this
I agree with m. If o-linemen are that big and that good and they are allowed to hold, our defensive line really has no shot.
Also, there was an obvious pass interference call on a long pass to BeBe that was ignored.
With all of that said, if we hold on to the ball, we still win. I really liked how Coach Johnson went at the referee after he completely missed a headlock on MJ during UVA’s td pass. Because he was willing to let the ref have it, we got 2 holding calls later on.
Go Jackets!!
By surprised
October 26, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
coach indicated he did not know how to prevent fumbles….what about practice?
By Coz109
October 26, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
Hey M. they are looking for you over on the UGA blog. Do you still think Tech will be ahead of UGA in the new polls?
By CarolinaJacket
October 26, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
It’s strange that Virginia got all the home refereeing. Some of those holes were enormous and the tackling was not good. I hope, however, that if the starting dbacks are back (one was out the whole game, another for the terrible second half) that the defense will be back and ready for FSU. Lookout, though, for Carolina.
By Not a beeliever - yet
October 26, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this
If the Tech team that played yesterday shows up in Athens on Thanksgiving weekend, we may be praying that they let up at 51-7.
With no pressure on him, Stafford will cut this defense to ribbons.
But, I get ahead of myself. Next week is FSU. It should be a winnable game for Tech (of course, yesterday’s should have been winnable also). The cure for the funk that I feel would be to finally post a “W” on the Criminoles.
Let’s see how PJ’s troups respond to this kind of adversity. Coaching 20-year-old kids is a tricky thing. Can PJ keep them believing or get them to start believing again? Will they show up pi$$ed off and ready to play or will they be dragging their tails? THAT is the true test of a major college football coach.
By blackbee
October 26, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
I hate to say this but some Tech people have been wanting Tech to recruit more talented O-Linemen but that have not in the past. Johnson is a great Coach but that is part of the problem, he thinks he can run that offense on anybody. But like the national commmentator said in the South the athletes are big and fast. I think Tech will be fine if Johnson added a few more diverse passing plays.
By DawginLex
October 26, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this
Well M, at least you are alive and tou did come out of hiding on the Tech blog. Hope you and Rambler didn’t bet too much on Tech and against “UGAG” this weekend.
Best D line in the country? Lost to UVA who lost to USC 52-7 who barely beat Arizona 17-10.
Tech ahead of “UGAG” in the polls come Monday morning? HMMMMM, looks like “UGAG” moved up. How did Tech do?
Oh well, puke gold goes well with “BOISE BLUE” out at the smurf bowl. ENJOY!!!!
By CarolinaJacket
October 26, 2008 6:19 PM | Link to this
I think you are right on tarket “Not a beeliever yet”. After the first quarter the team looked like a whipped puppy. But now is time to see the quality of the coaches and the grit of the team.
How much would it take for Tech fans to “buy out M’s contract” and send him packing? He and Yellowblood (if that is not really him), we have enough problems without having this embarrassment.
By Idiots
October 26, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this
Tough, tough game. Shot ourselves in the foot. All we can do is practice, and get ready for FSU.
Now we have to listen to all the crap from the uga guys b/c pathetic, immature, idiots like Ramble on and m go over there and spew their garbage all week long. Jesus you guys are embarrassing, and it really irritates me that I now have to read through 30+ uga fans talking trash mainly because of you two douche bags.
By Scared Tech Fan
October 27, 2008 12:27 AM | Link to this
I am afraid that the bubble is going to burst in Tech’s next four games. Teams are figuring out how to stop Paul Johnson’s vaunted offense. It will be the sameo sameo as with Chan Gailey. Another trip to Boise and the blue carpet.
By Cav Fan
October 27, 2008 1:55 AM | Link to this
The best team won saturday.Happy Homecoming!!!
By Coz109
October 27, 2008 2:52 AM | Link to this
To “Idiots”, at least you acknowledge that “Ramble On” and “m” are idiots. You guys can still have a good season. I just hope UGA clobbers you. Nothing personal.
By gtforever
October 27, 2008 7:37 AM | Link to this
Enough of this ACC championship talk. We have at least 2 years before we are competitive. Let’s face it, we got whipped by a better team. We will see how much HEART these guys have this Saturday……
Go Jackets and THWG!
By not scared
October 27, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this
Take away the two fumbles and tell me about the other team figuring out….
Stop the fumbles and Tech wins. Simple.
What is not simple is how to stop the fumbles.
By Same ol Same ol
October 27, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this
You can set your clocks by it folks. This time every single year UGA explodes and Tech folds. Can we try scheduling the tough games at the first of the year from now on. At least that way we know we suck from day one.
By PAT WHITE
October 27, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
Are we still comparing Nesbitt to myself?
I’m going with a no.
By reebok
October 27, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
Thoughts - IMHO (of course)…Remember that without the turnovers, we would have extended drives, likely scored points, and thus kept our defense off the field at least some. And if UVA had been playing from behind in the 4th, their gameplan would have been different. So the fumbles hurt us multiple ways. Second thought - we need to get some people back in the scondary or we may go from 6-1 to 6-6 real quick. Final thought - if we had to play UGA this weekend, we would lose by 30 points or more. Whoops, one more thought…beating FSU would cover a multitude of sins right now.
By ga_tech_92
October 27, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this
Respect everyone. Fear no one. GO JACKETS!
By yellowblood
October 28, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this
I knew the UVA O-line was going to dominate. Our guys stayed way to long at the Tickle Pile Friday night. It was good for them to “let it all hang out” but they should have left earlier. You have just so much energy.
By Hoo Fan
October 30, 2008 9:51 PM | Link to this
C’mon, that’s a lot of whining. You all have a better team that deserves more than blaming it on the refs.
It was a great game, with an even better ending.
By GT86
November 1, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
I am not yet a believer. If we don’t beat Virginia, I say we should look for a coach that does NOT have to use a gimmick program (that every other winning college has tossed). Tech fumbles way too much with it. I do not see us winning any more games this year.
By stephonmarbury
November 6, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
I just be saying we be a better University than UNC.
By richbrave
November 6, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this
O-linemen hold.? No-o-o. Really.? Suck it up GT fans. That goes both ways. GO WAHOOS.!!!!