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Thursday, November 20, 2008
Smackdown
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A little rest did wonders.
In dismantling Miami 41-23 before a national TV audience, Tech looked like a totally different team than the one that lost at North Carolina 12 days ago.
Jonathan Dwyer, Roddy Jones and Lucas Cox ran wild. The 0-line, particularly the right side, opened up huge holes. And QB Josh Nesbitt gutted it out on a bad ankle. His third-quarter touchdown run — on 4th-and-1 — pretty much sealed the win at 34-10.
The defense, already without DT Vance Walker and CB Jahi Word-Daniels, lost LB Sedric Griffin and S Dominique Reese early to knee injuries. But the ACC’s stingiest unit played a terrific first half.
Michael Johnson’s interception return for a touchdown, on a short slant route, made it 10-0 Tech early in the second quarter. It was Johnson’s first career INT. Then Rashaad Reid picked off Jacory Harris.
Miami kicked a field goal with six minutes to go before halftime.
But on Tech’s next offensive play, Jonathan Dwyer took it the distance. He broke two tackles on the 58-yard TD. That put the ACC’s leading rusher over 100 yards for the 8th time this year.
Dwyer dragged defenders into the end zone on his next score. It was 24-3 at the half.
This emphatic win not only keeps Tech alive for the ACC title. It had to impress the reps from the Chick-fil-A, the Gator and the Champs Sports bowls.
And don’t you think it gives Tech a lot of momentum heading into Athens?
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View from Miami
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Both teams enter tonight’s 7:30 p.m. ESPN game with a lot at stake.
Miami (7-3, 4-2) controls the Coastal Division. Beat Ga. Tech and N.C. State, and the Canes go to Tampa for the ACC Championship Game.
The Jackets (7-3, 4-3) need to win to keep their ACC hopes alive, and to earn a better bowl invitation.
No. 23 Miami enters on a five-game winning streak. But Tech, which has beaten Miami three straight times, is favored by 3 1/2 points.
Craig Handel, of The News-Press in Fort Myers, Fla., answered five questions about the matchup:
What are the biggest reasons for Miami’s five-game win streak?
The biggest reasons are great second-half defense and a little luck. Miami has outscored teams 87-38 in the third quarter this season and 37-7 during the streak. The luck comes from Wake Forest kicker Sam Swank not playing in a 16-10 Miami win, Virginia missing two field goals and Miami recovering two of its own fumbles and the Hokies dropping a long pass in the fourth quarter last week.
What makes Miami’s defense so good?
Defensive coordinator Bill Young came to Miami from Kansas and has done a great job. Players really like him. MLB Glenn Cook got his 6th season of eligibility and has been a great leader while making a couple of plays. Two years ago against GT, he returned a fumble for a TD. Freshman LB Sean Spence has made some big plays this season while freshman DE Marcus Robinson had his first three sacks of the season against Virginia Tech to earn ACC honors.
What concerns Miami most about playing Ga. Tech?
Miami coach Randy Shannon said Georgia Tech will get its yards, but that the defense can’t break. The Yellow Jackets’ defensive line impresses Shannon, who said he recruited some of those players. Miami’s offensive line gave up four sacks last week, but the Canes get back left tackle Jason Fox, who has made 33 starts. He’s been bothered by a sprained right ankle.
Tell us how the quarterbacks have developed this season and what we can expect in terms of a rotation.
Since Game 2, Robert Marve has started and Jacory Harris comes in on the 4th series. Who plays in the second half has been based on who is playing better. In the last four games, it’s been Harris, Marve, Harris, Marve alternating as having the big games.
Marve is a better runner, although Harris has had some big gains. Harris is a better touch passer while Marve has a stronger arm. Marve is more prone to mistakes, Harris a better game manager. It would seem this would be Harris’ turn to make the big plays for Miami’s offense.
Miami’s D-line was outstanding against Virginia Tech. What do you expect tonight?
Miami will play 10, 11 players along the defensive line. As a result, they’ve stayed fresh and are getting better. Last week, Miami had six sacks and allowed just 77 yards rushing, Va. Tech’s lowest output of the season. Players and coaches keep talking about needing to play assignment football to stop Ga. Tech.
With Miami rotating so many defensive linemen, it will be interesting to see if Tech’s O-line can perform better than it did against UNC. That will be one of the keys tonight.
What do you think will be the biggest factor?
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