Georgia Tech beats Hokies to make history

By Doug Roberson

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

It was last seen being proudly carried down Yellow Jacket Alley, before disappearing into the cold night.

No. 19 Georgia Tech made history at Bobby Dodd Stadium on Saturday by defeating No. 4 Virginia Tech 28-23,the first time Tech defeated a top 5 team at home since it defeated No. 1 Alabama 7-6 in 1962.

And as a prize, the goal post in the North end zone came down. It was carried through a tunnel under the stadium, before it made a right onto Bobby Dodd Avenue and a left down Yellow Jacket Alley, being carried by happy folks that might have wanted to keep moving just to keep warm.

From there, who knows where it went?

What is known is that by snapping a losing streak against top-five teams that had grown to 0-17-1 since that historic victory against Paul Bryant's Tide, the Jackets (6-1, 4-1) are on a four-game win streak and have a chance to make some more special moments if they can make it to the ACC title game.

However, Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson is focused only on next week and not at all worried about the past.

"I told the team today that there were some things that mattered about the game and some things that didn't," Johnson said. "Where they were ranked, and the 0-17, and who thought they were going to win, none of that mattered because you don't get any points for that. What mattered is who was going to block and tackle the best and who was going to take care of the ball and play the hardest."

With Georgia Tech's win, the race for the ACC's Coastal Division is wide open. Virginia leads the division at 2-0, with three teams tied for second with one loss each: Georgia Tech, Miami and Virginia Tech. Duke also is 1-1.

Georgia Tech has three games remaining in the ACC: at Virginia, at home against Wake Forest and at Duke. Those teams are a combined a 10-9, 5-3.

To stay in the race, the Jackets must defeat the Cavaliers next week in Charlottesville, where they haven't won since 1990.

The Hokies' four remaining ACC games are at home against North Carolina, at Maryland, at home against N.C. State and at Virginia. Those teams are a combined 12-14 overall, 3-7 in the ACC after Saturday's games.

The Jackets likely would still need Miami to lose one more game in the ACC because the Hurricanes hold the head-to-head tiebreaker against the Jackets by virtue of their 33-17 win earlier this season. The Hurricanes have five conference games remaining: at home against Clemson, at Wake Forest, at home against Virginia, at North Carolina, and at home against Duke. Those teams are a combined 17-14, 7-7.

The wild card is Virginia, which defeated Maryland 20-9 on Saturday. The unranked Cavaliers, who lost their season-opener to Division I-AA foe William and Mary,  have five conference games remaining: at home against Duke, at Miami, at home against Boston College, at Clemson and at home against Virginia Tech. Those teams are a combined 20-11, 11-7.

"There's still games left to play, all you focus on is Virginia. We know that we already have  a loss, and I don't think you win our side with two losses. What we did tonight was stay alive and put everybody else back in it."

To win out, Tech likely will need more complete games such as it got against the Hokies. A defense that had been maligned for two weeks simplified its schemes during practice this week and limited Virginia Tech to 334 yards, almost 200 less than it allowed to FSU last week, and almost 150 less than it gave up to Mississippi State two weeks ago. And the offense, led by Josh Nesbitt's 145 yards rushing and three touchdowns, rolled up 360 yards against a defense that was allowing 310.

"Every time somebody doubts them, they step up and answer the bell," Johnson said.

While Johnson enjoyed the win, but didn't want to discuss the history, the players were aware.

Linebackers Brad Jefferson and Sedric Griffin and defensive end Derrick Morgan agreed that it was the biggest win they've had in awhile at Tech. Nesbitt said it was even bigger than last year's win against Georgia at Sanford Stadium.

Now, Tech just needs to get some new goal posts up before Wake Forest comes here Nov. 7.

"It was kind of surreal just because it's one of those things you dream about your whole life," center Sean Bedford said. "Growing up as a kid playing football in your backyard and later in high school, you want to be on that national stage and have that big win and have the fans rush the field. It's just a feeling I'm never going to forget. It's amazing."