Stopping Russell Wilson the key to Georgia Tech winning

By Doug Roberson

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

If Georgia Tech is to get off to its best start in the ACC under coach Paul Johnson, it must do one simple thing: contain Russell Wilson.

Wilson, N.C. State's dynamic quarterback, perhaps is the most unheralded but productive quarterback among the NCAA's 119 other starting signal-callers in the FBS (formerly Division I-A).

In 27 games, he already has surpassed 5,000 yards passing when he's also not hitting .306 for the baseball team, or being named to the ACC's All-Academic team for both sports.

As Andy McCollum, a current Tech assistant and a former N.C. State assistant, says, Wilson is the epitome of the student-athlete.

And, if the Yellow Jackets (2-1) are to reach 2-0 in the conference for the first time in Johnson's three seasons, they must figure out a way to minimize Wilson's effectiveness in Saturday's noon game at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

"He's proven to be one of the most dynamic players in the conference, and one of the most elusive players," Tech defensive coordinator Al Groh said.

Complicating the challenge is this:

Try to keep Wilson in the pocket, and he's accurate enough (57 percent passer in his career with just 12 interceptions) to pick apart a defense. Pressure him, and he's nimble enough either to step outside the pocket and patiently wait for the play to develop or to take off down the field (716 yards rushing). Defensive end Izaan Cross said the Jackets don't want him running around. Johnson said that Tech's rushers must stay in their lanes to keep him in the pocket. Cornerback Mario Butler said they have to realize that they must cover until the whistle.

Also, the Jackets admittedly haven't been particularly effective at pressuring or containing two of the three quarterbacks they have faced this season.They have five sacks in three games, but there have been many instances of opposing quarterbacks having more time than intended to throw or breakdowns in discipline allowing them to move around and create more time.

Lastly, Wilson doesn't have a go-to target that Tech can attempt to minimize. Wilson has completed 61 passes this season to 14 different receivers. Four receivers have more than 100 yards. Groh said because Wilson plays in a sophisticated offense, he gets a lot of throws in practice. They have enabled him to recognize coverages well before the snap, and he knows what to do after the snap. Use a zone against him, and he knows where the weak spot is. Use man-to-man, and it's easier for him to run because most of the defenders will have their backs turned.

"He presents a lot of problems," Groh said.

Tech won't plan to stop Wilson, but will plan to stop N.C. State's scheme. Johnson said he has never tried to minimize specific players because to try to do so exposes something else.

Tech has this working in its favor: Wilson isn't very successful on the road. He's 3-7 as a starter away from Raleigh, and two of those wins came in cities a short drive away: Chapel Hill and Durham, with both victories occurring two seasons ago. Wilson said part of the Wolfpack's troubles on the road the previous two seasons was because of their inexperience. But he said that this team, which features a lot of veterans on the defense's front seven as well as at wide receiver, is past that.

"You can't worry about it, 100 yards is 100 yards," Wilson said. "You've got to concentrate on playing on play at a time and take advantage of every opportunity you get."