Tech DE Morgan puts on defensive pressure

By CARROLL ROGERS

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

In the opener against Jacksonville State, defensive end Derrick Morgan saw a little something he hadn’t seen much of a year ago: triple-teams.

With Vance Walker, Darryl Richard, and Michael Johnson — all NFL draft picks — gone, offensive linemen feel a little freer to gang up on Morgan who might have been the best of last season’s front four.

“That’s expected, going into the season,” Morgan said. “When triple-teams come, I’m expecting other guys to step up and make plays.”

Despite the extra attention, Morgan made his presence known in Tech’s 37-17 win. He finished with five tackles, which was as many as tackles as Ben Anderson, Jason Peters, and end Robert Hall had combined. He also made two sacks. Hall shared a sack with linebacker Julian Burnett.

On the Gamecocks’ first play from scrimmage, Morgan and Sedric Griffin combined to tackle quarterback Marques Ivory for a loss on a rush attempt.

On the second play, Morgan nearly intercepted an Ivory pass that he would have walked in for a touchdown.

“I saw it was a screen,” Morgan said. “My first reaction was to try to get my hands up. Maybe next time I’ll get the I-N-T.”

He started a trend that saw the Yellow Jackets break up seven passes Saturday, including three from their defensive line, including one each from Peters and Stephen Powers.

But numbers don’t tell the real story when it comes to defensive pressure. Film does. So it’s hard for Tech coaches to know what to think just yet, especially given all the substituting they were doing as the game progressed.

“I think the first group was probably OK,” said Tech coach Paul Johnson, who pointed out the only touchdown the first-team defense allowed was on the double-pass trick play. “It’s really hard to tell until you watch the tape.”

They’ll learn more in the video room Sunday and Thursday night against Clemson.

“I don’t want to take anything away from Jacksonville State, but that’s not anything like the next 10 opponents we’ll play,” defensive coordinator Dave Wommack said.