Short takes on Tech's 38-21 win over Tulane

Advocate staff photo by ELIOT KAMENITZ-- Tulane Green Wave linebacker Eric Thomas (52) sack Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Justin Thomas (5) and causes a fumble in the first quarter recovered by the Green Wave as Tulane plays Georgia Tech in New Orleans, La. Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014. Justin Thomas accounts for first of Georgia Tech's three fumbles after being hit by Tulane's Eric Thomas. (Eliot Kamenitz, Baton Rouge Advocate )

By Jeff Schultz

Sept 6, 2014

Here are my three "Short Takes" on Georgia Tech's win. To read the full column on, click here.

1. FORTUITOUS SCHEDULING: So the good news was Georgia Tech fixed some of its offensive problems from Week 1, rushing for over 300 yards. But the Jackets are fortunate the first two games this season have come against Wofford and Tulane. They played poor first halves in each game (leading Wofford only 10-9 and Tulane 24-21 after trailing three times by a touchdown). They were fortunate to be leading the Green Wave after two quarters despite fumbling twice on their first three possessions. It's a positive that Tech came back in both games but better opponents would've buried the Jackets early. This wasn't a classic. Each team had three turnovers. Tech blocked a Tulane punt. The Jackets have one more "warm-up" next week against Georgia Southern before opening the conference season at Virginia Tech on Sept. 20. They need it.

2. ZENON'S HOMECOMING: Tech running back Tony Zenon and his family relocated from New Orleans to Atlanta after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. It was a nice homecoming. With more than 40 family members in attendance, the senior rushed for two touchdowns and 62 yards. He also was charged with a fumble in the first quarter after not being able to handle a pitch from quarterback Justin Thomas. Zenon carried only once in the Wofford game. Coach Paul Johnson has been looking for a player to fill the spot vacated by Robert Godhigh, so this might have been Zenon's coming out party.

3. DEFENSE HAS HICCUPS: Tulane's early points were not all the result of Tech's generosity. Tulane had two 75-yard touchdown drives in the first half and too often moved the ball with ease, stopping itself only with three interceptions. Until the final few minutes, the teams were equal in yardage. The Jackets' defensive front could not mount a consistent pass rush on Tulane's quarterbacks and seemed to lose the battle against the Green Wave's offensive line. But give Tech credit for holding scoreless after falling behind 21-14 in the second quarter.

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Some recent ramblings (free links)

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-- AJC: Weekend Predictions (no lie): Dogs over Clemson

-- MyAJC: Richt, Georgia need another highlight