It appears Georgia Tech’s issues with ball security have resurfaced after a one-year improvement.
“On my part, yes,” Tech quarterback Justin Thomas said after his lost fumble led to a touchdown in North Carolina’s 38-31 victory on Saturday. “You can’t turn the ball over and I take full (blame) for that.”
Thomas fumbled on the first play of a drive that began at North Carolina’s 36-yard line in the fourth quarter. Defensive and Junior Gnonkonde scooped up the fumble and ran 20 yards to the Tech 37-yard line, and North Carolina went ahead for good on the next play when quarterback Marquise Williams caught a TD pass on a trick play.
The Jackets fumbled a total of four times against North Carolina. They’ve now fumbled 14 times in five games this season, or once every 25.4 offensive snaps, and opponents have recovered five. Tech fumbled once every 50 offensive snaps last season (which also counts defensive and special teams fumbles).
Thomas had three fumbles during Tech’s 34-20 loss at Duke. The Blue Devils recovered the third miscue at Georgia Tech’s 39-yard line in the fourth quarter and went on to score their final touchdown.
Thomas fumbled twice during Tech’s 34-20 loss at Notre Dame. The Irish recovered one of his fumbles and returned it to Tech’s 18-yard line before kicking a field goal for a 16-7 lead in the second quarter.
Tech places a high premium on ball security because its quarterback and running backs handle it so often in the spread-option offense. During Tech’s first six seasons under coach Paul Johnson, from 2008 to 2013, the Jackets had the most fumbles in the country with 197 (32.8 per season).
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