After the game, Tech coach Paul Johnson couldn’t find fault with much, but he did bring up the defense’s performance on third down. Elon converted six of 16 third downs — which is not bad, but “that’s still not what we’d shoot for,” Johnson said.
The Phoenix did have a bit of offensive success, particularly in the second quarter when the defensive starting unit was on the field, going from its 25-yard line to the Tech 10 with a pair of third-down conversions before quarterback Mike Quinn threw an interception to linebacker Tyler Marcordes that he returned 95 yards for a touchdown.
One of the biggest flaws of former coordinator Al Groh’s defense was inability to get off the field on third down. Tech also recorded only one sack on 35 pass attempts by Elon, although its quick-hitting passing game played a large factor.
Said Quinn, “I had nice protection throwing the ball. I’m the most happy I could be with the offensive line.”
“We did pretty good at times,” linebacker Brandon Watts said. “We’ve still got a long ways to go.”
All over the field: Tech's gang of A-backs gave plenty of contributions. Deon Hill, making his first career start, scored the game's opening touchdown. Dennis Andrews, playing his first college game, set up another touchdown with a 42-yard run after he was freed by a block from Robert Godhigh. Perkins finished that drive with a 3-yard run helped by another Godhigh block. B.J. Bostic extended a drive with a 10-yard reception on third down. Godhigh caught a 24-yard pass from quarterback Vad Lee for a score.
Johnson used a pretty deep rotation — along with Hill, Andrews, Godhigh, Bostic and Perkins, Tony Zenon and Synjyn Days also saw a lot of playing time.
“It was good for Charles (to score),” Johnson said. “He’s worked hard and had a lot of bad luck with injuries.”
Johnson explanation: With the score 56-0 and 5:45 left in the third quarter, Johnson raised some eyebrows by keeping the starting offense in the game and also throwing the ball. Johnson's explanation was that the offense hadn't had much time on the field — the Jackets had four offensive plays from scrimmage in the second quarter — and wanted to give the unit a chance to work on the passing game.
“As you can see with our pass protection, Lord knows we need it,” Johnson said. “I mean, we were turning guys loose on the edge left and right. So that was it. All told, I bet you when it’s said and done, the kid (Lee) didn’t play 30 plays.”
Not too far off — Lee was in for 42 plays. On that possession, Tech needed four plays to go 82 yards, with two passes accounting for 78 of them, to take a 63-0 lead. Lee was pulled after that.
“I’m happy how we were able to go downfield the whole distance with just throwing the ball,” Lee said. “That lets you know we can do some great things in the air as well as running the ball.”
Thomas jets: Playing his first game, backup quarterback Justin Thomas ran two series, one in the second quarter and another in the fourth. The first went 3-and-out. The second was a 99-yard touchdown drive in which he and backup B-backs Broderick Snoddy and Matt Connors accounted for nearly all of the yardage. Thomas, a state high school sprint champion in Alabama, shot the right sideline for a 44-yard touchdown.
He appeared to pull up as he neared the goal line as though he had tweaked his hamstring, and he didn’t play again. Johnson said he was fine.
Freshman debuts: Besides kicker Harrison Butker, linebacker Paul Davis was the only other member of the incoming class to see playing time. Davis played on multiple special-teams units and saw time backing up weakside linebacker Quayshawn Nealy. Wearing jersey No. 40 — previously worn with distinction by another undersized linebacker mostly overlooked by recruiters, Julian Burnett — Davis was credited with six tackles and one pass breakup.
“He’s got a nose for the ball,” Johnson said. “He’s going to get better the more he plays, too.”
On the call: Brandon Gaudin called his first game as the voice of the Jackets. Gaudin replaced Wes Durham, who left Tech after 18 seasons to do play-by-play for Fox Sports South. Durham called the Florida International-Maryland game Saturday. Gaudin's call of the first touchdown of the game:
“Two wide receivers to the right, empty to the left. The handoff, on a pitch, it’s out to the near side … cutting inside, heading for the end zone is No. 31 Deon Hill! And Georgia Tech is on the scoreboard!”
The record books: The 70-point margin of victory is Tech's largest in the modern era (since 1950). The previous high was a 70-7 win over Navy in 2001. … The Jackets tied a school record with the two interceptions returned for touchdowns. It had been done twice before, vs. Samford in 2006 and Tulane in 1966. … Marcordes' 95-yard return tied for the fifth longest in school history. … B-back David Sims became the fourth player under Johnson to score a rushing and receiving touchdown in a game.
Etc.: Elon received a $250,000 payout for playing Tech. … Elon's backup quarterback John Loughery, who played in the second half, is a cousin of Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. … New Tech athletic director Mike Bobinski is now 1-0.
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