Georgia Tech’s defense suffered a major blow when officials ejected senior defensive tackle Adam Gotsis for targeting early in the second quarter of today’s game against North Carolina.
Gotsis was penalized after he hit Tar Heels quarterback Marquise Williams in the pocket as Williams attempted a pass that fell incomplete. Gotsis was ejected after a replay review, which is automatic for targeting penalties.
Gotsis, a third-year starter, was voted second-team All-ACC by coaches during the preseason. Entering the game Gotsis led Tech with four tackles for loss and two sacks and was tied for second with 16 total tackles.
The Jackets were already without junior defensive lineman Pat Gamble, who didn’t play because of a head injury.
“It’s a killer because we were already down one (lineman),” Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson said. “(Gotsis) is a team captain, one of our better players. It hurts.”
Without Gotsis, the Yellow Jackets were unable to generate much of a pass rush. They sacked Williams twice but the elusive senior got outside to make several plays.
Williams scampered touchdowns of seven and 27-yards and set up another TD with a 25-yard run to the Tech one-yard line.
“We are not a very good pass rushing team with four guys,” Johnson said. “Not only that but (Williams) broke contain.”
Johnson said game officials did not offer any details for why Gotsis was penalized for targeting. He appeared to initiate helmet-to-helmet contact with Williams as the quarterback delivered the pass.
Players are ejected for targeting when they initiate contact with the crown of the helmet or when they hit a defenseless player in the head or neck area with the helmet, fist, elbow or shoulder. Other indicators of targeting include a player launching into an opponent by leaving his feet and attacking the head or neck area with an upward and forward thrust, or crouching and then attacking with an upward and forward thrust in the same areas.
Gotsis is the first Tech player ejected from a game for targeting since safety Corey Griffin was disqualified from the Duke game last season.
“Gotsis is a big part of our defense so it was a big thing,” Tech safety Jamal Golden said. “But it’s all about the next man up.”
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