As it expected to do, Georgia Tech had plenty of touches for its A-backs in the run game. Miami has defended the Yellow Jackets in such a way that has left the A-backs opportunities to make plays on the perimeter. Last year, for example, the A-backs, ran 22 times for 164 yards, the most carries they had in any game last season. By way of comparison, Tech’s A-backs had four carries in the win over Virginia Tech.
Through the third quarter, the A-backs had more 14 of the Jackets’ 48 carries. A-back Charles Perkins, back in the lineup after missing the Virginia Tech game with a leg injury, made vital contributions with both his blocking and running. On the 75-yard touchdown drive to open the third quarter, Perkins contributed a 25-yard run off an option pitch – the longest run of the night to that point – to pick up a third-and-4, with fellow A-back Deon Hill making a critical block. On the scoring play later in the drive, a two-yard run by A-back B.J. Bostic on third-and-goal, Perkins cleared the way by blocking cornerback Ladarius Gunter off his feet.
In the second quarter, A-back Tony Zenon scored the second touchdown of the game on an option pitch from quarterback Justin Thomas, scoring on second-and-goal from the Miami 6-yard line with help from a perimeter block by Hill.
Hill scored Tech’s fourth touchdown with 11:31 to go in the fourth quarter, scoring on what appeared to be a triple-option play that Miami misplayed, leaving Hill free for an eight-yard run on a 4th-and-2 play.
