If you watch highlights of Georgia Tech’s most explosive runs in 2017, there may be a theme you notice … Ricky Jeune driving a defensive back down the field as his teammates get in the end zone.
It happened three times Saturday night when the Yellow Jackets came from behind for a 38-24 victory over Wake Forest at Bobby Dodd Stadium. On both of TaQuon Marshall’s long touchdown runs, Jeune, a senior wide receiver, blocked his matched-up cornerback 30 yards downfield as Marshall flew by him. He also helped seal a block on Qua Searcy’s touchdown.
“Yeah, I consider myself a good blocker,” Jeune said after the win. “I know once they see me in front, they know, ‘all right, I’m about to score a touchdown,’ so that’s good.”
Part of the challenge of blocking down the field as a wide receiver in Tech’s offense is knowing where the runner is behind you. In a home game for the Yellow Jackets -- especially in the loud environment at homecoming Saturday night, Jeune said it’s a lot easier.
“Definitely at home games when I hear the crowd yelling and stuff, I know (Marshall’s) behind me, and I’ve got to put some pressure on the cornerback,” he said.
Jeune added three catches for 44 yards and even contributed in the run game against the Demon Deacons. His 30-yard run on a reverse actually lowered his career average. His only other run went for 40 yards last season.