Georgia Tech defense outmanned vs. Miami
Georgia Tech’s offense totaled 409 yards Saturday against Miami, but scored only twice -- for 10 points. Yet even if the Yellow Jackets had converted all of their opportunities, they might still have found themselves in arrears.
That’s because for the second time in 2010, Tech gave up 500-plus yards as the Hurricanes totaled 507.
Defense was the biggest problem.
Here, we turn to Miami coach Randy Shannon for a succinct summary: “The offensive line did a great job. We had another week of rushing for 200 yards (277), and four different running backs scored touchdowns. They just controlled the game.”
Nine days after the Jackets played their most spirited, defensive game of the season in a loss at Virginia Tech, the home team regressed.
And got mashed. Miami’s size up front gave the Jackets problems, and it did not come as a shock. Asked if the Hurricanes were the most physical team Tech played, defensive coordinator Al Groh said, “Oh sure, clearly. We knew that coming in.”
Some teams can make up for physical deficiencies via scheme, execution and with playmakers, but the Jackets lacked in at least a couple of these categories, if not all three.
Three times Saturday, Tech successfully stopped Miami on third or fourth down, but committed a penalty each time to extend drives for Miami. Two were interference calls against cornerback Mario Butler, and on a fourth-and-4 on Miami’s second drive as the Hurricanes were trying to kick a field goal, defensive end Jason Peters jumped offside.
“What they did was just give us a hard count,” said defensive tackle T.J. Barnes. “Most of the times, teams kick when they say, ‘Hut!’”
When Tech rallied, the defense failed.
For example, after the Jackets pulled to within 14-10 early in the third quarter, Miami wide receiver Leonard Hankerson went the distance on the next play from scrimmage. His 79-yard touchdown catch and run was the longest allowed from scrimmage by Tech in more than five years.
Coach Paul Johnson called it, “a bust,” and a theme. “That’s been the tale of our season,” he said.
Getting to the greater theme, Miami drove 88 yards on each of its first two possessions to score touchdowns for a 14-0 lead, and on the first, Miami rushed 10 times for 80 yards. Here, we get back to the central issue: mismatches and mashing.
“We’re not going to get any taller in a week’s time. We’re not going to get any heavier,” Groh said. “They are who they are. We are who we are, and to deal with that there’s a way that we have to play. One, we have to play a clean game. We can’t add or magnify their skills.”
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