Georgia Tech's secondary wasn't on its game last Thursday against Virginia Tech, and will have the opportunity to show better Saturday against Duke.
The Blue Devils do not seem to need much excuse to put the ball in the air. Their 44-56 run-pass ratio tilts the heaviest to pass of any team in the ACC.
"We haven't played very well," defensive coordinator Al Groh said of his secondary. "We've addressed those things. Once again, we have to prove that we've moved on."
Asked the nature of the problem, Groh replied, "Coverage. Too many big plays."
The Hokies threw just 13 times but completed seven passes for 209 yards and three touchdowns, including a 63-yard scoring pass at the end of the first half. It was the first time Tech hadn't produced an interception since playing Kansas in the third game of the season. No Tech opponent has matched Virginia Tech's game averages of 16.1 yards per pass and 29.9 yards per completion in more than 30 years.
Groh said that the secondary also had trouble getting shielded by the Virginia Tech receivers in the red zone. Groh said that players are coached to "undercut" receivers so they're in front of the target on any pass.
"We got outperformed in the area of getting the undercut," Groh said.
It didn't help the secondary that pass pressure against quarterback Logan Thomas was weak.
"Other than Jeremiah [Attaochu], nobody got close to [Thomas]," coach Paul Johnson said.
After further review
Asked if any players stood out for Tech after watching game video, Johnson named wide receiver Tyler Melton, who caught two passes for 55 yards. He said inside linebacker Julian Burnett, who had a team-high 13 tackles, "was productive, but he usually is."
Of center Jay Finch, who played after sitting out the Clemson game with a lower-leg injury, "It wasn't his best game."
Johnson said the number of "efforts" – demerits given for a player not giving full effort on a play – were in the 20s for the defense and about 19 for the offense, which was a little higher than normal.
Looking forward
After two primary team goals were dashed in the loss to Virginia Tech -- winning the ACC title and going undefeated at home -- the Jackets have had to adjust their sights. Burnett vowed that the team won't let the loss to the Hokies linger.
"There's only one way to prepare for each game, and that's like it's your last one," he said.
How Tech finishes could shape its bowl destination. Multiple projections have the Jackets playing in the Sun Bowl Dec. 31 in El Paso, Texas.
Said Burnett, "We can still win out, and that's what we plan on doing."
Georgia kickoff set
The kickoff for Georgia Tech's game against Georgia on Nov. 26 has been set for noon. The game will be televised either on ESPN or ABC. The Jackets will go the seven-game home schedule without a 3:30 p.m. start. All seven of the games have had noon, 12:30 p.m. or night kickoff times.
Etc.
Johnson said that he didn't think there were any injuries to players that will keep them out of the Duke game.
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