Paul Johnson: Ball security ‘not rocket science’

“It’s always the guy you don’t see,” Searcy said.

The Jackets’ six fumbles in three games are actually a little lower than Tech’s rate in most seasons in Johnson’s 11-season tenure. It has been above two fumbles per game in nine of his first 10 seasons. (The one exception: The 2014 Orange Bowl season)

However, the fumbles this season largely seem as though they could have been avoided. Searcy’s fourth-quarter fumble against South Florida was particularly costly, as it prevented Tech from going ahead by 10 points and then gave the Bulls the chance to drive for the go-ahead score. It recalled the lost fumble by A-back J.J. Green in the waning minutes of last season’s opener, the double-overtime loss to Tennessee.

“Starting back to last year, it’s happened far too frequently, when you have a chance to put the game away and seal it,” said Johnson, before turning his attention to the Tech defense. “Now, having said that, we fumble the ball on the 11-yard line, you also don’t have to let them go 89 yards and score with six minutes left in the game.”

In last year’s 24-10 loss to Clemson, the first big play of the game was a Tech fumble. On the fourth-play from scrimmage, B-back KirVonte Benson fumbled, giving Clemson the ball at the Tech 45-yard line. The Tigers were in the end zone two plays later, on their way to a third consecutive win over the Jackets.

“It’s not the end of the world if you have to punt,” Johnson said.