Middle Tennessee State quarterback Dwight Dasher may be small, but he makes up for it with confidence.
Georgia Tech will host the Blue Raiders in a 3:30 p.m. game at Bobby Dodd Stadium on Saturday and Dasher, a native of Folkston, hopes to put on a show for as many as 40 family members who will be in attendance.
Dasher wasn't recruited as a quarterback by schools in the state. He said it was because of his height (he's listed at 5-10). Perhaps they wish they had.
After a stellar high school career in which he led Charlton County to three consecutive state titles, he led MTSU to a 10-3 record last season in which he passed for more than 2,000 yards and rushed for more than a 1,000. He has passed for more than 4,200 yards and rushed for more than 1,900 in his career.
"No one gave me a chance coming out of college as a quarterback," Dasher said. "I put myself down as better than most of the quarterbacks out there."
A few Tech players are very familiar with Dasher. Joshua Nesbitt's Greene County team was beaten by Dasher's team in the 2005 state semifinals. Scott Blair's Calhoun team was beaten a game later for the championship.
"34-33," Nesbitt answered when asked what he remembers about his Greene County team losing to Charlton in the 2005 state semifinals on a missed extra point.
Nesbitt remembered one play in which Dasher got to the edge, put a good move on a cornerback, and took off down the sideline for a touchdown.
Nesbitt played quarterback on offense and safety on defense. He said Dasher didn't break any of his tackles, but he was smiling when he said that.
"He's shifty," Nesbitt said.
That speed is what scares Tech coach Paul Johnson most. He described Dasher as "Russell Wilson scrambling on steroids" earlier this week, referring to N.C. State's mobile quarterback.
Tech fans remember what Wilson did earlier this season in the Wolfpack's 45-28 win. Though Wilson rushed for just 16 yards and a touchdown, he used his mobility to keep plays alive.
Dasher has the same ability, but he's that much faster.
"If I feel like I can do something by running, I'll pull it down and run," Dasher said. "It's about managing the game and making the right decisions."
Tech defensive coordinator Al Groh said they will try and use the experience gained against Wilson and by sticking to their fundamentals to try and keep Dasher in the pocket. Some teams try to use a spy such as a middle linebacker, whose only job is to mirror's Dasher's movement. Of course doing so will open up holes in the defense.
Dasher said Clemson used a couple of players in their game last year to hold him to 61 yards rushing and 204 yards passing in the Tigers' 37-14 win.
"I don't know what kind of defense it was," he said.
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said his front seven played very well, and the offense was able to hit the Blue Raiders for several big plays, which kept Dasher off the field.
"He runs well, he throws well from in the pocket and there's no diminishing of his ability to throw while on the run," Groh said. "You just got to do whatever you can to stay disciplined and keep him from escaping."
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