Tech produced its longest kickoff return of the season, a well-executed 79-yard runback by Tony Zenon down the right sideline to open the second half. It went for more yards than all of Tech's five kickoff returns combined last week against N.C. State (72 yards). The return, which went to the Maryland 17-yard line, set up a touchdown that made the score 21-3.
The swift Zenon was caught from behind by Maryland's Trenton Hughes. Zenon said that was the first time he can remember that happening to him.
"I was disappointed, but I'll get it next time," Zenon said.
Zenon returned kicks for the second consecutive game as coach Paul Johnson has tried to improve kickoff returns by changing up the lineup.
Given that Tech couldn't score again and had difficulty moving the ball after that possession, it was a crucial return. It's no given that the Yellow Jackets would have scored on a longer field.
At halftime, Tech had 13 first downs and 232 yards of offense in 43 plays (5.4 yards per play). In the second half, Tech gained eight first downs and gained 154 yards in 38 plays (4.1 yards per play). Johnson said the offense "put it on cruise control" in the second half.
"It was a penalty, it was a missed read, it was somebody turning somebody loose [on a missed block]," Johnson said. "It was just a fiasco."
Bad break
The game was halted several minutes in the fourth quarter for Maryland offensive lineman and captain Andrew Gonnella to be taken off the field in an ambulance. Gonnella sustained a knee injury that brought several medical personnel onto the field to attend to him. He was taken to Grady Hospital.
"I don't know anything more than that at this point," Maryland coach Randy Edsall said. "If he can't come back, he's going to be sorely missed."
Off day
Tech quarterback Tevin Washington ran a career-high 32 times for a team-high 120 yards and scored a pair of touchdowns. The volume of carries wasn't by design. Washington acknowledged that he made several wrong reads on option plays, keeping the ball when he should have either handed off to B-back David Sims or pitched to an A-back.
Washington said that Maryland defensive end David Mackall crossed him up on the triple option.
"He would come down playing on the B-back and make me pull it and sometimes he would bounce on me," Washington said. "He did a good job."
Nealy steps in
Given a starting opportunity, Tech linebacker Quayshawn Nealy took advantage. With inside linebacker Daniel Drummond on the sideline resting an injured leg, Nealy made five tackles, tied for third most on the team. He also had his first career interception, coming off quarterback Danny O'Brien.
"He stepped up," defensive end Izaan Cross said. "I don't feel like there was any drop-off."
True freshman Nick Menocal also made use of his playing time in the dime defensive package. He recorded his first career sack of O'Brien.
Too fast
Maryland quarterback C.J. Brown's 77-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter was the longest run against Tech since 2002. Brown made the run down the right sideline, vanishing from safety Rashaad Reid's angled pursuit.
Injury report
Johnson said he thought the team came out of the game without any injuries. He also said that he expected linebackers Jeremiah Attaochu and Brandon Watts, who sat out Saturday's game, to return next week for the Virginia game. Drummond may require more time.
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