Georgia Tech coaches stress to defense: ‘We have to put (opponents) away’
Saturday’s matchup between Georgia Tech and North Carolina will focus on the Yellow Jackets facing off against preseason Heisman Trophy contender Sam Howell and the Tar Heels offense.
The Tar Heels’ receiving corps consists of receivers Josh Downs, Antoine Green and Emery Simmons. Downs leads the team in receiving yards with 399 yards on 24 catches. He also leads the receivers with four touchdowns. Green is second behind Downs with 148 yards on six catches.
Jackets coach Geoff Collins is aware of the challenges the Tar Heels present, especially with their receivers.
“We’re well-versed in knowing who Josh Downs is,” Collins said. “I really loved him as a player out of high school. He is a dynamic playmaker, and we have to know where he is every single play.”
Collins and defensive coordinator Andrew Thacker have emphasized to the defense the importance of finishing games. They said they are close and think Saturday’s game against Clemson proved that.
“After the fourth-down stop against Clemson, the kids still had the same energy,” Thacker said. “At the end of the day, it’s about having the mentality to finish. (Safety) Juanyeh Thomas put forced a fumble, and we’re inches away from recovering the fumble and giving ourselves a chance to go into overtime.”
Thacker wants his defense to improve on getting the defense off the field in third-and-long situations. Late in the game, Clemson quarter D.J. Uiagalelei scrambled on third-and-16 to get the first down.
“We have to put them away,” Thacker said. “We have to put the players in a better situation on that call and getting him down. For us as a defense, smelling blood and finishing in those moments are what matters when we play North Carolina.”
