Georgia Tech has turned the page on its three non-conference games to start the season and now has a rival in its sights. The Yellow Jackets began preparations Monday for their first ACC game, Saturday against Virginia Tech.
“I’ve got pretty high expectations for this one,” right guard Shaquille Mason said. “I like the scheme that’s going in. It’s just up to us to execute it.”
Beyond the critical role that the game has played in determining the Coastal champion, Georgia Tech last defeated Virginia Tech in 2009. One senior class has gone through without a win over the Hokies, and a loss Saturday would make it two. It serves as no small motivation for Mason, a senior.
Mason has unpleasant memories from last year’s game, a 17-10 loss on a Thursday night at Bobby Dodd Stadium when Georgia Tech celebrated the 100th anniversary of Grant Field. Mason was called for three false starts as the Jackets were penalized six times for that infraction.
“It was just concentration, losing focus,” Mason said. “Just being so anxious. Just got to settle down. That’s all there is to it.”
After winning at Lane Stadium in 2006, Tech has not won since in three subsequent trips.
“It’s a place we haven’t had a lot of success at,” coach Paul Johnson said. “It’s a big challenge for us to play much better than we did Saturday (against Georgia Southern).”
Despite the four-game losing streak to the Hokies, the games have been close. Three of the four have been decided by seven points or fewer, one in overtime, and the fourth was also decided in the fourth quarter.
“It’s come down to fourth quarters, last drives, stuff like that,” Mason said. “I’m just looking forward to the opportunity to get that ‘W’ my senior year.”
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