For the first time this season, Georgia Tech defensive coordinator Ted Roof spent the game upstairs in the coaches box, while offensive line coach Mike Sewak moved down from the box to the field.
Sewak came down at the request of coach Paul Johnson, as he wanted Sewak to be with his injury-depleted line. Roof asked Johnson if he minded him going up to the box, Johnson said.
“When I was the coordinator, that’s where I always went,” Johnson said. “You get away from everybody, it’s quieter, you don’t have to ask people to move.”
Roof used linebackers coach Andy McCollum to communicate with the defense when the offense was on the field. It wasn’t a big deal for players.
“I didn’t know they were going to do that, so whatever works for them is fine,” defensive end Jeremiah Attaochu said.
Milton block: Special-teams ace Chris Milton did his thing again, blocking a Riley Dixon punt in the first quarter to give Tech the ball at the Syracuse 24-yard line. The block was his third of the season, a team high. Before Saturday, no player on another FBS team had more than two. Johnson called the play "huge" for the Yellow Jackets, who took advantage of the field position to score the game's opening touchdown.
“I was just hoping I was going to be free,” Milton said. “I heard on the first one that one of the (Syracuse) dudes said they were going to block me. I was thinking we might not get it. Then we came back, and it was there.”
Kicker Harrison Butker had three touchbacks on seven kickoffs. Punter Sean Poole averaged 44.7 yards on three punts, but the unit netted 30.0 yards because of a 43-yard return, the longest the Jackets have allowed this season. Tech also permitted a 49-yard kickoff return, also the longest of the season against the Jackets.
Thomas shines: Georgia Tech backup quarterback Justin Thomas received his most extensive playing time of the season and didn't disappoint.
Subbing for starter Vad Lee in the first half for one series and then directing three more in the second half when the game was well in hand, Thomas ended with a game-high 95 rushing yards on 10 carries, with one mesmerizing score.
On a triple-option play, Thomas kept the ball and shot around the right end for a 50-yard touchdown run in which he used his speed to pull away from the Syracuse defense.
“He’s quick,” Johnson said. “When he accelerates and comes off, you can see his quickness.”
Wild pitch: As baseball parlance goes, Tech wide receiver DeAndre Smelter, also a pitcher on the baseball team, threw one he would have liked back. On the Jackets' opening possession, Smelter got the ball on a reverse and had open field in front of him, but threw a poor pass to wide receiver Darren Waller that was intercepted. Smelter had two options on the play, either throw to Waller or to A-back Robert Godhigh, who apparently was open toward the middle of the field.
Smelter did not have any catches, but contributed four punt returns for 46 yards, including a 23-yarder.
Blanked: The shutout was Tech's second of the season, following the 70-0 defeat of Elon in the season opener. In fact, Syracuse did not make it into the Tech red zone. The last time the Jackets recorded two shutouts in a season was 1985, when the defense was led by an All-ACC linebacker named Ted Roof.
It was Tech’s first ACC shutout since 2008 (Duke) and the first time Syracuse had been shut out since 2007.
Inside the numbers: Tech's 56 points tied for fourth most in school history in an ACC game. The margin of victory was the second largest against an FBS opponent since 1961, behind only a 63-point win over Navy in 2001.
Quarterback Vad Lee finished 3-for-3 for 88 yards and one touchdown. His passing efficiency rating was 456.4.
Injury report: Syracuse defensive tackle John Raymon, who left the field on a stretcher with an apparent leg injury, was not hospitalized and returned home with his team. Syracuse coach Scott Shafer told reporters that Raymon suffered the injury when he was engaged in a block and then was undercut by a cut block.
Etc.: Tech coaches and staff wore camouflage-accented gear as part of Heroes' Day, when the athletic department honored military members and first responders. … Attendance was announced at 45,704, though it appeared smaller than that. … The newest members of Tech's sports Hall of Fame were presented at halftime — Shilo Ayalon (swimming), Kelly Campbell (football), Kele Eveland (volleyball), Andria King (track & field), Richard Lewis (baseball), Troy Matteson (golf) and Billy Williamson (football).
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