football

Tech Tars the Heels, Awaits Miami

Patrick Conarro

Patrick Conarro

— 3 min read

Georgia Tech welcomed UNC to Bobby Dodd Field on Saturday, taking care of business against the Tar Heels. On a beautiful day in a beautiful setting, the Yellow Jackets thumped the visitors 33-7.

The game changed the recent course of this series in which UNC had won 3 straight, averaging 45 points per game. This year’s version of Carolina was young and somewhat undermanned. UNC limped into Atlanta with an 0-2 ACC record and with too many injuries to count. So the Yellow Jackets took care of the task at hand.

Coach Paul Johnson praised his defense on Saturday. He also dismissed any effectiveness of the pre-snap defensive line shifts employed throughout the game by UNC, stating..” If you couldn’t figure that out, you probably shouldn’t be in school at Georgia Tech.”

For the second week in a row, Tech used a stout defensive performance to establish early control. “Again this week our defense played well”, said Coach Paul Johnson.He was especially pleased with the pursuit and the open field tackling.

Tech allowed North Carolina no first downs and only 8 yards in the first quarter. Meanwhile, the Jackets’ offense was productive in spurts, yielding 10 first-half points in between several stalled possessions. The lone touchdown in the first half came on an 18-play 90 yard Tech drive that consumed almost 9 minutes and culminated in a 5 yard run by quarterback TaQuon Marshall. Another long drive stalled in the red zone, leading to 21 yard field goal by Shawn King. The Tar Heel’s scoring chances in the first half each ended with a missed field goal.

The focal point of the game came midway thru the 3rd quarter when Tech lost a fumble at their own 48, giving Carolina a chance to dent the 10-0 lead. But Tech’s AJ Gray picked off Chazz Surratt on the very next play. On the next snap, KirVonte Benson broke off right tackle and scored on a 63 yard run, boosting the Tech lead to 17 and changing the tone of the contest.

QB Matthew Jordan takes it around the left side for Tech’s final touchdown.

Tech scored again on their next possession on a 12 yard to pass from Marshall to Ricky Jeune to secure the outcome. North Carolina avoided the shutout with a short touchdown run by Jordan Brown late in the 4th quarter.

Tech safety AJ Gray had 2 interceptions and 4 tackles on the day.

Tech committed 2 turnovers, both fumbles. Neither yielded points for the visitors thanks to the Yellow Jacket defense. North Carolina converted only 2 of 12 3rd down plays, and Tech’s AJ Gray picked off 2 Tar Heel passes. The junior safety explained the he’s “..seeing the ball better” this year and feels more comfortable watching the opposing quarterback on pass defense. Surratt completed 18 30 for 141 yards, for Carolina. Brandon Harris made one throw for UNC, accounting for Gray’s 2nd interception.

Georgia Tech now has a bye week before heading to Coral Gables to take on Miami on Oct 14. Paul Johnson is looking forward to “getting some guys well” primarily on the offensive line where 3 players were sidelined today.

The Yellow Jackets are 2-0 in conference play, with the tough part of the schedule looming. With a third of their regular season complete, the Yellow Jackets sit at 3-1 and are growing more comfortable with their young quarterback and B-back, and with their maturing defense.

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