A Beantown Beatdown For Georgia Tech

Boston College Jumps Out Early, Dominates Visiting Yellow Jackets 48-27

Geoff Collins’ Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets came to Boston on Saturday determined to improve on their performance from the preceding weekend’s historically bad loss to Clemson. In the aftermath of that Clemson debacle, Collins cited his team’s areas of progress and he pointed to the earlier win over Louisville as an example of his program’s positive big-picture direction.

But the Boston College Golden Eagles did not get that memo. Again on Saturday, Tech fell behind early, owing to a series of big mistakes at particularly bad moments. The deficit snowball grew to 24-0 before the Jackets finally dented the scoreboard on a 2nd quarter 32-yard pass from QB Jeff Sims to WR Ahmarean Brown. Tech trailed at the half, as they have in every game this season, this time by a demoralizing 34-14 count. BC scored early in the 3rd period to take it to 41-14 and Tech could make up no meaningful ground in the 2nd half, trading scores from there with Coach Jeff Hafley’s Golden Eagles to account for the final 19-point margin. The game summary includes 3 Tech turnovers along with 10 penalties. But the game’s unpleasant evolution felt more incremental than those factors sound. The Jackets had some chances early, but their first drive ended unsuccessfully….. and somewhat strangely, on a failed fake-punt pass attempt from Pressley Harvin to Josh Blancato–from BC’s 29-yard line. Early in the 2nd quarter, Jahmyr Gibbs had a Tech TD on a kickoff return called back on a penalty. Moments after that negated score, Tech’s offense turned the ball over on a disputed fumble– one that the Eagles returned for a 32-yard score. In fact, in one brief first-half segment, 2 fumble calls underwent review. Both reviews fell in BC’s favor, one denying Tech a fumble recovery, and the other allowing the Eagles’ recovery TD to stand. Taken together, these moments, and others similar, ultimately spelled defeat for Tech.

Coming in, Tech figured to focus on the Eagles’ potent passing game and especially TE Hunter Long. The Yellow Jackets were less worried about BC’s underperforming running attack, which had not had produced a game team total over 100 yards rushing on the season. This day, however, the Eagles’ run game came alive, to the tune of 264 yards on 44 attempts, a robust 6.0 average. Much of that came from Jurkovec himself, who gained 94 yards on just 7 carries, including a few gallops up the middle at key moments. “One thing you don’t realize… is how big he is in person– and he runs through arm tackles very well..” lamented Tech linebacker David Curry post-game. The Eagles’ vaunted passing game, meanwhile, took a back seat in this game, with Jurkovec efficiently going 13 of 21 for 145 yards and 2 scores, and notably, no interceptions.

Tech’s offense was only sporadically successful, as evidenced by a hard-to-believe 2 of 12 conversion rate on 3rd down opportunities.The heretofore solid Tech running game was far less productive against Boston College, despite the return of Tech RB Jordan Mason for the first time since the season opener against FSU. The Jackets earned only 3.2 yards per rush, and RB Jahmyr Gibbs was held in check with only 8 carries for 9 net yards. Tech coaches had planned to get Ahmarean Brown more involved and they succeeded. He grabbed 4 catches for 75 yards and a score and he had a single rushing attempt for a 2-yard touchdown in the game’s waning minutes. Otherwise, the biggest news from Tech’s offense was that sophomore QB James Graham was inserted for freshman starter Jeff Sims for the game’s last quarter. Tech coaches said Sims was not hurt but he did take a couple of big hits prior to throwing the game’s only interception. Graham completed 6 of 13 passes for 85 yards in his stint.

And, as has been the case in 2020, the Yelliw Jackets’ special teams were not consistently special. PK Gavin Stewart missed the final PAT (though it was not blocked this time). There was that early failed fake punt– noteworthy in that it came from BC’s 29 yard line, a spot where many teams would be going for a field goal. The intended receiver for Tech, WR Josh Blancato, was well-covered by 3 Eagles, suggesting that Hafley and crew were ready for some trickery. A bit later, a failed onside kick came after Tech’s first score. Collins said later he was trying to steal a possession for his Jackets. BC’s recovery gave their offense help they didn’t need– a prime spot from which to start their next drive. On the plus side for special teams, Tech punter Pressley Harvin had another good day, his 0-1 passing performance notwithstanding. And, Tech did recover another onside kick late in the game.

Georgia Tech faces a daunting task next week back home, when #4 Notre Dame comes to visit. The Irish are looking to impress the pollsters and will take the field as prohibitive favorites. One of Coach Brian Kelly’s team’s strengths is a big, experienced offensive line. The Jackets will again be looking to eliminate turnovers and minimize penalties so as to give themselves a chance to compete.

Notre Dame struggled 2 weeks ago to edge Louisville by a 12-7 score. That’s the same Cardinal squad that Tech beat just 3 weeks ago. (though it somehow seems longer ago than that). So, by the transitive law of college football supremacy, Tech should be good against Notre Dame, right? If only.

Kickoff is at 3:30 pm.

Patrick Conarro

RamblinSports