Jackets Sting UNC Again

Tech’s Offensive Storm Overcomes Slow Start In A Memorable 46-42 Homecoming Night Win

Well , perhaps we all should have known that Georgia  Tech would upset UNC. After all, Tech did lose to Boston College one week earlier, and the pattern of alternating Wins and Losses has held fast now for the last 14 games, going back through the middle of last season. As a matter of fact, it was the dastardly Virginia Cavaliers who broke Brent Key’s nascent two game win streak last year in the third week of Key’s stint as interim head coach. And if form holds, Tech is in for a rough go in Charlottesville this week. But maybe form won’t hold. Sooner or later, these Jackets have to win two straight, right? How about now?

Coming off their scintillating 46-42 win over #17 UNC, the Jackets should be riding a wave of confidence– for the offense, anyway.  Saturday night at Bobby Dodd Stadium, Tech spotted Carolina a 14 point lead- twice– before joining the fray and then turning up production late to pull out the win. Much ballyhooed UNC QB Drake Maye looked the part of gunslinger pretty much all night, finishing 17 of 25 or 315 yards and 2 scores. He threw no picks, but late in the game, the Tar Heels did cough up a key fumble. UNC WR Tez Walker lost the ball after a vicious hit by Tech DB Ahmari Harvey. KJ Wallace recovered  for the Jackets. This turnover came just as UNC was moving briskly down the field with designs on retaking the lead after Tech had gone up 46-42 just a few minutes  earlier. Following that turnover, Tech QB Haynes King let his run game take over. Tech produced two first downs on the ground, exhausting Carolina’s timeouts in the process. And King was able to kneel on the final play to secure a thrilling upset win on a cool, high energy Homecoming night. Tech students  and fans stormed the field and all involved wallowed in the joy of the moment. It was the kind of scene that Georgia Tech leadership had in mind when they chose Brent Key to lead the football program. Now if they can just find some consistency.

To do that, Tech’s defense must improve. It simply must. Carolina had 577 total yeards, including 267 on the ground. Through much of the game, fans saw the same poor results that have become familiar– missed tackles, yawning gaps in the coverages and puny pressure on Maye when he dropped back to throw. In fact, on that very same 4th quarter play he hit Walker that became a game- changing fumble, Maye sat unhurried and surveyed his options for a good 4 or 5 seconds before letting fly. Granted, he us a special player. But any decent Power Five QB will look good if he can depend on being unbothered by a pass rush.

Georgia Tech won this game because OC Buster Faulkner and company found weaknesses in the Baby Blue defense and then exploited those weaknesses relentlessly.  One such weakness was conditioning.  Tech clearly claimed an advantage with an up-tempo pace and suddenly 4 or 5 yard runs went deep into the second level, and beyond. In the 4th quarter alone, Tech ran for 252 yards, featuring long plays by both King ( )52 yards) and Smith (70 yards).

That type of production is rare, and likely won’t be available next week or beyond. But the idea of finding your opponent’s weakness and then exploiting it is a good path to effective offensive foitball.

And what of #4, Dontae Smith. He returned from wherever he’s been and played with a vengeance. Key had been somewhat tight-lipped regarding Smith’s playing time recently, though he made it known that the senior RB was not injured. On this night, Smith ran with hard ambition, finishing with 178 yards on 22 carries, including that 70 yard scoring dash in the 4th quarter. He was circumspect in his post- game comments, thanking his O line and saying “All I had to do was run”.

Whatever the explanation, Smith’s huge contribution was most welcome, and vital to securing the win. Now might there be anyone on the defensive side who step up so dramatically in the weeks to come?

Georgia Tech travels next week to take on Vurginia who has shown improvement lately, including a win ladt week over these same Tar Heels. Tech needs to build on this success and create a win streak. Early indications are that Tech will be a slight underdog on the road. Whether coincidence or cause-and-effect, being a road dog has been a favorable situation for the Jackets under Brent Key. Perhaps this week will bring a modest win streak– which is a necessary first step toward a long win streak.

Patrick Conarro

RamblinSports.com