Some New Names And Some Old Names In Tech's White And Gold Game
Team Swarm Whups Team Wreck'em In A Successful Finale For Spring 2024
What makes a successful Spring game for a college football program? First, no injuries. Second, good performances by established players. Third, eye-opening moments for some newbies. And finally, some good mesh with new coaches and their charges. Georgia Tech checked all those boxes on April 13, before a small but spirited crowd on a sun- splashed day at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Brent Key said his Jackets "over the course of the entire Spring made improvements as a football team".
Key seemed quite pleased with a good number of his players. There was a lighthearted tone to his post- scrimmage commentary that suggested Tech's head coach was more than satisfied with the outcome of this, his second Spring game.
Featured responses included his reply on relatively unknown but hyper- productive WR Chris Elko (" what a day he had!") and kicker Aaron Birr who hit a 62 yard field goal (" I've got a ton of confidence in that guy.")
For the record, Team Swarm won over Team Wreck'em 27-24. Considering all the mixing and matching of personnel, it was difficult to draw sweeping conclusions. Key himself spoke to that inherent conundrum regarding Spring games , saying , "Whenever something good happens on one side, you've got something to clean up on the other side."
In the grand scheme, Tech's biggest open question heading into 2024 is the defense. If there is significant improvement on D , the Jackets could be headed for a big year. New defensive coordinator Tyler Santucci hopes to tighten up by building depth and improving communication. But if the performance changes from a year ago are middling, Tech could be left again hoping for last minute bowl eligibility.
The offensive lineup is mostly settled as the team returns most of the talent responsible for the ACC's top- ranked rushing offense.That includes QB Haynes King and RB Jamal Haynes, each of whom averaged over six yards per carry in 2023. On the flip side, Tech's defense struggled against the run, giving up over 220 yards per game. Improvement in that area is quite difficult to assess in a spring game. But it will likely be the biggest single factor in the team's overall improvement in the coming season.
Regarding his offense, Key went out of his way to praise both Haynes King and backup QB Zach Pyron. Key said King has the best leadership skills that he's ever seen, " ..and I don't say that lightly" he added. As for Pyron, Key said " he did an outstanding job of leading that group today".
It is noteworthy that Brent Key has a good feel for the significance of all of his players, and not just the stars. Some of those back-ups and scout teamers may not see the field during a game this year- or maybe any year. When you consider that Key himself was a four- year starter at Tech and an all -ACC caliber team captain in his senior year, it would be easy to understand if his coaching mindset was largely on his first-teamers. Instead he makes a persistent point to recognize and praise the athletes who are not in the limelight. For Saturday's game, his staff had four walk- on players recognized as team captains and he made sure that every player on his roster saw action in the game. For some, he noted, they will remember it for the rest of their lives. Behind Key's occasionally gruff exterior there's a man who has a genuine and deep appreciation for all who contribute in any fashion to his favorite cause --successful Georgia Tech football.
In the end, though, Key makes no bones about the big responsibility that each of his players carries.
" I always say that football is the ultimate team game, but the players need to understand they have to improve individually first'', said Key in summarizing what lies ahead for his troops. They've got about three months to work on that individual part until the Yellow Jackets reconvene in late July.
Patrick Conarro
RamblinSports.com