GT/UGA Game Notes

ABC rolls out backup announcers, as it’s not exactly a marquee game. But Sean McDonough is a pro, as is Holly Rowe. Georgia also fields a backup bulldog. Guess Snoopy’s brother Spike wasn’t available.

Tech’s defense often starts slow…but they need to stop them soon. Two clips by the UGA WR on that first long run.

One day Tech’s poor placekicking is going to lose the game. Hope it’s not tonight.

Nesbitt hurt…how bad? If Tech’s defense steps up, Jaybo can beat UGA. He’s getting a slow start, but let him get the cobwebs out. We need Josh next week.

First quarter ends…UGA 7, Tech 0.

Blair makes the straightaway 42 yarder. Often when he misses his first kick, he has a bad night. His made kick barely squeaked past the same right upright. He didn’t adjust much from his first kick…not a good thing.

Great tackle on the kickoff by number 38. Tech has some good special team players.

UGA fumble followed by a dropped pass. Tech’s Thomas also dropped a pass. Third GT player gets hurt. Tech isn’t stopping the UGA running game. Means that when Cox starts passing, the receivers will be wide open. Wonder what all the Tech fans who were bragging about the Orange Bowl are thinking now, with 12:45 left.

Whew…another dropped pass! Matthew Stafford on the sidelines, rockin a Detroit Tigers cap. Even the dropped and missed passes open up the running game. Run after run for the Dogs. With Nesbitt out, Tech can only win a low-scoring game. Like the Clemson loss earlier today, it says much about the competitive difference between the SEC and ACC. Much better to save Josh for next week than have him get hurt worse.

McDonough calls out the too-loud Tech PA system, a just statement. UGA kick a field goal to make the score 10-7. WSB pregame interviews the head coach’s wives…the first media exposure I’d seen for CPJ’s wife. Great blimp shots of downtown Atlanta.

Interception. I hate it when Tech throws on first down. Had it been incomplete, second & ten would’ve been tough for Jaybo. Looked like Cox moved too much to draw GT offsides. I’m sure the defense is getting tired. Cox misses another receiver, then makes a tougher throw for the touch. Coming just before the half, that hurts. 17-3 Georgia.

Nesbitt returns, and looks bad getting sacked. Returning to the field for the last play of the half, a UGA player gives Stafford a hearty slap. Don’t know what adjustments CPJ can make at halftime to turn this thing around.

Will CPJ protect Nesbitt in the second half? 76 yard pass and run…just what we needed! 17-10, just one minute into the second half. That’s what single coverage will do for you.
Make that 24-10, as Caleb King answers. Tech can’t win a high scoring game tonight. Tech defenders continue to over-pursue. Tech moves the ball, then goes for it on fourth and nine…first down! Another poor pitch by Josh, but Anthony Allen still gets the first down. Nesbitt for three. Offsides UGA. Dwyer TD makes it 24-17.

Is this Dwyer’s last game at Grant Field? UGA fumble. Tech just can’t stop UGA’s running backs. It’s got to be the scheme. UGA survives another fumble. Second & long? No problem, just run the ball. And running opens up the passing game…23 yard completion. Field goal makes it 27-17. To win the game. at some point Tech must make Georgia punt.

“Nice looking tackle” says announcer Millen about a clothes-line tackle. Tech penalty. UGA penalty looked worse than it was…Rennie Curran ran into Gamble and pushed him. Tech fumbles: the first nail in the coffin? Quarter ends, Georgia up 27-17.

Some Tech fans post surprised posts on Facebook. Given the injuries, and the superior SEC competition UGA faces, it shouldn’t be a shocker. So many GT fans thought this would be a cakewalk…and next week’s ACC Championship game as well. Clemson’s loss today will make them even more fired up next week. Is the ever-cocky CPJ above losing the Georgia game to get Tech sharp for the ACCCG? Surely not.

Another UGA field goal: 30-17. Good return for Tech. I hate reverses, but Stephen Hill is fearless. After two first downs, a holding penalty on Tech. With 10:15 to go, a field goal won’t help much. As I type this, the announcers agree with me. Completion for another first. Clock ticks. Interference, but was the pass catchable? Didn’t look like it…a break for Tech. Nesbitt sneak for the touch: 30-24.

Can the Tech D come up with a stop? Clip by the UGA fullback. Face mask by the tight end…both no calls. Caleb breaks loose again…second nail in the coffin, with four minutes left. Millen is a terrible announcer, saying the UGA kicker is good because he wears a linebacker number.

Then Blair Walsh misses wide left. Could loom large for Tech…but they have zero margin for error, with the clock under three minutes. Fumble on third and short, and this is the game…fourth and one with 1:53 left. Roddy Jones gets eight, and stops the clock…1:49 left.

I was thinking a quick score would be good, but I hate the first down pass. Three open receivers, but Nesbitt misses them. Fourth and long, and Thomas drops the ball. No way Tech can win throwing four straight passes…bad play-calling in my book.

Give Georgia credit. Having followed Tech all year, I'm not at all surprised at the outcome.