GT Outscores UNC

Hard to complain about the offense in Tech’s 68-50 win over North Carolina, the highest-scoring game in ACC history.

As usual, Tech passed on the first play of the game. As usual, this took the defense completely by surprise. Every week this amazes me. Tevin Washington’s first pass might’ve been a touchdown, but he threw it behind the receiver. This did not surprise me. Neither did Orwin Smith’s coming out of the game after the first play. While this could be by design, it seems implausible that the all-time ACC yards per carry leader would be a such a spot player.

After Tevin’s first two possessions resulted in a touchdown and a punt, Vad Lee quarterbacked the rest of the way. He played well, though right now he is more of an unpolished Tajh Boyd-type than the more well-rounded Cam Newton-type he has the potential to become. While Washington has run Paul Johnson’s option offense better than Nesbitt, Johnson can open up the offense even more to exploit Lee’s abilities. For some reason Tech is one of the few teams in the country to make their right-handed quarterback drop back to pass to the left. Then the QB has to take the time to turn completely around before he can pass. By then the pass rush is closing in. if the primary receiver is covered, there’s no time to look for other options.

UNC’s defense was clearly befuddled by Tech’s ability to run and pass. The Tar Heels contributed greatly to their own demise, losing several fumbles, throwing an interception to a defensive lineman, and botching a fake punt.

Running Back Rundown: David Sims stretched out for an impressive touchdown. Synjyn Days returned to his fumbling ways. Every game I grow fonder of running back Robert Godhigh, the former walk-on turned touchdown machine. He scored three times against UNC, on a short run, a longer run, and a leaping catch. He also is a tenacious blocker. After being tackled he pops up and returns to the huddle, unlike Orwin Smith, who seems to take himself out of the game after every play. Smith seems soft. All skinny sophomore fullback Zack Laskey does is gain yards. Johnson seems to want to play the more highly-touted Sims or Days, but Laskey remains the most productive. BJ Bostic and Tony Zenon add speed to the group.

Jamal Golden returned another kickoff the length of the field for his second touchdown of the season. Every time he touches the ball I’m afraid he’s going to slip. When he breaks out into the clear, Golden runs too closely to the sidelines. Once they reviewed the play to make sure he didn’t step out of bounds. Jamal must be hanging around fellow returner Orwin Smith too much.

Tech appears to have found a kicker. Redshirt senior Chris Tanner had a perfect game. His kickoffs were shorter than Justin Moore, who may be out hurt.

The Jackets extended their perfect record while wearing gold helmets to 3-0. We shall see how this influences their Saturday helmet choice.

With a slim chance for Tech to earn a spot in the ACC Championship Game on the line, the Jackets can’t afford to stumble against a decent Duke team. I don’t mind having Tevin start his last home game, but hopefully Lee will again get extended playing time. The 68 point outburst emboldened some Tech fans to predict victory over #5 Georgia, who “hasn’t proven anything” this year while winning the SEC East. How quickly they forget the 50 points the Jackets’ defense gave up in Chapel Hill. And UNC is no UGA.

CLEMSON: Every week the Tigers get out to a big lead, and leave starting quarterback Tajh Boyd in the game to risk the injury fates. There is a fine line between pulling him too early, because the outcome of the game has to be decided. Saturday Clemson led 38-7 with seven minutes remaining in the third quarter, against Maryland’s freshman linebacker turned QB. Tajh Boyd was still in the game…throwing bombs. Boyd finally came out at the very end of the third quarter.

Maryland’s play of the game: Clemson attempted a 54 yard field goal. The punter, having nailed a 60 yarder earlier in the season, seemed to go too easy on this try, and the kick was way short. Maryland alertly fielded the kick and ran it out of the end zone, returning it 80 yards.  

For years Clemson has rolled over lesser opponents, then failed to show up against decent opponents like FSU. Next week’s game against South Carolina will determine if this trend continues.