Georgia Tech Hangs In.... And Hangs On, For Another Narrow Victory
Brent's boys did it again last Saturday. They took a game in which they were heavily favored and played in such a fashion so as to allow only a very narrow positive path– and then followed that path to a dramatic win. To Key, the operative word was "win".
"Always good to get a win", said Tech's head man in his post-game remarks. The words came without pride or passion. And it's difficult to argue with his assertion, but he followed it up with the word "disappointed ". That term made broad reference to the fact that two weeks of tough prep didn't show two weeks worth of commensurate improvement. Areas of concern that his team had addressed following the loss to NC State on November 1st remain concerning- maybe even amplified. Because there's a nagging feeling that Tech's defense has been figured out.
Georgia Tech is 9-1. Nary a Tech fan would have turned down that sparkling record if offered same during last summer's grueling practices. But there's a pervasive feeling now that the Jackets could and should do better , especially against opponents with a far less impressive record.
Specifically, the Yellow Jacket defense has become chronically leaky. Problem areas noted include ineffective pass rush, inconsistent tackling and spotty pass coverage. Each of those elements was on display again in Chestnut Hill , Massachusetts, home to the Boston College Eagles.
Boston College won its opener against Fordham back in August. Since then, the Eagles had dropped nine straight, several by huge margins. And thus it was that Tech came in with their one loss as a 16 point favorite.
Key has said more than once that he gives no thought to pre- game odds. It would seem that the same is true of his charges, without regard to whether they are favorites or underdogs.
Several stats bear that out. Tech gave up 537 yards of offense to a BC team that had encountered weekly struggles. Dylan Lonergan, from Brookwood in Gwinnett, via Alabama, had a hyper-productive night, going 26 of 34 for 362 yards and two scores. BC added 175 yards rushing, good in aggregate for 8.1 yards per play. Per play!
And the Groundhog Day sensation vis- a-vis the NC State loss is inescapable. During the bye week, Key had cited the upcoming return of several injured players, the chance to work some younger players in for more reps, and renewed emphasis on tackling basics as grounds for improved defensive play.
Instead, the performance by the Yellow Jacket defenders looked a lot like two weeks ago vs NC State. If you squinted a little, and added 20 degrees to the gametime temperature, it could've been Carter- Finley stadium. All , of course, with one big difference. This time around , Tech eked out the W.
The game started in an ominous fashion as once again, Georgia Tech lost the toss- they've won only one toss all year. (Those are low odds.)
The Jackets garnered a couple first downs before a sack and a pre- snap penalty forced a punt. BC could not take advantage of a long pass play and punted back.
This time, Georgia Tech went on a 79 -yard drive, with Malachi Hosley scoring on a 27 -yard run.
Boston College responded with a 5-minute drive of their own– highlighted by a one yard run by RB Turbo Richard to tie it up at 7-7 early second quarter.
GT quickly scored again, with Haynes King hitting WR Malik Rutherford in the left flat, igniting a 71 -yard touchdown play.
On what was initially thought to be the last possession of the half, Tech went three and out after a 2 minute warning at mid field. Tech punter Marshall Nichols' punt pinned BC at their 6.
But they proceeded to drive 94 yards in a bit over a minute to score on a 3 yard pass from Lonergan to WR Chudzinski to tie it up again at 14-14.
With just under a minute left, Tech drove it down to the BC 30 but Birr hit a 49 yd field goal a bit short at the buzzer, leaving it tied at the half.
Whatever defensive changes Tech reviewed at halftime seemed to matter little in the second half.
The Eagles scored in under three minutes to open the second half to take a 21-14 lead. And following a 34 -yard field goal by Aidan Birr, BC did it again, even more quickly. QB Lonergan hit WR Harris to make it 28-17. Their "drive" lasted 1:19.
And so the Yellow Jackets entered the final stanza trailing by 11 points. Another Birr field goal narrowed the count to 28-20, and when Jamal Haynes finished another possession with a 2- yard touchdown, Tech was within two. King failed on the attempted two -point conversion, but that score didn't last.
Tech struck again moments later when freshman WR Jordan Allen sprinted 54 yards on an end- around. The Jackets led by 5, but yet again, the Eagles responded. .
Another long run- 43 yards to be precise– by Turbo Richard, scored 6 more for the hosts, giving them a one point lead. A two- point try failed, leaving the deficit at one point and setting the stage for the most recent episode of late- game heroics by King and company.
Tech's QB took his team the length of the field where Birr hit a 23- yard field goal to give Tech the lead.
Of course, with 12 seconds left to play, the Jackets had to kick off. They then yielded a short gain plus a five yard pre- snap penalty. That put Lonergan in prime position for a desperation pass to the endzone. His throw was batted down inside the Tech five, and the game was complete.
Much like the game at NC State, tbe Jackets offense was highly productive, gaining 628 yards and scoring those 36 points in the win.
King was 26 of 34 ( with a couple egregious drops) for 371 yards and a score. Tech had two receivers go over 100 yards ( Rivers , with 7 catches for 119 and Rutherford , who snagged 5 for 121).
The defense again struggled, giving up those 537 total yards to a BC offense that has not been prolific.
Brent Key and his staff will be searching high and low for the answers, prior to next week's home finale vs Pittsburgh. Much is riding on that game, which will likely turn on the ability of the Jackets' defense to step up their game.
Patrick Conarro RamblinSports