Tennessee Tops Tech
Well..... Saturday night showed a Tech team that played somewhat less poorly than their first effort 10 days earlier. That is a light form of progress.
The result was the same--a loss--this one by a 45-24 count to the boys from east Tennessee. Tech fans left the stadium with continued puzzlement about their favorite team , and with the strains of "Rocky Top " still ringing in their ears.
The Volunteers from University of Tennessee pounced on a Georgia Tech team– one that is still learning itself– for a three-touchdown margin win in a game that mostly didn't feel that close. Maybe it was the ease with which Tennessee scored on its first possession–taking just three plays from scrimmage– after Tech went three and out on their first possession.
Down 7-0 less than three minutes into the game, the Yellow Jackets found themselves exactly where they didn't want to be– looking up at a talented foe, one that seemingly brought about half of the sold out crowd to Bobby Dodd Stadium Saturday night.
And yet, only moments later, Tech was up 10-7 , on the strength of an Aidan Birr field goal and a special teams touchdown on a blocked punt and return. For a brief moment, it looked like Tech was up to the battle, and that hopes of an upset built on the very principles that Bibby Dodd espoused over his career– excellence in kicking, anopportunistic offense and a sound defense – would pave the way to a win.
But the good times did not last long for Tech . The Vols tallied 17 points in the second quarter to assume control of the contest. The two teams traded touchdowns in the third stanza and then Tennessee pulled away for the final margin of 45-24.
Compared to their game one loss to Colorado, Tech looked better in several areas, albeit only sporadically so.
Again the Yellow Jackets failed to stop their opponent's run game– the Vols garnered 299 yards on 45 carries, a 6.4 yards per carry average that produced three touchdowns. You will not win many games if you give up 6- plus yards per carry.
The Tennessee QB , freshman Faison Brandon , played competently if not spectacularly. He completed 10 of 21 passes, good for two scores. He ran only rarely, but effectively, and he threw no interceptions.
His counterpart, Tech's Alberto Mendoza, had a less friendly stat line. Mendoza completed 26 of 40, for one score. He also tossed two picks, one of which was returned for a Tennessee touchdown. All in all, Mendoza did fairly well,
Tech's run game, meanwhile, was a bit more productive than a week earlier, led by Justice Haynes , who had 14 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown.
Again Brent Key's charges looked weak where they were thought to strong – running the ball and stopping the run. As a result, Tech's offense became quickly dependent on the passing skills of Alberto Mendoza. He acquitted himself fairly well, though those two interceptions were quite costly.
Granted, Tennessee is a quality opponent. But Georgia Tech had planned– out loud– to run the ball primarily, so as to " wear down" the opposition defense. Obviously, that strategy will not hold when you are looking up at a growing deficit.
Tech also had some significant injuries to deal with during the game. Jalen Mbakwe and Jordan Walker collided while making a tackle. Mbakwe hit his head on Walker's knee. Their status going forward is unclear.
Tech lost the turnover count again, giving up two, while collecting none. ( The blocked punt that Tech scored with is not technically counted as a turnover).
The Yellow Jackets now start the season with an 0-2 record. This is not what they expected. Nor did the fan base. For Brent Key and staff, there is much to be done to bring their teams performance up to meet those lofty preseason expectations.
Tech next hosts Mercer to finish up the pre- ACC schedule. The Bears are 1-1 on the young season. Following Mercer on the schedule for the Jackets are eight games vs ACC opponents, followed by UGA to finish up.
Patrick Conarro
RamblinSports.com