Georgia Tech vs. Virginia Football 2009
Streaking Yellow Jackets Aim for Rare Victory at Charlottesville
Georgia Tech aims for its fifth consecutive victory Saturday, Oct. 24, taking on Virginia in an Atlantic Coast Conference football game at Charlottesville.
Coach Paul Johnson’s Yellow Jackets (6-1 overall, 4-1 ACC) haven’t lost since dropping a 33-17 decision to No. 8 Miami on Sept. 19, and are No. 12 in the Bowl Championship Series standings. A 28-23 victory over then-No. 4 Virginia last weekend enabled the Ramblin’ Wreck to jump from No. 19 to No. 11 in the AP poll.
But the Yellow Jackets have dropped their last eight games in Charlottesville, and haven't won there since edging Virginia 41-38 in 1990. The Cavaliers have two straight and five of their last six games vs. Georgia Tech to gain a 16-14-1 series edge.
Plus, Al Groh’s Cavaliers (3-3, 2-0) have been playing some pretty good ball of their own. After an 0-3 start – which included an embarrassing 26-14 loss school William & Mary – Virginia has won three straight. Last week, the Cavs beat Maryland 20-9 in an ACC game.
Saturday’s game is scheduled for Noon EST, and will be telecast by Raycom. The winner will be in sole possession of first place in the ACC Coastal Division.
Powerful Runners Boost Georgia Tech
The Yellow Jackets have been ringing up 32.4 points and 417.1 yards per game behind its spread option offense. Georgia Tech’s rushing attack ranks second in the Football Bowl Subdivision with a per-game average of 281.6 yards.
Quarterback Josh Nesbitt has rushed for 625 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. The junior ran for 122 yards and three TDs vs. a tough Virginia Tech defense.
Jonathan Dwyer, known as the ‘B’ back in the Tech offense, has added 593 yards and five TDs while averaging six yards per attempt. Anthony Allen, the ‘A’ back, has rushed for 367 yards and three TDs with a dazzling 11.5 average.
Nesbitt has passed only 80 times this season, completing 38. But he’s averaging 23.4 yards per completion while throwing for 894 yards. All four of his TD passes have gone to Demaryius Thomas, who has 27 catches for 671 yards – a 24.9 average.
Morgan Stars for Georgia Tech Defense
It’s been an up-and-down campaign for the Georgia Tech defense, which is yielding 26 points and 377.9 yards per game while being hindered by injuries.
But the Ramblin’ Wreck features a standout defensive end in Derrick Morgan, who has recorded 10.5 tackles for loss. Morgan’s made 7.5 of his team’s 12 sacks.
Another force is rover Morgan Burnett, whose four interceptions are just one shy of the FBS lead. Burnett’s also third on the team with 37 tackles
Linebackers Brad Jefferson and Sedric Griffin pace the team in tackles with 44 and 42, respectively. Cornerback Jerrard Tarrant, also an explosive return man, has posted 35 tackles, and cornerback Mario Butler has two interceptions.
Virginia Offense Seeking Spark
The Virginia offense has been less than spectacular, averaging 24.2 points and 304.3 yards per game. The Cavaliers did have 536 yards in a 47-7 rout of Indiana, but had just 201 in their win over Maryland the following week.
Virginia is managing just 2.8 yards per rush, and has allowed an astronomical 24 sacks. But the Cavs have kept battling.
Mikell Simpson is the leading rusher with 247 yards and five TDs on 5.1 yards per carry. He sat out last week’s game with a neck injury, so fullback Rashawn Jackson stepped up and ran for 90 yards. Jackson’s rushed for199 yards in five games this year.
QB Jameel Sewell is completing 55.1 percent of his passes for 1,093 yards, with five TDs and five interceptions. And he's run for four touchdowns. But Sewell's been hampered by a bad ankle. So Marc Verica, who was a starter last season, could get the call.
Virginia’s top receiver is Kris Burd, who has 18 catches for 251 yards. Simpson is No. 2 on the receptions list, with 16 for 148 yards, and Jackson is next with 14 catches for 148 yards.
Collins Is Playmaker for Cavaliers Defense
The Virginia defense has allowed 18.7 points and 293.7 yards per game, and has been extremely strong during the recent win streak. The Cavs have given up just 19 points in their last three games.
One heavy contributor has been Nate Collins, a defensive lineman who’s come up with 31 tackles and three sacks. And the 6-foot-2, 290-pound Collins gave his team the lead for good vs. Maryland by returning an interception 32 yard for a touchdown.
Linebacker Steve Greer is the Cavs’ top tackler with 41, including five for losses. Another linebacker, Darren Childs, ranks second with 33 tackles, and safeties Corey Mosley and Rodney McLeod have 29 and 27, respectively.
Cornerback Chris Cook leads Virginia with two interceptions and three pass breakups.
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