Vanderbilt vs. Georgia Tech Football 2009
Yellow Jackets Hope to Extend Streak, Commodores Want to End One
Oct 29, 2009
But the non-conference game at Nashville, Tenn., doesn’t look quite like a mismatch – at least not the type one would expect from a meeting between a 7-1 team and a 2-6 squad.
No. 18 Georgia Tech has won five consecutive games – including a 34-9 triumph at Virginia last weekend. That kept Paul Johnson’s team atop the Atlantic Coast Conference Coastal Division with a 5-1 record. The Yellow Jackets’ last setback was a 33-17 loss at No. 18 Miami.
Vanderbilt has lost four in a row, its last win being a 36-17 non-conference decision at Rice. Coach Bobby Johnson’s Commodores are in the cellar of the Southeastern Conference East Division with an 0-5 mark.
Still, Vanderbilt isn’t the average last-place patsy. The Commodores feature a stubborn defense, as well as a standout freshman runner in Warren Norman. Last week, they nearly upended No. 22 South Carolina, but fell 14-10.
The Yellow Jackets and Commodores will meet for the 37th time, although they haven’t played since 2003. Georgia Tech leads the series 18-15-3, and is 10-0-1 over the last 11 meetings.
Saturday’s game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST, and will be telecast by Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast.
Georgia Tech Playing Keep-Away
Georgia Tech leads the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in time of possession with an average of 34 minutes, 50 seconds. During their winning streak, the Yellow Jackets have held the ball for an average of 38:15.
It’s difficult to do that without an effective rushing attack, and the Yellow Jackets certainly have that, The Ramblin’ Wreck’s spread option attack is grinding out 291.6 rushing yards per game to rank second in the FBS.
Tech is averaging 420.9 yards of total offense per game, as well as 32.6 points. Quarterback Josh Nesbitt is accounting for large portion of the latter. He’s rushed for 11 touchdowns and passed for four others.
Yellow Jackets Feature Big, Swift Runners
Nesbitt, a 6-foot-1, 215-pound junior, has rushed for 707 yards, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. He’s second on the team in rushing to 6-1, 230-pound junior Jonathan Dwyer (718 yards, 5 TDs, 5.8 yards per carry).
Another strong junior runner is Anthony Allen, who has picked up 470 yards and scored five TDs. Allen is averaging 10.9 yards per carry.
Tech will be facing a Vanderbilt defense that’s excelled vs. the pass. That might not matter much vs. the Yellow Jackets, who rarely put the ball in the air.
Nesbitt has thrown just 88 times, managing 979 yards and four TDs on just 42 completions. He’s been intercepted three times. Demaryius Thomas has 30 catches for a whopping 747 yards and four TDs. The 6-3, 220-pound junior is averaging 24.9 yards per catch.
Tech Defense Should Be Well-Rested
Georgia Tech’s defense gave up only 198 yards vs. Virginia last week, but that was largely because the Cavaliers had the ball for only 17:17. For the year, the Yellow Jackets are yielding averages of 355.4 yards and 23.9 points.
Defensive end Derrick Morgan leads the Ramblin’ Wreck with 11.5 tackles for loss, and his 8.5 sacks rank seventh in the FBS. He has 33 tackles overall.
Another playmaker is rover Morgan Burnett, who’s made four interceptions and broken up four other passes. Linebackers Brad Jefferson and Sedric Griffin are the leading tacklers, with 50 and 43.
Cornerback Jerrard Tarrant has 36 tackles, but he’s better known for his exploits as a punt returner. He leads the FBS with a 19.9 average, and has run back two punts for TDs. The sophomore has also scored on a fumble return.
Johnsons Are Familiar Coaching Rivals
Georgia Tech’s Paul Johnson and Vanderbilt’s Bobby Johnson have coached against each other eight times, with Paul Johnson going 6-2.
The first six meetings took place when Paul Johnson was at Georgia Southern and Bobby Johnson was at Furman. The next two happened when Paul Johnson guided Navy against Vanderbilt. Paul Johnson won four of his six games vs. Bobby Johnson at Georgia Southern and was 2-0 at Navy.
Bobby Johnson’s familiarity with Paul Johnson’s tricky offense can do nothing but help his team’s preparation. But the game might come down to how well his team sustains drives against Georgia Tech’s defense.
Freshman Norman Is Key for Commodores
Vanderbilt has struggled offensively, averaging only 323 yards and 16.6 points per game. But Norman has been a sturdy weapon, rushing for 533 yards and three touchdowns on 5.7 yards per attempt.
The 5-10, 188-pound freshman, a former Georgia prep star, is also a standout kickoff returner who’s scored two TDs while averaging 29 yards per runback.
Norman is one of two freshman backs who’ve boosted the Commodores. Zac Stacy has rushed for 314 yards on 4.2 yards per carry despite being hampered by an ankle injury.
The passing game has fizzled, with the Commodores giving up 20 sacks while managing only 148.25 yards per game. Larry Smith has completed just 46.5 percent of his passes for 1,099 yards, and has just three TDs against seven interceptions. But the sophomore is a mobile QB, who can make plays with his legs.
Freshman John Cole leads Commodore receivers with 23 catches for 237 yards. Tight end Brandon Barden has 16 catches for 212 yards and a TD, and Udom Umoh has added 15 receptions for 190 yards and a TD.
Vanderbilt Defense Sparkles
Despite the lack of consistent movement on offense, Vanderbilt’s defense has remained steady. The Commodores are allowing only 17.75 points and 320 yards per game.
Sophomore linebacker Chris Marve paces the team with 53 tackles and has forced three fumbles. Linebacker Patrick Benoist is second with 46 tackles, and safety Sean Richardson has 41.5.
The secondary also features cornerbacks Casey Hayward (7.5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 6 pass breakups) and Myron Lewis (3 interceptions).
A strong defensive line includes tackle T.J Greenstone (4.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks), tackle Greg Billinger (5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks) and end Theron Kadri (3 sacks). Kadri has been hindered by an ankle injury.
