Three Tech players suspended for first half

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Three Georgia Tech players, including starting outside linebacker Anthony Egbuniwe, were suspended from the first half of Monday?s Independence Bowl against Air Force because they missed Friday night?s curfew.

The other two players are reserve defensive backs Michael Peterson and Louis Young.

The temporary suspension will further weaken a defense that was already missing a starter and two reserves due to various academic suspensions. Starting safety Mario Edwards was ruled ineligible earlier this week after failing to meet Tech?s academic standards. He was joined by reserve outside linebacker Anthony Barnes and reserve defensive end Robert Hall, both of whom failed to meet the NCAA?s academic standards.

In addition, starting wide receiver Stephen Hill was ruled out, also for failing to meet Tech?s academic standards.

Egbuniwe, a redshirt senior from Greenville, S.C., started 12 games this season. He is fifth on the team in tackles (59). The absence of Barnes and Egbuniwe may mean more playing time for true freshman Jeremiah Attaochu. Playing mostly in passing situations he has three sacks ? just one off the team lead ? as part of 17 tackles. Malcolm Munroe may be the backup at both outside linebacker positions.

Peterson, a redshirt junior from Tampa, has six tackles. Young, a freshman from Washington D.C., has 10 tackles.

Edwards, a senior from College Park, was Tech?s third-leading tackler (68). He also started every game. Rashaad Reid, a junior, will likely start in place of Edwards, coach Paul Johnson said on Sunday. Reid has eight tackles this season as a reserve. He started three games at safety last season.

Hill, a sophomore from Lithonia, led the Jackets in receptions (15), receiving yards (291) and touchdown receptions (3) this season. He started nine games. He also rushed three times for 34 yards.

 

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in addition from last friday...

Four Georgia Tech players will miss Independence Bowl

6:49 pm December 23, 2010, by Doug Roberson

Four Georgia Tech players, including starting safety Mario Edwards and starting wide receiver Stephen Hill, will miss the Independence Bowl because of academic issues.

In addition to Edwards and Hill, both of whom failed to meet Tech?s academic standards, reserve defensive lineman Robert Hall and reserve outside linebacker Anthony Barnes aren?t eligible to play because of their failure to meet the NCAA?s academic requirements, according to a statement from the school. There is some irony involved: Hall graduated in the spring, Barnes in the summer.

The Yellow Jackets (6-6) will play Air Force (8-4) on Monday night in Shreveport, La.

Hill, a sophomore from Lithonia, led the Jackets in receptions (15), receiving yards (291) and touchdown receptions (3) this season. He started nine games. He also rushed three times for 34 yards. Hill?s absence means Tech has just four receivers who have caught passes this season: Correy Earls (8 receptions, 56 yards, 1 touchdown), Tyler Melton (5 receptions, 96 yards, 1 TD), Kevin Cone (5 receptions, 89 yards, 1 TD) and Daniel McKayhan (1 reception, 13 yards). Another wide receiver, reserve Quentin Sims, announced he was transferring earlier this week.

Edwards, a senior from College Park, was Tech?s third-leading tackler (68). He started every game this season. True freshman Isaiah Johnson could start in Edwards? place. Johnson, who started three games earlier this season, had 41 tackles and an interception. Tech was already thin at the position because Cooper Taylor left the team earlier this season. Rashaad Reid has experience at safety. Dominique Reese played safety last season before moving to cornerback.

 

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Breakdown: Georgia Tech vs. Air Force


Offense

Georgia Tech: Looking for a fast bowl game? This may be your safest bet in more ways than one. Neither team features a prolific passing offense, so the game will be mostly decided on the ground. That translates into fewer play stoppages and a quick game in that sense. What also will make it quick will be the speed with which the Yellow Jackets and Falcons run their option-based attacks. The nation?s rushing leaders with 327.0 yards per game, the Yellow Jackets have proven they know what it takes to pound the ball into a defense on the ground. Without sophomore receiver Stephen Hill -- who is suspended for the game for not meeting school academic guidelines -- passing has another reason to be moot for Georgia Tech. Also missing will be starting quarterback Joshua Nesbitt, who hasn?t played in the last three-and-a-half games due to a broken forearm. Head coach Paul Johnson said that if his team is to win, B-back Anthony Allen must have a big day.

Air Force: While Georgia Tech ranks first nationally in rushing, Air Force ranks second, averaging nearly 10 yards per game fewer than the Yellow Jackets. Falcons quarterback Tim Jefferson and running back Asher Clark headline a group that is predicated on attacking defenses in a slightly more spread style. The Atlanta-area products have combined for nearly 1,800 yards. Although Jefferson?s arm may not be used as regularly as quarterbacks in most other offenses, he still has thrown for more than 1,300 yards this season. In addition to passing for 10 touchdowns, the double-threat has rushed for 15.

Edge: Push

Defense

Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets have been maligned all year defensively, with success coming in small increments. Although the team has lost four of its past five games, the defense has actually improved slightly since the start of the year. Prolific, 100-yard running backs appear to be a thing of the past, and quarterbacks are being given much tighter windows to pass into. But, like the offense, the defense will be without the services of two starters in the wake of suspensions for academics and missed curfews. With safety Mario Edwards shelved, little-used backup Rashaad Reid will start alongside Jerrard Tarrant in the defensive backfield. True freshman Jeremiah Attaochu, who has three sacks this season, should play at least one half in place of suspended starting outside linebacker Anthony Egbuniwe. Due to the inexperience being inserted into the fold, the Yellow Jackets could have a greater challenge with the Falcons than they originally anticipated.

Air Force: Defensively, Air Force is led by defensive back Jon Davis and linebacker Jordan Waiwaiole. The pair has a combined 177 tackles and a proven penchant for getting into the backfield. Waiwaiole has 2.0 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss this season. Defensive lineman Rick Ricketts is another Falcons defender who has shown a knack for success in the opposing team?s backfield, recording nine tackles for loss this season. Since the teams run similar offensive sets, both defenses have an idea what they will be facing. Knee braces have come back into vogue for the linemen and linebackers on both sides, who now have to worry about getting cut blocked for the first time since their preseasons.

Edge: Air Force

Special teams

Georgia Tech: If any area of Georgia Tech?s game has been a nightmare during this 6-6 season, it has been this one. The Yellow Jackets? punting game never found consistency, and their kick return and coverage games showed flashes of brilliance but nothing like the masterpieces they believed could be displayed. Electric punt returner Jerrard Tarrant was completely nullified as his blocking didn?t always give him protection for long enough periods of time. As far as place-kicking, Scott Blair was solid all year until a rare point-after attempt miss against Georgia. He also was 15-of-17 on field goals.

Air Force: Where the Yellow Jackets have special teams failings, the Falcons aren?t too far away with theirs. Air Force has used three players on kickoffs, they have missed three PATs and kicker Erik Soderberg is only 5-for-10 in field goals. The issue of the Falcons? kicking game was a hot topic of conversation during Sunday?s news conference, as head coach Troy Calhoun hinted at more shared responsibilities of kicking loads in Monday?s game.

Edge: Push

Coaching:

Georgia Tech: Paul Johnson has been tested in ways these past few weeks that he likely did not foresee three years ago when he agreed to be the Yellow Jackets? 13th head coach. Since preseason practices began, he has had to deal with suspensions, off-field rules violations, academic issues and the transfers of several players. Not to mention, he?s had to deal with the experience of an unexpected .500 season, too. While to the outside eye trouble may appear to be brewing with Johnson?s team, the coach has tried to put on a strong face publicly. During Sunday?s news conference, he looked comfortable, calm and seemingly in control of a mess that has spiraled down a path he couldn?t have foreseen. His challenge Monday will be balancing the on-field with the off-field.

Air Force: As the head coach of a service academy, Troy Calhoun may operate on the fringe of recognition for most college football fans, but his is a name that is quickly gaining household notoriety. With players who were told they couldn?t compete on the BCS level because of their size and talent, Calhoun has turned the Falcons into a true national contender. The eight-win team may sit just one win away from being ranked, after having flirted with polls at earlier times this season. This bowl trip has been about business, Calhoun said, but it has also been about getting to know the Air Force community in Shreveport-Bossier City. Barksdale Air Force Base sits mere miles from the Independence Bowl and will serve this week as a reminder to his players how their obligations extend beyond the field.

Edge: Push

Key matchups:

Offense: Anthony Allen vs. Air Force?s defensive line. With the Falcons knowing what to expect from Allen, the Yellow Jackets ballcarrier will need to have one of his biggest rushing afternoons in order to open up other portions of the Yellow Jackets? offense. That entails hitting the line hard; it is a line that will be ready for the blows.

Defense: Attaochu vs. Air Force?s tackles, running backs. As has been the case in other games this year, containment will be an important issue for Georgia Tech?s linebackers in stopping Jefferson. Although the quarterback will run regardless, expect the Falcons to try to attack the less experienced Attaochu early.