update in bold at bottom...
update in bold at bottom...
Yardage unlikely to come easily for Tech, Hokies
Published on: 11/01/07
If you like defense, this could be to your liking. The Yellow Jackets and Hokies are 1-2 in the ACC in scoring defense, allowing 15.5 and 15.75 points per game, respectively, to rank Nos. 6 and 8 nationally. The Jackets are No. 7 nationally in total defense (287.9 yards per game) and the Hokies (304) No. 15.
Virginia Tech, however, is expected to be without a top defender, as senior linebacker Vince Hall has been out with a broken wrist.
The Hokies have one of the best cornerback tandems in the ACC in juniors Victor "Macho" Harris and Brandon Flowers. They each have two interceptions. Flowers also has seven tackles for lost yardage, and 50 tackles and assists.
Georgia Tech is No. 2 in the nation in tackles for lost yardage (77.5/9.44 per game), and end Darrell Robertson's 13.5 rank No. 2 in the ACC, and tied for No. 8 nationally. He's No. 23 among seniors on Mel Kiper's projected NFL draft list.
Plenty of options in Choice's place
If you think Georgia Tech's running attack will change without senior backs Tashard Choice (knee surgery) and Rashaun Grant (ankle), you may be right. But Jackets coaches aren't admitting it.
Coach Chan Gailey said sophomore Jamaal Evans will start, and freshman Jonathan Dwyer will play plenty. Fullback Mike Cox, who had career highs of four carries and 38 yards in the last game against Army, may run, too.
Evans probably runs more like Choice, reading blocks and exercising patience. Dwyer has impressive speed, yet his instincts are freshman-esque.
"I think it's good for him not to have to go be the guy right now," Tech coach Chan Gailey said. "He has not run the ball out of the shotgun. He's not had to pass protect."
Sophomore walk-on running back Tyler Evans might play, but don't look for freshman running back Roddy Jones. He'll continue redshirting. "It's just too late [in the season], and I feel really good about Tashard being back for the next ballgame," Gailey said.
Virginia Tech QBs pose different problems
Virginia Tech is not as potent as usual on offense, particularly running the ball, and the Hokies are off pace blocking kicks (they have one).
But they've lost only to the No. 2- and No. 3-ranked teams (Boston College and LSU), and, as usual, are scoring other ways. The Hokies have scored on six returns ? three interceptions, two punts, one kickoff.
Senior wide receiver Eddie Royal, who has caught, thrown, run for, and returned punts for touchdowns in his career, leads the ACC by far in punt return average (18.5 yards), taking two back for scores.
Georgia Tech's lone non-offensive score this season came when Darrell Robertson scored on a fumble recovery at Maryland.
Special kind of opponent
Tyrod Taylor replaced struggling junior quarterback Sean Glennon in the second game, at LSU, and the Hokies won all five games the much-hyped freshman started before he sprained an ankle Oct. 13 against Duke. Glennon played in last Thursday's loss to Boston College, and Taylor did not.
Coach Frank Beamer said he'll make a game-time decision on who will start tonight.
Taylor is the first true freshman quarterback to start for the Hokies since 1982. He was recruited from Hampton, Va., practically next door to former Hokies quarterbacks Michael and Marcus Vick.
Taylor is a running threat, rushing 55 times for 338 yards while losing 90. He has scored four times and completed 53 of 102 passes for 640 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Glennon, a pocket passer, has completed 62.4 percent of his passes, but he has rushed for 0 yards.
"The type of offense you're going to go against is different [depending on the quarterback]," Tech coach Chan Gailey said. "It's [the same] when we put [quarterback Josh] Nesbitt out there [in place of Taylor Bennett]."
Young backs, shuffle on line could invite Hokies to blitz
Somebody is going to come out subpar when Georgia Tech drops back to pass because the Yellow Jackets have allowed just six sacks, tied for third-fewest in the nation, and Virginia Tech leads the ACC with 29 sacks.
Jackets senior right guard Nate McManus (shoulder) is out for the season, so senior Matt Rhodes figures to start there again, and sophomores Dan Voss and Trey Dunmon will man Rhodes' old left guard spot. Sophomore Cord Howard is expected to start at right tackle.
Virginia Tech blitzes, but less than you might think. Keep an eye on Georgia Tech's young backs in pass protection. Their presence may trigger more Virginia Tech blitzes.
Both teams capable of booming the ball
It's possible this will be a game of feet rather than inches.
Georgia Tech punter Durant Brooks is averaging 45.2 per kick, and the Jackets lead the nation in net punting. Kicker Travis Bell has made 17 of 20 field goals, with a long of 51, and the kickoffs of Scott Blair have helped the Jackets greatly improve their kickoff coverage.
Virginia Tech punter Brent Bowden is averaging 42.1 yards, and senior Jud Dunlevy has made 11 of 12 field goals, with a long of 52. The Hokies have an ACC-best 13 touchbacks, 12 by senior Jared Develli.
Despite the Hokies' reputation on special teams, they are ranked last in the ACC and No. 110 out of 119 Division I teams in kickoff return average (18.5 yards).
Jackets special teams coach Charles Kelly said the kickoff return rotation may be altered since the usual suspects, Jamaal Evans and Jonathan Dwyer, are handling running back duties. They may alternate, and/or wide receiver Correy Earls may return.
