What beat the Tar Heels? Tech or themselves?
by BirdGT on Sep 21, 2010 8:00 AM EDT
in Georgia Tech Football
Email
Print
After going 11 of 13 passing for 158 yards in the first half, the Heel quarterback suddenly became human finishing 7 of 13 for 38 yards in the second half (stats include a sack as an attempt).
The fumbles killed the Heels as well. Under Butch Davis, the Heels are 2-15 when they've lost the turnover margin battle. Fortunately for Tech, both fumbles occurred in the waning moments of the game. UNC had a three and out book ended by Yates' and Pianalto's fumbles. Time of possession for UNC on those three drives was 2 minutes, 9 seconds. The three GT drives immediately proceeding each of those UNC drives of futility: 11 minutes, 2 seconds. They handed us an entire quarter of the game. Our defense only had to play 3 quarters of football. For comparison's sake, our defense only had to play 23 plays in the second half while the UNC defense had to take 39 snaps (18% more snaps over their 2009 average).
What do you think? Did Tech make good adjustments or did timely turnovers win the day for the Jackets?
5 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I will be that guy
and say it was a mixture of the two.
Better to have died a small boy than to drop this football - John HeismanFromTheRumbleSeat
by Winfield Featherston on Sep 21, 2010 10:25 AM EDT reply actions
right, do we have to choose?
by Atlanta's original team on Sep 21, 2010 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions
momentum is a funny thing
obviously, Tech gained the upper hand by gaining control of the offense, but also defensively. yes UNC made mistakes, but Tech also started to play sloppy as time progresses – think late third ,early fourth Qtr. The result was in our favor, perhaps because we broke their will, forcing them In a must score situation – thus the mistakes.
by twojackets on Sep 21, 2010 10:49 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
my rants of late
have all had an underlying theme which is this. The difference between a victory and a loss often comes down to very small things. The difference between a loss and a blowout loss is often psychological. In either case the will to persevere is key.
Tech demonstrated a will to win Saturday. That was missing in the Kansas game. Likewise UNC experienced a loss of will. I strongly feel had UNC beaten LSU in the last seconds of that game their will would have been much stronger at the end of the Tech game and perhaps would have won. Bottom line, if you have a strong will to win you can often overcome mistakes. Forgive me while I ramble on. I think what makes the SEC a strong conference is that several of their teams exhibit a strong will to win regardless of their talent level. Once you get past Alabama, Florida and LSU the talent falls off sharply, yet you still have teams that can beat almost anybody on a given day. What has to be disappointing to UGA fans is that they consistently get good material but their production falls well below their potential. Whew, enough said.
by Atlanta's original team on Sep 21, 2010 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions
Timely turnovers more than adjustments
UNC’s fumbling kept their offense off the field which makes it harder to answer the question of whether or not Tech’s defense could stop them. To the Tech’s defense’s credit, they did force two punts and a turnover on downs when UNC had no choice but to go for it on 4th and long. That said, UNC scored a TD on their first possession in the 3rd quarter after Tech fumbled the ball and UNC didn’t seem to have to work too hard for that TD either. I think if UNC had let that running back run the ball more in the second half, it might have been a different outcome.
Tech’s offense had trouble finishing drives in the 2nd half. They had to settle for a pair of field goals including one on a drive starting from the UNC 45 yd line. The only GT TD in the second half was due in part to a UNC fumble that also gave Tech great field position.
by Dive Keep and Pitch on Sep 21, 2010 1:57 PM EDT reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on From The Rumble Seat
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
SHOP THE FROM THE RUMBLE SEAT STORE
