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Virginia Film Review

By Matt Mills
Sep 15, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets running back Orwin Smith (17) pushes down Virginia Cavaliers safety Anthony Harris (8)during the second half at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Georgia Tech defeated Virginia 56-20. Mandatory Credit: Josh D. Weiss-US PRESSWIRE

So this weekend, I don't know if you heard or not, we beat up on Virginia by way of a 56-20 drubbing. In this film review we will look at the first half (we were up 35-7 at half, at that point the game was in hand) play by play and determine why some plays were successful and why others didn't work so well. There will be negative comments in here so it is important to remember that we won 56-20, this game could not have gone any better considering our expectations coming in. Also keep in mind that all this is just based off my knowledge of the game, and while I consider myself pretty knowledgable I am not a coach or some savant like Chris Brown from Smart Football. I am just a huge fan of the game who enjoys Georgia Tech football. So if you see anything that you disagree with, bring it up in the Comments and we can get some discussion going, everyone wins! Lets look at what I learned from the film review.

  • Michael Rocco played really really bad. He missed plenty of open wide receivers with terrible throws and forced an interception in the first half. I don't think we get so many possessions in the first half to run up the score if he plays better. But our defensive line did a great job in forcing him into many bad throws, we certainly caused many miscues.
  • Our linebackers are getting better and that is great. Attaochu, Watts, Nealy, and Hunt-Days are all learning how to play together and are really impressing me with their pursuit and tenacity. These guys all love to play and it is evident on film.
  • To me, Tevin Washington has ended any quarterback controversy. He played extremely well in this game, continually hitting open receivers with on target passes, he didn't force any plays that weren't there, and is also a great leader on this team. When his helmet came off you could clearly see how upset he was to come out of the game. I was a huge doubter before this year but after 3 games Tevin has really impressed.
The play by play breakdown is after the jump. Let me know what you think!

1st Quarter Play by Play

Georgia Tech at 15:00

UVA

Observations

David Scully kickoff for 65 yards for a touchback.

Another Touchback, I like this

Virginia at 14:52

UVA

1st and 10 at UVA 25

Perry Jones rush for no gain to the Virg 25.

Our backside Tackle actually forces this play outside and Nealy does a great job of getting outside the blocker and forces the runner out of bounds

2nd and 10 at UVA 25

Michael Rocco pass incomplete to Jake McGee.

Hunt Days does a great job getting back in his zone, a better throw might get to the receiver but Isaiah Johnson would have laid the lumber

3rd and 10 at UVA 25

Michael Rocco pass complete to Dominique Terrell for 9 yards to the Virg 34.

9 yards on a 3rd and 10 is ok, even if its nerve racking. T-buzz already alluded to this but Nealy wraps up the receiver and just refuses to let him get another yard for a first down, great job

4th and 1 at UVA 34

Alec Vozenilek punt for 36 yards, downed at the GTech 30.

Great first series by GT's defense

DRIVE TOTALS: VIRGINIA drive: 3 plays 9 yards, 01:24 VIRGINIA PUNT

Georgia Tech at 13:36

UVA

1st and 10 at GT 30

Tevin Washington pass complete to Zach Laskey for 70 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.

Lasky just runs out of the backfield, angles left, cuts up the field and is GONE. What makes this a touchdown is the receiver blocking. As soon as Jeremy Moore he sees the pass go to Laskey he gets around his man in perfect position to block him all the way down field.

1st and 10 at UVA 0

GEORGIA TECH penalty 5 yard Illegal Formation accepted.

David Scully extra point GOOD.

David Scully kickoff for 59 yards returned by Clifton Richardson for 19 yards to the Virg 25.

DRIVE TOTALS: GATECH drive: 1 play 70 yards, 00:11 GATECH TD

Virginia at 13:25

UVA

1st and 10 at UVA 25

Kevin Parks rush for 7 yards to the Virg 32.

The middle of the defense kind of opens up, we get caught in an unlucky blitz and no linebackers are in the middle of the field. It doesn't help that Izaan Cross gets pushed out of the way but.

2nd and 3 at UVA 32

Kevin Parks rush for 13 yards to the Virg 45 for a 1ST down.

Hunt-Days misses a tackle at the line of scrimmage and from there the running back is able to scoot outside, got to wrap up correctly there.

1st and 10 at UVA 45

Kevin Parks rush for 2 yards to the Virg 47.

But then he blows this play up, Hunt-Days comes up and destroys the center, makes the running back bounce it out a whole and Cross is right there for the stop.

2nd and 8 at UVA 47

Michael Rocco pass incomplete to E.J. Scott.

Attaochu is not fooled by the end around and forces a bad throw by Rocco, he also completely decks him, which is nice

3rd and 8 at UVA 47

Michael Rocco pass incomplete to Dominique Terrell.

I have no idea what Rocco is doing here. He had all the time in the world and no one was close to sacking him, but he threw the ball right to our defender. Wasn't sure if Louis Young could have picked this or not.

4th and 8 at UVA 47

Alec Vozenilek punt for 53 yards for a touchback.

DRIVE TOTALS: VIRGINIA drive: 5 plays 22 yards, 02:17 VIRGINIA PUNT

Georgia Tech at 11:08

UVA

1st and 10 at GT 20

Zach Laskey rush for 3 yards to the GTech 23.

2nd and 7 at GT 23

Orwin Smith rush for 77 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.

I love the option, a great read by Tevin, followed by him turning up field and making the first defender (pitch man) commit and then gets it outside to Orwin Smith in stride. Godhigh gets just enough on the safety to get him to the ground, and then Orwin Smith just runs away with it. So.much.fun.

David Scully extra point GOOD.

David Scully kickoff for 62 yards returned by Clifton Richardson for 26 yards to the Virg 29.

DRIVE TOTALS: GATECH drive: 2 plays 80 yards, 00:37 GATECH TD

Virginia at 10:31

UVA

1st and 10 at UVA 29

Michael Rocco pass complete to Dominique Terrell for 20 yards to the Virg 49 for a 1ST down.

Man coverage just gets beat to the inside, can't really comment on the coverage because we just don't know what they are trying to do here

1st and 10 at UVA 49

Michael Rocco pass complete to Jeremiah Mathis for 15 yards to the GTech 36 for a 1ST down.

Either Attaochu leaves his zone to blitz the qb or Hunt-Days is late getting to the flats, either way its an easy completion.

1st and 10 at GT 36

VIRGINIA penalty 5 yard False Start on Khalek Shepherd accepted.

This was about to be a bad play for virginia.

1st and 15 at GT 41

Kevin Parks rush for 8 yards to the GTech 33.

Simple Draw play, no one gets off their blocks, easy yards

2nd and 7 at GT 33

Michael Rocco pass complete to Jake McGee for 3 yards to the GTech 30.

Great jump on this pass by Golden, stops him for a short gain.

3rd and 4 at GT 30

Michael Rocco pass complete to Darius Jennings for 10 yards to the GTech 20 for a 1ST down.

Hunt-Days got too involved with shoving the TE off his route, which is a good thing to do, but that leaves his zone just wide open for an easy pass.

1st and 10 at GT 20

Clifton Richardson rush for 1 yard to the GTech 19.

Someone blows this blow up by taking out the lead blocker and allows the rest of the defense to close on it

2nd and 9 at GT 19

Michael Rocco pass incomplete to E.J. Scott.

This pass was open but it was an awful throw, Sweeting gets turned all the way around after the receiver turns inside then back out. Not so good

3rd and 9 at GT 19

Michael Rocco pass complete to Jake McGee for 19 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.

Nealy was yelling at Watts at the start of the play, McGee takes off past Watts and then Nealy runs after him but is too late. I am going to assume this was poor communication on the defense.

Drew Jarrett extra point GOOD.

Ian Frye kickoff for 65 yards for a touchback.

DRIVE TOTALS: VIRGINIA drive: 8 plays 71 yards, 04:04 VIRGINIA TD

Georgia Tech at 6:27

UVA

1st and 10 at GT 25

Tevin Washington rush for 60 yards to the Virg 15 for a 1ST down.

Tevin!!! The pitch man jumps outside, Tevin gives him a little shoulder fake, cuts up, makes another man miss and then runs and runs and runs. He gets caught but, hey, 60 yards is fun

1st and 10 at UVA 15

Zach Laskey rush for 1 yard to the Virg 14.

Just a dive, it happens

2nd and 9 at UVA 14

Tevin Washington rush for no gain to the Virg 14.

Tevin needs to attack the pitch man more, I think we could have gotten this outside but it seems he wanted to cut it up a little too early.

3rd and 9 at UVA 14

Tevin Washington pass complete to Orwin Smith for 10 yards to the Virg 4 for a 1ST down.

PISTOL! I love it, Orwin just runs up the field, find an open spot in the zone and turns around. Pitch and catch.

1st and Goal at UVA 4

Tevin Washington rush for 2 yards to the Virg 2.

I feel like our offense just shits down on the goal line. We usually can get the yards we need but, we just kind of dive forward and hope we get yards, I think we could be more efficient

2nd and Goal at UVA 2

Tevin Washington rush for 1 yard to the Virg 1.

3rd and Goal at UVA 1

Timeout GEORGIA TECH, clock 3:34.

Tevin's helmet comes off, I couldn't see anyone pulling anything off. I don't think a team would do this on purpose, Vad Lee is much taller and longer than Tevin, it makes it easier for him to get over the line and in the end zone, seems advantage Tech if we are just going to run the QB in. Also, why does a time out not nullify the helmet rule. It is a clear stop in play that gives them more than enough time to check the helmet, stupid rule.

3rd and Goal at UVA 1

Vad Lee rush for no gain to the Virg 1.

Not enough push by the line

4th and Goal at UVA 1

Tevin Washington rush for 1 yard for a TOUCHDOWN.

Great decision, a field goal here does NOTHING for us, I love CPJ

4th and Goal at UVA 3

GEORGIA TECH penalty 5 yard False Start on Will Jackson accepted.

David Scully extra point GOOD.

David Scully kickoff for 62 yards returned by Khalek Shepherd for 25 yards to the Virg 28.

DRIVE TOTALS: GATECH drive: 8 plays 75 yards, 03:31 GATECH TD

Virginia at 2:56

UVA

1st and 10 at UVA 28

Perry Jones rush for 9 yards to the Virg 37.

LB blitzes and the DE doesn't shade enough away from the blitz, also Watts gets blown outside here, he has got to hold the edge better

2nd and 1 at UVA 37

Perry Jones rush for 2 yards to the Virg 39 for a 1ST down.

Attaochu blows up the lead blocker and prevents the running back from any big hole and lets our defense swarm to the ball.

1st and 10 at UVA 39

Michael Rocco sacked by Isaiah Johnson for a loss of 9 yards to the Virg 30.

That was fun, Johnson comes on the blitz untouched and makes the sack. Nice disguise to come from covering the slot, Rocco is definitely surprised to see him

2nd and 19 at UVA 30

Kevin Parks rush for no gain to the Virg 30.

Jemea Thomes comes up hard and makes a tackle but he needs to thank the DE (can't tell who it is) for setting the edge and not letting the running back turn up field.

3rd and 19 at UVA 30

Michael Rocco pass incomplete to Dominique Terrell.

Great coverage by Sweeting, really no where for this pass to go. Obvious passing down and we do what we need to do.

4th and 19 at UVA 30

Alec Vozenilek punt for 55 yards, fair catch by Jamal Golden at the GTech 15.

End of 1st Quarter

2nd Quarter Play by Play

Georgia Tech at 15:00

UVA

1st and 10 at GT 15

Orwin Smith rush for 9 yards, fumbled, recovered by GTech at the GTech 24.

Shaq Mason has got to block better, he just lets his man run past him and force Orwin to the outside. Luckily Orwin makes 3 people miss and gains 9 yards. Orwin continually makes more people miss than any other running back, what a player.

2nd and 1 at GT 24

Zach Laskey rush for 2 yards to the GTech 26 for a 1ST down.

2 yards on 2nd and 1, easy first down.

1st and 10 at GT 26

B.J. Bostic rush for 8 yards to the GTech 34.

Wooh this was a scary pitch by Tevin, again, attack the pitch man more, stop trying to cut it up if its not there. BJ also could probably take this outside with his speed, instead he cuts it up and gets lucky

2nd and 2 at GT 34

Zach Laskey rush for 22 yards to the Virg 44 for a 1ST down.

Great blocking by the lines, Laskey is untouched for 12 yards running up the middle of the field, yes please.

1st and 10 at UVA 44

VIRGINIA penalty 15 yard Personal Foul accepted.

We get lucky here, Virginia had this option snuffed out. Not sure about the personal foul here....

1st and 10 at UVA 29

Zach Laskey rush for 4 yards to the Virg 25.

There was no pitch man here so I'm not sure if this was a designed dive or not.

2nd and 6 at UVA 25

Zach Laskey rush for 3 yards to the Virg 22.

Good read by Tevin and the defensive end is able to grab Laskey by his legs and drag him down, almost a big play

3rd and 3 at UVA 22

Zach Laskey rush for 5 yards to the Virg 17 for a 1ST down.

Virginia Does not seem to want us to get the ball to the outside. 4 straight runs for Laskey (not including the penalty on the pitch)

1st and 10 at UVA 17

Robert Godhigh rush for 15 yards to the Virg 2 for a 1ST down.

I guess this is why, I love the counter where Tevin pauses and Laskey is now our lead blocker, it gets a lot of men on the move blocking and gives the running back a lot of time with the ball. Great running by Robbie to avoid the tackles and he just barely doesn't get in, I mean, he stepped an inch out of bounds.

1st and Goal at UVA 2

Tevin Washington rush for 1 yard to the Virg 1.

Well, it happened again so maybe there are doing it on purpose. On the replay its pretty clear it wasn't on purpose, no one even grabbed his neck he just got squeezed between two bodies

2nd and Goal at UVA 1

Vad Lee rush for 1 yard for a TOUCHDOWN.

That was easy

David Scully extra point GOOD.

David Scully kickoff for 57 yards returned by Khalek Shepherd for 72 yards to the GTech 20.

Um, we should wrap up. Kick off coverage has got to stay in their lanes, granted he gets lucky by literally bouncing off his own man back inside but, still, can't allow that

DRIVE TOTALS: GATECH drive: 10 plays 85 yards, 05:10 GATECH TD

Virginia at 9:50

UVA

1st and 10 at GT 20

Michael Rocco pass complete to Perry Jones for 4 yards to the GTech 16.

Yea, good pressure by Watts but, this is a touchdown if the pass is accurate. The defense gets fooled on the play action and then the pass back to the running back, can't have that

2nd and 6 at GT 16

Perry Jones rush for 5 yards to the GTech 11.

The linebackers pause on the fake pass drop and it allows the guards time to put a body on them. He gets close to the first but luckily we stop him

3rd and 1 at GT 11

Kevin Parks rush for no gain to the GTech 11.

Attaochu just caves the line in by squeezing from the outside, he comes all the way inside to get inside of the full back and forces the running back outside where he has no blockers and our defense can pursue to the ball.

4th and 1 at GT 11

Timeout VIRGINIA, clock 7:23.

4th and 1 at GT 11

Perry Jones rush for a loss of 1 yard to the GTech 12.

Shawn Green blows this play up. He takes the center and pushes him 2 yards back and then grabs the running back as he tries to run by. What an awesome job by the DT. I think this is the first time I have talked about him after two games, nice to see him make a play.

DRIVE TOTALS: VIRGINIA drive: 4 plays 8 yards, 02:33 VIRGINIA DOWNS

Georgia Tech at 7:17

UVA

1st and 10 at GT 12

Robert Godhigh rush for 6 yards to the GTech 18.

Laskey can do a better job blocking the corner on the lead block, at least put a body on him. Godhigh does a nice job skirting inside and getting solid yards

2nd and 4 at GT 18

Orwin Smith rush for 15 yards to the GTech 33 for a 1ST down.

Same play but to the other side and this time Laskey blocks the corner. But really, how does Orwin Smith run himself out of bounds on this play, the defender really wasn't that close. Could have had about 40 more yards on this play, I mean he was untouched until he was tackled way down field.

1st and 10 at GT 33

B.J. Bostic rush for 12 yards to the GTech 45 for a 1ST down.

B.J. is going to bust some big runs this year. He might be our shiftiest A-back, also, this is the same play 3 times in a row. Think the coaches see something?

1st and 10 at GT 45

B.J. Bostic rush for 4 yards to the GTech 49.

Tevin gets hit pretty hard but delivers a nice pitch

2nd and 6 at GT 49

Zach Laskey rush for 2 yards to the Virg 49.

The line backer shoots this gap, nothing that really can be done here. Just a lucky call.

3rd and 4 at UVA 49

VIRGINIA penalty 5 yard Offside accepted.

1st and 10 at UVA 44

Tevin Washington pass incomplete.

Laskey has got to block the OLB better, Tevin does a good job evading the rush and throwing the ball away instead of taking or sack or throwing a pick

2nd and 10 at UVA 44

Zach Laskey rush for 1 yard to the Virg 43.

This play seemed slow, or rather, Laskey seemed to start slow, not sure if he was ready at the snap. Perhaps he is just tired?

3rd and 9 at UVA 43

GEORGIA TECH penalty 5 yard False Start on Ray Beno accepted.

Can't hurt yourself

3rd and 14 at UVA 48

Tevin Washington rush for 8 yards to the Virg 40.

The draw play is usually open, but its tough to get 14 yards on it

4th and 6 at UVA 40

GEORGIA TECH penalty 5 yard Delay of Game accepted.

4th and 11 at UVA 45

Sean Poole punt for 23 yards, downed at the Virg 22.

DRIVE TOTALS: GATECH drive: 8 plays 43 yards, 05:07 GATECH PUNT

Virginia at 2:10

UVA

1st and 10 at UVA 23

Michael Rocco pass complete to E.J. Scott for 5 yards to the Virg 28.

Watts gave him a huge cushion, which I guess makes sense in a 2 minute drill, but you don't want to make it to easy

2nd and 5 at UVA 28

Michael Rocco pass complete to Darius Jennings for 6 yards to the Virg 34 for a 1ST down.

Isiah Johnson does a great job wrapping up and preventing any yards after the catch.

1st and 10 at UVA 34

Michael Rocco pass complete to Kevin Parks for 1 yard to the Virg 35.

Nealy destroys the pass catcher, but this play is because of the pass rush by the ends Crenshaw and Dieke.

2nd and 9 at UVA 35

VIRGINIA penalty 5 yard False Start on Morgan Moses accepted.

10 second run off goes into effect or they can take a time out, didn't know that.

2nd and 14 at UVA 30

Timeout VIRGINIA, clock 0:56.

2nd and 14 at UVA 30

Michael Rocco pass intercepted by Louis Young at the Virg 46, returned for 2 yards to the Virg 44.

Hard to see how Louis Young jumps this right on the TV but Dieke does a great job on the pass rush and forces a bad throw by Rocco

DRIVE TOTALS: VIRGINIA drive: 4 plays 7 yards, 01:21 VIRGINIA INT

Georgia Tech at 0:49

UVA

1st and 10 at UVA 44

Tevin Washington pass incomplete.

PISTOL! I love it

2nd and 10 at UVA 44

Tevin Washington pass complete to Jeff Greene for 9 yards to the Virg 35.

It seems we can finally throw a 9 yard stop route to an open uncovered receiver. Wow, this is what that feels like.

3rd and 1 at UVA 35

Timeout GEORGIA TECH, clock 0:31.

3rd and 1 at UVA 35

B.J. Bostic rush for 6 yards to the Virg 29 for a 1ST down.

If Bostic keeps his feet he might get a lot of yards on the cut back. Also at least we ran a play instead of our normal QB dive when we need one yard. Trying to score a TD here.

1st and 10 at UVA 29

Team pass incomplete.

Spike

2nd and 10 at UVA 29

Tevin Washington pass complete to Robert Godhigh for 21 yards to the Virg 8 for a 1ST down.

Easy pitch and catch, but get out of bounds Robbie! Get as many yards as you can and get out to stop the clock. 2nd and goal at the 8 after a spike is not a great position to be in.

1st and Goal at UVA 8

Team pass incomplete.

2nd and Goal at UVA 8

Tevin Washington rush for 7 yards, fumbled, recovered by GTech at the Virg 1.

Again he seems to be pausing too long on the pitch read but, this time it works. Also, hold on to the dang ball.

3rd and Goal at UVA 1

Timeout GEORGIA TECH, clock 0:03.

I love going for the touchdown here, we don't need no field goals

3rd and Goal at UVA 1

Tevin Washington rush for 1 yard for a TOUCHDOWN.

And that's that

David Scully extra point GOOD.

End of 2nd Quarter