Back Seat Coachin’: Georgia Tech 45 - Kennesaw State 17

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defeated the Kennesaw State Owls 45-17 on Saturday, September 11th in front of a home crowd. Bobby Dodd was rockin’ as the Jackets shot out to a 24-3 lead at the half.

Quarterback Jordan Yates started the ball game in place of Jeff Sims and looked fantastic behind center. Yates might not be the most mechanically sound QB but he’s a winner that the roster rallies around. The Jackets are now 1-1 on the season after the blowout win.

On the dash

Georgia Tech was statistically dominant over KSU from the jump. Tech forced three turnovers, gave only one back, and had only five penalties on the afternoon. The Jackets scored on defense, made their lone field goal attempt, and held the Owls to only 3-of-15 on 3rd downs while converting 5-of-11 of their own.

Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

GT picked up two sacks, 10 tackles for loss and a pass break up, while Kenny State logged three sacks, three TFL’s and three PBU’s on the afternoon. 10 TFL’s is what DC Andrew Thacker has to LOVE about Saturday’s win.

Tech also had six players average double-digit yards per catch including Kyric McGowan who hauled in two TD’s. Jahmyr Gibbs averaged 6.2 yards per carry while Dontae Smith had an eye popping 10.3 yards per carry and a score. The Jackets were flashing explosive play ability against a great FCS team in KSU.

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GT Offense

Jordan Yates finished with 11.5 yards per attempt and four touchdown passes with zero interceptions on the afternoon. The Jackets offense finally looked to click, albeit against an FCS team.

Unlike Jeff Sims who almost seems to play scared, Yates plays more like former Notre Dame QB Ian Book. Yates moves around, uses some unconventional mechanics, but gets the job done.

Above- This is an example of Yates just making plays! It might not have been how it was drawn up but he’s able to find open receivers, the progressions or technique be damned.

Above- OC Dave Patenaude liked something he saw from KSU’s red zone defense. He dialed up a switch concept at the 16 yard line. I personally used switch a little further out but he liked it here and Yates makes the easy touchdown throw on the post.

Above- Sometimes OC’s get too cute and it hurts their offense. Here, this is just an easy rub concept (OC’s never say pick play) where Tech can flash their athletic prowess over an FCS opponent. There’s no reason to get complex when you should be able to run through and past a lesser opponent.

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GT Defense

Above- I liked the 5-2 look GT flashed against the flexbone triple. Putting a nose tackle in a zero technique over the center makes midline an obsolete call. Paul Johnson loved midline but many DC’s did the same against CPJ over the years, too.

A weak side 3-tech (DT over outside shoulder of the guard) made KSU’s stay on the 1st level instead of getting to the linebackers, too. The tackles can play the QB while the stand up linebackers play the pitch and the two-high safeties play the ball.

The inside linebackers play dive-to-Q-to-pitch. Of course DC’s can switch up responsibilities throughout the game or triple option OC’s will game plan around the defense quickly.

Above- GT’s stand up defensive end actually takes a risk by coming inside on the QB. If the Q pitches one step earlier this play is a huge gain. Instead his risk pays off and it’s a defensive score for the Jackets.

Above- Sometimes you have to use Trust-Based Coaching and let players get in a flow state. You can’t always micromanage a player’s decision making or they’ll play slow. Most big plays come through subconscious states.

Above- These are the types of plays that make a DC’s hair stand up on the back of their neck. If you watched any of the Oregon upset over Ohio State, OSU’s CJ Stroud pulled off one of these throws late against the Ducks. Here, GT comes out on top with an interception.

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In the rearview

Georgia Tech did what they should do, they knocked off an FCS opponent at home in Week Two. KSU will be a solid FCS squad in ‘21, they just got out-gunned by an ACC school, something Florida State can’t boast about this week (OOOOH BUUURN).

The Jackets now head to Clemson to attempt an upset of the Tigers in Death Valley. Tech and Clemson face off at 3:30pm (eastern) on ABC/ESPN.

Tech is going to have to keep this momentum going to beat the Tigers on the road. Forcing three turnovers and holding the Owls to 3.7 yards per carry is a big deal for a GT program looking to bolster both sides of the line.

Per Bill Connelly’s SP+, Georgia Tech is ranked 64th overall (77th offense, 52nd defense, 88th kicking). On the other side of the field, Clemson is ranked 4th overall (11th offense, 6th defense, 61st kicking). ESPN gives Clemson a 95.4% chance to win the game.

Prediction: Clemson by 20.