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Fast Analysis: Georgia Tech vs Alcorn St.

Fast Analysis: Georgia Tech vs Alcorn St.

Georgia Tech opened the 2018 season hosting the Alcorn State Braves today in Atlanta, Georgia. This writer predicted Georgia Tech to win big in their home opener, and the Yellow Jackets did not disappoint. Georgia Tech stumbled coming out of the gate a little in the first half, but brought it all together for a solid victory against the Braves, 41-0. So welcome to the first edition of the Stupid Fast Analysis: Georgia Tech 2018.

First Half

Offense

The Georgia Tech offense came out strong in their first drive as they drove 68 yards in one minute and 20 seconds. The drive was capped off by a rushing touchdown by Jordan Mason – who got the start while KirVonte Benson served his one quarter suspension. In the 80 seconds it took the Yellow Jackets to score, Mason ran the ball three times. He looked mighty impressive doing it as well.

Unfortunately, the Yellow Jackets first drive would be their only touchdown of the first quarter. Their second drive ended quickly when a botched handoff ended in a fumble recovered by Alcorn State. The Jackets third drive did not look much better as it ended in a three-and-out.

The Yellow Jackets fourth drive showed glimpses of how unstoppable the triple-option offense can be. Paul Johnson drew up a couple of impressive draw plays for Marshall to showoff his athleticism, and he did not disappoint. TaQuon Marshall ran the offense to perfection, and finished the drive with a one yard touchdown run.

KirVonte Benson entered the game in the second quarter and showed fans how powerful and explosive he is when he has the ball in his hands. Benson is only five feet nine inches tall, but at 208 pounds (of muscle!) he is a bowling ball rolling up the middle. Multiple times throughout the game, Benson was seen dragging a multitude of defenders on his back. With 2:47 left in the second quarter, Benson punched it in to the end zone from the five yard line.

On the second to last drive of the first half, Johnson and Tech decided to try their luck in the passing game – which had struggled up to this point. During Tech’s sixth offensive drive, Marshall went 1-for-5 through the air and threw an interception to Taurence Wilson with 1:25 left in the first half.

Tech’s defense would grab their own interception 10 seconds later. Unfortunately, the Yellow Jackets would end the first half with a missed field goal from 50 yards out.

Defense

Nate Woody could not have asked for a better introduction to the Yellow Jackets nation on Saturday afternoon. Tech’s defense held Alcorn State’s offense to 66 total yards in the first half!

Out of the six possessions for the Braves during the first half of Saturday’s contest, they were forced to punt the first five drives. They concluded their final drive of the half by throwing an interception to redshirt freshman Kaleb Oliver.

The defense turned in a dominant first half that excited fans in the stands and coaches on the field. Nothing would change moving in to the second half. Tech would enter the locker room with a 20 – 0 lead at the end of the first half.

Second Half

Offense

The second half started off the same way as the first – touchdown Georgia Tech! The Yellow Jackets drove 77 yards in one minute and 23 seconds, and it was all thanks to the ground game. Qua Searcy pitched in with a 56 yard rush to put the Yellow Jackets at the eight yard line of the Braves. KirVonte Benson would add his second touchdown of the day to end the drive.

After Marshall’s miserable passing performance in the first half, Paul Johnson and staff decided to use the second half as a glorified practice for the passing game. Marshall looked much better in the second half passing the ball. In his final drive of the day, Marshall threw the ball six times and completed five passes for 79 yards. His final completion would be a touchdown pass to senior Brad Stewart.

Tobias Oliver, Tech’s backup QB for the 2018 season while Lucas Johnson recovers, came in for cleanup duty at the end of the third quarter. Oliver would register zero passes during his time in the game on Saturday, but he would rush for 72 yards. This was valuable time for Oliver as he will be called on throughout the year if anything should happen to TaQuon Marshall.

The Jackets would not score again, but did finish the day with 104 passing yards, and 439 rushing yards. The progress made between the first and second half has got to a morale boost in the Jackets locker room. TaQuon Marshall finished the day 9-for-18 through the air. With a 50% completion percentage on Saturday, Marshall is already looking better than his 37% completion percentage for the 2017 season.

Defense

The second half continued much the same way the first half did for Tech’s defense. The first drive for the Braves did provide the most exciting play of the game for Tech players and fans alike. David Curry, who missed the entire 2017 season with a lower-body fracture, scooped up a forced fumble and ran the ball into the end zone for a touchdown!

The Yellow Jacket’s defense held the Braves to 146 total yards on Saturday. PJ Simmons, who made the 2018 Preseason All-SWAC list, was held to 47 yards on 10 rushes. The defense was dominant in every category on Saturday. Nate Woody will look to build on this success and momentum as the Yellow Jackets visit South Florida next Saturday. The Bulls are sure to prove a more accurate barometer as to where the Jackets defense truly stands at the beginning of the season.

Nonetheless, the Yellow Jackets are celebrating victory number one in Atlanta tonight. During the postgame conference, David Curry stated his excitement to be back on the field with a new defensive scheme that will highlight his athletic ability all year.

The expectations for Georgia Tech football are high this year. Their performance against an FCS powerhouse only fueled those expectations. TaQuon Marshall and KirVonte Benson looked dominant on the offensive side of the ball. And David Curry, Brant Mitchell, and the defensive line looked much more comfortable in their new 3-4 defensive scheme. This is a team that has all the potential to surprise everyone in 2018.

 Photo: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

 

 

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