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Fast Analysis: Georgia Tech vs. Duke

Fast Analysis: Georgia Tech vs. Duke

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets entered Saturday’s homecoming matchup against Duke with high hopes after putting up over 1,000 yards over their last two games. Georgia Tech was reeling after the month of September and was hoping October would continue to be more kind. All fans can say after Saturday in Atlanta is “Well, like, October isn’t over, ya know.”

Fast Analysis: Georgia Tech vs. Duke

To give you a teaser of sorts for the rest of the article, with two minutes left in the third quarter the game was tied at seven. At the end of the third quarter, Duke was leading 28-7. So how did Tech perform in their 28-14 loss against Duke? Let’s discuss in our sixth edition of Fast Analysis: Georgia Tech 2018. 

First Half

Offense

The first half against Duke was extremely out of character for Georgia Tech’s offense. Props to Duke and David Cutcliffe for their game plan to stunt the running game of Tech – it worked well! TaQuon Marshall and company could not do anything with the ball in the first half.

Georgia Tech’s offense did not put points on the board until there were only 48 seconds left in the first half. Following a Lamont Simmons interception, Marshall threw a beautiful 32-yard touchdown to Malachi Carter. Up to that point, Tech’s offense had only managed 97 yards of total offense.

Last week against Louisville, Georgia Tech scored on five out of five drives. Different team,  but it does help to put Saturday in perspective. Georgia Tech had six first half drives. They proceeded as follows:

  • Three plays, one yard, PUNT.
  • Four plays, nine yards, TURNOVER ON DOWNS.
  • 12 plays, 56 yards, TURNOVER ON DOWNS.
  • Eight plays, 18 yards, PUNT.
  • Five plays, 13 yards, PUNT.
  • Two plays, 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN (last drive of first half)

The score at halftime was 7-7, and Georgia Tech had the momentum going into halftime. They would fail to capitalize on that momentum.

Fast Analysis: Georgia Tech vs. Duke
ATLANTA, GA OCTOBER 13: Georgia Tech’s Malachi Carter (81) celebrates with the fans after scoring a touchdown during the game against Duke  at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Defense

Nate Woody’s defense gave Georgia Tech every chance to win the ballgame on Saturday. Duke came out on the first drive and scored a quick touchdown, but after that, Tech’s defense would settle in well. Georgia Tech’s defense forced an interception with 1:50 left to go in the second quarter. This set up the only points the Yellow Jackets would score in the first half.

Saturday’s contest with Duke, who has been playing extremely well in 2018, should excite Georgia Tech fans. The first half was exciting for fans of defensive football. Tech and Duke traded huge momentum plays in consecutive series when they stuffed their opponents on fourth and short.

Georgia Tech’s defense continues to find their way into the backfield, especially in the first half. Anree Saint-Amour and Tre Swilling deserve a shout out for their first half performances. Saint-Amour recorded two sacks and Swilling had a textbook forced fumble in the first half. Saint-Amour has set himself apart on that defensive line thus far in 2018. Swilling is a redshirt freshman who is giving the coaches every reason to keep him on the field as much as possible.

David Curry, starting inside linebacker, exited the game early in the first half and would not return for the Yellow Jackets. No news yet on the severity of Curry’s injury. Right now his injury is only being listed as an “upper body” injury. Head coach Paul Johnson will most likely be asked about the current status of his starting linebacker this week.

Charlie Thomas stepped in for Curry and played well. He showed why he was one of the highest touted recruits for Tech this year. If Curry is unable to return soon, look for Thomas to get more reps with the linebacker group.

At the end of the first half, Duke had gained 129 total yards on offense (25 rushing; 104 passing).

Special Teams

It was unfortunate to see Pressley Harvin III back on the field this weekend after recording zero punts a week ago. Harvin III has three successful punts that averaged 48 yards per punt.

It was also unfortunate to see a lack of work for Wesley Wells during the first half. His one PAT was successful and would tie the game at the end of the second quarter.

Second Half

Offense

The fumble bug would strike the Georgia Tech offense in the second half in a major way. After the offense’s first series ended in a punt, Tech’s next three drives would end by fumble. The third quarter would prove fatal for the Yellow Jackets due in large part to the offenses inability to protect the football.

The first of three fumbles came after what looked like a promising drive ended when Jerry Howard fumbled the ball on Duke’s 43 yard line. The second fumble occurred after a  Marshall rushing attempt. Marshall would turn the ball over on Tech’s own 34 yard line. The final fumble of the third quarter would come right on the heels of a Duke touchdown as a result of fumble number two. Juanyeh Thomas would fumble the kickoff on Tech’s six yard line.

Needless to say, the third quarter was one of the worst offensive quarters of the season for Tech. The fourth quarter would not provide any solace for the Tech faithful at Bobby Dodd on Saturday. TaQuon Marshall would exit the game in the fourth quarter so any comeback attempt fell on the shoulders of Tobias Oliver.

Paul Johnson’s triple-option offense is not meant to be a come from behind offense…ever! While Oliver has been clutch, for the most part, for Georgia Tech this season, his passing abilities are nowhere near where they need to be. That fact was made evident in the fourth quarter against Duke as Oliver did not even give his receivers the opportunity to make a play on the ball.

Georgia Tech would mount a scoring drive and add seven points to their score with 7:51 left on the clock. Unfortunately, that would be the last time Georgia Tech would score on Saturday.

Marshall would finish the day with 41 rushing yards and 91 passing yards and one touchdown pass. Jerry Howard led the team in rushing yards with 62 rushing yards. Georgia Tech would only manage 354 total yards on offense on Saturday (229 rushing; 125 passing). Georgia Tech’s 229 rushing yards would fall 144 yards shy of their 2018 rushing average of 373 yards per game.

Defense

This writer does not tire of writing about how the final score is not indicative of the play of Georgia Tech’s defense. It feels like that line is written every week, but the truth must be spoken. When your offense turns the ball over two series in a row – both inside your own 35 yard line – it makes it difficult for the best defense in the country to prevent points.

As mentioned earlier, this game was tied at seven with two minutes left in the third quarter. Duke would score three touchdowns in 109 seconds! Some might be tempted to blame the defense for imploding at the end of the third quarter. Some people would be wrong. While on their way to three straight touchdowns, Duke did so while only gaining 97 yards. That is less than the length of the football field.

Now, the defense is responsible for stopping the opponents from scoring, but never underestimate the power of momentum. Georgia Tech’s defense could barely get off the field to grab some air and water before they were being rushed out there to stop an offense averaging almost 33 points a game.

When it was all said and done, Georgia Tech’s defense had given up 304 total yards of offense. That is 103 fewer yards than Duke’s average of 407 yards per game in 2018. Again, the defense played well and gave the Yellow Jackets an opportunity to win. But offensive miscues would be the demise of the Yellow Jackets on Saturday.

One area where Georgia Tech’s defense has to be better is in the passing game. The Yellow Jackets defense is allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete a staggering 63.28% of passes in 2018. They are also allowing teams to score in the red-zone 82% of the time. Nate Woody and company need to address these problem areas immediately!

Special Teams

Not really much to say about the special teams Saturday. That is both good and bad. Pressley Harvin III did his job well on Saturday. And he was called upon often to fulfill his duties.

Wesley Wells made one more PAT in the second half, but had no opportunities to showcase his skills otherwise. Hopefully in two weeks Wells has a chance to show off against Virginia Tech.

How Fans Are Feeling Now

Anger, frustration and confusion are all feelings that the Georgia Tech nation are feeling following Saturday’s loss to Duke. Georgia Tech is now 1-3 in ACC play this season. Current standings have the Yellow Jackets in last place in the Coastal Division. Following next week’s bye, Georgia Tech travels to Virginia Tech, to North Carolina, and home against Miami.

All three of those opponents are Coastal Division rivals and will decide several season factors for Georgia Tech – bowl eligibility, ACC championship, and pride. It could also decide if Paul Johnson returns to the flats as Georgia Tech’s head coach next season. Johnson has one of the cheapest buyouts in college football at $2 million. Georgia Tech’s athletic director, Todd Stansbury, has expressed his confidence in Paul Johnson, but we all know how fast that support can change. If Johnson cannot produce a bowl eligible team in 2018, it would be hard to make the case to keep him in Atlanta any longer.

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Bryce Waller

Bryce Waller

Nashville, TN born and raised. Currently living in Atlanta, GA. Married to a ginger princess and currently have one furry baby.

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