Georgia Tech Falls To Miami 45-30
Oct 5, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Stephen Morris (17) throws a pass against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Going up against the best team in the Coastal Conference of the ACC, Georgia Tech played pretty well, especially considering the embarrassing loss to Virginia Tech just a week ago. However, they still came up short and looked progressively worse as the game went on to turn an otherwise competitive game into a 45-30 loss.
The Yellow Jackets came out in the first quarter with a noticeable fire, and outscored Miami 17-7. Their triple option was back and moving the chains like a well-oiled machine. However, with the start of the second quarter, the momentum started to slide towards Stephen Morris and the Hurricanes.
The Miami defense would shut down Paul Johnson’s offense for the second and third quarters entirely before giving up essentially two consolation TD’s in the fourth quarter.
What really cost this game for Georgia Tech were some key turnovers from Vad Lee. A fumble in the second quarter started it all and he later threw a pick in the fourth quarter to basically put things out of reach.
While the Georgia Tech offense looked much better today (at least on the ground), there are still some pretty big problems that will hold the team back against quality football teams–just like today.
As good as the triple-option is for Georgia Tech when it’s going… it’s just not good enough. They have virtually no passing game (just 66 yards and Lee was just 5-13) and with defenses that are as talented as Miami, a one-dimensional game plan just isn’t going to cut it. Players are too disciplined and too talented (at least on the good teams) for just that to fool them throughout the entire game.
Secondly, turnovers have been becoming a bigger and bigger problem for the team–I’m looking at you, Vad. They end up having an even bigger impact because there is no threat to come on the field and air the ball out late in games when you need to move the ball down the field quickly.
When you have issues like that, 335 rushing yards aren’t going to make up for it, especially when your defense is giving up 551 total yards (324 passing and 227 on the ground).
However, to be fair to Georgia Tech, Miami is an extremely talented team and for much of the game they were right in it, and competitive. Unless Virginia Tech and the Hurricanes shoot themselves in the foot this season, this game looks to be the nail in the coffin for the Yellow Jackets’ hopes of a Coastal Division Championship.