Offense Puts Up Big Performance In Win
After last season I think that every GT fan was bracing themselves coming into this game for a regression from the upset last week. And while the Yellow Jackets did win 35-12, this game was far closer than the score would appear.
Georgia State started the game with the ball and they wasted no time in moving the ball down the field. In just 5 plays they got down to the Georgia Tech 1 yard line. Then Georgia Tech buckled down and stuffed the Panthers for the first three downs and then an incompletion on 4th gave the Yellow Jackets the ball. Georgia Tech did enough to get out of their own endzone before punting and when Georgia State fumbled on their second play the Yellow Jackets took advantage. A quick 20-yard drive led to a Jamal Haynes touchdown run to put the Jackets up 7-0.
After both teams traded unsuccessful drives, Georgia State just embarked on another long drive, this time a 16 play 87 yard drive. They got as far as 1st and goal from the three, but once again Georgia Tech was up to the challenge and forced a field goal to make the score 7-3 Jackets.
At this point things were getting nervy for Tech fans. Then with just 4 minutes until halftime the Yellow Jackets went on a touchdown drive that took up the whole rest of the clock and resulted in a Haynes King TD run on 4th down. Then they got the ball out of halftime and scored in just 4 plays on a long Eric Singleton sweep to go up 21-3. Things were feeling more comfortable here.
Then Georgia State went three and out and the Yellow Jackets only needed a single play to score their next touchdown when Haynes King found Malik Rutherford way, way, WAY open downfield to go up 28-3.
Things got slightly touch and go after Georgia State got a field goal their next drive (28-6) then Haynes King threw a bad pick and the Panthers once again moved down the field and finished the drive this time. They went for two and a receiver dropped a wide open pass (a recurring theme for them this game).
I was getting nervous here, but the Yellow Jackets went right back down the field to score again on a crossing route that Avery Boyd was able to turn upfield. This put the game at 35-12 with 14 minutes left. Georgia State went on one long drive after that, but never really threatened a comeback.
I’m happy with the scoreline, but I’m not super happy with how the team played. The Panthers were able to move the ball nearly at will in the middle of the field, they just couldn’t finish drives. Things would have been worse if Georgia State didn’t have several important drops. The pass rush was near non-existent and tackling was sometimes an issue. Both of those were much better against FSU. Georgia State was getting tons of easy passes underneath the GT defenders.
On offense Haynes King looked uncomfortable at times and it was a grind to move the ball, even if they were ultimately successful.
Penalties were an issue and they had to take timeouts when the team was confused on the field several times. They have to clean that up.
On the bright side Jamal Haynes looked awesome and the receiving corps looked really good too. GT bunkered down on defense when they needed to and made the plays. Special teams was basically a non-issue. I was critical of Trenilyas Tatum last week, but he made a couple huge plays this week at the linebacker spot.
And it seemed like GT was holding back a lot. They barely blitzed at all (compared to last week when they brought 6 several times). On offense they seemed to be reluctant to push the ball downfield. 0ther than the wide open deep throw to Malik Rutherford there really weren’t many shots taken. This team was coming back from Ireland last weekend and didn’t get a break at all. Maybe fatigue/lack of preparation was an issue.
My final critique is that both Haynes King and Jamal Haynes looked a little banged up late in the game, but stayed in even after the game was well in hand. You have Zach Pyron as your backup! And get Chad Alexander and Anthony Carrie some more run. Instead Haynes King took a shot on a read option that was entirely unnecessary. Pyron and Carrie did eventually get in so it’s not like they’re being saved for anything.
Anyway, you can’t complain too much about 3 score win that was never really that close in the second half. Next week the Jackets continue their whirlwind tour of the world as they head to Syracuse to face the Orange at noon eastern. Both teams are easily the most hyped they’ve been in at least 5 years (okay maybe 2022 for Syracuse), so this game will be a heartbreaker for someone. Go Jackets!