Football surprises Terrapins with 20-7 victory

Tech put an end to Maryland’s 13-game home winning streak last Saturday, defeating the Terrapins in convincing fashion 20-7.

The Jackets’ defense was the story of the game, sacking Maryland quarterbacks seven times and allowing only 81 yards of total offense. Leading the Tech defense were linebacker Chris Reis and defensive end Eric Henderson.

Reis finished with three tackles for loss, including 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Henderson, in only his second game back from injury, got 1.5 sacks and was named ACC Defensive Lineman of the week for his efforts. The offensive output allowed by Tech was their lowest since joining the ACC in 1983.

The Jackets used a variety of blitz packages to pressure and confuse Maryland’s offense. The secondary stepped up to provide blanketing coverage on the Terps receivers.

Maryland’s quarterback Joel Statham came into the game as the ACC’s leader in total offense, but he was replaced in the fourth quarter after passing for only 36 yards and being sacked three times.

True freshman Jordan Steffy came into the game, but no more successful against Tech’s swarming defense. Steffy was sacked four more times as the Jacket defense did not relent despite entering the fourth quarter with a 20-point lead.

Sophomore Reggie Ball was successful on offense for Tech, throwing for 197 yards and one touchdown while rushing for 43 yards.

A few days before the game, true freshman Taylor Bennett was promoted to backup quarterback in place of Mark Logan. Many fans saw this as a sign that the team was preparing to play without him. Another backup, Patrick Carter, had been working with the defensive backs also, but returned punts against Maryland averaging 11 yards per touch. Ball said he got some strong motivation from his poor outings against UNC and Miami but some even stronger motivation from his mother.

“She just knew I wasn’t playing with the kind of confidence that I have. I was like, ‘Man, I’d better get going,’ " Ball said, according to the AJC.

Tech scored first in the second quarter with an 11-yard pass to Nate Curry. The drive was aided by two completions to senior receiver Levon Thomas for a total of 50 yards. The next scoring drive, Calvin Johnson made a spectacular catch on a 44-yard pass from Ball. Travis Bell then kicked a 19-yard field goal to give the Jackets a 10-0 lead heading into halftime.

Returning from injury with a strong performance was P.J. Daniels who rushed for 91 yards on 26 carries. Daniels got 51 yards on the Jackets first scoring drive of the second half including a 12-yard run that put Tech up 17-0. Travis Bell kicked another field goal late in the third quarter to give the Jackets a 20-0 lead.

After turning the ball over nine times in its previous two games, Tech committed no turnovers this day.

Maryland had a net rushing total of eight yards with their quarterbacks having minus 67 yards between them.

Tech defenders tackled Maryland players 13 times behind the line of scrimmage. Maryland Head Coach Ralph Friedgen, a former offensive coordinator for Tech, was frustrated with his performance and his team after the game.

“Obviously, we got out-coached, we got out-played, we got out-hit, we got out-hustled,” Friedgen said after the game.

The Jackets have improved vastly over their last two performances. Tech is now 3-2 overall, 2-2 in the ACC with their second road win over a top 25 opponent. The Jackets face Duke this weekend.