Jackets prevail in Battle of the Techs

The Jackets came out early against the Hokies and set the tone in the "Battle of the Techs." Tech scored three touchdowns in the first 12 minutes and held a 21-7 lead at the end of the first quarter. By the time the Virginia Tech band played the "Hokey Pokey" at the end of the third quarter, Georgia Tech led 38-13 and went on to win 38-27.

The victory for Georgia Tech was their first in the state of Virginia since 1990 when the Jackets downed then No. 1 ranked Virginia on the way to Tech's most recent national championship run.

"I commented to several people that at Tuesday's practice most of our guys just went about their business. It was not a 'rah rah' type situation like we had leading up to Notre Dame. We had more of a sense of purpose," said Georgia Tech Head Coach Chan Gailey, about the Jackets' preparation for Virginia Tech last week.

The last time Virginia Tech allowed more than 30 points in a game was in 2003 against California in the Insight.com Bowl where they lost 51-48.

The Jackets 38 points was the most scored at Lane Stadium since 1994 when Virginia scored 42 on their way to a 42-23 victory.

"I think everybody in [the press room] is shocked, but none of those guys in [the locker room] are shocked," Gailey said.

The Tech offense was led by wide receiver Calvin Johnson who caught six passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns. Both touchdowns came in the first quarter. However, it was James Johnson, not Calvin, that started the Jackets offense off on the right foot.

On the first play from scrimmage, Ball completed a 59-yard pass to James Johnson leading to the Jackets first score of the afternoon. The drive was capped off by a 3-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Johnson on a fade pattern to the back corner of the endzone.

After a 53-yard screen pass from Ball to Calvin Johnson that went for a touchdown and a five yard touchdown run by Tashard Choice, the Jackets were able to cast silence on the 66,000 fans decked out in orange at Lane Stadium by taking an early 21-0 lead.

"You still have to stay on your opponent, no matter how big the lead is. That is especially the case with a team like Virginia Tech. It was way too early to get comfortable and let up," Ball said, about the early lead.

The defense was a key to the Jackets victory and was led by junior linebacker Philip Wheeler. Wheeler recorded eight tackles, two sacks and forced a fumble. Wheeler's effort against the Hokies led to him being named the ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week and the FWAA/Bronco Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week awards.

The defense made several key plays in the game to help the Jackets maintain the early lead. In the second quarter, Georgia Tech held the Hokies to just two field goals for a total of six points after two Reggie Ball interceptions.

In the third quarter, the Jackets forced two key turnovers that sealed the game. Phillip Wheeler forced Virginia Tech quarterback Sean Glennon to fumble at his own 38 yard line, and junior linebacker Gary Guyton picked up the ball and didn't look back giving the Jackets a 31-13 lead.

On the next possession for the Hokies, KaMichael Hall forced Glennon to fumble again. This time, it was recovered by junior defensive end Adamm Oliver.

"It always feels good to hit a quarterback," Hall said, when asked about how it felt to face Glennon versus the more agile ex-Hokie quarterbacks, Marcus Vick and Bryan Randall.

The Jackets played well on special teams against a Virginia Tech team that specializes in blocking kicks and generally causing havoc with a style of play known as "Beamerball". However, Georgia Tech was able to block their first punt of the season when reserve Troy Garside was able to deflect a Nic Schmitt punt in the first quarter.

Punter Durant Brooks downed three of his five punts inside of the 20 yard line, and kickoff specialist Mohammed Yahiaoui had two touchbacks as the Jackets kick coverage improved.