Jackets eye Coastal crown

Tech came into last Saturday's game with an opportunity to essentially clinch the ACC Coastal division and a spot in the ACC championship game with a win against the Miami Hurricanes. The No. 20 ranked Jackets did just that on homecoming day with a 30-23 victory.

"This was a game that we needed to have, it wasn't one that we just wanted, we needed to have it," said Head Coach Chan Gailey.

The Hurricanes would not go down easily, however. On the opening play of the game, quarterback Reggie Ball fumbled after defensive end Calais Campbell hit him from behind. The ball bounced right into the hands of linebacker Glenn Cook on his way to an 18-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown. Miami tacked on another field goal to give the Hurricanes the early 10-0 lead.

"[We] train for tough games like these, and how to get through them," Ball said.

The Jackets battled back in the second quarter to tie the game at 13 after picking up two field goals and a 46-yard strike from Ball to James Johnson in the back of the endzone.

The Jackets defense was tested in the third quarter. The Hurricanes had the ball on one drive for 20 plays that took 7:03 off of the game clock and only resulted in a 26-yard field goal.

"When the other team gets into the red zone, we have to tighten things up. Everyone plays with more urgency," defensive end Adamm Oliver said.

Tech tied the game again with a 39-yard field goal. The fourth quarter belonged to the Jackets offense. After going three for 16 in the first half, quarterback Reggie Ball recovered finishing the game eight for 11. After a one-yard touchdown pass from Ball to Calvin Johnson, the Jackets took the 23-16 lead. After linebacker KaMichael Hall forced a fumble at the Miami 27-yard line.Running back Tashard Choice put the Hurricanes away with a 24-yard touchdown run to put Tech up 30-16, and push himself over 100 yards. It was the first time this season the Miami defense had allowed a 100 yard rusher.

"They kept getting third downs and eventually we got a chance to get back on the field. When we got back out there, everyone understood that we had to score," running back Tashard Choice said.

For the second consecutive year, the Jackets were able to put pressure on Miami quarterback Kyle Wright throughout the game. During those two games, the Jackets have sacked him 13 times, six of which came last Saturday.

"We just came out at them the best that we could. I think we confused their line a little bit, and [Wright] was not prepared for us this year, just like last year," linebacker Philip Wheeler said.

Tech has been shaky on special teams this year, especially in kickoff coverage and field goals. Last Saturday, the entire special teams unit put together a complete effort.

Junior transfer punter Durant Brooks averaged 50.8 yards per punt on six punts and helped change field position in favor of the Jackets. The Hurricanes also fumbled two of Brooks' longer punts. The first was recovered by the Hurricanes pinning them inside of their own 15, and the second was recovered by Tech on the way to sealing the victory.

Kicker Travis Bell hit all three of his field goals for the day. Going into the game, he was only 4-9. While the first two field goals were straight and true, the third just found its way inside the left upright.

"Yeah, I knew it was good the whole time. I just had to keep the crowd on their toes," Bell said.