Tech splits ACC matchups

This season has been a roller coaster for the Jackets as they have been able to come up with big wins against Clemson at home and Notre Dame on the road, while losing tough games on the road to conference foes Virginia and Maryland.

Last Saturday, Tech was able to come away with a key 17-14 victory at Miami in what may be the Jackets last trip to the Orange Bowl. With the win, Tech moved their record to 4-3 overall and 2-3 in the conference, keeping alive hopes of finishing the season in a top -tier bowl.

"It's got some great memories for me, to say the least. But I have been in so many [places]; it's hard to say one has a more special place in your heart and mind than the others," Head Coach Chan Gailey told ramblinwreck.com.

In the first half, Tech appeared to have their heels stuck in the Orange Bowl field as their offense was unable to do much of anything. Through the air, Taylor Bennett was just 7-for-21 passing and running back Tashard Choice had less than 50 yards rushing on the ground.

Defensively, the Jackets were able to keep Miami from doing much. The Jackets only allowed one mistake in the half on a 39-yard touchdown run by Shawnbery McNeal to give Miami the lead and the only scoring drive of the first half.

After halftime, the Jackets were a completely different team. They picked up two touchdowns in the third quarter on 10 and three yard runs from quarterback Taylor Bennett. Kicker Travis Bell hit a 39-yard field goal with 7:34 left in the game that ended up being the difference.

Tech's offense was led by the ACC's leading rusher Choice, who carried the ball 37 times for 204 yards. While Choice did not score in the second half, he had many key runs that led to scoring drives, including a 54-yard run early in the third quarter that led to the Jackets' first score of the game.

"I didn't even know that I had 200 yards until the end of the game. It just goes to show you [how] well the offensive line works every game," Choice said.

The defense also performed well last week allowing just 223 yards total to the Hurricanes. Miami Quarterbacks Kyle Wright and Kirby Freeman were sacked four times by defensive end Michael Johnson. On the ground, Miami's top running backs Craig Cooper and Javaris James were largely a non-factor as they combined for just 70 yards on 18 carries.

Another key for the Jackets was the special teams. Punter Durant Brooks performed well again for Tech. On four punts, he averaged only 38 yards per kick, but was able to pin the Miami offense behind the 20 yard line three times throughout the game.

With every kick off from Brooks' right foot, the Jackets' defense was able to rest a little more easily knowing that they would have a larger margin for error with the Hurricanes having to drive the ball 80+ yards down the field.

While the victory over Miami helped the Jackets' get back over .500 and perhaps turn the corner on their season, two weeks ago the Maryland Terrapins all but slammed the door shut on any hope of Tech reaching the ACC Championship game.

After a 52 yard game-winning field goal attempt by Travis Bell off of the right hash mark fell just a yard or so to the right of the goal post, the final score read: Maryland 28, Georgia Tech 26.

"The frustrating thing for me was that I knew that I was capable of making that kick. It was well within my range," Bell said.

While the Jackets were not able to seal the victory, they were able to come back from a 21-3 deficit late in the first half.

"I'm proud to say that our guys fought back, but untimely penalties cost us. That's what happens when you make those kinds of mistakes," Gailey said.

Tech's comeback was sparked by a defensive touchdown to end the first half after Jackets' defensive tackle Vance Walker sacked Maryland quarterback Chris Turner and stripped him of the ball on a hit from behind at the Maryland 30 yard line.

Defensive end Daryl Robertson picked up the ball and ran the distance to the end zone to make the score 21-10, picking up his second touchdown of his career. It more importantly gave the Jackets the spark they needed to march back into the game.

"That play was tremendous for our momentum. You can never understate the importance of a play like that to get you momentum going into halftime," Gailey said.

In the second half, the Jackets came out of the locker room a completely different team. The defense that allowed 21 first half points and over 228 yards of total offense hunkered down and allowed just seven points and 343 total yards of offense for the game.

The offense that had struggled to move the ball down the field in the first half was able to do at will in the second half. Quarterback Taylor Bennett had three incomplete passes in the second half and finished the game by going 22-for-34 with 309 yards passing.

"I felt like I was smoother, cleaner with my throws and just got into more of a rhythm in the second half," Bennett said.

Likewise, the running game opened up and running back Tashard Choice was able to pick up 135 yards on 32 carries and a touchdown. The Jackets piled up 484 yards of total offense on a Maryland defense that had only allowed three points in the first half.

Tech next plays host to the Army for the annual Homecoming game. This is the first meeting between the two in 34 years. The game kicks off at 12 p.m.