Tech Beats army, 34-10

Tech let its group of running backs lead the offense in the game against Army. The Jackets went on to win by a score of 34-10. Rashaun Grant earned 119 rushing yards during the game.

"I feel like I'm ready [to be a starting running back]. I've been playing here for five years. I'm older, stronger and a little bigger. I think, collectively as a whole for the running back position and the players that we have, we are capable of collectively holding the load," Grant said.

Grant was the leader of Tech's offense throughout much of the game before leaving with an ankle injury. Furthermore, Jamaal Evans and Jonathan Dwyer combined for 49 yards. With the three getting significant playing time and Tashard Choice missing at least one week, the Jackets displayed their depth at the running back position and the multiple options they have in all these situations.

"We have a 'three-headed monster' with Dwyer, [Choice] and [Evans]. They all bring something to the table that we're all going to be pretty confident in...They can go to a bunch of different places and start...so I think we're definitely very fortunate to have that depth at running back," said Taylor Bennett, the starting quarterback.

Both quarterbacks Taylor Bennett and Josh Nesbitt split time during the day, with Benett taking most of the passing duties and Nesbitt running the ball on certain downs. While Bennett completed 13-of-24 passes for 207 yards, Nesbitt averaged about six yards on each attempted run.

"[Having the five-receiver set] is something that I love and something that I think we execute well...We will start watching more film, but if we feel comfortable enough to do that, then we will [use that], so we will see," Bennett said.

The Jackets managed the first half of the game with a lead of just 13-10. It was during the first half when the Black Knights scored their only points in the game, with a receiving touchdown and a field goal. The Jackets kept on pace with a rushing touchdown and two 40+ yard field goals by Travis Bell.

"We were a little frustrated in the first half because we knew that things were not [going] as smoothly as we would have liked, but I think that has been the story for the past few games. In the second half, we came out once again and took care of business. It just depends [on] how you finish out the game and if you finish with a win, then all is well," Bennett said.

According to several players, Choice stepped in front of the team in crutches to motivate the rest of the team.

"Tashard is always Tashard. He was getting pretty choked up and emotional when he was saying that he couldn't be out there playing with us anymore, but that is why he is the captain here. He definitely got us up and rallied up the troops, but you could tell that it was definitely hurting him that he couldn't be out there," said Mike Cox, the starting fullback.

"[During halftime, Choice] just told us to go out there and play like we know we can. He told us that he would be 'all right' and just told us to go out there and play hard," Grant said.

Consequently, Tech stole away the second half with dominating defense, a diversified running game and some well-timed passes.

Tashard Choice left the game during the first quarter with an injured knee. Choice carried the ball more than 30 times in the past three games despite a nagging hamstring injury. Furthermore, Choice still leads the ACC in rushing yards for the second consecutive season. During the match-up on Saturday, Choice was able to run for 24-yards and a touchdown in his limited time.

"Without [Choice] being out there, we definitely knew that we had to pick up everything and become a little bit crisper in our blocks. I think we came out there in the second half and made great adjustments. I think we definitely had to focus a lot more with Tashard not being out there anymore," Cox said.

One stat that was surprising was his 38 rushing yards, a number more than his previous career yardage gains combined.

"It felt good. I haven't had that feeling in a long time. I was actually wondering how much Coach Bond was going to run it this week. I know everybody on the offense was hounding on me saying that 'they weren't going to run it'. But I knew it was a great play, and I'm just proud to show my abilities and why I'm like a 'running bull.' They said that they were going to use it, but I didn't think that I was going to get to carry the ball as many times as I did today," Cox said.

"We can finally get [Cox] some carries. He's been on us for a while about that. But that was good to get him some carries and he almost broke that last one for a touchdown....I'm happy for him," Bennett said.

The Tech defense proved to be a dominating force, easily stopping the opposition. They held the Black Knights to just 188 net rushing yards and the starting receiver to less than 100 receiving yards. Tech also forced three interceptions from the opponents, including one caught in the endzone.

Choice recently underwent surgery and will not be able to play in the next home game against Virginia Tech. However, there is still a strong chance that he will play in the remaining games.