My First Georgia/Georgia Tech Game a Successful One

Saturday, November 29 will live in infamy. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defeated the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens 45-42, the second highest scoring game in the series’ history. The victory signaled the end of the seven year itch that was Georgia Head Coach Mark Richt’s dominance over Tech (specifically former Tech head coach Chan Gailey). I was happy to have taken a small part in it.

This was almost an experience that I missed. My mother by chance, was celebrating her birthday on the same day, and I asked for her blessing to take part in my first Georgia/Georgia Tech game. Thankfully, she said yes, though a part of me will always feel a little guilty. A phone call just doesn’t quite do it.

Nevertheless, along with other members of the JGF (Jolly Good Fellows), I made my way toward Athens in hopes of a Yellow Jacket victory. Having not experienced the rivalry first hand, and more importantly never having been to Sanford Stadium for a game, I was a bit nervous at how we Techies would be received. Hindsight being what it is, the reception was not necessarily hostel. In fact, it was rather watered down. The weather was cold, rainy and dreary. However, hopes were still high.

When we arrived in Athens, one of the men in our company was kind enough to become a human cooler. He stashed several bottles of Yuengling lager in his several coat pockets making everyone rather happy. His weight and frame were perfect for such an ordeal.

After loading up, we met with some UGA fans and they were kind enough to “share” their food with us. Unfortunately, the children didn’t care for our colors. One child in particular stared us down as if he were looking into the eyes of Satan. Funny thing is, on a traditional level his colors would say otherwise. At one point, said child decided it best to ruin a cookie cake with the Tech emblem. All that remained was a gold “G,” which is something that really didn’t bother any of us. After about twenty minutes, our welcome was worn out, and the UGA fans began to pack up their food and tents. We decided it best to leave in search of Sanford Stadium.

Once inside the stadium, I couldn’t help but notice all the empty seats. Were the UGA fans unwilling to brave the weather? Did they feel that a loss to Tech would make the season a complete failure? Or, were the bandwagon jumpers sitting at home with their laptops open in search of Tech gear just incase the Yellow Jackets were victorious? I’d say a little bit of all three. Meanwhile Tech fans,

though obviously outnumbered, weren’t intimidated. These were the REAL Yellow Jacket faithful.

As the game got underway, the JGF sat and waited. Waited to see if the Jackets time was now, thanks to the leadership of head coach Paul Johnson and his triple option attack. For the first half, it didn’t appear that any of that mattered. Georgia QB Matthew Stafford, and rumored NFL first round draft choice, picked apart the Jackets depleted defensive secondary to the tune of three touchdowns and one interception. That one interception lead to Tech’s first score, a SS Morgan Burnett pick six. Unfortunately, the Jackets fumbled the extra point attempt, allowing Georgia to keep a 7-6 lead. Senior WR Mohamed Massaquoi was a big reason why Tech couldn’t stop Georgia’s offense. What could only be described as a game of catch took place, with Massaquoi catching everything thrown at him. Due to soft coverage, every catch made by Massaquoi allowed room for more yards after the reception. Massaquoi caught touchdowns from 10 and 49 yards out in the first half alone. Georgia walked into the locker room up 28-12, after a Hail Mary interception thrown by Tech QB Josh Nesbitt ended the second quarter.

For Tech fans, we’d seen this before. What I personally couldn’t get my head around was how bad the defense had played. Was Georgia that good? Was the ACC that bad? Is our offense not good enough to put up more than six points against a top tear team? Or, is it just the fact that Georgia can recruit talent, and Tech can only recruit student athletes? All these questions swirled like bits inside the blender that was my mind. Deep down, I didn’t think we could come back. Even if we were to somehow start scoring, how could we stop Stafford and company? Then, the unthinkable happened: THE THIRD QUARTER.

All of a sudden, out of seemingly nowhere, the Jackets began their assent from the pits of deflation to the mountains of elation.

The Jackets got the ball after half time, and with one play, scored on a RB Jonathan Dwyer touchdown run. The play took only 12 seconds off the clock. A two-point conversion later, and Tech was within eight points. After a three and out by Georgia’s offense, the second of only two non scoring drives, the Jackets punched it in again thanks to a three yard run by RB Roddy Jones. Following a Nesbitt two-point run, the game was tied at 28. Then something possibly miraculous happened. The Jackets have to fight and claw in every victory. Georgia never gives Tech anything. That is, until the ensuing kick off. Return man Richard Samuel fumbled the football, giving the Jackets another opportunity to score. They did just that, on one play. Dwyer rushed for the go ahead score from 23 yards out. Tech had come back from 16 points down, and taken the lead from their nemesis, in their building, in seven minutes. TWENTY SIX POINTS IN SEVEN MINUTES!

Coach Richt was beside himself. So much so, that the Dog players were asked to take a knee and be given a pep talk. How could this have happened, I’m sure they wondered. Meanwhile, “The Hustler” Paul Johnson was bouncing up and down with his players, with what I’m sure could only be described as a Cheshire Cat grin. Much like his predecessor Bobby Bowden learned earlier in the year, Richt saw just how devastating the triple option could be. More importantly, he learned that he had no way of stopping it. He could only hope Stafford and his offense could somehow keep up. They did.

Stafford tied the school record for touchdown passes by tossing two more in the fourth quarter, one to RB Knowshon Moreno on a screen pass, and the other a “guess who” grab by Massaquoi from three yards out. Unfortunately for Bulldog Nation, it wouldn’t be enough, as Tech would score via a chip shot field goal and a long touchdown run by Jones to put it away.

The scoreboard was cut off after Tech took their first lead. I’m not sure if it was an attempt by the school officials to take pressure off the players, or to refuse Tech fans the satisfaction. Either way, a

Tech victory over Georgia is none the sweeter.

Despite nearly having multiple heart attacks and losing my voice in the second half, I made my way down the steps to exit the stadium feeling quite happy. I could now brag to all the Georgia fans. Leaving Athens was eerily quite. I wonder why.

I could feel good about a 9-3 campaign, despite a missed trip to Tampa and the ACC Championship. Tech ends the regular season ranked 15 in the BCS and AP. What’s not to love about Paul Johnson and these Jackets? “We had them all along,” said Johnson. He knows how to add exclamation points.

Now Tech fans can celebrate from Atlanta to Athens, from Blue Ridge to Savannah, from Columbus to Albany. It’s difficult not to smile on Christmas Day, and Jackets football under Johnson can now be equated to that. The night before brings jitters and anticipation. The day of brings excitement and hope. You can’t win all the time, but when you do there is nothing quite so satisfying. Under

Gailey, only coal was found in the stockings of the Tech faithful. Now, a brightly wrapped present with your name on it shines under the lights from the tree. It’s yellow and gold, and it reads: From: Paul To: Fans. From now on, every game day is Christmas Day. You might get socks sometimes, but hey, you need them. It makes you appreciate the PS3 sitting next to them.