Oct. 5, 2012
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Georgia Tech is on the road for just the second time this season, traveling up I-85 for a showdown with 15th-ranked Clemson in Death Valley. The nationally-televised game can be seen live on ESPN with Mike Patrick Ed Cunningham and Jeannine Edwards (Patrick called last year’s Tech win over Clemson at Bobby Dodd Stadium on ABC). As always, you can hear Wes Durham and Rick Strom on the Georgia Tech IMG Sports Network – in Atlanta on 790AM and 106.7FM, on Sirius Channel 85, XM 85, or check the radio affiliate list.
You can also follow @gtathletics for in-game updates on Twitter and use the hashtag #GTCU12 for in-game discussion.
BUZZWORTHY
Rekindle The Magic. Last year’s win over Clemson at Bobby Dodd Stadium both cemented QB Tevin Washington in the GT history book, and served as the coming-out-party for CB Jemea Thomas. Washington rolled up 176 yards rushing (a school record for a QB), while rushing and throwing for a TD. Thomas intercepted two passes, forced a fumble, made five tackles and one TFL. The Jackets will need both, and more, Saturday looking to snap a two-game slide.
Life On The Road. Tech hasn’t played away from Bobby Dodd Stadium much this season, but when it has, they’ve been no picnic. The Jackets’ first two road games have come at arguably the ACC’s toughest venues — Virginia Tech’s Lane Stadium on opening night and Clemson’s Memorial Stadium tomorrow. It’s the first time since 2005 that Tech’s first two road games of the year have come against Top 25 teams (at 16th-ranked Auburn and fourth-ranked Virginia Tech).
Zone In On The Red Zone. Only six teams in the FBS have more total Red Zone touchdowns this season than the Yellow Jackets’ 18 (Florida State 26, Oregon 23, Marshall 22, Oklahoma State 20, Tulsa 20, Louisiana Tech 20). Of Tech’s 18 Red Zone TDs, an FBS-leading 17 of them have come on the ground. The Jackets, who have converted 12 of their last 13 Red Trips into touchdowns, will need that same effectiveness Saturday in Death Valley.
Number Change. Senior Chris Crenshaw will not be wearing his traditional No. 95 jersey this week. Instead, look for Crenshaw to wear No. 40 as the Yellow Jacket continue to rotate the No. 40 jersey in honor of Julian Burnett, whose promising football career was cut short because of an injury last season.
THEY SAID IT
“You need some leadership, but the first thing you’ve got to do, everybody’s got to be accountable. From coaches to players to whatever, you’ve got to do your job and people have got to be able to depend on (you) doing what you’re supposed to do.”
–Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson
“I think they’re kind of excited to get back out on Saturday and prove to the world that we’re not the team that we showed last Saturday.”
–Senior guard Omoregie Uzzi
“For some reason, not many people talk about Smith, but he’s a dangerous player. I remember him well. I recruited him out of high school. He’s a fast guy…He’s a guy that’s very capable of hitting a home run.”
— Clemson coach Dabo Swinney on Tech A-Back Orwin Smith (Smith has accumulated 355 all-purpose yards in four career games versus the Tigers)
NUMBERS GAME
** With 29 career touchdowns, senior QB Tevin Washington stands second all-time at Tech and in the ACC. He continues to close in on Joshua Nesbitt’s school and ACC career record of 35. Washington has more rushing TDs this season (11) than any QB in the FBS.
** Clemson is Georgia Tech’s fourth-most commonly-played opponent. The 77 games between the former Southern Conference rivals trails the 106 played between Tech and Georgia, the 92 played against Auburn and the 79 games versus Duke.
MILESTONE WATCH
Jeremiah Attaochu’s next tackle will be the 100th of his career… B.J. Bostic is 185 yards shy of his 1,000th career all-purpose yard… Izaan Cross is four tackles shy of 100 for his career… Jamal Golden needs 13 punt return yards to surpass 100 this season (and career)… Isaiah Johnson is 44 tackles shy of the 200th in his career… Zach Laskey needs 197 yards to eclipse 500 yards rushing for the season and his career… Justin Moore is 11 points shy of 100 for his career… Quayshawn Nealy needs 18 tackles to reach 100 for his career… David Sims needs 181 rushing yards to eclipse the 1,000 career rushing yards… Orwin Smith needs 98 rushing yards to reach the 1,500-yard career mark… Smith also needs 50 receiving yards to reach the 700-yard career mark… Rod Sweeting is 26 tackles shy of the 150th in his career… Jemea Thomas is eight tackles shy of his 100th career… Tevin Washington is 155 yards shy of achieving 2,000 career rushing yards… Washington is 405 yards away from 5,000 yards of career total offense… Washington is five TDs shy of the 50th total TD in his career (29 rush, 16 pass)… Izaan Cross is set to make his team-leading 32nd-consecutive start Saturday (the next longest streak is 22-straight by Tevin Washington)… T.J. Barnes and Rod Sweeting should play in their team-leading 46th game on Saturday.
