Nov. 9, 2004
Georgia Tech (5-3, 4-3 ACC) steps outside of conference play this Saturday as the Yellow Jackets host Connecticut (5-3, 2-3 Big East) at 1 p.m. in Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field. The game will not be televised, but can be heard on the ISP Radio Sports Network, Atlanta Flagship 790 the Zone.
“I think that our guys realize how good Connecticut is,” said head coach Chan Gailey. “They look at their record and see who they have beaten and realize that it’s a good group of people that they have won games against. When you evaluate that, knowing what is at stake for our team and their team, I think we all expect a tough football game on Saturday afternoon.”
Both teams will be fighting for that crucial sixth win to get bowl eligible. The Jackets defeated UConn, 31-14, two years ago in Storrs, Conn., in the two schools only meeting.
“They have come a long way,” said Gailey. “They have improved tremendously. Most of them were sophomores two years ago and now they are seniors and that makes a huge difference. So they are really a different football team.
“We talked about what our goals are and I think that both teams are in the same boat this week. Both of us will be trying to get to that sixth win. Any thing you can do after that is gravy, but you have to get that sixth one to have the opportunity. I think our team realizes it and I think our opponents realize it.”
UConn has won 18 of its last 24 games and finished last season with a 9-3 mark. The Huskies rank sixth in the nation in pass offense (297.88 yards per game) and No. 17 in total offense (446.25 ypg), leading the Big East in both categories.
Senior quarterback Dan Orlovsky leads the UConn offense. The Shelton, Conn., native has tossed 78 career touchdowns and is third in the NCAA amongst active players, behind Hawai’i’s Timmy Change and Arizona State’s Andrew Walter. Orlovsky leads the Big East (288.88 ypg) and stands ninth in the country in total offense.
Not to be outdone is the UConn defense. The Huskies lead the Big East in passing defense, only allowing 173.50 yards per game through the air. Linebackers Alfred Fincher, James Hargrave and Maurice Lloyd lead the attack.
“They have a four-man front and three linebackers,” said Gailey. “Those three linebackers are the meat of their defense. They are all returning starters. They play more zone than NC State but they will play some man as well. They are not got going change. They have been pretty good defensively doing what they do.”
Connecticut head coach Randy Edsall will return to Atlanta for the first time since serving as Tech’s defensive coordinator during the 1998 season. Edsall has compiled a record of 29-36 in his six seasons and helped build an I-AA football team to a strong I-A team.
“He went in there when it was I-AA and it’s tremendous what he has done and how far the program has come,” said Gailey. “The new stadium, from what they tell me and what I’ve seen in pictures, is just outstanding. They are a great addition to the Big East.”
Freshman wide out Calvin Johnson continues his good play for the Yellow Jackets. The rookie grabbed four balls for 47 yards, including two very important first downs in a 24-14 win over NC State last Saturday. Johnson leads the Jackets and ranks third in the Atlantic Coast Conference in receiving yards per game (61.6), fifth in receptions per game (3.75) and is tied for the lead in touchdown receptions (6).
“I’m still amazed and I have seen it several times,” said Gailey on Johnson’s dazzling first-down grab last weekend. “It was a spectacular play and I’m sure it will be talked about for a long time. He has made giant strides from where he was when he got here in August to where he is today. I think his potential is outstanding. He has seen a lot, but he has a lot to learn about beating specific coverages, looking at the different corners and knowing how to beat them. He will get better at that.”
Redshirt freshman Rashaun Grant took over duties at tailback and rushed for a career-high 122 yards on 20 carries against NC State last Saturday afternoon. The Tampa, Fla., native was named ACC Rookie of the Week for his effort against the Pack.
The Rambling Wreck defense held the Wolfpack scoreless in the second half to preserve Tech’s 10-point win. Redshirt junior cornerback Reuben Houston picked off two passes to set up two touchdowns for the Yellow Jackets. The Peachtree City, Ga., native garnered ACC Defensive Back of the Week honors this week.
“Our defense played great,” said Gailey about last week’s performance. “They pressured the quarterback well, got their hands on some balls and made some interceptions. We ran the ball well offensively and our kicking game was solid. Those were the positives.”
Linebackers Gerris Wilkinson and Chris Reis lead Tech on defense. Wilkinson ranks third in the ACC in tackles per game (10.2) and Reis is third with seven sacks on the year.
“I think that all of our guys have become more experienced in the defense,” said Gailey. “Chris Reis, KaMichael Hall and Gerris Wilkinson are beginning to get more experienced in their position and know how to do things better. I think that Eric Henderson being back after the first three ballgames has created more of a presence on one side, so the other side ends up getting free sometimes. Our guys are playing good. Our guys are covering better so we end up with more pressure. It all works together.”
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