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Bye the Numbers

Nov. 4, 2011

By Jon Cooper
Sting Daily

It’s been seven days since Georgia Tech’s 31-17 victory over then-No. 5 (BCS) Clemson last Saturday night at Bobby Dodd Stadium. That’s probably enough time for most fans to have gotten their voices back — can anyone remember the last time Bobby Dodd was as thunderous?

As you already know, there is no football this weekend, at least none involving Georgia Tech, as the team has reached its bye week.

The team is getting revved up for its nationally televised showdown with Virginia Tech next Thursday night at Bobby Dodd (coincidentally the second straight season Tech has come off its bye week to play an ESPN Thursday night game with the Hokies), a game that likely will decide the Atlantic Division representative in the ACC Championship game and a rematch with Clemson.

For fans, it’s the perfect time to look back on the season’s first nine games.

There’s no need for to pinch oneself. The Clemson game was not a dream, nor was Tech’s 6-0 start nor its 7-2 record. Unfortunately, the Virginia and Miami games weren’t bad dreams, either, but 7-2, 4-2 in the conference is certainly an improvement from last season, when the Jackets were 5-3 and 3-2 in the ACC.

For those that just can’t live without Yellow Jackets football, here are some statistical bye-week bits to keep you entertained while watching the Game of the Century (of the Week) or while watching TiVo of last Saturday night’s game.

0 – The number of losses for Georgia Tech this season in games against ranked opponents. They beat No. 25 North Carolina and No. 6 Clemson. The Jackets could play as many as four more ranked teams the rest of the way, as they play two Virginia Tech and Georgia to finish their schedule, could play Clemson again in the ACC Championship and then a bowl game.

0 – The number of losses at Bobby Dodd Stadium this season. Tech has won six straight at home, all five games this season and their final home game of 2010 against Duke.

1 – The number of offensive tackles to start every game. That would be redshirt sophomore Ray Beno.

3/29 – True freshman Zach Laskey’s rank in the ACC and nationally in punt returns. Laskey is averaging 8.5 yards per return, with a long of 28 yards.

4 – The ranking in the ACC of sophomore linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu in sacks, fittingly with 4.

4 – The number of games in which Tech has thrown at least two touchdown passes. That’s three more than last season. It should be noted that they haven’t had a passing touchdown since the 10:07 mark of the fourth quarter on Oct. 1 at N.C. State. Of their last 10 touchdowns since, nine have come on the ground and one came on defense.

4 – The number of times Georgia Tech QBs have thrown for more than 130 yards — their high total in 2010.

4.33/35.6 – The number of penalties and penalty yardage per game for the 2011 Yellow Jackets. They rank 10th in the country in fewest penalties taken, and ninth in fewest yards. Last season they averaged 6.2 penalties (74th) and 53.0 penalty yards per game (66th).

5 – The number of rushing yards more gained per game by Georgia Tech this year vs. last year. The Jackets are averaging 328.0 rushing yards per game, second in the country. Last year their 323.0 ypg led in the country.

5 – The number of times redshirt sophomore David Sims has rushed for at least 70 yards in a game.

5 – The number of wins by Georgia Tech in five games in which they’ve worn white jerseys and gold pants.

5.4 – The number of trips into the red zone per game in Georgia Tech’s seven victories. They’ve scored on 32 of 39 trips in those games, an 82.1 percent success.

1.5 – The number of trips into the red zone in their two losses. If there is consolation they are 3-for-3, all touchdowns.

6 – The number of games this season in which Georgia Tech has scored at least 30 points. That matches their 2010 total.

7 – The number of receptions of at least 40 yards made by junior wide receiver Stephen Hill.

19 – The number of touchdown drives requiring five-or-fewer plays. Eight of those have been one-play drives.

21 – The number of wins in 22 times under Paul Johnson when the Yellow Jackets have scored at least 30 points.

8/15 – The Yellow Jackets’ ranks nationally in pass defense and pass efficiency defense. Last season they were 34th and 113th in those categories.

9 – The differential in turnover margin between the 2011 Yellow Jackets and the 2010 team. This year’s team is plus-3 (17-14), while last year’s squad was minus-6 (21-27).

9.0 – The average number of tackles per game by ILB Julian Burnett, who has 81 tackles in Tech’s nine games.

11 – The number of interceptions by the Yellow Jackets. That’s three more than they had all of last season.

11/11.3 – A-Back Orwin Smith’s rushing touchdowns and yards per carry in 2011. He came into the season having scored four touchdowns in two seasons and averaging 9.3 yards per carry.

17 – A-Back Roddy Jones’ current rank in career rushing yards. He has 1, 710 yards heading into Thursday’s game against Virginia Tech. Jones is 34 yards away from passing Lenny Snow (1965-67) and 59 away from passing Joey Hamilton (1996-99) to move into 15th place.

33 – The number of tackles by which Burnett leads the rest of the Yellow Jackets. Sophomore safety Isaiah Johnson is next.

36.4 – Georgia Tech’s win percentage all-time against ranked teams (87-154-6).

63.6 – Georgia Tech’s win percentage under Paul Johnson against ranked teams (7-4)

44 – The number of consecutive PATs converted by sophomore kicker Justin Moore.

57.6 – Georgia Tech’s third-down conversion rate. That’s tops in the nation. Last season the Yellow Jackets converted at 40.44 on third down, fifth in the ACC, and 56th in the country.

167.3 – Georgia Tech’s passing efficiency. That ranks seventh in the country. Last season, the Yellow Jackets were at 102.00, 113th in the country and 12th in the ACC.

176 – The number of yards quarterback Tevin Washington rushed for against Clemson, a school single-game record for rushing yards by a quarterback.

447/6 – Washington’s rushing total and the number of rushing touchdowns over the last four games.

474.6 – Tech’s ACC-leading total offense per game. That’s 16th in the country and nearly 67 yards per game more than last season.

768 – The new school-record for total yardage set Sept. 17 vs. Kansas. The Jackets, who gained 604 of those yards on the ground, also set a record for yards per rush with 12.1 ypc.

1,121 – Orwin Smith’s all-purpose yards. That’s 458 more than the nearest teammate, Stephen Hill.

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