Oct. 27, 2009
Complete Release in PDF Format
Tech Takes 5-Game Win Streak To Out Of Conference Game At Vandy
Georgia Tech, which took over sole possession of first place in the ACC Coastal Division with a 34-9 win at Virginia last Saturday, steps out of conference play this week for a road game at Vanderbilt (7:30 p.m. ET/CSS).
The Yellow Jackets, 7-1 overall and 5-1 in the ACC, have won five straight — their longest winning streak since 2006. Tech is ranked 11th in the Associated Press poll, 11th in the USA Today poll and 11th in the BCS standings.
Juniors Jonathan Dwyer (125 yards) and Anthony Allen (103 yards) both rushed for more than 100 yards, and junior quarterback Josh Nesbitt rushed for two touchdowns in the win at Virginia — Tech’s first win in Charlottesville since 1990. Tech rolled up 447 yards of total offense and dominated time of possession (42:43 to 17:17).
Vanderbilt (2-6 and 0-5 in the SEC), takes a four-game losing streak into Saturday’s game. The Commodores are coming off a disappointing 14-10 loss at South Carolina last Saturday night.
Warren Norman had a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and Vanderbilt carried a 10-7 lead into the fourth quarter, but could not hold on as South Carolina used a 99-yard touchdown drive to defeat the Commodores.
Georgia Tech leads the all-time series, 18-15-3. Saturday’s game is the first meeting since a 24-17 Tech overtime win in Nashville in 2003. The series history can be found on page four.
Key Statistical Match-Ups For Saturday’s Game
• Georgia Tech leads the ACC in scoring (32.6 ppg), while Vanderbilt is holding opponents to 17.75 points per contest.
• The Yellow Jackets rank second nationally in rushing offense (291.6 ypg). Vanderbilt limits opponents to 164.1 yards rushing per game.
• Both teams have a +5 turnover margin.
• Georgia Tech’s special teams and defense will have their hands full in trying to stop Vanderbilt running back Warren Norman, who leads the SEC and ranks 13th nationally in all-purpose yards per game (157.5 ypg) and 16th nationally in kickoff returns (29.04 ypa).
Jackets Stay Put At No. 11 In AP Poll, Move To No. 11 In USA Today
Georgia Tech remained at No. 11 in the Associated Press poll this week, just missing its first appearance in the top 10 since Sept. 24, 2001.
Even though Tech won its fifth straight game, Oregon passed the Yellow Jackets for 10th place in the AP poll.
The Yellow Jackets continued their steady climb in the USA Today poll, inching up from No. 13 to No. 11.
Tech is ranked 11th in the BCS standings.
The Jackets are 12th in the Harris poll.
A Season Of “Firsts” For The Yellow Jackets
• Georgia Tech’s 34-9 win at Virginia last Saturday was its first in Charlottesville since 1990, breaking a streak of eight consecutive losses at UVA’s Scott Stadium.
• The Yellow Jackets’ 28-23 win over Virginia Tech (Oct. 17) was its first win at home against a team ranked in the top five nationally since 1962.
• Tech’s 49-44 win at Florida State (Oct. 10) marked its first win ever in Tallahassee, breaking an 0-6 streak.
• The Jackets’ have their highest national ranking since 2001.
• Georgia Tech is 7-1 through eight games for the first time since its national championship season of 1990 when the Yellow Jackets started 7-0-1.
• A victory at Vanderbilt Saturday would give Tech four road wins in a season for the first time since 2000.
• Tech’s five-game winning streak is its longest since 2006 and ties for the 10th-longest current streak nationally. The Jackets have not won six straight since 2000.
Quick Notes On The Jackets
• Georgia Tech is bowl-eligible, and has won at least seven games, for the 13th consecutive season.
• Tech will finish .500 or better in league play for the 15th consecutive season. The only team nationally with a longer streak is Florida (23 consecutive seasons, including 2009).
• Tech ranks second nationally in rushing offense (291.6 ypg) behind Nevada. The Jackets have rushed for more than 300 yards in a game six times this season.
• Junior quarterback Josh Nesbitt, over the last three games combined, has rushed for 344 yards and eight touchdowns.
• Over the last four games, Tech has averaged 454.5 yards of total offense, 321.2 yards rushing and 38.2 points.
• Tech has produced more than 300 yards of total offense in 12 of the last 13 games.
• Georgia Tech has rushed for 400 yards in a game five times over the last 20 seasons. Four have come under Paul Johnson including the 401-yard effort at Florida State (Oct. 10).
• The Jackets are outscoring opponents 79-31 in the first quarter.
• Sophomore Jerrard Tarrant leads the ACC in punt return average (19.9 ypa).
• Junior Demaryius Thomas leads the ACC in receiving yards per game (93.4 ypg).
• Tech might not pass that often — 90 attempts in eight games — but the Jackets average a remarkable 23.5 yards per completion and have completed seven passes of 50 yards or longer.
Leftovers From The 34-9 Victory At Virginia
More from Georgia Tech’s 34-9 win at Virginia last Saturday — the Yellow Jackets’ first win in Charlottesville since 1990:
• Georgia Tech’s 71 rushing attempts were its most in at least 20 years.
• Tech’s 70 penalty yards were a season high.
• Tech held an opponent without a touchdown for the first time since shutting out Duke on Oct. 4, 2008.
• Virginia’s 44 plays tied for the fewest by an opponent in at least 20 years.
• Virginia’s 12 rushing attempts were by far the fewest by a Yellow Jacket opponent in at least 20 years.
Time Of Possession: Not Such A Useless Stat After All
• Georgia Tech leads the nation in time of possession with an average of 34:50.
• Since Georgia Tech began its five-game winning streak, the Yellow Jackets have dominated time of possession, having the ball an average of 38 minutes and 15 seconds per game.
• In the win over Virginia (Oct. 24), Tech held the ball for 42:43 — the most time of possession by the Yellow Jackets in at least 20 years.
• Tech held the ball for 42:06 in the win over North Carolina (Sept. 26).
• In Tech’s only loss of the season, at Miami (Sept. 17), the Yellow Jackets lost the TOP battle, 26:25 to 33:35.
• Virginia and North Carolina had just 44 offensive plays against Tech, and Virginia Tech ran just 45 offensive plays.
