Jackets And Cavs Set For Coastal Clash

Oct. 21, 2013

Jackets And Cavs Set For Coastal Clash
• Fresh off its largest margin of victory ever in an ACC game, Georgia Tech hits the road Saturday for a Coastal Division matchup at Virginia at 12:30 p.m.
• The game can be seen on the ACC Network with Tim Brant, Dave Archer and Rachel Baribeau.
• On the radio, “Voice of the Yellow Jackets” Brandon Gaudin has the call on the Georgia Tech IMG Sports Network along with analyst Rick Strom and sideline reporter Randy Waters. The game can be heard on WYAY 106.7 FM in Atlanta and on the web at RamblinWreck.com.

Quick Hitters
• After two straight road games, the Yellow Jackets snapped a three-game skid last Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium with a 56-0 rout of Syracuse in the Orange’s first-ever visit to Georgia Tech.
• Tech dominated in all phases in the `Cuse win, out-gaining the Orange 482-208 in total yards, 394-75 on the ground, winning the turnover battle and playing its first-penalty free game since 1968.
• The Yellow Jackets have shut out two opponents in a season for the first time since 1985 — that year current defensive coordinator Ted Roof was a Tech captain.
• Junior Quayshawn Nealy was named ACC co-LB of the Week after an interception, fumble recovery, pass breakup and two tackles in the Syracuse win (his second career ACC honor).
• In the last 50 seasons, Tech has scored 56 or more points 12 times, including eight in the Paul Johnson era.
• Since 2005, Georgia Tech and Clemson have identical cumulative records of 45-24 in ACC play. Only Virginia Tech has won more conference games over that span.
• Georgia Tech ranks seventh nationally in third-down percentage (.540). Meanwhile, Virginia leads the nation in third-down defense (.266).
• The Yellow Jackets are back in the top five nationally in rushing offense, averaging 304.4 yards per game.
• Both Georgia Tech and Virginia rank in the top five nationally in time of possession. The Yellow Jackets rank second (35:28), while the Cavaliers are fifth (33:52).
• Georgia Tech is averaging more yards of total offense per game (430.0) than the 2009 Yellow Jacket team that played in a BCS bowl game (422.1). Three of the six highest total offense averages in Tech history have come in the last three seasons.
• The all-time series between the Yellow Jackets and the Cavaliers stands at 17-17-1 and is the most closely-contested current series among current ACC opponents.
• Tech’s three losses this season are to teams that are a combined 17-3, with two of those teams currently ranked in the top 20 — Miami (No. 6/7) and Virginia Tech (No. 16/19) — and BYU receiving votes.
• Tech’s defense has allowed just five running plays of 20 yards or more.
• Head coach Paul Johnson picked up his 150th career win on Sept. 21 versus UNC. Johnson is now 151-68 in 17 years as a head coach and only eight active FBS coaches own more career wins.
• The Yellow Jackets have rushed for more yards than any FBS team since 2008, and in 2012, Tech surpassed the 20,000-yard rushing mark for the five-year period under head coach Paul Johnson.
• Georgia Tech is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Historic Grant Field in 2013. It is the most tenured stadium in the FBS and listed by ESPN.com as a bucket-list item for college fans.

The Virginia Series
• The all-time series record is tied, 17-17-1 and the two teams have split the last six meetings.
• Georgia Tech has won three of the last four meetings, including a 56-20 win in Atlanta last season.
• Virginia has a 10-3-1 series advantage in Charlottesville, including a 24-21 win in 2011, which knocked Georgia Tech from the ranks of the unbeaten.
• Since 1992, Georgia Tech is just 1-9 in Charlottesville, with the only win coming in 2009.
• Tech holds a 14-7 series advantage in Atlanta.
• The two teams have met every season since 1982.
• One of Tech’s greatest victories was a 41-38 win over Virginia in Charlottesville in 1990 when the Cavaliers were ranked No. 1 nationally. The Jackets went on to win a share of the national championship.
• The two teams first met on the gridiron in 1965. Georgia Tech won the first six meetings.
• Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson is 3-2 all-time vs. Virginia.
• Virginia coach Mike London is 1-2 against Georgia Tech.
• The Yellow Jackets are 35-26-1 all-time against teams from the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Up Next
• The Jackets return home Saturday to host Pittsburgh at Bobby Dodd Stadium on Nov. 2. That game has been set for a 7 p.m. kickoff on ESPNU.