The Opening: Football Opens ACC at Virginia Tech

Sept. 15, 2014

THE FLATS – For the first time since 2009 and for only the sixth time in 12 series meetings, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech will meet on a Saturday. The last four series meetings had been played on either Thursday (2010, 2011, 2013) or Monday (2012). All three of Georgia Tech’s series wins have been on Saturday. The ACC opener for both teams will kick at 12:01 p.m. ET on ESPN with Dave Pasch (play-by-play), Brian Griese (analyst) and Tom Luginbill (sideline) on the call.

MOST ACC WINS SINCE 2005
Since 2005, the Yellow Jackets have won 47 ACC games, tied for the third most among conference members (Florida State). Georgia Tech trails only Coastal Division rival Virginia Tech (55) and cross-division rival Clemson (48).

SO MANY OPTIONS
Georgia Tech’s rushing foursome of Zach Laskey, Justin Thomas, Tony Zenon and Charles Perkins have accounted for 78 percent (712 yards) of the Yellow Jackets’ 918 rushing yards through three games.

CONVERTING
Through three games, Georgia Tech ranks second among FBS schools in third down conversions. The Yellow Jackets have converted 63.9 percent of their third-down opportunities (23 of 36), which leads the ACC.

LUCKY NUMBER SEVEN
Georgia Tech is 3-0 for the seventh time in the ACC era (1984, 1990, 2001, 2005, 2011, 2013, 2014). It is Georgia Tech’s fifth 3-0 start since 2000 and the third in the last four years under head coach Paul Johnson.

SCORING STREAK
Georgia Tech has played 214 consecutive games without being shut out – the eighth-longest active streak in the nation. The last time the Yellow Jackets were blanked came Oct. 18, 1997 – a 38-0 loss at No. 3 Florida State.

Georgia Tech hasn’t been shut out at home since Nov. 30, 1957 – a streak of 353 consecutive home games at Boddy Dodd Stadium.

NET-WORKING
Through three games, Georgia Tech has gained 961 yards rushing, while recording just 43 yards lost (net gain of 918 yards). Zach Laskey has 0 yards lost on 44 rushes (236 yards rushing).

CARRYING THE LOAD
Four Georgia Tech players are averaging more than 6.0 yards per carry through three games – Charles Perkins (12.3), Tony Zenon (7.9), Justin Thomas (6.5) and Deon Hill (6.1).

THE Paul Johnson RADIO SHOW
The Paul Johnson Radio Show returns for the 2014 season and will be held Monday nights from 7-8 p.m. at Hudson Grille Midtown (942 Peachtree St NE). Hosted by the “Voice of the Yellow Jackets” Brandon Gaudin, the one-hour live call-in show can be heard statewide on the GT IMG Sports Network. If you can’t attend, you can call and ask Coach a question at 866-477-7020. You can also submit questions on Twitter using #GTRadio or through the GT Athletics Facebook page.

The first 25 Georgia Tech students to show their BuzzCard at each of the Paul Johnson Radio Shows will receive either a free dessert or free wings. Additionally, there will also be a GT burger special for $5.95 and free valet parking.

@GTATHLETICS LAUNCHES NEW GAMEDAY APP (Download: App Store | Google Play)
Georgia Tech Athletics joined forces with IMG and SportsLabs to develop the Georgia Tech Gameday app to keep Yellow Jackets fans connected to the action while on campus or watching from home. The Georgia Tech Gameday App will replace the current official app for Georgia Tech Athletics.

The Georgia Tech Gameday App is packed with robust social, on-campus and stat-driven features that enhance the gameday experience by delivering: free live game audio; real-time Instagram and Twitter feeds from the team and fans; the official game-day guide with key times, events and need-to-know information including stadium maps and parking to plan the day; live conference and Top 25 scores, real-time stats; opt-in alerts for weather updates, pre-game events, play-by-play information and more.

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