Sept. 13, 2005
Press conference quotes with WR Damarius Bilbo and DE Joe Anoai
Head coach Chan Gailey transcript
No. 16 Georgia Tech (2-0, 1-0 ACC) puts its undefeated record on the line against perfect Connecticut (2-0) at Bobby Dodd Stadium/Grant Field on Saturday, Sept. 17. The game is slated for 6:45 p.m. and will be televised on ESPNU and air on Atlanta Flagship Radio 790 The Zone (WQXI-AM 790).
“I think that we have to get better in some phases of our running game and pass defense,” said head coach Chan Gailey about his team’s performance thus far in 2005. “We’re still not where we want to be in regards to our kickoff coverage, but other than that, I’ve had a good feel for where we were and where we are before and after every game.”
The Yellow Jackets moved up two sports in the poll after knocking off Atlantic Coast Conference foe North Carolina, 27-21, last Saturday in Atlanta. The Huskies blanked Liberty, 59-0, last weekend and have outscored their opponents 97-0 in two ballgames.
“Statistics are what they are,” said Gailey about UConn’s offensive outburst. “Scoring that many points and not allowing any is hard to do against any team.”
The Jackets are looking to start a season 3-0 for the first time since 2001, when Tech finished 8-5. The Huskies have won 22 regular season games over the last three seasons, the 15th most by any team in that span of time, and are currently riding a five-game winning streak.
“You can’t just replace Dan Orlovsky [former UConn quarterback and currently with the Detroit Lions], but I think that they are a better football team this year,” said Gailey. “They are faster, have a lot more experience, and are better than I had anticipated them being even with the loss from those role players last year.”
A key for UConn’s early success this year is its rushing attack. The Huskies’ Terry Caulley and Cornell Brockington lead the ground assault, averaging 7.4 and 3.9 yards per attempt, respectively, and have five touchdowns between them.
“They are second in the nation in running the football right now with three backs running up and down the field,” said Gailey. “Their offensive line is very good, and they’re efficient in their passing game. They’re controlling the clock, keeping the opposing offense off the field, and getting a turnover here and there.”
The Jackets have not allowed an opponent to rush over 100 yards this season and have held their opposition under the century mark 21 times in 40 games under defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta. The Yellow Jackets are 17-4 in those games.
Danny Lansanah and Dahna Deleston have helped the Huskies shutout their first two opponents so far this season. Lansanah and Deleston both have a team-leading 13 tackles, with four tackles for a loss and one sack.
Junior quarterback Reggie Ball had his best day as a Yellow Jacket last Saturday, throwing for a career-high 320 yards and accounting for all three Tech touchdowns. Ball was named ACC Offensive Back of the Week for his efforts.
P.J. Daniels led the rushing attack, gaining 103 yards on 21 attempts. Daniels eclipsed the 100-yard mark for the 12th time in his career and is five yards shy of moving into fourth all-time on Tech’s career rushing list.
Senior wide receiver Damarius Bilbo also shined for the Jackets on the offensive side of the ball. Bilbo, a former quarterback, made a career-high eight catches for 131 yards and a touchdown against the Tar Heels.
“To me, a big game is not always defined by how many catches or how many yards you have,” said Bilbo. “I thought I had a better game, all-around, against Auburn. So I wouldn’t really call it a breakout game, because you don’t always define it as catches and yardage.”
The Yellow Jacket defense will have to contend with a mobile quarterback for the second week in a row. UConn’s Matt Bonislawski has 116 yards on the ground and has thrown for 338, with four touchdowns.
“This guy can run,” said defensive tackle Joe Anoai. “He’s definitely a threat with his legs and he’s a big guy, so we’ll have to get after him.”
Connecticut head coach Randy Edsall returns to Tech for the second time as a head coach on the opposing sideline. Edsall served as defensive coordinator in 1998 and helped lead Tech to a 10-win season, capped by a victory over Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl.
