Jurkovec faces new-look D at Georgia Tech
BC quarterback ready to take on complex schemes
College defenses have grown more complex in order to contain high-powered offenses fueled by dual-threat quarterbacks and Georgia Tech is on the cutting edge.
Boston College quarterback Phil Jurkovec will look out over an evolving defensive landscape when the Eagles (5- 4, 1- 4 ACC) take on the Yellow Jackets (3- 6, 2-5) in an ACC crossover match on Saturday (3:30) at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, Ga.
“I think they are long and they have some good athletes and some good players,” said Jurkovec. “They kind of run a different defense but they are a good team.”
BC coach Jeff Hafley made his bones on the defensive side of scrimmage with an emphasis on the secondary. Hafley has seen variations of the Georgia Tech defensive scheme in other systems and gave a detailed synopsis of what BC’S offense is up against.
“We’ve seen a little bit of it this
year and it is kind of like the new in-vogue defense,” said Hafley. “They are playing three down
linemen and they are playing three safeties across with two corners and nickels and you have kind of a robber in the middle of the field.
“Whether it’s quarters (cover 4), man or an extra guy running in the alley. I think Iowa State started doing it a year ago so we’ve seen some of it. But it is definitely new within the last couple of years and it is not your traditional 3- 4 or 4-3 defenses.
“It is really a three-high structure with guys dropping in and heavy quarters based but they will also play man. They will mix it up, they will pressure and they will play some three-deep but they like to play a lot of quarters.”
Jurkovec missed six straight starts with a hand injury and slowly worked his way back in the offense in the Eagles’ 17-3 victory over Virginia Tech on Nov. 5 at Alumni Stadium.
BC split end Zay Flowers is one of those rare breed of pass catchers that can exploit man coverage and break down zones with raw speed and the ability to gain separation on deep routes.
Hafley is hoping to have injured tight end Trae Barry back in the starting lineup to provide Jurkovec a big target underneath the zone and down the middle of the field.
“It’s nice to have Phil back as part of the offense because he makes big plays,” said Flowers. “If you need a big play, he can make it happen out of nowhere.”