The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jackets to face ‘unique’ offensive attack
Georgia Tech will play its second conference game of the season Saturday at Wake Forest. Tech then hosts Bowling Green on Sept. 30 before a stretch of six consecutive ACC tilts.
But first the Jackets will try to avoid their first 0-2 start in conference play since 2019. Tech lost its league opener Sept. 1 to Louisville 39-34 at Mercedes-benz Stadium.
Tech is coming off a 48-23 solid. They’re very patient. loss at No. 15 Ole Miss where As a D-line we have to make it was outscored 38-20 in sure we stay in our gap and the second half to fall to hold it. We got to be (comfortable) 1-2. Tech hasn’t played at being (uncomfortable) Wake Forest (3-0, 0-0 ACC) and being as patient since 2010, a program that as them.” is 22-8 in its past 30 games. Typically, Wake Forest’s
Coach Brent Key’s team quarterback, who is Mitch will be playing in a fourth Griffis this season, receives consecutive different stadium a snap in the shotgun formation (Mercedes-benz, while flanked by a single Bobby Dodd, at Ole Miss running back. Griffis and and at Wake Forest) to start that back will move toward the season, the first time the line of scrimmage while the program has done that Griffis holds the ball in the since 1997 (Notre Dame, back’s belly for as long as Wake Forest, Bobby Dodd possible. Stadium and Boston College, From there, depending respectively). on how the defense reacts
Here are five other things and moves, Griffis has the to know about Saturday’s option to hand the ball off, matchup that will on the keep it or throw it. CW Network (Peachtree “It’s very interesting. TV in the Atlanta market): But with a coach like (Tech defensive line coach) Marco Coleman, he’s the best of the best so with him in our ear every day, he makes sure that we make sure we’re holding our gap and not peeking,” Kelly said. “Because if we peek, they might go for 60 (yards).
“Coach Coleman puts us in the best position to succeed in the game and in practice. We’re never in the wrong and if we do make mistakes, we’re watching the film and going over it. With a guy like Marco Coleman you can’t really beat that.”
Wake Forest is averaging 33.3 points this season, scored 36.1 per contest last
Beware the mesh
Tech supporters who haven’t intently watched Wake Forest in recent years may be in for a bit of surprise when tuning in Saturday to the Jackets’ matchup with the Demon Deacons.
Coach Dave Clawson’s team has become adept at running the mesh offense, a system that wears thin the patience of a defense before exploiting it for explosive plays.
“It’s unique, very unique. We’re not used to seeing this style of ball,” Tech defensive lineman Eddie Kelly said. “I think their O-line, they’re pretty good. They’re pretty
year and 41 per game in 2021.
Red-zone matchup
When it comes right down to it, Tech can’t waste opportunities inside the 20-yard line Saturday against the nation’s best red-zone defense.
Wake has allowed only three scores in those situations, with just two touchdowns. Last week the Demon Deacons kept Old Dominion off the scoreboard twice in as many redzone trips.
Tech has been very good in its red-zone trips this season, scoring 12 times in 16 chances. Those 16 opportunities are only four behind national-leader Syracuse. The Jackets have punched the ball in the end zone 10 times when reaching the opponent’s 20-yard line.
Key said Thursday those type of situations represents high-pressure moments for his team – and he wants a team that thrives in those moments.
“The only way to thrive in pressure situations is to prepare and practice in pressure situations,” Key said. “There’s pressure from the coaches, there’s pressure from the way we go about practice, then you have to put pressure on yourself. You have to put pressure on yourself so when you get in those situations, you don’t ever want the game to be bigger than it is during the week, bigger than the practice is.
“We structure practice a certain way, we do things a certain way to make sure we narrow that gap as much as we can. But then at the same time there’s individual
players that put the pressure on themselves as well and understand that.”
Time to get in the backfield
Tech’s struggles to create negative plays on defense have been well-documented. But if ever there was a week to make some headway in that area, this week may be it.
Wake Forest has allowed 10 sacks, the most among ACC teams. Old Dominion and Elon each recorded four against the Deacons and Vanderbilt had two. Wake Forest also has allowed 21 tackles for loss in three games.
Tech only has one sack this season (by Kelly) and just seven tackles for loss, the fewest in the nation.
“Our coach has been harping on that every day. We try to get to the quarterback every day,” Kelly said.
“We do drills every day in practice. We, as a D-line, know we need more sacks, we need more (tackles for loss) to be a great D-line in this conference. Every day we’re working and they’re coming for sure. That’s a promise.”
Key vs. Wake Forest
Key has experienced some previous success against the Demon Deacons during his long college football career.
As an offensive lineman for the Jackets, Key was part of three wins against Wake Forest in 1997, 1998 and 2000. In 1999, Wake Forest had a 20-0 lead at halftime before holding on for a 26-23 win over the 14th-ranked Jackets.
The teams split games in 2001 and 2002 when Key was a graduate assistant for the Jackets.