Georgia Tech 45, NC State 35
by Akula Wolf on Oct 2, 2011 6:37 PM EDT
Email
Print
First off, let me extend a big thanks to wolfonthehill and tannofsteel84, who wrote quite a bit about the loss Georgia Tech and Rodney Purvis' commitment, respectively. This sort of thing is a huge help for me until I figure out how to be two places at once. Or find someone else who wants to write on a regular basis (hint hint). I'd intended to maybe write something from the hotel's crappy computer on Friday night, but then I had a lot of beers. Same thing happened on Saturday, if you can believe that. Anyway, thanks again, guys. Much appreciated.
As for the football game... between the undisciplined penalties by State's green defensive line, the bizarre-sounding 4th down decision making when State had the ball, and a 19-play drive that ended in no points, I'm fairly certain I would have thrown myself off the upper deck stands at Carter-Finley, so it's just as well that I didn't make it. I see a couple positives, at least. Georgia Tech only converted a third of their 3rd down attempts, and hey is that a running game we had there? Figures, though, that we show some life on the ground and Mike Glennon is limited to 5.6 yards per attempt. Oh well, there's always next time.
I saw this earlier today and I don't even know how to react to injury news anymore. Of course two more guys up front were injured. It's just getting weird now.
Taylor Gentry, the Pack’s starting fullback and leading special teams tackler who also saw action at defensive tackle today, did not return in the second half due to an ankle injury.
And Darryl Cato-Bishop, a regular starter at defensive tackle who started today’s game at defensive end, went out with a hand injury in the third quarter.
You can't take Taylor Gentry away from us, dammit. He still needs to get his carry, for god's sake! No, I refuse to accept that Taylor Gentry is hurt. I didn't see it and it doesn't count. I'm putting my foot down on this one. He gets a do-over.
Looking ahead, we've officially gone from must win mode to really really must win mode, which is a whole other ball of wax. This time it's serious. I mean it, you kids. Don't make me pull this season over. I'm already counting Florida State and Clemson as losses, which means we have to win every other game on the schedule, and I guess stranger things have happened. Get these next two and we can at least entertain the thought heading into November. How we'll pull it off with some 175-pound reserve wide receivers at defensive tackle, I do not know.
8 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
maybe i should feel more negatively
about the team after the Tech game than i do. are we going to have most if not all of our defenders out with injuries back by the UVA game? that is what i am thinking, and if its true (can’t see Cato being out long with a hand injury after all he really kicks ass when working with the Green Hornet), i am liking the possibilities.
when it was 21 to zip i was questioning our players manhood, and then they started to really play the way they should have been playing all year.
to me the game was lost when Glennon took that sack trying to double pump. with the score 21-14, the D had just stopped Tech on 4th and one and State was driving. i could be wrong, but i though Glennon had a receiver coming across the middle open and should have thrown instead of double pumping. after that, Bible decides to go for field position and calls a safe running play instead of trying to get a first down via the pass. do coaches ever get a feel that the moment is game changing and a time out is needed to tell his team they need to score (basketball) or that they really need to get a first down because their opponent is going to field that punt and proceed to score so as to ice the game?
i enjoyed the fact that the team didn’t give up and while having no chance to win kept playing hard and scoring to make the end score respectable.
just a note:
men’s soccer gets a big win (http://www.gopack.com/sports/m-soccer/recaps/093011aab.html);
women’s volley ball and soccer lose but are doing well (http://www.gopack.com/sports/w-volley/recaps/100111aaa.html); (http://www.gopack.com/sports/w-soccer/recaps/100211aaa.html)
Here's my question: Why did the staff quit?
We have the ball down 24 with about 6 minutes left. The staff proceeds to burn clock like we are UP 24, calling running plays and running down the play clock. Then, in a completely indefensible move, when we finally score with about 1 min left we KICK THE EXTRA POINT, so that it stays a 3-score game. TOB ends the game with timeouts in his pocket.
Why? What exactly is gained by just giving up? You may say this is unimportant, that we weren’t coming back anyway in all likelihood. But stranger thinks have happened than a 24-point burst in the 4th quarter. Hell, look at what DID happen – we get a quick defensive TD and then almost recover the onside kick. What if we had recovered that onside kick with two minutes left and down 8 because the staff had shown more urgency (hell, any urgency) and gone for two both times?
What message do you send to the players, recruits, and fans by coaching this way? The players were still trying, still playing hard. It’s hugely insulting to the players to just quit. It reflects a tired, loser mentality. And is it any wonder that the stadium emptied?
In my experience, an organization’s culture and attitude is set from the top, and it’s the way leaders conduct themselves in small ways that makes all the difference, good or bad.
Personally, whether we continue losing or somehow sneak into a bowl game, I’ve seen enough from this coaching staff.
100% agree
More of the specific examples that I called one of the most bizarrely-coached games I’ve ever seen. Our team has a culture of mediocrity… winning teams do whatever it takes to win… we do whatever it takes to avoid success. We define a losing football team through our attitude, our coaching decisions, our refusal to take a logical and well-calculated risk, and our failure to convert big plays.
I wasn’t pissed yesterday – now I am…
by wolfonthehill on Oct 2, 2011 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions
It's crazy how those beers
just jump in your mouth like that.
I enjoyed this post game quote from one of GT’s runningbacks:
“We just have to keep going, because in my mind, we haven’t played real competition to really test our skills. We’ve played great teams this year, but I’m looking forward to the tough games — Virginia Tech and Clemson. Those really are going to make a statement on what this team is about.”
It’s like he is saying, “We have played some excellent teams this year, but really they were also kind of sucky teams. I am looking forward to playing excellent teams who do not also suck.”
Great timing
Speaking of that game, which I don’t really want to talk about anymore. What great timing by the advertiser on the site – although, I don’t think TOB will be nominated for the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year anytime soon again – unless they are doing a retirement special.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Backing The Pack
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
