FORCE & RECOVER TURNOVERS
In the movie “Miracle”, Herb Brooks (played by Kurt Russell) describes Soviet goalie Vladislav Tretiak: “Vladislav Tretiak,” pauses Russell. “If you score on him, keep the puck because it does not happen often.”
Goals against Tretiak are like turnovers from Georgia Tech. If you force one, make sure to capitalize because it doesn’t happen often. Tashard Choice has not fumbled the ball in exactly one year, dating back to the Yellow Jackets’ Thursday night contest vs. the Cavaliers last season. It was his one and only turnover of the year. The running back has carried 294 consecutive times without a lost fumble totaling 1,584 yards along the way.
“He had more carries than any back in the country last year,” said head coach Al Groh. “So he’s a very durable player, he’s got elusiveness, he’s got an extra gear and he doesn’t fumble the ball. It’s something in the area of over 300 carries he’s had now, so he’s a highly valuable player for their team. He never gives it away and he gains a lot of yards and he keeps grinding it out for them.”
Choice has set the bar for fellow teammates who seem to be answering the call. Georgia Tech leaves the ball out there very few times (five fumbles, none lost); GT is the only team in the nation without a turnover. Despite a rough night last Saturday, quarterback Taylor Bennett has hung up 73 passes, including 39 vs. Boston College, since being intercepted. Tech possesses a plus-6 turnover ratio. Over the last two seasons, the Jackets have recovered 18 while losing only 6.
Virginia needs to leap on any ball on the ground, hold on tight to any bad throws, and pounce on any opportunity that GT gives them. There won’t be many … but don’t forget, even the US managed to score a goal on Tretiak.
PROTECTION
There is one given about the Yellow Jackets on defense – they’re coming. They’re coming fast. They’ll come delayed. They’re coming from the inside and the outside. In the B gap and C gap. They’ll come when you most expect it and when you least expect it.
The bottom line is they’re coming after the quarterback and Virginia’s offensive line is up against the biggest test they will face this season until November. The Yellow Jackets – led by All-American candidate linebacker Phillip Wheeler and defensive lineman Darrell Robertson (6.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 1FF, 1 FR) – rank second in total and rushing defense in the conference. Yet, the Jackets’ egos are a little bruised after watching Boston College hang 24 points and 435 passing yards against them.
Quarterback Matt Ryan stepped into Heisman Trophy conversations last week thanks to the performance. But the success didn’t happen just because he is the best quarterback in the ACC. His offensive line game him the time to do throw.
While GT can’t take back the past, they’ll be looking to take it out on the future. Primarily, the first wall of defense is the Cavalier line. Secondly, Virginia may be limited in passing situations; the defensive pressure perhaps reduces the number of backs, fullbacks, or tight ends as receiving weapons in order to increase the amount of blockers.
“The first element of having a sound passing game every week is don’t get your quarterback hit,” said Groh. “If your quarterback is constantly under harassment, then you’re going to get some bad decisions, you’re going to get some bad throws, [and] you’re going to have problems with the ball. For whatever plays you might get out of it, you’re probably going to have to trade back plays on the other end that make a difference. Plus, your quarterback takes a beating and that effects how they play. Almost everything is started that way, but then when you play a team of this nature, that puts an added emphasis on the necessity and the value of doing that particular thing.”
GT defensive coordinator John Tenuta likely will never send less then five rushers. At some points, he may send up to eight. How Virginia’s blocking scheme succeeds or stumbles from the get go will tell how many variables Mike Groh uses in the passing game. It’s also worth watching how Groh has his quarterbacks approach GT’s defense in terms of drop steps. A one- to three-step drop will force the quarterbacks to be quicker and more accurate. Five- to seven-step drops will allow for more time if the line can give it.
TIME TO ANSWER THE BELL
Last week, Boston College’s Matt Ryan aired it out 44 times, completing 30 passes, including one for a touchdown. He recorded his second 400-yard passing game of the year due in a large part to barely being touched.
Unfortunately, the Cavaliers don’t have a quarterback that rivals Matt Ryan. What they do have remains a great mystery. Jameel Sewell and Peter Lalich need to answer the bell this Saturday for multiple reasons, but mainly because the legs of Cedric Peerman can’t do it alone against this defense, which is strong against the run.
If Virginia is going to win, three words need to summarize the quarterback play this week: effective, accurate, and intelligent.
EFFECTIVE – After a North Carolina contest that left more to be desired at quarterback, Virginia needs the quarterback position to produce. One touchdown pass a piece vs. Duke doesn’t cut it.
ACCURATE – Sewell’s growth is still not apparent. Lalich hasn’t yet seen a blitz like this. Smart and productive throws, whether going deep or on a wide receiver screen, with solid protection may sound simple, but those quick throws can twist up GT’s fast-moving defense and questionable secondary.
INTELLIGENT – As noted above, the Yellow Jackets turn it over fewer then anyone else. Yes, that includes you Virginia. John Tenuta doesn’t blitz 75% of the time because he thinks it looks pretty. This defensive scheme is designed to create turnovers either by knocking the quarterback to the ground or watching him force something in the air.
LIMIT GEORGIA TECH’S “CHOICE”S TO BEAT YOU
Certain sports moments just stick in your head. Back in 2003, the Indianapolis Colts were believed to be inferior to the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense without running back Edgerrin James. The Eagles’ defense watched reserve back James Mungro dash for 114 yards in victory.
Georgia Tech’s Tashard Choice is expected to play despite a hamstring injury sustained against BC, but it is unclear how effective he will be. Choice ranks among the top offensive threats in the country with 4 TDs, 337 yards rushing, and 68 additional yards receiving. Just as impressive is the preceding information about his lack of turnovers.
If Choice is not effective, Chan Gailey will go to the running back by committee system with Jonathan Dwyer, Rashaun Grant, and Jamaal Evans. The Cavaliers cannot let options B, C, and D become their new worst nightmare. And what about quarterback Taylor Bennett? The 6-3, 215-pound junior is still an inexperienced quarterback. His first true test came last week and he had an average outing at best.
“I thought he got better,” said Gailey of Bennett. “He’s not arrived, but I thought he did a lot of things, throwing the ball than he did in previous games. We will gain something from this game in that respect. But we’ve got a lot of work to do in some other areas to get where we’d like to be at the end.”
Virginia must take every edge they get in this game. With Choice in the line-up, the defense faces the best offensive weapon thus far, but he may be limited – be aggressive early and don’t let him get confidence in that hamstring. Without Choice, there is no reason to give anyone else and opportunity to fill the void.
Virginia 20, Georgia Tech 17.
Wes McElroy is a sports talkshow host for ESPN 840 AM in Charlottesville. The Final Round with Wes McElroy airs week days from 4 to 6 p.m. Listen live on the Web site.
