2007 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team

2007 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football
Conference Atlantic Coast Conference
Division Coastal
2007 record 7–6 (4–4 ACC)
Head coach Chan Gailey (regular season), Jon Tenuta (bowl game)
Offensive coordinator John Bond[1][2]
Offensive scheme Mixed Shotgun & Ace
Defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta
Base defense Zone Blitz
Home stadium Bobby Dodd Stadium
(Capacity: 55,000)
2007 ACC football standings
Conf     Overall
Team   W   L         W   L  
Atlantic Division
No. 10 Boston College x   6 – 2         11 – 3  
No. 21 Clemson   5 – 3         9 – 4  
Wake Forest   5 – 3         9 – 4  
Florida State   4 – 4         7 – 6  
Maryland   3 – 5         6 – 7  
NC State   3 – 5         5 – 7  
Coastal Division
No. 9 Virginia Tech x$   7 – 1         11 – 3  
Virginia   6 – 2         9 – 4  
Georgia Tech   4 – 4         7 – 6  
North Carolina   3 – 5         4 – 8  
Miami   2 – 6         5 – 7  
Duke   0 – 8         1 – 11  
Championship: Virginia Tech 30, Boston College 16
  • $ – BCS representative as conference champion
  • % – BCS at-large representative
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2007 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represented the Georgia Institute of Technology in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's coach was former Dallas Cowboys, Samford Bulldogs, and Troy Trojans coach Chan Gailey. It played its home games at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

Previous seasons

Georgia Tech had posted five consecutive seasons with 7 or more wins under Coach Gailey. The team had been to five bowl games under Chan Gailey and has a 2–3 record in post season play. Under Chan Gailey, Georgia Tech had become notorious for having a blitzing defense and a ball control offense. In 2006 Georgia Tech proved to be slightly inconsistent holding #2 Notre Dame to 14 points (L 10-14) and upsetting #10 Virginia Tech (W 38–27), while losing to unranked archrival University of Georgia (L 12-15).

Pre-season

Head Coach Chan Gailey returned for his sixth year at the helm of the program. Reggie Ball, after four years starting for Tech, was replaced by Taylor Bennett.[3] Taylor Bennett started his first game against UConn in 2005 after Reggie came down with viral meningitis[4] and had his break out game against West Virginia in the 2007 Gator Bowl.[5][6] Tashard Choice was the 2006 ACC rushing champion and returned behind a veteran offensive line led by tackle Andrew Gardner and center Kevin Tuminello.[5] Georgia Tech was ranked as high as #14 in the preseason.[7]

Schedule

Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Result Attendance Preview Recap
September 1 3:30 PM at Notre Dame* Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN NBC W 33–3   80,795[8] [9] [10][11][12]
September 8 1:30 PM Samford* No. 21 Bobby Dodd Stadium • Atlanta, GA ESPNU W 69–14   43,288[8] [13]
September 15 8:00 PM No. 19 Boston College No. 15 Bobby Dodd Stadium • Atlanta, GA ESPN2 L 24–10   51,112[8] [14][15][16][17]
September 22 12:00 PM at Virginia Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, VA ESPNU L 28–23   57,681[8] [18]
September 29 3:30 PM No. 13 Clemson Bobby Dodd Stadium • Atlanta, GA ABC W 13–3   54,635[8]
October 6 12:00 PM at Maryland Byrd Stadium • College Park, MD LFS L 28–26   47,527[8]
October 13 12:00 PM at Miami Miami Orange Bowl • Miami, FL ESPN W 17–14   52,416[8]
October 20 12:00 PM Army*dagger Bobby Dodd Stadium • Atlanta, GA LFS W 34–10   50,242[8]
November 1 7:30 PM No. 13 Virginia Tech Bobby Dodd Stadium • Atlanta, GA ESPN L 27–3   52,202[8]
November 10 1:00 PM at Duke Wallace Wade Stadium • Durham, NC W 41–24   18,788[8]
November 17 12:00 PM North Carolina Bobby Dodd Stadium • Atlanta, GA LFS W 27–25   45,490[8]
November 24 3:30 PM No. 7 Georgia* Bobby Dodd Stadium • Atlanta, GA (Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate) ABC L 31–17   54,990[8] [19]
December 31 2:00 PM vs. Fresno State* Bronco Stadium • Boise, ID (Humanitarian Bowl) ESPN2 L 28–40   27,062[8]
*Non-conference game. daggerHomecoming. #Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to game. All times are in Eastern Time.

Game summaries

Notre Dame

Pregame Line: Notre Dame −2.5

1 2 3 4 Total
Yellow Jackets 6 10 3 14 33
Fighting Irish 0 0 3 0 3

Running Back Tashard Choice ran for a career high 196 yards for 2 touchdowns in the worst loss suffered by Notre Dame in a season opener in its history.[10] Notre Dame accumulated −9 rushing yards and 130 passing yards. Georgia Tech amassed 260 yards on the ground while Taylor Bennett went 11/23 for 121 yards for his third career start. The Georgia Tech defense added nine quarterback sacks and recovered three fumbles.[11]

Samford

Our Ford is better than Samford.

Pregame Line: Samford +46.5

1 2 3 4 Total
Bulldogs 0 0 7 7 14
#21 Yellow Jackets 28 17 17 7 69

Georgia Tech scored 9 rushing touchdowns in an offensive exhibition that also featured 389 yards of rushing yards.[13] Tashard Choice continued his 100 yards per game streak with a 110 yard, 2 touchdown effort. True freshman Jon Dwyer racked up 3 rushing touchdowns as well. The Tech defense held Samford to 84 yards rushing and recovered two fumbles.[13]

Boston College

Pregame Line: Boston College +7.5

1 2 3 4 Total
#19 Eagles 7 7 7 3 24
#15 Yellow Jackets 0 0 0 10 10

Georgia Tech hosted Boston College for the first time since 1998, and it was also the first meeting of the two schools since Boston College joined the ACC. Senior BC quarterback Matt Ryan threw for a career-high 435 yards and the Eagles outgained the Jackets 527–267 in the game. Tech's defense held BC to 93 yards rushing, recovered a fumble, and attained two sacks. Offensive highlights included Jon Dwyer's fifth career touchdown and Demaryius Thomas reeling in 5 catches for 68 yards. Durant Brooks boomed 10 punts for a 45.3 yard average as well. The loss was Tech's first of the year, dropping them to 2–1, and 0–1 in the ACC.[14]

Virginia

Pregame Line: Virginia +3.5

1 2 3 4 Total
Yellow Jackets 7 10 6 0 23
Cavaliers 21 0 0 7 28
Georgia Tech lines up in their own endzone

Tech lost its eighth straight road trip in Charlottesville. The Jackets gave up 21 points in the first thirteen minutes of the game. UVA scored two rushing touchdowns and on a Chris Long pass deflection that Taylor Bennett attempted to knock down. After Bennett attempted to knockdown the pass it was picked off by a UVA linebacker and returned for a touchdown. Georgia Tech answered back scoring 16 unanswered points to take the lead 23–21 late in the third quarter. After a muffed punt with nine minutes remaining in the game, UVA took the lead with a touchdown pass, which would be the last score of the game.[18] Georgia Tech wide receiver Corey Earls suffered a severe nick injury late in the fourth quarter after a Taylor Bennett scramble.[20][21] Tech was led by Jon Dwyer's 83 yards rushing and Demaryius Thomas' 86 receiving yards and a touchdown. Tech's defense recovered two fumbles, garnered two sacks, and intercepted one pass. Safety Jamal Lewis led the team with 12 tackles and a tackle for a loss.[18]

Clemson

Pregame Line: Clemson −3

1 2 3 4 Total
#13 Tigers 3 0 0 0 3
Yellow Jackets 7 0 3 3 13

The Yellow Jackets got their first conference win against rival Clemson. The Tigers averaged 38 points a game leading up to the contest but only managed a field goal. The Tech defense held C. J. Spiller and James Davis to a combined 62 yards on 21 attempts. The Tech defense also accumulated 6 sacks and an interception in their effort. Tech's Travis Bell kicked two field goals while Clemson's Mark Buchholz missed four of his five attempted field goals. Georgia Tech's offense controlled the clock with a ferocious ground attack, which featured Tashard Choice's 142 rushing yards and a touchdown. Clemson has not scored a touchdown in Bobby Dodd Stadium since 2003. Tech will be on the road for the next two weeks before returning to Atlanta to play the Army Black Knights for the annual homecoming celebration.

Maryland

Pregame Line: Maryland +2.5

1 2 3 4 Total
Yellow Jackets 3 7 7 9 26
Terrapins 14 7 7 0 28

Placekicker Travis Bell missed two of four field goal attempts including a 52 yarder on Tech's last possession in a 28–26 loss to Maryland. Maryland stormed ahead of Tech taking a 21–3 lead by the beginning of the second quarter. Tech rallied and by the fourth quarter had closed the gap to 2 points on a Taylor Bennett to Demaryius Thomas touchdown pass. The two-point conversion attempt failed and Tech would not score again. Tech was led by the rushing of Tashard Choice who carried 32 times for 135 yards and Demaryius Thomas' 9 receptions and 139 yards. Tech's defense amassed four sacks and recovered a fumble.

Miami

Pregame Line: Miami −2.5

1 2 3 4 Total
Yellow Jackets 0 0 14 3 17
Hurricanes 7 0 0 7 14

Taylor Bennett scored on two rushing touchdowns in the third quarter to lead Tech past the Hurricanes 17–14. Tech racked up 265 yards rushing against a Canes defense that only allowed 111 rushing yards per game coming into the contest. Tashard Choice carried the bulk of the rushing load carrying the ball 37 times for 204 yards. The Patrick Nix offense of Miami only passed for 56 yards and gained 225 total yards of offense against Jon Tenuta's defense. Travis Bell kicked the go-ahead field goal with 7:34 left in the fourth quarter and Tech never relented the lead. Since 1984, only Tech, Virginia Tech, and Florida State have beaten Miami at least 3 years in a row.

Army

Pregame Line: Army +24

1 2 3 4 Total
Black Knights 7 3 0 0 10
Yellow Jackets 10 3 14 7 34

Tech beat Army 34–10 at the cost of two running backs. Tashard Choice and Rashaun Grant were both injured in the contest during Tech's 292-rushing-yard game. Tech's offense was led by Rashaun Grant's 135 all-purpose yardage and a touchdown. Tashard Choice, Jamaal Evans, and Jon Dwyer also scored rushing touchdowns. Mike Cox rushed for a career 38 yards on 3 carries. Freshman safety Morgan Burnett picked off his third pass of the season, which stymied Army's last attempt at taking the lead for the rest of the game. Tech's defense recorded 3 total interceptions and 2 sacks. Senior defensive end Darryl Robertson recorded 4 tackles for losses and a sack in the effort. Tech was now one victory away from bowl eligibility.

Virginia Tech

Pregame Line: Virginia Tech +2.5

1 2 3 4 Total
#13 Hokies 3 14 7 3 27
Yellow Jackets 3 0 0 0 3

Georgia Tech only mustered a field goal in a game that saw Tech's offense turn the ball over 6 times. Taylor Bennett threw 4 interceptions and was sacked twice in the effort while freshman quarterback Josh Nesbitt threw another interception in the fourth quarter. James Johnson accounted for another turnover when he fumbled after a 35 yard reception. The Tech defense brought pressure all game long and sacked Virginia Tech quarterback Sean Glennon seven times and stripped runningback Branden Ore of the football once in the effort. James Johnson had 7 receptions for a 136 yards while freshmen Jon Dwyer and Josh Nesbitt carried the load for injured seniors Tashard Choice and Rashaun Grant. The freshmen pair ran for 101 yards on 14 carries. Durant Brooks pinned the Hokies inside the twenty 4 times out of 6 punts. Tech is now eliminated from ACC Title contention. Also of note, Big Boi of Outkast performed at half-time.

Duke

Pregame Line: Duke +12.5

1 2 3 4 Total
Yellow Jackets 10 17 7 7 41
Blue Devils 10 7 7 0 24

Georgia Tech prevailed after trailing the Blue Devils 10–7 in the first quarter. The Tech defense recovered a fumble and recorded eight sacks in the effort. Tashard Choice eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark for the second straight season with his two touchdown, 174 yard effort. Tech, with the win, became the 8th bowl eligible team in the ACC and ensured that Georgia Tech's 11 year bowl streak would continue to twelve years.[22]

North Carolina

Pregame Line: North Carolina +10

1 2 3 4 Total
Tar Heels 3 3 3 16 25
Yellow Jackets 7 3 7 10 27
View from the south student section.

Georgia Tech survived four lost fumbles to overcome a late UNC rally and win 27–25. Travis Bell connected on two of three field goal attempts, which included Tech's winning score with 11 seconds remaining in the game. Taylor Bennett passed for 196 yards, threw for a touchdown, and caught a touchdown pass from Tashard Choice. Choice added 127 yards on the ground. The Tech defense added four sacks to the effort led by Gary Guyton who accounted for 8 solo tackles and three tackles for loss. Durant Brooks punted the ball 4 times for 240 total yards including a booming 76 yard punt. Tech's 4–4 ACC mark helps Tech finish the season third in the ACC Coastal division and tied for fifth with Wake Forest for fifth overall in the conference.

Georgia

Pregame Line: Georgia −3.5

1 2 3 4 Total
#7 Bulldogs 3 13 7 8 31
Yellow Jackets 0 14 0 3 17

Tech dropped its seventh straight season finale to UGA with a 31–17 loss. Tech's defense picked up one sack in the effort. Tech's offense was led by Tashard Choice's 133 yards and a touchdown. Durant Brooks boomed four punts for a 52.8 yard average while placekicker Travis Bell knocked down a field goal in the fourth quarter for Tech's last points of the game.

Humanitarian Bowl

1 2 3 4 Total
Yellow Jackets 7 0 14 7 28
Bulldogs 3 17 14 6 40

Tech was coached by interim head coach Jon Tenuta as head coach Chan Gailey was terminated the Monday after the UGA loss.[23] Tech dropped the decision 40–28. Tech's only lead of 7–0 held until the Bulldogs scored 27 straight unanswered points. Tech never recuperated from the 17 point Fresno 2nd quarter as Tech and Fresno exchanged touchdowns for the rest of the game. Tech highlights included Jon Dwyer rushing for two touchdowns and Demaryius Thomas catching 4 passes for 69 yards and a touchdown. Tech receiver D.J. Donley blocked his second punt of the year as well.

Postseason awards

Associated Press All-America Team
Second Team Third Team
Durant Brooks, P Vance Walker, DT
Associated Press All-ACC Team
First Team Second Team
  • Travis Bell, K
  • Durant Brooks, P
  • Tashard Choice, RB
  • Andrew Gardner, OT
  • Vance Walker, DT
  • Darrell Robertson, DE
  • Kevin Tuminello, C
  • Philip Wheeler, LB
Ray Guy Award
Durant Brooks, P

Roster

(as of 3/28/2007) ; list is subject to change.

Wide Receivers

Offensive line

Tight Ends

  

Quarterbacks

Running backs

Fullbacks

Defensive line

  

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Long Snappers

Punters

Kickers

Coaching staff

References

  1. ↑ "Bond Named Offensive Coordinator". RamblinWreck.com. Georgia Tech Athletic Association. February 9, 2007. Retrieved September 24, 2007.
  2. ↑ Amaraneni, Akshay (August 24, 2007). "Bond talks on Tech's offense, changing schools". The Technique. Retrieved December 9, 2007.
  3. ↑ Brimmer, Adam Van (March 8, 2007). "Yellow Jacket Freshman Helping Fill Wide Receiver Gap Left by Calvin Johnson's Early Departure". Savannah Morning News. Retrieved March 19, 2007.
  4. ↑ Joshi, Nikhil (September 23, 2005). "Viral Meningitis". The Technique. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved March 4, 2007.
  5. 1 2 Amaraneni, Akshay (August 31, 2007). "Choice, Bennett Lead Football Offense". The Technique. Retrieved December 9, 2007.
  6. ↑ "Georgia Tech's Ball, Scott ruled out of Gator Bowl". December 20, 2006. Retrieved March 8, 2007.
  7. ↑ "No. 14: Jackets getting hot in Atlanta". Athlon Sports. Archived from the original on June 16, 2007. Retrieved June 17, 2007.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Cumulative Season Statistics". Georgia Institute of Technology. Retrieved October 27, 2011.
  9. ↑ Lee, Hahnming (August 31, 2007). "Georgia Tech (0–0) vs. Notre Dame (0–0) Preview". The Technique. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved September 5, 2007.
  10. 1 2 "Tech's Opener a Choice Result". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. September 1, 2007. Retrieved September 5, 2007.
  11. 1 2 "Notre Dame Game Notes". RamblinWreck.com. Georgia Tech Athletic Association. September 2007. Retrieved September 12, 2007.
  12. ↑ Bretherton, William (September 7, 2007). "Jackets Avenge Loss to Irish". The Technique. Retrieved December 9, 2007.
  13. 1 2 3 "No. 21 Georgia Tech Sails By Samford, 69–14". RamblinWreck.com. Georgia Tech Athletic Association. September 8, 2007. Retrieved September 12, 2007.
  14. 1 2 Associated Press (September 16, 2007). "Georgia Tech Falls To Boston College, 24–10". RamblinWreck.com. Georgia Tech Athletic Association. Retrieved September 16, 2007.
  15. ↑ Wilkinson, Jack (September 16, 2007). "Yellow Jackets Hope They Haven't Seen The Last Of BC". RamblinWreck.com. Georgia Tech Athletic Association. Retrieved September 16, 2007.
  16. ↑ Blaudschun, Mark (September 16, 2007). "Ryan, BC Prove to Be Buzz Saw Against Georgia Tech". The Boston Globe. boston.com. Retrieved September 16, 2007.
  17. ↑ Harvey, Coley (September 16, 2007). "Fans Show Displeasure with Refs". The Macon Telegraph. Retrieved September 17, 2007.
  18. 1 2 3 "Georgia Tech 23, Virginia 28". ESPN. go.com. September 22, 2007. Retrieved September 22, 2007.
  19. ↑ Lee, Hahnming (November 30, 2007). "Defeat". The Technique. Archived from the original on December 3, 2007. Retrieved December 9, 2007.
  20. ↑ "Tech's Correy Earls Released From Virginia Hospital". RamblinWreck.com. Georgia Tech Athletic Association. 2007-09-23. Retrieved 2007-09-23.
  21. ↑ Jenkins, Jay (2007-09-24). "UVA FOOTBALL: Groh pays visit to injured Earls". The Daily Progress. DailyProgress.com. Retrieved 2007-09-25.
  22. ↑ "Georgia Tech 41, Duke 24". ESPN U. 2007-11-10. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
  23. ↑ Lee, Hahnming (2007-11-30). "Gailey Fired". The Technique. Archived from the original on 3 December 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-09.
  24. ↑ Player Bio: Taylor Bennett - Georgia Tech Official Athletic Site
  25. ↑ Player Bio: Tashard Choice - Georgia Tech Official Athletic Site
  26. ↑ "Klein Named Football Director of Player Personnel". RamblinWreck.com. Georgia Tech Athletic Association. 2007-03-02. Retrieved 2007-03-28.
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