Those surprised by Georgia Tech’s offensive struggles in the past two games have company in the Yellow Jackets’ locker room, where head coach Paul Johnson’s advice to players might also help fans: calm down.
If Tech (2-2, 0-1 ACC) is to re-discover the offensive rhythm it left at home for two tough road trips to Notre Dame and Duke, the Jackets will need to do what they’re supposed to do Saturday in Bobby Dodd Stadium against North Carolina (3-1, 0-0) rather than improvise.
Johnson has said the “eye in the sky” doesn’t lie, but that doesn’t mean the Jackets can explain what cameras saw.
After dissecting tape of the 34-20 loss in Durham, Johnson’s primary solution was as satisfyingly simple as the results/reasons were not.
“When they watch it, they can’t believe it,” the coach said, chiefly referencing offensive players and special teams mistakes. “They can’t tell you why they did that. We’ve just got to relax and play.”
Special teams mistakes led to 22 points surrendered, and Tech’s offense operated at far below normal efficiency in averaging 3.9 yards per play, 2.9 per rush, 1.9 per third-down run and 1.1 per third-down pass.
Rather than over focus on what some might consider multiple problems, Johnson is boiling Tech’s ailments down into one easy salve.
A variety of issues that began cropping up early at Notre Dame continued to plague at Duke. The offense is moving in fits and starts in significant measure because the Jackets are blocking poorly – newer and older players alike – and too often not even targeting the right defenders to block.
It may not be a shock during the incorporation of multiple young players at all three running back spots and the wide receiver positions to see some rough spots, but Tech’s four returning linemen and even quarterback Justin Thomas also have been out of sorts.
That has been surprising.
Offensive line coach Mike Sewak concedes that players may be out-thinking themselves.
“We show them tape and tape . . . maybe too much information . . . too many cooks boiling the soup,” Sewak said. “We’re trying to do the same, just do the basics . . . The older guys should not make the mistakes they’re making. If they’re doing it, sometimes they’re over-evaluating . . . “
