One comment on the second half / finish strong concerns...

[CrackerJacket]

I'll post it here rather than respond to every
thread.

I had one gripe about Friedgen while he was here.

He always took his foot off the gas when we were
up substantially in a football game. The 2000 win
in Athens is a prime example and the first that
comes to mind.

Coasting in the second half, with a lead, has been
a GT habit since before Gailey came to the Flats.

Perhaps yesterday was a combination of BoB's having
learned under Fridge combined with Gailey's NFL
conservatism?

I wasn't happy watching UVA claw their way back
into the game, but the D made the plays needed and
they kept points OFF the board.

We'll need to improve before the NCSU game, but I
think we have the personnel and desire to get the
job done after this past win.

 

[ncjacket]

crackerjacket, I agree that most coaches, including the Fridge and pro coaches get more conservative with a second half lead. My only point in the various threads talking about this is that I don't think our play calling changed that much yesterday in the second half until our next to last series. If you look at the play by play charts you will see several possessions where we passed on first down (including from our 4 and the first possession of the half) and some where we ran. We did move the ball some in the second half but were done in IMO by 1) a fumble, 2) 2 tipped passes on third down, and 3) missed block on a screen pass. I think we would have scored on the fumble drive, and would have made first downs on the other 3. In any of those cases we would have kept the drives alive, eaten more clock and given the D more time to rest.

The next to last possession we were trying to play 3 yds and a cloud of dust. The only decision on that drive IMO was to run or throw on 3rd and 1. With all the grief CG has gotten for passing on 3rd and short I can't believe too many wanted him to throw it then.

 

[bobby dodds ghost]

Honestly, Tech was one interception away from possibly being tied up. BUT, instead of folding, Tech did what it had to do to win.
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BOO