Joshua Nesbitt scored on a quarterback keeper late in the third quarter to tie the game and then led the offense on two field goal drives to go up 30-24 and defeat the Tar Heels on the road. Nesbitt completed 3 of 4 passes for 76 yards and a touchdown to go along with 104 yards on the ground and another score.
Senior B-back Anthony Allen had 20 carries for 115 yards, nearly topping his 17 carries for 117 yard output in the first two games combined. It was obvious Coach Paul Johnson wanted to utilize the dive play and they did with success.
On the third play of the first offensive drive for Georgia Tech, Orwin Smith went 73 yards on an option pitch for a touchdown. Roddy Jones and Embry Peeples also crashed the party with solid games at the A-back position.
The Yellow Jacket defense stepped up late in the game and stopped TJ Yates and the Tar Heel offense in their attempt to drive down the field and win the game.
Here are a few observations from Saturday's victory:
-The offense is firing on all cylinders at this point. Turnovers and miscues stalled a couple of drives in the second half, but for the most part the offense drove down the field at will. Nesbitt was making the right reads and the A-backs were blocking on the edge to pick up big chunks of yards.
-The offensive line is looking good. Pass blocking could improve a little bit but it is obvious that this unit might be the best of the Johnson era.
-Orwin Smith is a stud and is the best A-back on the team. He brings something different to the table that the others don't have (Jones, Peeples, and Wright). He is bigger, stronger, can break tackles, has solid hands, can block and has some speed as well. It will be fun to watch this kid for the next few years.
-Still waiting for Stephen Hill to break out. I know he hasn't gotten the opportunities but if this offense wants to be the best it can be, it needs a vertical threat. Hill is the most talented out of all of the receivers and I think it is only a matter of time before we see his talents on display.
-Izaan Cross could be a great player before it is all said and done. The defensive end had a big game, especially in the second half, and earned ACC player of the week honors. He had five tackles, a key sack, a tackle for a loss, forced a fumble and broke up a pass. If he can continue to improve, him and Jason Peters could be a great duo at defensive end by the end of the year and next year.
-The run defense is still pretty bad. Third string senior Johnny White pretty much had his way on Saturday. He had a career high 113 yards and had most of his yards after contact. If it doesn't improve by the end of October, Clemson, Miami, Virginia Tech, and Georgia will have field days.
Tech gets commitment from Chris Milton
3-star prospect Chris Milton has committed to Georgia Tech. The 6-0, 175 pound athlete from Folkston, Georgia looks like a solid prospect and could fit in on either side of the ball. Milton plays quarterback for his high school team as well as defensive back. Scout.com has him listed as a wide receiver so this kid is versatile. He has 4.4 speed and with his build, looks like a perfect fit for the A-back position in Paul Johnson's offense. Milton also had offers from North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, South Florida, Purdue, Vanderbilt, among others.
He is the 14th commitment for the class of 2011. This class is turning out to be a solid one, as they are moving up the rankings, according to scout.com. The Georgia Tech recruiting class is now 29th overall and 5th in the ACC, ahead of Miami and Virginia Tech.
