The Yellow Jackets have totaled at least 400 yards of offense in all but one of their games this season. With its trio of dynamic running backs and dual-threat quarterback, Georgia Tech can threaten Syracuse defense. There is one particularly imposing challenge: the run game. The Jackets rush the ball close to 290 yards a game—or over 70% of those 400 yards.
The Orange allows an average of 120 rushing yards per game, but comes off a reassuring performance against NC State on the road. SU’s three losses come against a pair of tough Big 10 teams and a high-powered Clemson squad headed by Tajh Boyd. Although not as potent, the Jackets have plenty of weapons to worry opponents. They carry three backs that rush the football at least 5 yards per carry. Take a look at Georgia Tech’s production on the ground:
David Sims – 353 yards, 58.8/game
Robert Godhigh – 254 yards, 42.3/game
Zach Laskey – 186 yards, 31/game
Sims, Godhigh and Laskey don’t tell the whole story. Seven different Jackets have reached the end zone on the ground this season. It almost doesn’t matter what the defense throws at this team, as the Tech offense comes at so many different angles. Sims leads the bunch with six rushing touchdowns on the season. You’d think the ACC’s top rushing attack would have a standout runner, but Sims barely makes the top 10 rushers in the conference, which says a lot about Georgia Tech’s ground game as whole. 16 touchdowns have been accumulated on the pigskin by the Jackets.
Another weapon we’ve yet to discuss is G-Tech QB Vad Lee. The 6’1”, 215-pound dual threat has had a down year in comparison to last, but still scares defenses with his legs. Lee’s compiled 242 rushing yards this season, averaging just short of 50 per game. He’s met the end zone four times on the run. Lee is up over 1,000 total yards on the season so he continues to provide versatility and uncertainty to each game.
Syracuse easily faces the top rushing attack in the conference by the numbers, but just from a personnel standpoint. G-Tech can literally come at you from wherever it wants, whenever it wants to. Lee’s passing game is not as polished as last year, as his QB efficiency is down 30 percentage points through six games this year. Orange linebacker Cameron Lynch tells The Fizz that SU prioritizes on defense to get the job done:
‚ÄúOur whole mantra as a defense has been stopping the run,” Lynch said. “Run first, then pass second. We take pride in that, running to the ball. I think getting a lot of guys to the ball at one time helps. It helps with stopping the run and keeping teams to three yards a carry per game.‚Äù
Tech’s option offense is very difficult to read and cover. The backs can get to the outside or run it up the gut to beat you. The Orange front seven needs to mirror the performance it had against the Wolf Pack. As with any other dual-threat QB, Lee utilizes his ability to roll-out and throw on the run. He also knows he can scramble to make things happen. Because Tech has so many moving parts, Lynch tells The Fizz it’s important to stay locked in:
“Our approach is to just play assignment football. That’s what every team should do against any option team. Do your job. Execute and cover your men, do what you have to do to tackle the ball.”
SU has to hit the ground running on defense and on offense. Tech has outscored opponents 42 – 7 in the third quarter this season.
What people may also forget is that this game is a battle of the ACC’s top rushing attacks: Syracuse sits just shy of the Jackets with 220 yards per game on the ground.
Offensively, look for the Orange to keep up its efficiency in the red zone. Syracuse is 25 – 29 this year inside the 20, a tremendous improvement from last year at this time in the season. Georgia Tech will throw its punches from many different running backs come Saturday, but Syracuse won’t go down without swinging. The defense will be ready to play hard-nosed, and, as Lynch puts it, “assignment football.”
Posted by: Brendan Glasheen
36 responses to “Scouting the Jackets: G-Tech‚Äôs Offense Another Tough Test for SU Defense”
Wish it where otherwise… Gt by 10. NCST was a nice win BUT NCST is not a strong team.. Heavy injury issue including their starter at QB.
Watched the GT/Miami game. Afraid their to much for SU.
Hope the Offense shows up and runs.. runs & runs some more.
It’s the moving parts and deception of their offense that makes it so difficult. Hopefully ‘Cuse watched some tape of VT stopping it.
Should the GT defensive coordinator practice all week to stop the Syracuse run? If so, and Cuse comes out with a passing attack, which is not out of the question, and it works , again , not out of the question, GT would be in a terrible situation. The lack of tape and what to expect from the Syracuse Offense is a big advantage, let’s see if the coaching staff and THunt can make to thiers and get another win.
SU will have to stick with its assignments to stop this multiple offense of GT.. This is a big game and Coach Mac Donald needs to open up the offense..
GO CUSE in a tough one
I’ve read a lot of articles telling me that Suracuse doesn’t have a chance in this game.
I’m picking the Cuse to win 31-20 for their second ACC win of the season on the road against a tough opponent and improving to 4-3 (2-1 ACC)
GO CUSE;
Bromley, Z. Jones, Crume Raymon..these guys have to go to war and jam/clog up the middle. Then it’s up to the DEs and LBs to handle assignment football.
Bullough and Shafer ought to be able to throttle the GT run game with schemes/run blitzes. Can CUSE be more physical than the opposition 2 weeks in a row?
I think Cuse can/will pass on GTECH. Clark Broyld Kobena need 10 receptions/200 yds.
First one to 30 wins.
@orangeinva;
The pundit’s are predicting Georgia Tech to win 24-21 over Syracuse.
It’s going to be another tough game for the orange.I hope Terrell Hunt comes out breathing fire and scorches the GA Tech defense with passes to the TE and slants over the middle.
I hope the defense get’s more physical than what was displayed against NCST. Looking for big plays from Ron Thompson in this game also.
I wish the Syracuse media had writers like this guy. Not the homers they have now!! Also read the comments to!!
http://www.ajc.com/weblogs/georgia-tech/2013/oct/13/7-takeaways-tech-byu/
For SU to have a chance on winning this game HUNT needs a Tulane like game. I just don’t see that-now!! SU’s speed/abilities are just not there now to stop the option!!
GT 21 SU 20!! Look out for leg injuries upon SU from this game!! Its just going to be a battle of the lines!!
Looking forward to seeing my first in-person game of the season. Bobby Dodd Stadium is a great place to see a game if you ever get the chance – especially a night game with the ATL skyline surrounding it.
Option football is always tough to prepare for. Plug the gaps – we’re much bigger on the D-line than they are on the O-line. We need to get push up front and people in the backfield – under control tho, this is a case over pursuit can hurt you. Lee can throw the ball and he has some capable albeit no great receivers (sound familiar?). Our corners will most likely be on an island and can’t get lulled to sleep or we’ll get beat over the top on a big pass play.
We need to pound the ball on offense and then give THunt some easy throws to make – quick crosses, PTG out of the backfield etc. Maybe take a few deep shots, just can’t turn it over.
GT looked uncharacteristically sloppy against VT, couldn’t stop Duke Johnson in Miami, got manhandled in Provo last weekend. This is a game Syracuse can win. Be physical, play smart and I think they come out on top. Hoping for the best on Saturday! Go ORANGE!
Ga.Tech is favored by 9.5 points over Syracuse.
Dammmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmn!!
Was 7.5…. It’s coming toward me…GT by 10….
Hope Ron is right but can’t see it….just hope the kids show up..play a good clean game. Have little hope that coach McD will be serving anything worth watching.
Miami proved you can run on GT. You don’t
have a QB that can pass worth a damn…..run the friging football..It isn’t
exciting but it’s football the way it was meant to be played! An we might
win………..
31-28. ‘Cuse in a close one
@Carlton;
I would like to see that score happen on Saturday.
Hope to see FSU destroy Clemsonin Saturday’s game. I wish FSU good luck.
Watched the “U” play an injury riddled NC defense with 6 Fr and 7 1st years starters barely squeak by in a game that showed them to be paper tigers!I don’t see them as a true 10th ranked quality team!They should lose at least 3 of their final 6 games!SU24 GT20..but really could go either way unless we can get a semblence of a passing game!
I don’t see how anyone is scared of the Ga. Tech offense, it’s not like it used to be, bad makes poor decisions both running and throwing. There is no reason why syracuse cannot win this game, in fact I would expect it. 34-30 cuse.
RUSS- Yeah but give me Miami’s talent and SU would jump for joy. I agree with you they are over rated, but still a good team. Not many low rated kids on that team. Just lucky SU doesn’t play Miami this year. But next years coming up look out for Miami!!
Do not forget the 19 abused kids of PSU!! The NCAA did!!
@Russell Dangerfield;
Yea Russell,I believe that Miami is overrated. They didn’t look that sharp to me at all.
I’m predicting Syracuse 31 Ga.Tech 20 on Saturday.
Ron,Terry,DonBosco Prep and Paramus Catholic hook up now on ESPiNU on national TV…DBP isn’t as good as usual but still one of the best HSs in the country and 3rd or so in NJ this year!Watch for Jabril Peppers on PC…#1 HS paper in the nation verbaled to Michigan!!
Player not paper!!
ハミルトン 時計 レディース サマンサベガ バッグ 一覧 http://jinniuwuz.casiojpdoninjury.org/
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