Foster sought advice to stop Georgia Tech
Ten months ago, did Iowa find the key to unlocking Georgia Tech’s mystifying flexbone offense? And in the process, did they free the ACC from the Yellow Jackets’ tyranny?
Since losing to Iowa in the Orange Bowl, Georgia Tech has borne little resemblance to the team that won the 2009 ACC championship. On Thursday night, when Virginia Tech (6-2, 4-0) plays host to Georgia Tech (5-3, 3-2), the Hokies will try to replicate Iowa’s success.
In the spring, Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster visited Iowa to find out how the Hawkeyes held the Yellow Jackets to 155 yards and nine first downs in their 24-14 victory.
“We’ve respected how [Iowa] plays defense for a number of years,” Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer told reporters. “It kind of had a dual purpose there, getting together and talking a little bit — of course, talking about Georgia Tech somewhat, too.”
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz was an unlikely candidate to unlock the triple-option riddle. In his 11 seasons in Iowa City, he had never faced the offense. But with a month to prepare for a bowl game, he figured it out.
Virginia Tech has a similar edge Thursday night. It will be the Hokies’ first game after an 11-day layoff.
“Those extra couple of days will help,” Foster said. “Look at the history. Teams that have had success against that offense are bowl teams that have had a month to prepare.”
Solving the triple option has been an obsession for the Virginia Tech staff since it lost to Georgia Tech 28-23 in October 2009. The Hokies, then ranked fourth in the country by the Associated Press, surrendered 309 rushing yards to the No. 19 Yellow Jackets.
The game decided the ACC Coastal. Since the ACC Championship Game was established in 2005, the winner of the Virginia Tech-Georgia Tech game has represented the division.
With two of its top three rushers — quarterback Josh Nesbitt and Anthony Allen — back this season, Georgia Tech was a consensus top 20 pick in the preseason. But Nesbitt, while running well, has struggled in the passing game, completing just 38 percent of his throws.
In the Yellow Jackets’ last outing, a 27-13 loss at Clemson, Georgia Tech’s offensive line was manhandled and Nesbitt was under siege, completing six of 19 passes for 83 yards and gaining just two yards on 15 carries.
The loss was the low point of coach Paul Johnson’s three-year tenure. He hopes for a dramatic turnaround Thursday.
“[Virginia Tech] is unquestionably the hottest team in our league,” Johnson said, noting the Hokies’ six-game winning streak. “That’s a tough place to play on a Thursday night.”
