2007 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team

The 2007 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represented the Georgia Institute of Technology in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's coach was former Dallas Cowboys, Samford Bulldogs, and Troy Trojans coach Chan Gailey. It played its home games at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta.

2007 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football
Humanitarian Bowl, L 28–40 vs. Fresno State
Conference	Atlantic Coast Conference
Division	Coastal
Record	7–6 (4–4 ACC)
Head coach	Chan Gailey (6th season) Jon Tenuta (bowl game)
Offensive coordinator	John Bond^[1]^[2]
Offensive scheme	Mixed Shotgun & Ace
Defensive coordinator	Jon Tenuta
Base defense	Zone Blitz
Home stadium	Bobby Dodd Stadium
Seasons ← 2006 2008 →

2007 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
Atlantic Division
No. 10 Boston College x		6	–	2					11	–	3
No. 21 Clemson		5	–	3					9	–	4
Wake Forest		5	–	3					9	–	4
Florida State		4	–	4					7	–	6
Maryland		3	–	5					6	–	7
NC State		3	–	5					5	–	7
Coastal Division
No. 9 Virginia Tech x$		7	–	1					11	–	3
Virginia		6	–	2					9	–	4
Georgia Tech		4	–	4					7	–	6
North Carolina		3	–	5					4	–	8
Miami (FL)		2	–	6					5	–	7
Duke		0	–	8					1	–	11
Championship: Virginia Tech 30, Boston College 16
$ – BCS representative as conference champion % – BCS at-large representative x – Division champion/co-champions Rankings from AP Poll

Preseason

Head coach Chan Gailey returned for his sixth year at the helm of the program. Reggie Ball, after four years starting for Tech, was replaced by Taylor Bennett.^[3] Taylor Bennett started his first game against UConn in 2005 after Reggie came down with viral meningitis^[4] and had his break out game against West Virginia in the 2007 Gator Bowl.^[5][6] Tashard Choice was the 2006 ACC rushing champion and returned behind a veteran offensive line led by tackle Andrew Gardner and center Kevin Tuminello.^[5] Georgia Tech was ranked as high as #14 in the preseason.^[7]

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 1	3:30 pm	at Notre Dame*		Notre Dame Stadium Notre Dame, IN (rivalry)	NBC	W 33–3	80,795^[8]
September 8	1:30 pm	Samford*	No. 21	Bobby Dodd Stadium Atlanta, GA	ESPNU	W 69–14	43,288^[8]
September 15	8:00 pm	No. 21 Boston College	No. 15	Bobby Dodd Stadium Atlanta, GA	ESPN2	L 10–24	51,112^[8]
September 22	12:00 pm	at Virginia		Scott Stadium Charlottesville, VA	ESPNU	L 23–28	57,681^[8]
September 29	3:30 pm	No. 13 Clemson		Bobby Dodd Stadium Atlanta, GA (rivalry)	ABC	W 13–3	54,635^[8]
October 6	12:00 pm	at Maryland		Byrd Stadium College Park, MD	LFS	L 26–28	47,527^[8]
October 13	12:00 pm	at Miami		Miami Orange Bowl Miami, FL	ESPN	W 17–14	52,416^[8]
October 20	12:00 pm	Army*		Bobby Dodd Stadium Atlanta, GA	LFS	W 34–10	50,242^[8]
November 1	7:30 pm	No. 11 Virginia Tech		Bobby Dodd Stadium Atlanta, GA	ESPN	L 3–27	52,202^[8]
November 10	1:00 pm	at Duke		Wallace Wade Stadium Durham, NC		W 41–24	18,788^[8]
November 17	12:00 pm	North Carolina		Bobby Dodd Stadium Atlanta, GA	LFS	W 27–25	45,490^[8]
November 24	3:30 pm	No. 6 Georgia*		Bobby Dodd Stadium Atlanta, GA (Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate)	ABC	L 17–31	54,990^[8]
December 31	2:00 pm	vs. Fresno State*		Bronco Stadium Boise, ID (Humanitarian Bowl)	ESPN2	L 28–40	27,062^[8]
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Eastern time

Game summaries

Notre Dame

Pregame Line: Notre Dame −2.5

	1	2	3	4	Total
Yellow Jackets	6	10	3	14	33
Fighting Irish	0	0	3	0	3

Running Back Tashard Choice ran for a career-high 196 yards for 2 touchdowns in the worst loss suffered by Notre Dame in a season opener in its history.^[9] Notre Dame accumulated −9 rushing yards and 130 passing yards. Georgia Tech amassed 260 yards on the ground while Taylor Bennett went 11/23 for 121 yards for his third career start. The Georgia Tech defense added nine quarterback sacks and recovered three fumbles.^[10]

Samford

 

Our Ford is better than Samford.

Pregame Line: Samford +46.5

	1	2	3	4	Total
Bulldogs	0	0	7	7	14
#21 Yellow Jackets	28	17	17	7	69

Georgia Tech scored 9 rushing touchdowns in an offensive exhibition that also featured 389 yards of rushing yards.^[11] Tashard Choice continued his 100 yards per game streak with a 110 yard, 2 touchdown effort. True freshman Jon Dwyer racked up 3 rushing touchdowns as well. The Tech defense held Samford to 84 yards rushing and recovered two fumbles.^[11]

Boston College

Pregame Line: Boston College +7.5

	1	2	3	4	Total
#19 Eagles	7	7	7	3	24
#15 Yellow Jackets	0	0	0	10	10

Georgia Tech hosted Boston College for the first time since 1998, and it was also the first meeting of the two schools since Boston College joined the ACC. Senior BC quarterback Matt Ryan threw for a career-high 435 yards and the Eagles outgained the Jackets 527–267 in the game. Tech's defense held BC to 93 yards rushing, recovered a fumble, and attained two sacks. Offensive highlights included Jon Dwyer's fifth career touchdown and Demaryius Thomas reeling in 5 catches for 68 yards. Durant Brooks boomed 10 punts for a 45.3 yard average as well. The loss was Tech's first of the year, dropping them to 2–1, and 0–1 in the ACC.^[12]

Virginia

Pregame Line: Virginia +3.5

	1	2	3	4	Total
Yellow Jackets	7	10	6	0	23
Cavaliers	21	0	0	7	28

 

Georgia Tech lines up in their own endzone

Tech lost its eighth straight road trip in Charlottesville. The Jackets gave up 21 points in the first thirteen minutes of the game. UVA scored two rushing touchdowns and on a Chris Long pass deflection that Taylor Bennett attempted to knock down. After Bennett attempted to knockdown the pass it was picked off by a UVA linebacker and returned for a touchdown. Georgia Tech answered back scoring 16 unanswered points to take the lead 23–21 late in the third quarter. After a muffed punt with nine minutes remaining in the game, UVA took the lead with a touchdown pass, which would be the last score of the game.^[13] Georgia Tech wide receiver Corey Earls suffered a severe nick injury late in the fourth quarter after a Taylor Bennett scramble.^[14][15] Tech was led by Jon Dwyer's 83 yards rushing and Demaryius Thomas' 86 receiving yards and a touchdown. Tech's defense recovered two fumbles, garnered two sacks, and intercepted one pass. Safety Jamal Lewis led the team with 12 tackles and a tackle for a loss.^[13]

Clemson

Pregame Line: Clemson −3

	1	2	3	4	Total
#13 Tigers	3	0	0	0	3
Yellow Jackets	7	0	3	3	13

The Yellow Jackets got their first conference win against rival Clemson. The Tigers averaged 38 points a game leading up to the contest but only managed a field goal. The Tech defense held C. J. Spiller and James Davis to a combined 62 yards on 21 attempts. The Tech defense also accumulated 6 sacks and an interception in their effort. Tech's Travis Bell kicked two field goals while Clemson's Mark Buchholz missed four of his five attempted field goals. Georgia Tech's offense controlled the clock with a ferocious ground attack, which featured Tashard Choice's 142 rushing yards and a touchdown. Clemson has not scored a touchdown in Bobby Dodd Stadium since 2003. Tech will be on the road for the next two weeks before returning to Atlanta to play the Army Black Knights for the annual homecoming celebration.

Maryland

 

Demaryius Thomas catches a pass during the Maryland game

Pregame Line: Maryland +2.5

	1	2	3	4	Total
Yellow Jackets	3	7	7	9	26
Terrapins	14	7	7	0	28

Placekicker Travis Bell missed two of four field goal attempts including a 52 yarder on Tech's last possession in a 28–26 loss to Maryland. Maryland stormed ahead of Tech taking a 21–3 lead by the beginning of the second quarter. Tech rallied and by the fourth quarter had closed the gap to 2 points on a Taylor Bennett to Demaryius Thomas touchdown pass. The two-point conversion attempt failed and Tech would not score again. Tech was led by the rushing of Tashard Choice who carried 32 times for 135 yards and Demaryius Thomas' 9 receptions and 139 yards. Tech's defense amassed four sacks and recovered a fumble.

Miami

Pregame Line: Miami −2.5

	1	2	3	4	Total
Yellow Jackets	0	0	14	3	17
Hurricanes	7	0	0	7	14

Taylor Bennett scored on two rushing touchdowns in the third quarter to lead Tech past the Hurricanes 17–14. Tech racked up 265 yards rushing against a Canes defense that only allowed 111 rushing yards per game coming into the contest. Tashard Choice carried the bulk of the rushing load carrying the ball 37 times for 204 yards. The Patrick Nix offense of Miami only passed for 56 yards and gained 225 total yards of offense against Jon Tenuta's defense. Travis Bell kicked the go-ahead field goal with 7:34 left in the fourth quarter and Tech never relented the lead. Since 1984, only Tech, Virginia Tech, and Florida State have beaten Miami at least 3 years in a row.

Army

Pregame Line: Army +24

	1	2	3	4	Total
Black Knights	7	3	0	0	10
Yellow Jackets	10	3	14	7	34

Tech beat Army 34–10 at the cost of two running backs. Tashard Choice and Rashaun Grant were both injured in the contest during Tech's 292-rushing-yard game. Tech's offense was led by Rashaun Grant's 135 all-purpose yardage and a touchdown. Tashard Choice, Jamaal Evans, and Jon Dwyer also scored rushing touchdowns. Mike Cox rushed for a career 38 yards on 3 carries. Freshman safety Morgan Burnett picked off his third pass of the season, which stymied Army's last attempt at taking the lead for the rest of the game. Tech's defense recorded 3 total interceptions and 2 sacks. Senior defensive end Darryl Robertson recorded 4 tackles for losses and a sack in the effort. Tech was now one victory away from bowl eligibility.

Virginia Tech

Pregame Line: Virginia Tech +2.5

	1	2	3	4	Total
#13 Hokies	3	14	7	3	27
Yellow Jackets	3	0	0	0	3

Georgia Tech only mustered a field goal in a game that saw Tech's offense turn the ball over 6 times. Taylor Bennett threw 4 interceptions and was sacked twice in the effort while freshman quarterback Josh Nesbitt threw another interception in the fourth quarter. James Johnson accounted for another turnover when he fumbled after a 35 yard reception. The Tech defense brought pressure all game long and sacked Virginia Tech quarterback Sean Glennon seven times and stripped runningback Branden Ore of the football once in the effort. James Johnson had 7 receptions for a 136 yards while freshmen Jon Dwyer and Josh Nesbitt carried the load for injured seniors Tashard Choice and Rashaun Grant. The freshmen pair ran for 101 yards on 14 carries. Durant Brooks pinned the Hokies inside the twenty 4 times out of 6 punts. Tech is now eliminated from ACC Title contention. Also of note, Big Boi of Outkast performed at half-time.

Duke

Pregame Line: Duke +12.5

	1	2	3	4	Total
Yellow Jackets	10	17	7	7	41
Blue Devils	10	7	7	0	24

Georgia Tech prevailed after trailing the Blue Devils 10–7 in the first quarter. The Tech defense recovered a fumble and recorded eight sacks in the effort. Tashard Choice eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark for the second straight season with his two touchdown, 174 yard effort. Tech, with the win, became the 8th bowl eligible team in the ACC and ensured that Georgia Tech's 11 year bowl streak would continue to twelve years.^[16]

North Carolina

Pregame Line: North Carolina +10

	1	2	3	4	Total
Tar Heels	3	3	3	16	25
Yellow Jackets	7	3	7	10	27

 

View from the south student section.

Georgia Tech survived four lost fumbles to overcome a late UNC rally and win 27–25. Travis Bell connected on two of three field goal attempts, which included Tech's winning score with 11 seconds remaining in the game. Taylor Bennett passed for 196 yards, threw for a touchdown, and caught a touchdown pass from Tashard Choice. Choice added 127 yards on the ground. The Tech defense added four sacks to the effort led by Gary Guyton who accounted for 8 solo tackles and three tackles for loss. Durant Brooks punted the ball 4 times for 240 total yards including a booming 76 yard punt. Tech's 4–4 ACC mark helps Tech finish the season third in the ACC Coastal division and tied for fifth with Wake Forest for fifth overall in the conference.

Georgia

Pregame Line: Georgia −3.5

	1	2	3	4	Total
#7 Bulldogs	3	13	7	8	31
Yellow Jackets	0	14	0	3	17

Tech dropped its seventh straight season finale to UGA with a 31–17 loss. Tech's defense picked up one sack in the effort. Tech's offense was led by Tashard Choice's 133 yards and a touchdown. Durant Brooks boomed four punts for a 52.8 yard average while placekicker Travis Bell knocked down a field goal in the fourth quarter for Tech's last points of the game.

Humanitarian Bowl

	1	2	3	4	Total
Yellow Jackets	7	0	14	7	28
Bulldogs	3	17	14	6	40

Tech was coached by interim head coach Jon Tenuta as head coach Chan Gailey was terminated the Monday after the UGA loss.^[17] Tech dropped the decision 40–28. Tech's only lead of 7–0 held until the Bulldogs scored 27 straight unanswered points. Tech never recuperated from the 17 point Fresno 2nd quarter as Tech and Fresno exchanged touchdowns for the rest of the game. Tech highlights included Jon Dwyer rushing for two touchdowns and Demaryius Thomas catching 4 passes for 69 yards and a touchdown. Tech receiver D.J. Donley blocked his second punt of the year as well.

Postseason awards

Associated Press All-America Team
Second Team	Third Team
Durant Brooks, P	Vance Walker, DT
Associated Press All-ACC Team
First Team	Second Team
Travis Bell, K Durant Brooks, P Tashard Choice, RB Andrew Gardner, OT Vance Walker, DT	Darrell Robertson, DE Kevin Tuminello, C Philip Wheeler, LB
Ray Guy Award
Durant Brooks, P

Roster

(as of 3/28/2007) ; list is subject to change.
Wide receivers   5 Greg Smith March 18, 2008, at the Wayback Machine – RS Sophomore   8 – RS Freshman 15 Correy Earls – RS Freshman 24 Jonathan Malone – Sophomore 25 Miles King February 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine – Sophomore 28 D.J. Donley November 3, 2007, at the Wayback Machine – Incoming Freshman 83 Andrew Smith – RS Junior 86 Tyler Davis – RS Junior 88 Willie White – Freshman 89 James Johnson March 20, 2008, at the Wayback Machine – RS Junior – Incoming Freshman Offensive line 53 A.J. Smith – RS Junior 55 David Brown – RS Junior 60 Kevin Tuminello February 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine – RS Senior 61 Matt Rhodes February 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine – RS Senior 62 Jacob Lonowski February 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine – RS Junior 63 Zach Krish – RS Freshman 64 – RS Junior 65 Andrew Folkner – RS Junior 67 Will Minter – RS Sophomore 68 Drew Brannon – RS Freshman 70 Joseph Gilbert – Freshman 71 – RS Sophomore 73 Nate McManus February 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine – Senior 74 Trey Dunmon February 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine – RS Sophomore 75 Jason Hill – RS Sophomore 76 Nick Claytor – Freshman 77 Dan Voss – RS Sophomore 78 Clyde Yandell – Incoming Freshman Tight ends 81 Brad Sellers – RS Sophomore 82 Jeff Lentz – RS Freshman 84 – RS Sophomore 85 Austin Barrick – RS Freshman		Quarterbacks   9 – Incoming Freshman 11 Kyle Manley February 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine – RS Junior 13 Taylor Bennett^[18] – RS Junior 14 Byron Ingram February 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine – RS Freshman 18 Calvin Booker – RS Junior Running backs  3 Rashaun Grant February 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine – RS Senior 20 Jamaal Evans February 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine – Sophomore 21 – Incoming Freshman 22 Tashard Choice^[19] – RS Senior 27 Loyall Gause February 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine – RS Junior 29 Roddy Jones – Incoming Freshman 43 Tyler Evans – Sophomore 45 Jason Davis – RS Sophomore Fullbacks 38 Quincy Kelly – RS Freshman 40 Mike Cox February 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine – Senior 46 Matt Kamp – RS Sophomore 49 Trevor Bray – RS Freshman Defensive line 42 Adamm Oliver March 18, 2008, at the Wayback Machine – RS Senior 63 Marcus Harris February 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine – RS Senior 69 Alex Paquette – RS Sophomore 76 Sam Pitts February 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine – RS Junior 79 – RS Freshman 90 – Senior 91 Derrick Morgan – Freshman 92 Jason Peters – Freshman 93 – Junior 94 Elris Anyaibe – RS Junior 95 – RS Junior 96 Logan Walls – Freshman 97 Robert Hall – Sophomore 98 Ben Anderson – RS Freshman 99 Vance Walker February 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine – Junior		Linebackers   7 Tony Clark – Junior 12 Anthony Barnes – RS Freshman 17 Matt Braman – Junior 30 James Liipfert – RS Junior 41 – RS Senior 43 Luke Snider – RS Freshman 50 Steven Powers – RS Freshman 50 Albert Rocker – Incoming Freshman 51 Carter Scurry February 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine – RS Sophomore 51 Brad Jefferson November 3, 2007, at the Wayback Machine – Incoming Freshman 52 Travis Chambers February 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine – RS Junior 54 Sedric Griffin – Sophomore 56 Osahon Tongo – RS Freshman 57 Shane Bowen – Sophomore 58 – Senior 59 David Sanborn – RS Senior 59 Kyle Jackson – Incoming Freshman Defensive backs   1 Morgan Burnett – Freshman   2 Mario Butler – Freshman   4 Jamal Lewis March 18, 2008, at the Wayback Machine – Senior   6 Pat Clark February 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine – Senior 10 Martin Frierson – RS Sophomore 23 Djay Jones February 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine – Senior 25 DeRon Jasper – RS Freshman 26 Dominique Reese – RS Freshman 32 Jahi Word-Daniels February 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine – Junior 34 Avery Roberson February 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine – RS Senior 35 Michael Peterson – Incoming Freshman 36 Shelden Little – Freshmen 37 Joe Gaston February 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine – RS Senior 39 Josh Warren February 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine – RS Freshman 47 Jake Blackwood – RS Sophomore 48 Jerrard Tarrant – Incoming Freshman Long snappers 50 Brett White – RS Junior 72 Zach Ware February 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine – RS Sophomore Punters 12 Kevin Crosby – RS Freshman 39 – RS Senior Kickers 17 Iain Vance February 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine – RS Freshman 31 Mohamed Yahiaoui – Junior 33 Troy Garside – RS Junior 87 Travis Bell February 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine – RS Senior 14 Scott Blair – Incoming Freshman 33 Tyler Dale – Incoming Freshman

Coaching staff

• Chan Gailey – Head coach until fired on November 26, 2007
• John Bond – Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
• Joe D'Alessandris – Offensive Line
• Buddy geis – Wide Receivers/Assistant Head Coach
• Jeep hunter – Tight Ends
• Brian jean-mary – Linebackers
• Charles kelly – Special Teams Coordinator
• Curtis modkins – Running Backs
• Giff smith – Defensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator
• Jon Tenuta – Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator
• Butch brooks – Director of Football Operations
• Liam klein – Director of Player Personnel^[20]

References

1. . RamblinWreck.com. Georgia Tech Athletic Association. February 9, 2007. Archived from the original on April 3, 2007. Retrieved September 24, 2007.
2. Amaraneni, Akshay (August 24, 2007). "Bond talks on Tech's offense, changing schools". The Technique. Retrieved December 9, 2007.^{[permanent dead link]}
3. Brimmer, Adam Van (March 8, 2007). "Yellow Jacket Freshman Helping Fill Wide Receiver Gap Left by Calvin Johnson's Early Departure". Savannah Morning News. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved March 19, 2007.
4. Joshi, Nikhil (September 23, 2005). . The Technique. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved March 4, 2007.
5. Amaraneni, Akshay (August 31, 2007). "Choice, Bennett Lead Football Offense". The Technique. Retrieved December 9, 2007. ^{[dead link]}
6. "Georgia Tech's Ball, Scott ruled out of Gator Bowl". December 20, 2006. Retrieved March 8, 2007.
7. "No. 14: Jackets getting hot in Atlanta". Athlon Sports. from the original on June 16, 2007. Retrieved June 17, 2007.
8. . Georgia Institute of Technology. Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved October 27, 2011.
9. "Tech's Opener a Choice Result". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. September 1, 2007. Retrieved September 5, 2007.^{[dead link]}
10. "Notre Dame Game Notes". RamblinWreck.com. Georgia Tech Athletic Association. September 2007. Retrieved September 12, 2007.
11. "No. 21 Georgia Tech Sails By Samford, 69–14". RamblinWreck.com. Georgia Tech Athletic Association. September 8, 2007. Retrieved September 12, 2007.
12. Associated Press (September 16, 2007). "Georgia Tech Falls To Boston College, 24–10". RamblinWreck.com. Georgia Tech Athletic Association. Retrieved September 16, 2007.
13. "Georgia Tech 23, Virginia 28". ESPN. go.com. September 22, 2007. Retrieved September 22, 2007.
14. "Tech's Correy Earls Released From Virginia Hospital". RamblinWreck.com. Georgia Tech Athletic Association. September 23, 2007. Retrieved September 23, 2007.
15. Jenkins, Jay (September 24, 2007). "UVA FOOTBALL: Groh pays visit to injured Earls". The Daily Progress. DailyProgress.com. Retrieved September 25, 2007.^{[dead link]}
16. "Georgia Tech 41, Duke 24". ESPN U. November 10, 2007. Retrieved July 31, 2008.
17. Lee, Hahnming (November 30, 2007). . The Technique. Archived from the original on December 3, 2007. Retrieved December 9, 2007.
18. . Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved January 2, 2007.
19. . Archived from the original on March 28, 2008. Retrieved January 2, 2007.
20. . RamblinWreck.com. Georgia Tech Athletic Association. March 2, 2007. Archived from the original on May 19, 2011. Retrieved March 28, 2007.