Georgia Tech defense looks to keep momentum going

ATLANTA -- Was the Georgia Tech defense that showed up last week against Florida State the real thing or just a one-time appearance? The answer will help determine whether the Yellow Jackets are capable of winning enough games to become bowl eligible.

The Georgia Tech defense can prove where it actually stands Saturday when the team travels to play Virginia. The issue will be whether the defense can perform like the one that held Florida State to 70 yards rushing, or will it revert to the unit that allowed Pittsburgh to rush for 200 yards one week earlier.

"Our guys have played hard all year; that hasn't been the issue," defensive coordinator Ted Roof said. "As proud as we are of them (from last week's 22-16 win), our focus is building on that, learning from it and trying to play better -- just like it is when the outcome isn't like we want it."

And while Virginia doesn't have the same caliber of skill players that Florida State had on its roster, the Cavaliers still pose plenty of problems.

"I think they've got good players," Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson said. "They do a lot of stuff offensively, a lot of eye candy. I think overall it's like I was telling our team. They're 2-5, just like we're 3-5, and we've lost to three of the same teams. I don't think their record is very indicative of the kind of football team they have."

The numbers show Virginia to be a middle-of-the-road offensive team. The Cavaliers average 125.4 yards rushing, 12th in the ACC, and 230.6 yards passing, seventh in the ACC. They average only 24 points per game, 98th in the NCAA.

Virginia features one superior offensive player in Taquan Mizzell, who has come into his own after backing up Kevin Parks the past two seasons.

"Smoke is arguably our best offensive player in that he's our most explosive," Virginia head coach Mike London said of Mizzell.

Mizzell has rushed for 371 yards and two touchdowns and caught 41 passes for 466 yards and three touchdowns. He had a breakthrough last week with 117 yards rushing against North Carolina. He has led the team in rushing four times and in receiving five times.

"He's a good player, and they find different ways to get him the ball," Johnson said. "He had 30 touches last week."

Virginia quarterback Matt Johns has been inconsistent. He has thrown for 1,580 yards and 12 touchdowns but has thrown 12 interceptions. He has thrown at least one touchdown pass in every game he has started and threw for 234 yards and two touchdowns against Syracuse.

"Matt's a guy that has a lot of confidence," London said. "But we always talk about playing within yourself and making throws when the throws are there. Don't try to hurry things. For his development, it's critical that he do that in order for us to be successful."

Georgia Tech got a great effort last week from the defensive front, particularly tackles Adam Gotsis and Pat Gamble. The same group that failed to record a negative play the previous week against Pittsburgh had three sacks and four tackles for loss against Florida State.

"I think we played the run much better (last week)," Johnson said.

"By doing that, we were able to get them in some third-and-longs. We got off the field. They were 2-for-10 on third down, which helps. We were able to possess the ball a little bit on offense. That helps."

But can Georgia Tech carry that effort forward another week?

"It was good for us to play on a big stage, but it's about moving forward," Roof said.

Much depends on the health of the defense. Defensive back D.J. White is listed as probable, but safety A.J. Gray, a Washington County product, is definitely out.

The offense should get a boost with the probable return of B-back Patrick Skov and veteran A-back Broderick Snoddy. Skov missed last week's game for an undisclosed reason, while Snoddy has been out for four weeks with a broken hand.

Georgia Tech leads the series 19-17-1 and has won the past three meetings. But Virginia holds a 10-1 lead in Charlottesville.

"I don't really know the answer for that," Johnson said. "But they've been tough. I think we've been fortunate, won two of the games (during Johnson's tenure). They've always been hard-fought, close games. The last time we went up there, we turned the ball over five times. That didn't help much on our end. That's something we've got to be aware of. Just go up there, get ready, play our game. Got to go play."

This story was originally published October 30, 2015 at 8:14 PM with the headline "Georgia Tech defense looks to keep momentum going ."