Georgia Tech looks to finish on a high note

ATLANTA -- Paul Johnson has heard the same thing many times from fans since he took over at Georgia Tech: Just beat Georgia.

"Since I arrived here, a lot of people have told me you could win one game, and it doesn't matter what your record is," Johnson said. "Hopefully, we can see and find out if that's true."

The Yellow Jackets (3-8) host the season finale Saturday against Georgia. While a win won't salvage a disappointing season, it definitely would end it on a high note.

"I think it's the time of year that all the fans and most everybody looks forward to the in-state rivalry game," Johnson said. "While nothing could make the challenges and the results go away totally, it would be a good way to try to end the season on a positive note if we win the last one, the in-state rival game."

This is the first time under Johnson that Georgia Tech has entered the Georgia game after a loss. The last time Georgia Tech entered this game with three or fewer wins was 1994 when Georgia won 48-10 to punctuate the Yellow Jackets' 1-10 season. Georgia Tech hasn't beaten the Bulldogs in Atlanta since 1999.

"I feel sure our guys are going to get fired up and ready to play," Johnson said. "We're disappointed with the record, but they've tried. The effort has been there every week. It says something about their character that they haven't found a place to lay down and quit."

And while there have been no signs of quitting, there are plenty of signs of frustration. It's especially evident with Johnson, who is exasperated at the different ways his team has found ways to lose games.

Against Duke, it was the breakdown of the special teams.

Against North Carolina, it was the defense that gave up a 21-0 lead.

Against Pittsburgh, it was a late turnover that allowed the Panthers to eat up the clock and kick the winning field goal on the final play.

Against Virginia, it was the defense that allowed 408 yards.

Against Virginia Tech, it was the offense that vanished in the final three quarters.

Against Miami, it was nine fumbles, two of them lost, and two interceptions.

Of Georgia Tech's eight losses -- the most for Johnson since his first year at Navy -- there are only two games (Clemson and Notre Dame) in which the Yellow Jackets were outplayed.

"This is new territory for me," Johnson said. "It's kind of been a situation where every game, for the most part, we've been in, and we find a way to self-implode. I don't know if that's just playing young guys, or it's just our turn. You know, I've been doing this a long time, maybe it's my turn."

Part of the inconsistency can be traced to young players who have been forced to play because of injuries, suspensions and players leaving the team. Georgia Tech has played 23 freshmen, 10 of them true freshmen. Six true freshmen have started at least one game.

"I think the things that have been a positive to this point is, one, those freshmen will be sophomores, and they've all got a chance to play and they'll have experience," Johnson said. "I'm not into moral victories, but the one thing I'll say about these kids, for the most part, is they don't quit.

"It's like the dog who keeps running into the car. He isn't getting in, but he keeps running. And they've kept coming. And sometimes when you get in a situation like this, I would imagine it might be easy to quit running into the car."

This story was originally published November 27, 2015 at 9:00 PM with the headline "Georgia Tech looks to finish on a high note ."