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Georgia Tech Football vs Bowling Green: Jackets annihilate Bowling Green 63-17

By Dylan Callaghan-Croley

ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 1: Ramblin' Wreck of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets enters the field prior to their game against the Alcorn State Braves at Bobby Dodd Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 1: Ramblin' Wreck of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets enters the field prior to their game against the Alcorn State Braves at Bobby Dodd Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /
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The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets put together their best game of the season on Saturday afternoon in a 63-17 victory over the Bowling Green Falcons.

It’s not time just yet to call it the Yellow Jackets 2018 season. On Saturday afternoon, the Yellow Jackets put together a much-needed effort and their best performance of the season in a 63-17 full team effort annihilation of Bowling Green.

The Yellow Jackets put up over 500-yards of total offense including a dominating 372-yards on the ground while starting quarterback TaQuon Marshall had his best passing day of his career. The senior quarterback was five-for-six through the air for 160-yards. His 83% completion percentage was the best of his career (when throwing more than one attempt).

Defensively, the Jackets were stout when it came to stopping the Bowling Green rushing attack allowing just 63-yards over 38 rushing attempts. The Falcons averaged a mere 1.7 yards per carry for the game.

Early in the game, it seemed though it could be another tight game for the Yellow Jackets as it was 14-10 with 11 minutes remaining in the second quarter. From that point on, however, the Jackets outscored Bowling Green 49-7.

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The Jackets were efficient throughout the game on Saturday averaging 22.9 yards per completion and 7.6 yards per rushing attempt. The Jackets also didn’t turn the ball over on Saturday while being successful on 4-of-7 third-down attempts. They also were successful on their lone fourth down attempt of the game.

TaQuon Marshall and Tobias Oliver were both fantastic in the victory, combining for 317 total yards. While Marshall excelled through the air for the Yellow Jackets, Oliver was electric on the ground, picking up 115-yards on just seven carries. Johnson did have his struggles on the ground with just 42-yards on 13 attempts, an average of 3.2 per rushing attempt.

Jordan Mason and Nathan Cottrell were also excellent in the effort both contributing touchdowns on the day. Mason continued to be the Jackets most consistent offensive weapon, averaging over eight yards per carry and scoring two touchdowns. Cottrell averaged over nine yards per carry himself and earned his second score of the season.

The biggest surprise on Saturday may have been the tremendous effort from the Jackets special teams that had played extremely poor through their first four games of the season. Freshman Juanyeh Thomas looked strong in the kick return game, averaging over 20-yards per return and had a touchdown return called back due to a Tech penalty. Wesley Wells was a perfect 9-for-9 in field goal attempts while Pressley Harvin III’s lone punt of the day was a fantastic 53-yarder downed inside the 20.

The one concern that may have come out of Saturday’s victory was the performance of the Tech secondary. The Jackets secondary allowed 330-yards on Saturday allowing Bowling Green starter Jarrett Doege to complete 27 of 44 passing attempts. The Jackets did end up with two interceptions on the day including one deflection resulting in a pick-six by Anree Saint-Amour. The Jackets are going to face more quality quarterbacks down the stretch and they’ll need to tighten it up in the back end going forward.

Next. Georgia Tech Football: Five quick hits following Jackets 63-17 win. dark

Overall, the Jackets performance on Saturday was without a doubt their best performance. The Jackets executed extremely well throughout the game with just one fumble and three penalties on the day. The defensive line was strong and dominative against an offensive line that they should have dominated which is always a good sign. The win on Saturday should be taken with a grain of salt, yes it was an excellent game for the Yellow Jackets and will be a much-needed confidence boost but it came against a struggling Bowling Green team that won just two games last season.

The Jackets will look to improve their record to 3-3 next Friday when they take on Louisville.