Georgia Tech Football: Offense continues to struggle in 24-2 to Temple

Georgia Tech and Dave Patenaude’s offense still can’t seem to find any real identity following their 24-2 loss to Temple

The Yellow Jackets could not seem to find any rhythm Saturday evening in their loss to Temple. Tech fans got to see more of QB James Graham, who made a few nice sideline passes, and converted a couple of key first downs. Graham did seem to miss on a few open long shots downfield, though.

Tobias Oliver started the game against Temple, and led the Jackets to a couple of nice drives in the first half. Oliver, however, would finish 4/11 passes for 74 yards. Oliver also was Tech’s leading rusher, rushing for 68 yards on 11 carries.

The game started off well for Tech’s defense. They let the Owls drive downfield to the Tech 10 yard line before Temple QB Anthony Russo threw an interception to Kaleb Oliver. On what should have been a big momentum swing for the Jackets, we saw the start of what we have seen all year, the offense struggling to get moving.

At the end of the first quarter, with the score still 0-0, Tobias Oliver was leading the offense downfield for a decent drive that looked promising to put the Jackets on top. While trying to run the ball into the end zone, instead of choosing to dive for the goal line, Oliver instead decided to jump to the goal line which ended in him fumbling the ball allowing Temple to get the ball back. That was more or less the beginning of the end for the Jackets in this game.

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After a couple of good outings by the Tech defense, Temple finally was able to get on the score board with an 18 yard touchdown run by Owl running back Re’Mahn Davis. After the PAT, this put Temple up 7-0 midway through the second quarter.

After a Tech three and out, Temple managed to score another touchdown via a 1 yard run by Re’Mahn Davis with 0:08 left in the half. Temple led the game 14-0 going into halftime.

Coming out, not much changed for the Jackets as far as the offense was concerned. On the first drive of the half, Tobias Oliver managed to fumble the ball as the pocket collapsed around him. The fumble was forced by Ifeanyi Maijeh and recovered by Benny Walls, who then returned the fumble for 74 yards and another Temple touchdown. This put the Owls up 21-0.

After a beautiful 45 yard punt by Pressley Harvin III which was downed at the one yard line, Tech finally managed to get on the score board with a safety. Re’Mahn Davis was stuffed in the backfield by Charlie Thomas.

After a field goal by Temple made the score 24-2, Tech still never managed to get any momentum going. A late interception by James Graham virtually sealed the game for Temple, stopping any hope for a late game comeback by the Jackets.

James Graham ended the game with 10/24 passes for 100 yards and a 4.2 average. He looked good in some respects, but I believe he is still going to need time and practice to truly flourish. Tech wide-out Ahmarean Brown led the Jackets in receiving yards with 3 receptions for 64 yards and whopping 21.3 average.

It was another rough day for the Jackets on all sides of the ball. The offense is still playing stagnant, and really needs to step their game up as they get into the meat of their ACC schedule starting next week with North Carolina, who played Clemson down to the last-minute Saturday evening. It was disappointing to see Coach Geoff Collins and the Jackets look so poorly against his former team. Hopefully Dave Patenaude and Geoff Collins can get the identity of their offense figured out, and soon.