CLEMSON, SC – In a game featuring two teams going the opposite direction this season, Saturday’s showdown in Death Valley was no different. The Clemson Tigers (5-0, 2-0) avoided any sign of a letdown coming off last weekend’s emotional high and handed Georgia Tech (2-4, 0-3) its worst loss yet of the season by a final score of 43-24.

Saturday’s tilt was another in a string of games where the Jackets broke down in all three phases of the game. It began on Clemson’s first possession where the Jackets had an opportunity for a 3-and-out, only to allow Clemson to convert its longest offensive play of the year as Wayne Gallman broke through the line untouched for a 66-yard touchdown run.

One mistake, no big deal, however the issues continued early and often. On the Jackets’ first offensive possession an ill-directed 3rd down pass from quarterback Justin Thomas was intercepted on their own 36-yard line. The offense struggled from there on out and was limited to their lowest rushing yardage total (71) of the Paul Johnson era.

The trifecta of the three phase breakdown culminated on special teams where, prior to the 1st quarter clock striking zero, an errant snap over punter Ryan Rodwell’s head resulted in a blocked punt and safety.

“We really don’t have anywhere we can rely on,” said Head Coach Paul Johnson after the game. “You can’t count on the offense for sure, can’t count on the defense, [nor] special teams either. It’s really frustrating.”

When all was said and done, the Jackets trailed 19-3 at the end of the 1st quarter. There was little reprieve to follow as Clemson retained a vice grip on momentum, clean play, and ultimately the scoreboard.

“We looked like a very poorly coached team, and it starts with me,” Johnson said.

For a team that appears to be lacking confidence, a bye week might be ideal. There are three more weeks and three more games before the Jackets will get their first.

So how do the Jackets mentally adjust? Said senior captain Adam Gotsis, “We want effort. But there’s got to be a point where you’re doing your job with effort and you’re not just running around like a headless chicken trying to make a play… Guys need to do their assignment, handle [their] job, and make a play when it’s there.”

Perhaps all it takes is a play to snap the Jackets’ current skid. Perhaps simply limiting errors will accomplish the same. Either way, coaches and players alike agree there’s room to improve, and next Saturday’s game versus Pittsburgh is their next opportunity to prove they're doing just that.

ATLANTA, GA – Despite racing out to an early 21-point lead by way of an uncharacteristic hurry-up offense, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (2-3, 0-2) were unable to keep pace with the North Carolina Tar Heels (4-1, 1-0) Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium. The Tar Heels responded to the early deficit with a 38-10 run and intercepted a last second Georgia Tech Hail Mary to win their ACC opener 38-31.

The Jackets’ loss is their first at home this year and first at the hands of the Tar Heels in Atlanta since 1997. Those milestones pale in comparison to the way the game was lost. Georgia Tech’s offense was seemingly unstoppable, scoring touchdowns on its first three drives. The defense was equally impressive, forcing punts on the Tar Heels first two drives.

It wasn’t until the Tar Heels third drive of the game, one which began with just 4:34 remaining in the second quarter, when their offense hit their stride. Carolina drove 75 yards for a touchdown in just over 3 minutes. Following a Georgia Tech 3-and-out deep in their own territory, the Tar Heels took advantage of field position and drove 6 plays, 44 yards, and converted their second touchdown in less than two minutes.

It was a whole new ballgame. Georgia Tech led 21-14 at the half but it was Carolina with all of the momentum.

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DURHAM, NC - For the second week in a row Georgia Tech's offense sputtered, and for the second week in a row it sealed their fate, this time in their ACC opener today at Wallace Wade Stadium. The Duke Blue Devils (3-1, 1-0) were the benefactor, and largely the instigator, running out to an early lead and holding on to defeat the Yellow Jackets 34-20.

Georgia Tech (2-2, 0-1) is likely to fall out of the top 25 as a result, but the issues for the Yellow Jackets are far greater than national recognition. Said Head Coach Paul Johnson, "It's like I told our team. You're not going to win a game where you snap it over your punter's head, give up a kickoff for a touchdown, give up a punt return for a touchdown, and then are anemic on offense... We're just not a very good offensive football team right now."

The offense, long considered the one reliable staple of the team, has shown it's anything but at this point in the season. Quarterback Justin Thomas was often forced into making reads under duress in both the running and passing game. After starting the game 4 for 6 passing for 92 yards and 1 touchdown, Thomas finished just 6 of 21 for 143 yards and tossed one interception.

The Jackets were similarly thwarted on the ground, rushing for just 2.9 yards per carry. Their 173 total yards on 60 carries ended a streak of 17 consecutive games of 200 rushing yards or more.

Issues on offense may not have impacted the games' outcome if not for a similarly disheartening performance on special teams. Duke took advantage of breakdowns in the Jackets' kick and punt coverages, converting one kickoff for a touchdown and returning another to the Georgia Tech 1-yard line. Another snap over punter Ryan Rodwell's head prevented Tech from flipping the field in the first half. Duke's subsequent drive covered 48 yards and ended in a touchdown.

The saving grace today was the performance of Georgia Tech's defense, albeit after a slow start. Said Johnson, "I thought they played really well in the second half. That's probably as good as a defense has played in the second half." The defense held Duke to 75 total yards in the second half and forced two turnovers.

Defensive back Lawrence Austin's interception with 6:57 remaining in the game had the potential to be a game-changer. With Georgia Tech down 26-20, the turnover gave the Jackets momentum and an opportunity to drive just 35 yards for a go-ahead touchdown and extra point. It was not meant to be.

Attempting to reassert its will on the ground, the Jackets turned the ball over on downs when running back Patrick Skov was stuffed in the backfield on 4th and 1. Hindsight is 20-20 and that’s no different for Paul Johnson. Reflecting on the 4th down call, “You want to play to the strength of your football team. When you’ve got seniors [on the offensive line] and a guy who’s hard to tackle, that’s where we were trying to go. Wish I’d thrown it on 3rd down in play action.”

Running through the plethora of “what-if’s” unfortunately will not change the outcome for Georgia Tech. Instead it’s back to the drawing board and time to figure out a way to beat the North Carolina Tar Heels one week from today.

It’s not lost with the players that they faced similar circumstances last year en route to an Orange Bowl trophy. “Last year we lost two games back-to-back,” said defensive end KeShun Freeman. “We responded to that, and we can do the same thing this year. You can’t just look back and say ‘hey, I wish I would have done this’. You just have to look forward to the many goals and the many things you can do in the next few games.”

Forgetting the last two games, looking forward, and a return to Bobby Dodd Stadium may be just what the Jackets need.