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closeATLANTA — The message was simple, to the point and apparently well-received.
As is customary before games, Georgia Tech chaplain Derrick Moore delivers sermons to the Yellow Jackets on topics that he believes pertains to where the team is emotionally, physically and spiritually at that moment in time.
Speaking in the only manner he knows how — fiery, intense and full of passion — he gave one of his most timely and appropriate addresses of the season Saturday afternoon.
With the Yellow Jackets huddled together inside their Bobby Dodd Stadium locker room, he discussed one word as the basis of his oration — perseverance.
“You have to find a way to finish it, to finish the game,” he forcefully said, reiterating the point following Georgia Tech’s 30-27 overtime win over Wake Forest.
He could not have had any way of knowing the Yellow Jackets were to be destined for extra football. Or could he?
“Just try to finish, that was the main point he had (Saturday),” defensive end Derrick Morgan said. “He kind of hits it on the head every week. I don’t know if he has any premonitions or what, though.”
Moore continued, “It all starts with character; character, integrity, discipline. Those are the tools it takes to finish a game.”
With Georgia Tech quarterback Josh Nesbitt successfully converting a fourth-and-short quarterback dive near Wake Forest’s goal line, and then scoring one play later, the Yellow Jackets found a way to persevere late.
“You can see, it goes all the way down,” Moore said. “It comes from the coach, who calls the play late and then it extends to the players who find a way to finish — to persevere.”
DWYER 1,000
In addition to Georgia Tech’s momentous win Saturday, B-back Jonathan Dwyer set a pair of milestones of his own.
After coming away with a career-high 186 yards rushing last week against Vanderbilt, the junior one-upped that performance with a 189-yard showing against Wake Forest to set a new personal record.
But he did not stop there. Once Dwyer collected his 96th rushing yard of the game, he went surpassed the 1,000-yard season plateau for the second time of his career. Last season, he rushed for 1,395 yards before claiming ACC player of the year honors.
“It’s a good accomplishment,” Dwyer said. “I was just trying to do what I can with the ball in my hands and lead my team to victory.”
ROSTER CHANGES
Before the game, the Yellow Jackets announced three key roster changes.
As was expected, free safety Mario Edwards got his first career start at the position in place of an injured Dominique Reese, who continues to nurse a bum shoulder.
Along with Edwards — a Virginia Tech transfer who saw significant action last week in relief of Reese — Rashaad Reid received a start at cornerback in place of Jerrard Tarrant. Tarrant did, however, end up playing much of the game, being featured at Nickel back and at punt return.
The final change came along the offensive line, where redshirt freshman Phil Smith received his first career start in favor of Austin Barrick, who is out indefinitely with an ankle injury.
FIVE INDUCTED INTO HALL
During halftime, five former Georgia Tech athletes were inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame, when they took the field to be recognized by Yellow Jackets fans.
Headlined by onetime Heisman Trophy hopeful Joe Hamilton, the group included former football player Craig Page, track star Angelo Taylor and baseball players Kris Wilson and J.J. Thomas.
Page and Hamilton were also the game’s honorary captains for Georgia Tech and met at midfield during the coin toss alongside the Yellow Jackets’ season captains.
FLYOVER BUZZ
Some 10 minutes before kickoff, fans inside Bobby Dodd Stadium were treated to a flyover by a pair of F-18 fighter jets.
Immediately following the playing of the national anthem, the aircraft skimmed along the top of the stadium from the north before peeling off and disappearing into the western sky.
Near the start of the third quarter, the pilots and crew were honored on the field. As fans cheered, one of the pilots — a Georgia Tech graduate — unzipped his uniform to reveal a gold T-shirt that read “Beat the Dawgs.” When it was shown on the stadium’s MegaJacketTron, the cheering rose even louder.
QUICK HITS
Scott Blair’s 45-yard field goal to begin Saturday’s scoring was the longest of his career and the longest for Georgia Tech since 2007. It also marked the first the time the Yellow Jackets have had a field goal from longer than 40 yards this year. ... B-back Preston Lyons also secured a pair of career records. The Colgate transfer scored Georgia Tech’s first touchdown when he ripped off a career-best 31-yard run for his first touchdown as a Yellow Jackets player.
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