Hostile Ground the MATCHUP As They Got Walloped in Chapel Hill by North Ga
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Cyan Magenta Yell Black ( Hurr23 ) “This is major college “If starting right tackle, football. When you have peo- Rashad Butler, returns from ple open, you have to make injury, the line will get a huge the plays.” boost. ” —LARRY COKER —NATE JOHNSON SPORTSTHURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2004 Hostile ground THE MATCHUP as they got walloped in Chapel Hill by North Ga. Hurricanes must Carolina 34-13. VS. The Yellow Jackets boast a mobile quarterback UM Tech force Tech turnovers in Reggie Ball, who had 80 yards rushing last week against North Carolina. Ball has thrown five inter- in first road test Brock Berlin used his opportunity against a QUARTERBACK Reggie Ball, named the ACC Rookie of the ceptions in three games and accounted for four of weak Houston team to pad his stats and improve Year after last season, has unquestionable skills, By Darren Grossman Georgia Tech’s five turnovers last week. his...oh...what’s that? He played worse than throwing seven touchdowns in just three games usual? He threw for a whopping 99 yards, got this season. However, Ball, like most young Assistant Sports Editor Georgia Tech also has a very solid running sacked five times, and fumbled once? What does quarterbacks, struggles at times, as evidenced game led by P.J. Daniels. Daniels has recorded Berlin have to do before that short leash leads by his three-interception performance during a Miami will have its first road test of the season 324 yards on just 61 carries; good for a 5.2 yards him to the bench? loss to UNC. against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Saturday. per carry average and two touchdowns on the Tyrone Moss made up for Berlin’s ineptitude RUNNING BACK P.J. Daniels ran for 1,447 yards last season Georgia Tech enters the game 2-1 on the season. against Houston by rushing for a career high 148 on his way to All-ACC honors. He leads the ACC season and 1-1 in the ACC. The Yellow Jackets G-Tech is averaging over 200 yards a game yards on 19 carries. Despite Moss’ skills, the in rushing this season with 324 yards in Tech’s ‘Canes need a healthy Frank Gore, who ran just first three games. Daniels’ only touchdowns this opened with a win against Samford before upset- on the ground and through the air. Entering the six times for nine yards after leaving the Houston EVEN season came against Samford. Samford is not ting Clemson on the road. However, last week, game with a sore knee. good at football. five turnovers plagued the Yellow Jackets’ offense see FOOTBALL page 24 Why the UM receivers have looked so bad WIDE RECEIVER Freshman Calvin Johnson is a lanky, 6’4” this season is up for debate. Whether the fault star in the making. Johnson caught three touch- lies with Berlin or the receivers is an enigma. downs, including the game-winner, against The 'Canes need a superstar receiver and with Clemson, and he will pose serious problems Ryan Moore injured, freshman Lance Leggett against the ‘Canes’ shorter cornerbacks. Nate could become that guy very soon. Tight ends Curry, a Miami native, provides GT’s other receiv- Kevin Everett and Greg Olson have provided a ing threat. rare bright spot on offense. If starting right tackle, Rashad Butler, returns OFFENSIVE LINE Back-up right tackle Salih Besirevic is from from injury, the line will get a huge boost. Bosnia. It gets pretty cold there in the winter. Butler’s return would enable Chris Myers to shift Besirevic went to high school in Colorado, which back to his regular position at right guard. The also gets pretty cold during certain parts of the line needs to improve its pass blocking after year. He probably won’t enjoy Atlanta’s weather, surrendering seven sacks to Houston. but it doesn’t really matter because he is the back-up right tackle. The starters have size and experience. The d-line lived up to expectations last DEFENSIVE LINE Eric Henderson missed Tech’s first three week by holding FSU to 57 yards on the ground games due to injury, but the preseason All- and sacking Chris Rix three times. Soft-spoken American defensive end will make his 2004 end Baraka Atkins showed a mean streak by debut this Saturday. Henderson led the ACC with ferociously body slamming several players and 11 sacks last season, and he will prey on Berlin causing Rix to fumble. if he stands in the pocket all day. Roger McIntosh and Tavares Gooden are LINEBACKERS After last season, the Ramblin’ Wreck sent wreaking havoc all over the field, and they rank two linebackers to the big leagues. That left a second and third on the team in tackles. Gooden huge hole in the defense, which the coaches scored his first career TD against Houston after filled by moving Gerris Wilkinson from his starting recovering a blocked punt. Jon Beason has spot at defensive end to middle linebacker. The played well as a replacement at middle line- move worked well for Wilkinson, who leads the backer for the broken-handed Leon Williams ACC in tackles with 31. Antrel Rolle’s name is popping up on Heisman SECONDARY Safety James Butler is Tech’s defensive watch lists due to his incredible playmaking abil- leader and a preseason All-American. Butler ity, but he has had trouble hanging on to the snagged five interceptions last season, and he football, dropping two sure interceptions. Greg is from Climax, Ga. Strong safety Dawan Landry Threat is a silent killer, racking up 17 tackles is the other star of Tech’s secondary, and he has against Houston without much fanfare. Freshman three career interceptions. safety Anthony Reddick was named ACC Rookie of the Week after the Houston game. Devin Hester looked like Midas against SPECIAL TEAMS Fresh faces take over kicking and punting Louisiana Tech, returning two punts for touch- duties this season at GT. Junior transfer Ben downs. Brian Monroe looks like a completely dif- Arndt has averaged 41 yards per punt and ferent punter compared to his dismal freshman freshman kicker Travis Bell has hit two-of-three year. He pinned Houston inside 20-yards on four field goal attempts and has yet to miss an extra of his five punts. Kicker Jon Peattie continues to point. play through a slight groin tear. CHARLOTTE SOUTHERN/Hurricane Staff TOUGH TIME: Brock Berlin struggled against Houston, passing for only 99 yards and fumbling five times. Compiled by Nate Johnson September 30, 2004 THE MIAMI HURRICANE SPORTS 23.