Even more concerning for Tech than their rushing totals was their inability to move the chains in short yardage situations.
Early in the second quarter, Tech needed one yard on third down at their own 24, but running back Trelane Maddox was blocked for a one-yard loss. In the third quarter, they needed one yard on Louisville’s four, but Maddox was blocked at the line of scrimmage for a no-gain. Tech committed a delay of game on fourth down, forcing Aidan Barr to kick a 26-yard field goal. Early in the fourth quarter, the Jackets needed three yards on fourth down at Louisville’s three, but King could only manage two yards as he broke the line of scrimmage toward the goal line. Then, late in the fourth quarter, on consecutive plays that would decide Tech’s fate, Maddox gained just one yard on third down and two.
“It doesn’t matter if they have six, eight or 12 guys at the line of scrimmage, we’ve got to be able to move guys,” Tech coach Brent Key said. “Going into the bye week, that’s something we’ve got to work on. In both of our losses, we had a couple of chances on fourth-and-1 to keep the chains moving and get ahead in the game.
“It’s something we’re working on and we’re going to address it, address it, look at it and come up with a plan to get better.”
Tech’s struggles on the ground have been due in part to leading runner Haynes’ persistent injury issues that have plagued him since the start of the season, Key said Thursday on his weekly radio show on 680 The Fan. Haynes, a junior who rushed for 1,059 yards and seven touchdowns last season, has only rushed for 238 yards in five games this fall.
The former Grayson High School star has gained just 2.6 yards per carry over his past three games, including just 25 yards on 12 carries on Saturday.
“(Wednesday’s) practice was the first practice my guy (Haynes) had in a while that he was 100 percent, flat out,” Key said. “Jamal Haynes is one of the toughest guys I’ve ever met. He’s man-to-body-weight-wise, the toughest guy I’ve ever met. He’s really tough when it comes to the game of football and doesn’t want to miss any practice reps, no matter what. It’s been great to see him with that big smile on his face again the last few days of practice.”
The defense has improved, but it’s still not great.
All things considered, Tech’s defense showed signs of improvement against a Louisville offense that allowed 111 points in the first two games of the season.
The Jackets allowed just 17 points on defense Saturday and limited the Cardinals to just 57 rushing yards. It was little consolation in a loss, but it’s a sign of hope that Tech has figured something out after a poor showing against Syracuse on Sept. 7.
“I would say we’re starting to settle in and we’re really getting comfortable on defense,” Tech linebacker Kyle Efford said. “The more we play, the more playing time we get, the more comfortable we’re going to get and the faster and faster we’re going to be able to play.”
Tech took positive steps by holding Louisville to just 2 of 9 third downs and just 14 first downs, but allowed 269 passing yards and 7.1 yards per play.
The only glaring mistake of the day came late in the third quarter, when Louisville quarterback Tyler Shaw threw a deep pass down the right sideline that Tech cornerback Amari Harvey lost control of and eventually was fouled for pass interference, setting up Louisville wide receiver JaCorey Brooks for a 57-yard score that would prove to be the deciding factor in the game.
10 wins followed by 10 losses
Key took over Tech’s program in September 2022 after Geoff Collins was fired. The former Tech offensive lineman has gone 14-12 with the Jackets since then (10-8 in ACC play), but Tech’s inability to go back-to-back wins is concerning.
Tech has had a winning streak under Key, currently sitting at 3-10. That includes a 1-2 mark this season, with a win over Georgia State followed by a loss to Syracuse and a win over Virginia Military Institute followed by a loss to Louisville. The Jackets have won three straight games under Key, but each victory came in just two games.
“It’s hard to win. We know that. That’s for sure. Every game is hard to win and obviously this game is no exception,” Key said. “The goal doesn’t change. What we’re trying to do and what we’re working on doesn’t change.”
The good news, though, is that Tech is now 10-1 under Key after the loss. The Jackets have a bye week and will host Duke (4-0) on Oct. 5.
