Comments from Georgia Tech coach Geoff Collins following the Yellow Jackets' 52-7 loss to No. 4 Georgia Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
On the contributions of the senior class: "The foundation is laid. We're able to get in here, get in to work because (the seniors) know the expectations moving forward in this program. They know the things we have to do to be the elite program that we're on our way to being. So, sad that they're gone but excited about what they've done to lay the groundwork for the future of this program."
On Georgia: "Obviously, have to give hat's off to the team that we just played. I still remember three years ago, I was the defensive coordinator at Florida in the first year in the development of that program, and just to see the impact that they've made through recruiting, through development, that's the way it should be. So we're actively engaged in that part of the process right now. But the part that was promising is, you go into halftime being ready to go one score down against the No. 3 (actually No. 4) team in the country with an absolutely depleted roster of guys that are just fighting and battling and giving us a chance to be in that game. It bodes well for what's going to happen with this program going forward."
On the third quarter: "The level of attrition does catch up to you. But there were some things. The first sky kick to open up the second half, we did it because the sun was right down exactly down exactly where we were going to kick it. The kick was 15 yards shorter than it was supposed to be and the guy was able to get it out to the 50, and then get field position. And then the entire third quarter was completely a game of field position. I thought Pressley (Harvin), Nathan Cottrell did a great job – Jaytlin Askew before he got hurt – were changing the field, but once field positions gets tipped in the other way that significantly, it was hard to overcome. Our guys kept battling, but it got away from us there in the third quarter, and you can't let that happen against the No. 3 team in the country."
On not going for it on fourth-and-2 in the second quarter: "It was a one-score game and we had this thing rolling. I thought we definitely would come away with points in that situation. I think the morale and everything to make it a one-score game I thought would be good. Obviously, we didn't get it."
On running on second-and-long and not taking deep shots: "That's as good of a front seven as there is in college. Really good pass rush. We thought it was best in that situation for us to run the ball. We had some things wired that were popping."
On the future: "The ones that don't want to get it, they're not going to get it no matter how many times there's things written and things said about what we've gone through, but I know the future is bright and all the things we've learned together cumulatively in the first year are going to set us up for unbelievable success."
On quarterback James Graham: "I thought he played a little tight early but just cut it loose and go play. They're really good. That's fine. But just distribute the ball, make the calls, make the checks and let's get this thing moving. But, again, you can't discount that's a really good roster we just played."
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