Georgia Tech’s failed fourth-down run play in its 26-17 loss to Virginia Tech on Saturday was a pivotal moment that stirred criticism. On Tuesday, offensive coordinator Dave Patenaude stood by his call to give the ball to running back Jordan Mason on a run up the middle on a fourth-and-2 from the Hokies 12-yard line.
“You have to go in and say, ‘Here’s our play, and we’re going to give it to J.P.,’” Patenaude said. “‘We’re going to go downhill, and if they stop us, they stop us.’ But percentage-wise, we’re saying that’s the best thing that you can do.”
The play took place in the fourth quarter, with Virginia Tech leading 23-17. Georgia Tech reached the Hokies 12-yard line and faced a fourth-and-2 with about 11:30 remaining. Coach Geoff Collins made the decision to go for it rather than attempt a field goal that would have cut the score to 23-20, based on analytics data indicating that it was a stronger play, probability-wise, to go for the first down and play for a touchdown.
With quarterback Jeff Sims in the shotgun and Mason lined up two yards behind him, Sims took the snap and handed off to Mason, who was stopped at the 11-yard line, a yard short of the first-down marker. Patenaude also said that he wanted to have Mason in as opposed to running back Jahmyr Gibbs, the more explosive of the two runners.
“It’s fourth-and 1-1/2 , two yards,” Patenaude said. “J.P. Mason’s our best short-yardage back. (I) have total faith in him getting it downhill. (We) ran our base offensive play, which is the short-yardage play that has been the most consistent for us over the course of the year, and we hammered it to our back. We didn’t get it. I wouldn’t change (the play) at all.”
Patenaude looked at the criticism that he has received as an all-or-nothing situation.
“If that play squirts through for a touchdown, (then) that’s a great play call, and Geoff’s a hero for going for it,” he said. “We’re cutting edge, we’re being uber-aggressive and we’re playing to win. If it doesn’t, you have egg on your face.”
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