Football Pre-Game Stories

STATHAM GOES BACK TO BEGINNING

Georgia Tech always will be a special week for Friedgen, who spent eight years in Atlanta as an offensive coordinator. "I'll have friends there for the rest of my life," Friedgen said this week.

And while Friedgen is quick to play down the emotions this matchup stirs, his players say they know it has extra meaning for their coach.

"This is a big game for him," Schmitt said. "He doesn't say it much, but one thing he does tell us is that Georgia Tech is not a team that's going to quit. Some of those older guys were there when Coach Friedgen was there, and I know he wants it pretty bad."

TURNAROUND TIME FOR JACKETS
Gailey on winning:

"You can sit around and mope and pout and feel sorry for yourself or we can make up our mind and go do something about it," Gailey told them. "Each week that's your choice. The competitors get better. They find a way to get better. No, make a way to get better. That's like, if you look in enough garbage cans, you'll find a win. You don't find a way to win; you make a way to win."

TECH OUT TO AVOID 3 LOSSES IN A ROW
Similar article to the last one.

TERPS GET DOWN TO SERIOUS BUSINESS

Maryland needs to beat Georgia Tech and visiting N.C. State next week to reach 5-1 before facing the heavyweights. Otherwise, a fourth straight winning season and bowl trip might be in doubt.

RECRUITING - TARAVES KEARNEY
Nice story on one recruit GT is after.

Tucker linebacker Tavares Kearney showed why he earned the nickname "TKO" in the 28-7 win over St. Pius on Friday.

With the outcome of the game still in doubt in the third quarter, Kearny caused St. Pius quarterback Griffin Benedict to leave the game twice with a possible concussion after bruising hits. After Benedict departed for the second time, he did not return and St. Pius failed to gain another first down.

IN ACC, PATIENCE IS HARD TO FIND
Gailey once again on the QB situation:

"You're looking for consistency," Gailey said. "And if you have a pattern of inconsistency then you're saying, 'Okay, at what point does this become a major problem rather than an inconsistency problem?' I think coaches are always looking where that is. I'm not sure anybody has actually decided where that is. Each situation is different. It's a lot easier to take when you continue to win."

Well, I tell you, Bobby Bowden nails it, in his usual way wit words:

Said Florida State Coach Bobby Bowden: "You expect them to do this much the first year, this much the second year, get better the third year and by the fourth year have it all together. Usually by that time, they do. Some are going to come earlier than the other, and that's the guy you want."