The "Yeah but" game

The Jackets got a win today, but this is the famous "yeah but.......... it's Duke" game. The Jackets won handily 41-24................ "but it's Duke". Things were a bit tenuous for awhile after the Tashard Choice fumbled the ball resulting in a Duke TD. Later the T.Bennett threw an INT which led to another 3 points. Throw in a blocked Durant Brooks punt that led to another TD and you just wonder how many points we were going to give them.

THE GOOD
Tashard Choice was still leading the ACC in rushing coming in to the game, and he distanced his lead by rushing for 170 yards on the day. From a health standpoint, he was clearly not 100%. On one long run he pulled up and went out-of-bounds. However, it appears that was the hamstrig tightening up again - not the knee. Good news. There's just no doubt that this guy is the critical cog on this team. When he's in there it just makes a huge difference.



It's worth saying that Tashard Choice is a special back. However, it's not because of his speed or his physical ability. It's his vision. The guy just knows where to go and how fast to do it. He sees the holes, knows when to cut-back, knows when to slow down and follow his blocker. We are all dazzled by the future of Jonathan Dwyer because of the physical tools he has - speed and power. However, right now I don't think he has half the vision and instinct that Choice brings. If Dwyer can learn those things and combine them with his God-given physical ability - then watch out. But in the meantime, let's just enjoy watching the final 2-3 games for our man Tashard.



In addition to all this, Choice passed the 3000 yard mark for his career and the 1000 yard mark for this season. He is the first Jacket in history to have back-to-back 1000 yard seasons.



MISTAKES MISTAKES
If it weren't for mistakes, this game wouldn't have been close. A Choice fumble which was returned for a TD. A Taylor Bennett INT that led to a FG. A blocked punt that led to another TD. That's 17 points out of 24 that really cannot be pinned on the defense.



In addition there were a minimum of 5 passes dropped by receivers. Bennett finished with another sub- .500 completion percentage, but had they made those catches, it could have easily been a statistical success for him to along with the W.



BELL ECLIPSES SCORING MARK
Well, our man Travis Bell surpassed my man Scott Sisson to move into 2nd place on the all-time scoring list for GT. In addition, he beat Sisson and Luke Manget's single season FG mark with his 20th through the uprights.



MOVING ON
So the Jackets avoid the unthinkable and live to fight the Tarheels next week. I know..... yeah but it's Duke. A win is a win is a win.