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Notebook Controversial fumble sore spot for Bulldogs
Posted: Saturday November 27, 1999 09:25 PM
By Stewart Mandel, CNN/SI ATLANTA -- For the next 364 days, expect to hear these words from your favorite bitter Georgia fan: "He was down." Every year it seems the result of a major college football game comes down to a controversial call, and Georgia Tech's 51-48 defeat of Georgia Saturday is this year's installment. On the final play of regulation, with the game tied and Georgia facing first and goal at the Tech 2-yard line, Jasper Sanks lost the ball on a run up the middle, and Tech's Chris Young made the miraculous, likely game-saving recovery. But TV replays clearly indicated Sanks was down, meaning there should have been no fumble, and Georgia would have gotten a chance to kick the chip shot to win. No one would admit to or accuse anyone of making a mistake in the immediate aftermath, but expect that to change in the coming week. "I had two guys who saw the ball come loose," head referee Al Ford said. "Neither of them saw the runner down and both said forward progress had not stopped. A Georgia Tech player recovered the ball, so possession went to Georgia Tech." "One official marked the ball down and the other guy said Georgia Tech had it," said Georgia coach Jim Donnan. "It doesn't make any difference. The call was the call. They gave it to them and I'll just have to look at it." Don't expect Donnan's tone to change much even after he sees the replay. He likely knows the fumble could have been avoided altogether if the Bulldogs had simply kicked the ball when it first got to the 2. Tech coach George O'Leary avoided a similar fate in overtime by first attempting the game-winning 38-yard field goal on third down. It was a good thing he did, as Kendrell Bell blocked Luke Manget's first try. Since Tech recovered behind the line of scrimmage, it got to attempt again on fourth down. "What's the sense of taking a chance, and that's why you kick on third down, in case they have a bad snap," said O'Leary. "I've been at the other end, so I do feel for Georgia."
Not out yetIf Joe Hamilton isn't winning the Heisman Trophy, try telling his wardrobe manager. The senior came into his postgame press briefing sporting a beige baseball cap with "Heisman" embroidered on it."Some guy in the locker room gave it to me," said Hamilton. Most pundits believe Ron Dayne sealed the award when he broke Ricky Williams' all-time rushing record Nov. 13, but Hamilton still makes a convincing case. Saturday he completed 22-of-32 for 341 yards and four touchdowns -- plus accounted for two plays that reached the 1 and set up rushing scores -- while rushing 15 times for 94 yards. The Alvin, S.C., native finished the season the nation's most efficient passer, throwing for 3,060 yards and 29 TDs to 11 interceptions. Hamilton was noncommittal when asked if he still had a chance. "Who knows?" the senior said. "I don't think I'm being penalized necessarily, but Ron Dayne has done a great job, Drew Brees too, but it's still not over. But my opinion doesn't count for anything." Some of his teammates have their own opinion. "Joe Hamilton is the best player in the country at his position, period," said offensive lineman Jon Carman. "I don't care what records have been broken, the award is about this season. We've had our losses, but Joe's always been winning."
Gator boundAs soon as Georgia Tech arrived in its locker room following the game, Gator Bowl team selection chairman Chester Stokes came in to officially invite the Yellow Jackets back to Jacksonville. Tech beat Notre Dame in last year's New Year's Day game.Tech, which finished 8-3, will likely play Miami of the Big East, 7-4 with one game remaining against Temple. An Outback Bowl representative was on hand to watch Georgia, but the loss may push the 7-4 Bulldogs out of New Year's and into the Peach (Dec. 30) or Independence (Dec. 31).
The other quarterbackSaturday meant another heartbreaking loss for Georgia QB Quincy Carter. The vaunted sophomore is now 0-6 over two seasons against the Bulldogs' three biggest opponents, Florida, Tennessee and Georgia Tech, 16-1 against everyone else.Against the Yellow Jackets, Carter was noticeably off early on, overthrowing several receivers, including one play where tight end Randy McMichael was the only player from either team in about a 20-yard vicinity. But Carter caught fire late against the porous Jackets secondary, leading the 'Dawgs to 24 unanswered points and a brief lead. But his interception in overtime also did them in.
Fight! Fight!With 3:32 left in the third quarter and Georgia Tech at the 'Dawgs 6-yard line, Tech receiver Kerry Watkins got into an altercation with Georgia's Dustin Luckie that got both ejected. Luckie appeared to go after Watkins, but Watkins pushed the envelope when he kept wailing at Georgia's Marcus Stroud long after the refs intervened.Watkins' ejection directly impacted Tech, which scored on the next play to go up 41-24 but watched Georgia score 24 unanswered points after that. Tech receiver Kelly Campbell would later sprain his ankle on a kick return, leaving Hamilton with only Dez White among his three favorite receiving targets. It turned out to be enough. White caught a key 32-yard bomb to set up the game-tying touchdown with less than three minutes remaining.
Records all aroundGeorgia and Georgia Tech surpassed the highest-scoring total in their 94-year series when the score reached 41-31 with 1:34 left in the third quarter. By the time it ended, both schools had set all-time records for combined points (99) and yards (1,102) in a game, regardless of opponent.
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