Georgia

Film Room: Analysis of FSU football’s week 0 opponent Georgia Tech | Game predictions

Published

2 years ago

August 22, 2024

Press Room

Film Room: Analysis of FSU football’s week 0 opponent Georgia Tech | Game predictions

Florida State football is set to kick off the 2024 regular season in Dublin, Ireland.

The No. 10 Seminoles open the year against Georiga Tech in a week-zero Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) matchup against a Yellow Jackets program that is on the rise.

Led by head coach Brent Key, Georiga Tech finished last season 7-6, winning the Gasparilla Bowl bowl with a 30-17 victory over UCF.

Key has gone 11-10 since being named head coach of the program, and the Yellow Jackets look to be one of the surprises in the ACC this season.

So what kind of threat do they pose to FSU?

Here is an analysis of Georgia Tech, including new Yellow Jacket defensive coordinator Tyler Santucci’s schemes that made Duke one of the best defenses in the nation last season.

For this article, we watched Georgia vs. Georgia Tech in November 2023, and FSU vs. Duke in October 2023.

Pre-snap motion, option plays a key in Georgia Tech’s offense

The Seminoles match up well against the Yellow Jackets, with the speed of the skill position players on both teams the key to victory.

Both the FSU and Georgia Tech wide receivers possess high-level speed, with the Yellow Jackets Eric Singleton the biggest threat to the Seminoles’ secondary.

Singleton reached a top-end speed of 21.7 miles per hour (MPH) during last season’s game against Virginia, and he plays a key role in how Georiga Tech wants to run its offense. Quarterback Haynes King is a speed threat himself, reaching speeds as high as 21 MPH last season.

King is at the heart of the offense, transforming Georgia Tech in his first year under center with the program. He spent three seasons at Texas A&M, coming in highly recruited, but he never truly got going with the Aggies.

Last season he posted 2,842 passing yards, throwing 26 touchdowns and 16 interceptions while adding 648 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.

The challenge that Georgia Tech will give the Seminoles is with pre-snap motion as the Yellow Jackets tend to move around wide receivers and tight ends before snapping the ball, forcing quick and attentive adjustments from the defense.

Singleton sees a lot of action pre-snap, and at times his movement results in quick passing plays or jet sweeps that pickup decent yardage for the Yellow Jackets. He hauled in six touchdowns and 706 receiving yards last season, pairing well with Malik Rutherford who posted 462 yards and three touchdowns.

Georgia Tech tends to run a lot of options, giving King the chance to tuck and run or allowing running back Jamal Haynes an opportunity to run.

Haynes is a threat out of the backfield as the former wide receiver has turned into a premier running back in the ACC. He posted 931 rushing yards last season, scoring seven touchdowns.

Players like Azareye’h Thomas, Fentrell Cypress and Cam Riley, among others, all have the speed and toughness to keep up with the Yellow Jacket skill position players. Their ability to read through the movements and motions of the Georgia Tech offense will be crucial in limiting yardage.

Riley could be a key factor in containing King, who isn’t afraid to get out of the pocket. The Auburn transfer has the speed to track down the mobile quarterback and he could force some quick decisions out of King.

The big question mark for FSU’s defense revolves around turnovers, can the unit force King into some tough throws and take advantage? Last season, King threw 16 interceptions, tied for second-most in the nation, and if the Seminoles can get pressure home, there could be some opportunities for the defense to force a turnover.

Kyle Morlock, Lawrance Toafili key’s to facing a new Yellow Jacket defense?

The hiring of Santucci could change the Yellow Jackets’ fortunes on defense, as the defensive coordinator is tasked with turning last season’s 97th-ranked defense into one of the top in the conference.

Running a base 4-2-5 scheme, four defensive linemen, two linebackers and five defensive backs, Santucci’s defense is a quick and aggressive one that forces opposing quarterbacks to make quick reads and choices.

When Duke came to Tallahassee last season, the Blue Devils defense was able to disrupt the Seminoles’ offense for much of the first half. Grabbing a pick-six and blowing up two fourth-down conversion attempts and forcing a couple of three-and-outs, Santucci’s defense presented a unique challenge.

The Seminoles made halftime adjustments, slowing down the offense and running quick plays for short yardage that tired out the Blue Devils defense en route to the 38-20 victory over the Blue Devils. The lack of linebacker presence allowed the tight ends to leak out for some quick gains, opening the offensive playbook.

There is a healthy balance of man-to-man coverage and zone coverage in Santucci’s defense, so quarterback DJ Uiagalelei will look to players like Malik Benson and Ja’khi Douglas to provide a spark. The running back room led by Lawrance Toafili and Roydell Williams could give the Georgia Tech defensive line a tough test.

Toafili saw limited action in both the run and passing game against Duke last year, but he was able to make some nice plays and could be a key contributor on Saturday. He caught a touchdown, posted 40 receiving yards on four catches and added 23 yards on three carries last season against the Blue Devils.

The tight end room was the difference for FSU against Santucci’s defense, with Jaheim Bell opening up the Seminoles’ offense. Morlock was used, mostly in pass blocking, but he did come up with one 22-yard reception and could be in for a nice game against the Yellow Jackets after a strong fall camp.

Uiagalelei will have to look out for defensive back Ahmari Harvey, a Tallahassee native and Florida High grad, as he was second on the team in interceptions, and could be in for a big year with All-American Jaylon King graduated.

The Seminoles could look to Toafili and Morlock early on to exploit the gaps in the defense, allowing the playbook to open up for Uiagalelei and maybe let him take some deep shots to his speedy receivers later on.

Game prediction: FSU 27, Georgia Tech 17 | Seminoles pull away late to secure first win of 2024

Uiagalelei gets his first win as FSU’s quarterback, leading a consistent display from the Seminoles as the team comes home from Ireland with a 10-point victory over Georgia Tech.

The defense is able to frustrate King and force at least one turnover. The Yellow Jackets will still have some success, scoring an early touchdown to take the lead, but adjustments and some disruptive play from the defensive line keep things quiet for the remainder of the game.

The offense finds its stride in the second half to claim victory. Uiagalelei throws a pair of touchdowns and Toafili gets one on the ground as a second-half surge leads to a season-opening win.

How to watch FSU vs. Georgia Tech

Aviva Stadium history, location ahead of Florida State football game

Florida State and Georgia Tech play in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic on August 24, 2024 in Dublin, Ireland.

Date: Saturday, August 24
Time: Noon ET
Where: Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland
TV: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN+ ($10.99 per month), WatchESPN and the ESPN app (TV provider subscription needed), fuboTV (7-day free trial), YouTube TV (2-week free trial), Hulu + Live TV (7-day free trial)

FSU football 2024 schedule

Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney

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Georgia

Lambert rising freshman is second-youngest winner of Georgia Women’s Amateur

Published

10 hours ago

June 4, 2026

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Lambert rising freshman is second-youngest winner of Georgia Women’s Amateur

ATHENS — Kylie Chung of Cumming chased down two accomplished college players to become the second-youngest winner of the Georgia Women’s Amateur Championship on Wednesday. Not bad for a girl won won’t start high school until this fall.

Chung, 14, a soon-to-be freshman at Lambert High School, birdied the final three holes at Athens Country Club to shoot 5-under 67 to finish 6-under 210. She won by two shots over defending champion Ava Merrill of Johns Creek, who plays at Vanderbilt, and Mary Mille of Savannah, who plays at Ole Miss.

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Georgia

Prices climb as Georgia gas tax break ends

Published

20 hours ago

June 3, 2026

Press Room

Prices climb as Georgia gas tax break ends

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — per gallon on regular gas and 37 cents per gallon on

For two months, Gov. Brian Kemp suspended the state gas tax, saving drivers 33 cents per gallon on regular gas and 37 cents per gallon on diesel. For the average driver who fills up twice a week, that adds up to more than $60 back in their pocket.

“I think it’s uncalled for. It’s very much uncalled for,” said Marie Okafia, a driver.

Looking for alternatives

The sharp spike in prices has some drivers looking for a different way to get to work. Rebecca Serna, executive director of Propel ATL, said riding a bike is a cost-cutting measure, and more people are already doing it.

“We’re seeing more bike lanes, more scoot lanes,” Serna said. “The cost of car ownership has gone up dramatically, but the cost of these other types of transportation have stayed relatively the same. So, it can really save families a lot of money.”

The city has added several miles of protected bike lanes in recent months, making the commute safer for anyone ready to ditch the pump. Propel ATL also noted the opening of the southeast and southside Beltline, connecting to those new bike lanes.

Impact on families

For Georgia families already stretched thin, the timing couldn’t be worse. The price increase affects not just what drivers pay at the gas station, but what they’ll give up somewhere else.

“We’re already grappling with high cost of food, and then we have to face this too. They both go hand-in-hand,” Okafia said.

Atlanta is bringing back its e-bike rebate program this fall. You can learn more about the program and the nonprofit Propel ATL here.

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Georgia

5 things to know about Georgia mosquito problem amid heat, drought

Published

1 day ago

June 3, 2026

Press Room

5 things to know about Georgia mosquito problem amid heat, drought

Mosquito numbers are rising fast in Augusta as heat and drought linger. Here are 5 things to know — and how to protect yourself now.

1. Drought can actually boost mosquito populations

Dry conditions don’t eliminate mosquitoes. Instead, they concentrate standing water in storm drains and pipes, creating ideal breeding grounds where larvae can thrive.

2. Standing water in urban systems drives mosquito growth

Without regular rainfall to flush them out, storm drains and catch basins hold stagnant water — a prime habitat for mosquito development.

3. Georgia’s climate supports a wide range of species

From mountains to coast to the Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia’s diverse environments allow dozens of mosquito species to thrive, with many found across the Augusta area and surrounding communities.

4. Only a few species pose major health risks

Of the many species present, a smaller group is linked to disease concerns, including the Southern house mosquito and Asian tiger mosquito.

5. Warming temperatures are shifting mosquito ranges

Experts say species typically found farther south are moving north as the climate warms, expanding the types of mosquitoes seen in Georgia.

How to reduce mosquito breeding around your home

Empty, scrub or discard items that collect water, like buckets or birdbaths
Cover containers such as rain barrels and cisterns
Use mesh covers where lids aren’t available
Fill tree holes and repair septic cracks
Cover vents and exposed pipes

Mosquitoes can lay eggs that remain dormant for months — even in dry conditions — and hatch once water returns, making prevention key heading into wetter periods.

Erica Van Buren is the climate change reporter for The Augusta Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network. Connect with her at EVanBuren@usatodayco.com or on X: @EricaVanBuren32.

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