Georgia Institute of Technology - Blueprint Yearbook (Atlanta, GA)

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Rogers Generates Late Heroics in Homecoming Los Tech alumni made their traditional Homecoming pilgrimage to Grant Field, anxious to see their alma mater's new coach in action. Curry's first year wasn't going too well, with his team sporting a dismal 1-5 record, but everyone wanted a look at the man who was so optimistic about the Jacket's future. Ted Peebles found himself back at the helm of the Yellow Jackets, since Mike Kelley was still out with a shoulder injury. He didn't have the same success that marked his efforts in the Auburn game, completing only one pass while Tulane was running up a 17-O halftime lead. To try and generate momentum, Curry went with freshman Stu Rogers. ln the fourth quarter, he brought the team alive by directing one long drive, then he launched a 73-yard aerial to Marlon I f- pm 304 I Tulane Heggs for Tech's second score. Tulane then hammered down the lid with a final touchdown to dash hopes for a victory. Despite the 31-14 loss, Rogers was named the ACC Rookie of the Week for his outstanding play. The rookies were showing plenty of promise as they filled in for the growing in numbers of injured starters. But they couldn't pull off a win and the Jackets' record went to 1-6. RIGHT' Mark Sheffield and Ken Taylor separate Tulane receiver Nolan Franz from the ball. ABOVE RIGHT: Lawrence Lowe and Ken Taylor go for an end-zone interception. BELOW: Leon Chadwick brings in Stuart Rogers' twenty-two yard pass. BELOW RIGHT: Rodney Holman hears Ted Thur- son's footsteps as the Tech cornerback lines up the tackle. FAR LOWER RIGHT: Coaches assist Duane Wood from the field. injuries were one of Tech's big- gest problems all year. EXTREME LOWER RIGHT: Reggie Reginelli almost disappears under Mark Sheffield, Lance Skelton and Marvin Dyett. pam, if Q-'Ya

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fi Frustration Dominates Mid-Season Tech was hit by a Tar Heel steamroller as they traveled to Chapel Hill to take on the fourth-ranked University of North Car- olina. Between quarterback Bod Elkins and tailback Famous Amos Lawrence, the Heels ran up 536 yards total offense on the Tech defense. Tech's offense wasn't having any bet- ter luck against a Carolina defense whose first unit hadn't allowed a touchdown in four games. The Jackets didn't cross mid- field until late in the fourth quarter and never even managed a field goal attempt. Coach Curry summed up the 33-O loss by remarking that There is very little positive to say about our game against North Car- olina. lndeed, the best that could be said was that three interceptions upped the Jacket total to nine on the year. Despite crippling injuries to the back- field, Tech didn't give Tennessee's Volun- teers an easy victory. Mike Kelley went down with a bruised shoulder early in the game, but the team was close enough for Ted Peeples and David Allen to easily pick up the seven points. Allen was injured next, then Ronnie Cone soon fol- lowed him to the locker room. With the starting backfield out, lots of young play- ers were having to do their best to hang on. Just surviving was an accomplish- ment, as the defense tenaciously stood fast in hopes the offense could win in the last gasp. Tied 10-10 going into the last quarter, it looked like Tech might actually be within striking distance of its second triumph. Unfortunately, it was the Volun- teers who put on the final surge to win 23- 10 as the clock wound down. After weeks of frustrating efforts and sporting a 1-4 record, the Yellow Jackets went to Jordan-Hare Stadium to meet a troubled Auburn team. Tiger head coach Doug Barfield was facing severe alumni criticism as his team suffered through a lackluster early season. During the first half, Tech looked as though it had finally absorbed the lessons of earlier games. Senior Ted Peeples made his first collegiate start, replacing the injured Mike Kelly, and defied expec- tations with an outstanding performance, gaining 177 yards on completions. The Jackets moved the ball with authority, executed crisply, and managed to contain Auburn tailback James Brooks very effec- tively. Trailing by seven in the final quarter, Peeples brought the Jackets downfield, reviving Bobby Dodd's style old razzle- dazzle with a flea-flicker pass to tie the game at 14-all. Later, though, Peeples forced a pass that slipped through Jack Westbrook's hands and landed in those of an Auburn defender. Capitalizing on that Tech mis- take, Auburn kicked what proved to be the game-winning field goal, giving the Turkey Buzzards a 17-14 win. TOP, LEFT TO RIGHT: Jack Westbrook carries for a TD against Auburn. Ted Thurson rushes in to block an Auburn field goal. BOTTOM, LEFT TO RIGHT' The Jacket defense was unable to contain the Tar Heels as North Carolina rolled up 536 offensive yards. Ted Peeples was 16 for 26 onthe day against Auburn. The Yellow Jacket Swarm holds Tennes- see's Terry Daniels. North Carolina-Tennessee-Auburn f 303

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