Hamilton, Jones Highlight Georgia Tech's Visit To Virginia
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Nov. 3, 1999
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The nation’s top-ranked passer, Joe Hamilton, leads Georgia Tech intoCharlottesville on Saturday to battle Virginia and the country’s most prolificrunner, Thomas Jones, in an ACC matchup.
Hamilton leads a potent Yellow Jackets (6-1, 4-1) offense that leads thenation in total offense (517 ypg), is third in scoring (41 ppg) and 13th inrushing (242 ypg).
With 17 touchdown passes and just five interceptions, the seniorquarterbacktops the country in passing efficiency, but, with a team-leading 467 yards, heis almost equally dangerous on the ground.
After he gains 101 yards of offense this weekend, Hamilton will becometheACC’s all-time total offense leader. Shawn Jones currently tops the list with9,296 yards.
In Tech’s last game, a 48-21 win over N.C. State that was their fifthin arow, Hamilton played just three quarters but still passed for 212 yards andthree touchdowns, plus ran for another 83.
He will face off against a Cavaliers (4-4, 3-3) team that features Jones,who averages 159 yards per game and has scored at least one rushing touchdownin 18 of his last 20 regular season games.
Virginia dropped a 35-10 decision to top-ranked Florida State lastweek, butJones was impressive nonetheless. The senior ran for 164 yards, including a71-yard scamper that made him the school’s all-time rushing leader, breakingTiki Barber’s record of 3,389.
With the loss, the Cavaliers now have no room for error if they are toextend their streak of consecutive seasons with at least seven victories to13.After Saturday, they have games remaining with Buffalo and Maryland.
Florida State, Michigan and Nebraska are the only other Division I-Aprograms in the country to have won at least seven games each of the last 12years. That fact hasn’t been lost on coach George Welsh or any of his players.
“We don’t want to be considered as the team that couldn’t win sevengames,” defensive back Dwayne Stukes said. “We’re already considered the teamthat lost to Duke.”
Virginia will also be looking to stop a three-game home losing streak.