/
.
Long Has Another Stellar Day
Story Links
Long Has Another Stellar Day
Virginia coach Al Groh is starting to repeat himself when it comes to Cavalier senior defensive end Chris Long. For several games in a row, Groh has summed up Long’s efforts by stating “that was an All-American type game today.” Saturday was no exception for the talented UVa senior in the Cavaliers come-from-behind 28-23 win.
“He’s a great player,” Georgia Tech head coach Chan Gailey said. “He’s one of the best defensive players I’ve seen in our conference. You’d better know where he is and you’d better have a plan to get more than one player to him.”
Long had a monster game, finishing with nine tackles and a sack and also notching a key pass deflection which led to a Virginia interception for a touchdown. He leads the Cavaliers on the season with six sacks and also has 28 tackles second-best on the team. He has wreaked havoc up front all year, including a stellar performance last week at North Carolina with two sacks, four tackles and his first career interception.
With two minutes left in the first quarter Long batted a Taylor Bennett pass straight up into the air after getting tremendous penetration. After bouncing around, the ball was finally caught by Cavalier defensive end Jeffrey Fitzgerald, who took it 25 yards for the touchdown to give UVa a 21-7 lead.
That one play showed Gailey Long’s impact on the pass defense.
“Anytime you turn it over for a touchdown it hurts,” Gailey said. “That’s a big play in the game when the ball bounces up like that and they run it back for a touchdown.”
Georgia Tech started out in one-on-one coverage. After Fitzgerald’s score, on third and nine on Georgia Tech’s ensuing drive, Long saw double coverage as well as a chip from the running back just to keep him out of the backfield.
With 1:45 left in the first quarter, Long deflected yet another third and nine pass, forcing Georgia Tech to punt. It seemed as if Long had Georgia Tech quarterback Taylor Bennett’s number all day especially on third down.
“He’s a good player,” Bennett said. “He’s going to be a very good player at the next level.”
After Virginia quarterback Jameel Sewell fumbled the pitch on an option early in the third quarter, the Yellow Jackets gained momentum. Long brought that momentum to a screeching halt a few players later. On single coverage with 11:51 left in the third quarter on third and four, Long broke free and knocked down Bennett’s pass, forcing Georgia Tech to settle for a field goal.
Down by five on fourth and six with only a couple minutes left in the fourth quarter Georgia Tech was forced to go for it in a last-ditch effort to win the game. Long showed his ability to finish by breaking through the offensive line, wrapping up Bennett and bringing him down for a sack to give Virginia the ball and secure the win.
Long’s presence also opened up opportunities for his teammates, primarily Fitzgerald, who was a constant menace in the backfield.
“Chris draws all the attention, so that free me up,” Fitzgerald said. “We were able to do what we wanted (in the backfield).”