The Green Wave surrendered 206 yards rushing and another 324 yards through the air, not a very encouraging sign as they prepare to face the Yellow Jackets.

The Yellow Jackets, a mediocre 28-25 from 2010 to 2013, were picked to defend their Coastal Division title at ACC Media Days. Those Yellow Jackets needed a late fumble recovery and a long touchdown drive to beat Georgia Southern 42-38 the following week.

Georgia Tech has rushed for more than 200 yards in 15 consecutive games. Marcus Marshall paced the Yellow Jackets on the ground with 184 yards on eight touches and a pair of scores while Patrick Skov added another 72 yards and three touchdowns. It will require a monumental effort for the Wave to avoid an 0-2 start, and the only hope for head coach Curtis “CJ” Johnson to avoid the path towards another losing season with a young team will have to come next week at home at Yulman Stadium against Maine, who lost their opener last week at Boston College.

Qua Searcy, a redshirt freshman from Lamar County, had one carry for 31 yards and caught an 11-yard pass.

“That’s one thing about Paul Johnson”, Curtis Johnson said.

“Sometimes we can get some better leverage of blocks and get closer to the guy and do better”, Johnson said.

Against Georgia Tech, when one mistake can turn a 5-yard run into a 50-yard romp, he needs to be steady rather than trying to be spectacular. Last season, they ranked 52nd nationally in points allowed yet proved to be an opportunistic group, leading the Atlantic Coast Conference with six defensive touchdowns and a plus-11 turnover margin. Past year he ran for seven touchdowns. Tulane QB Tanner Lee and his receivers need to capitalize on that weakness.

Paul Johnson has been harping on those shortcomings all week. Try not to give up the big plays defensively.

The 15th ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets host the Tulane Green Wave in a Week 2 matchup at Bobby Dodd Stadium on Saturday at 3:30 PM.

Georgia Tech guard/forward Marcus Georges-Hunt, who missed the conclusion of last season due to a broken bone in his foot, has officially completed the rehabilitation process and is ready to play once again for the Jackets.

Take out Lee’s three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown, along with a blocked punt, and the teams were even. “If we can start fast, that will enable us to put up a lot of points and we should do well”.