THE FLATS – Renewals for the 2023-24 Georgia Tech women’s basketball season tickets are currently underway. The upcoming season, the fifth under head coach Nell Fortner, officially tips-off on Nov. 6 against Coastal Carolina.

Season ticket members are guaranteed the best seating locations for Georgia Tech’s exciting home schedule that features 16 games in McCamish Pavilion this season.

Highlighting Tech’s home non-conference schedule is the inaugural ACC/SEC Women’s Basketball Challenge matchup against Florida on Nov. 29.Additionally, a challenging nine-game ACC home slate includes Boston College, Clemson, Florida State, Louisville, Miami, Notre Dame, North Carolina, Virginia and Wake Forest. Dates and tip times for ACC and non-conference games will be announced later.

Under the direction of Fortner, the Yellow Jackets have made two NCAA Tournament appearances in four seasons, including a run to the Sweet 16 in 2021. This season’s squad returns seven letterwinners, while adding six newcomers.

New season ticket sales will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 19. In addition to offering the maximum value and best seat locations, season ticket benefits also include:

• Priority post-season ticket access;
• Amazing fan experience;
• Ticket flexibility with the freedom to easily transfer tickets;
• Significant cost savings;
• Reserved and best seating locations.

• Courtside seats: $150 per seat

To renew season tickets, please login to your ticket account found at www.ramblinwreck.com/myaccount or call the Georgia Tech Ticket Office at 888.TECH.TIX. The renewal deadline is Friday, Sept. 29.

The North Metro GT Alumni Club is excited to host watch parties at two locations this Fall.

We will start with the Ole Miss game on 9/16!

Come hang with your fellow Jackets and grab some Alumni Association merch while there.

1. Mutation Brewery

With GT fan and Head Brewer Dan leading the efforts, Mutation Brewery is a great place to cheer on your Jackets!

Food and drink discounts will be available.

Event Facebook Page: GT Watch Party

Address: 5825 Roswell Rd, Atlanta, GA 30328-4905, United States

2. Kettlerock Brewing

GT loyalty runs deep with the Peets at Kettlerock Brewing. Read about the family here!

Festivities will start with the first pour at noon for Oktoberfest by the Mayor of Peachtree Corners and then continue through the evening game.

Food truck will be on hand and some beers will be discounted for the fans!

Event Facebook Page: GT Watch Party

Address: 6035 Peachtree Pkwy NW, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092-3369, United States

I know.....there is going to be bellyaching because (1) it is the AJC and likely requires a subscription, or the knowledge to circumvent having to log in to the AJC to read it......and (2) my post of the link requires highlighting and pasting, and the knowledge to do that. But it's a great article, very positive about our leadership and direction.

ajc.com/sports/georgia-tech/georgia-tech-ad-j-batt-focused-on-winning-increasing-revenue-for-yellow-jackets/5ODTCMVFFFCUJJLTOR57MZUBRM/

Not sure if this is article is legitimate, but looks like we’ll host Arkansas State on September 4th, 2027 for $1.1 million. Maybe the GTAA is finally getting smart about scheduling.

We have ND on the schedule that year as well but I bet that could change with the ACC expansion.

Through two games...

#17 nationally in yards thrown
#t6 nationally in TDs
#18 nationally in QB rating

#1 ACC in yards thrown
#1 ACC in TDs
#2 ACC in QB rating

MVP's of the week- LB Demontrae Gaston and RB Trelain Maddox

Lane still on here because it was likely done before Key announced his status.

Really enjoyed my time talking with Mustaf. He was much different than most other hoops recruits I’ve talked to. Georgia Tech in a great spot here with just under a month to go until his announcement.

ATLANTA- The biggest news coming out of Georgia Tech's win over South Carolina State was a pair of injuries to starters Eddie Kelly and Chase Lane on opposite sides of the ball.

Kelly moved into the starting lineup at field end replacing Sylvain Yondjouen who tore his ACL in the season opener against Louisville. The transfer lineman went down late in the South Carolina State game with an injury and was in so much pain his screams were audible in the stadium. Key said that Kelly was back in action on Tuesday and will play against Ole Miss.

"Eddie is back and is a full go in practice," Key said.

Starting Z receiver Chase Lane left the game and returned to the sideline on crutches and he will miss the Ole Miss game.

"Chase will be out this week and we will continue to see week-to-week with him where it ends up. It is not a season-ending injury by any means," Key said.

Eric Singleton Jr. was splitting time with Lane despite being a true freshman and he had five catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns in his first two collegiate games. He is likely going to start in Lane's place.

The other player expected to be in the Z receiver rotation, D.J. Moore had his arm in a cast at the South Carolina State game and appears to be out for a few weeks. Avery Boyd would be another option there or James BlackStrain or Juju Lewis.


Key said they had some error corrections on Sunday, but not a ton and they were able to get a jump on preparing for Ole Miss.

Key said practice was good Sunday and today and they are getting the team ready for a good atmosphere at night at Ole Miss this week between two good football teams. He said they are evenly matched when you look at it statistically so they have a chance to play a game there for four quarters and see how it shakes out.

Key noted they've played a game in three different venues to open the season. It will be four next week with Wake Forest, I'm curious if that is some kind of GT record.

Key said the OL was consistent across the board and that was expected last week. They made some changes to the lineup (Ethan Mackenny at LT, Connor Scaglione at RG and Jordan Williams at RT) and they played well.

Key said Ole Miss has a new DC (Pete Golding) who he knows (he is actually good friends with Pete) and there is some familiarity but the scheme is very different from what he ran at Alabama and matched the personnel to complement the team. He said they are aggressive and like creating negative plays. He also mixes up coverages on the back end to confuse the QB and receivers in the passing game. They like cheating an extra hat in the box as well to stop the run. They've shown great improvement in the first two games.

Key said his prior working relationships with Lane Kiffin and Golding will have no impact on the game plan or the game. He said that was a long time ago.

Key said the DL needs to affect the QB and get more sacks, but they are creating pressures and getting the backfield to create negative plays for the RBs as well.

Key said Kiffin likes to get he ball deep in a bunch of different ways, play-action and RPO and they use that RPO game to sell the play-action as well and create explosive plays. You just have to play sound techniques and communicate to slow them down. They are not going to stop every single one, but the goal is to be efficient and adjust.

Key said they are not there yet in terms of eliminating penalties but they've made improvements with discipline and that shows up in more than penalties, putting your head on the right side of the block or other things. Penalties will occur and he will stress working on them but there are lots of yards that you can gain by not having them.

Key was asked about the game last year and he said he can't even remember Sunday. They've looked at the tape and Ole Miss is explosive and the QB manages the game well and they have one of the best RBs in the country in Judkins and they will let him loose. Kiffin loves running the ball and establishing that and then taking shots. They have to cover for the explosives and try to slow down Judkins.

Key said he is excited about the WRs on the team and the young guys they have like Singleton there. He said they should improve as they get more experience as well. He said that Buster Faulkner does a nice job spreading the wealth in that room. He has been very pleased with how the WRs are blocking and they were leading the charge in the second half of the SC State game and even in the first game. He challenged them and they are blocking for each other and that helps them be more explosive in the perimeter game.

Key said that Faulkner has a good command of the offense and they are scoring points but his main concern is winning weather it is 2-0 or 50-0.

Key said the kicking competition remains open between Gavin Stewart and Aidan Birr. He said it was great to see Birr get to connect on some kicks and he has confidence in both of them. He said that Gavin's kickoffs have been huge for field position so far and they are both consistent and capable and that is what they want from their kickers.

I asked about the lack of balls to the TEs and he said that was something they really focused on in the spring and camp, but coverages when they've called stuff for them has had them covered and so they've had to throw the ball to other plays. He said he is proud of the way the TEs are playing though and how unselfish they've been blocking. Key said that Dylan Leonard is blocking his tail off and a lot of times you don't see that when someone isn't getting the ball, they want to be selfish and he is not being selfish and is being completely unselfish and he wants to win more than having his name in the paper.

They had a physical practice today and they'll have another tomorrow, they can't just focus on the Ole Miss RB and put seven in the box because they'll get behind you. They have to have some balance on defense and mix things up and change up coverages to keep them out of rhythm. Key said he tells the team all the time, "we always want to be the hammer and not the nail."

Key said it was big getting Kyle Efford and Braelen Oliver major snaps against SC State and they need to play more because they won't make it through a season with just Paul Moala and Tren Tatum playing every snap. He said that even Dre White graded out well hitting 9/10 on his assignments against SC State and they'll need all of them to contribute this season. He was very proud of how Kyle made adjustments and took them back to the field.

Key said that Omar Daniels getting major playing time was another big benefit last week and KJ Wallace at the STAR position gets a lot of burn, but they need to develop more guys there and that Omar is going to be a really good player for GT in the future.

Key said that Haynes King has a really good command of the offense right now and what the other 10 guys are doing and the 11 on the opposing defense as well. He has experience and won't be rattled in big road games. He has been better about protecting the ball as well and knowing when to throw it away or run. He said there is still work to be down, but he is improving each game.

I made the very rare decision on my drive home this evening to tune in to 680 The Fan to hear what they were saying about our upcoming battle with UGA. I tuned in just in time to hear Chuck & Chernoff belittle GT & CPJ for not recruiting the level of talent necessary to compete with UGA. While this unto itself wasn't all that shocking given the typical ATL sports radio perspective on GT athletics, what was shocking is they chose to specifically call out Brad Stewart and Brant Mitchell as examples of multi-year starters for GT that do not possess the athleticism to compete with UGA / Clemson. I was stunned. To me this totally crosses the line of professionalism. Personal attacks by middle aged adults with little to no athletic ability of their own, against top notch GT kids that are student athlete role models pursuing "real degrees" that neither of these buffoons could have touched, is beyond sad.

I haven't seen this yet, so apologies if it already has a thread. Ths is an interesting article on some Techsters - the thing that caught my eye is that GTAA is an angel investor. This is indeed outside the box thinking. (Actualy dates back to The Toad)

Best stadium experience?

KQ- Probably LSU in 2003 when they beat UGA. I could feel the earth moving under my feet on the field at the end of the game as the Tigers came back and won the game. They also had killer press box food that was Cajun stuff and it was totally nuts from driving in with a bad bad bad hangover from NOLA to leaving and people throwing shit before and after at my friend's car that drove us.

Worst stadium experience?

KQ- Independence Bowl in Shreveport was probably the worst all-around experience and as I recall the freaking food was like a mile away from the press box in the end zone or something stupid like that. Game was awful as well.

Your go to favorite away game restaurant?

KQ- Alpaca Chicken in the Triangle area. There are a couple but my favorite one is the OG one on Davidson Ave just off the Duke campus.

Restaurant you'd never frequent again?

KQ- Probably Taylor's Maid-Rite and their loose burger meat burger. That thing about ruined a rental car I had up in Iowa.

Which GT football player has the largest NIL deal?

KQ- I have no idea. My gut says LaMiles Brooks but that is just a wild guess.

1. Any news on additional unique seating options under consideration at BDS (or whatever the new moniker is post-Hyundai investment)?

KQ- From the conversations I've had everything is on the table, but they have their hands full right now until the Edge construction begins as well as trying to get things set up for the season. They had people working in the suites as offices and all kinds of stuff going on in BDS. They only have so much bandwidth at the moment.

2. Have you heard anything about likely scheduling model for 2024, and if there's a better than not opportunity that GT will make a biennial CA or TX road trip?

KQ- I've heard that Cabrera wants GT to play one of the Cal schools as part of the rotation maybe getting out of Wake or Louisville (I'm sure they'd like to drop Clemson but that won't fly) if they are keeping the permanent rivals thing. That's just something I heard though through the grapevine. I have no idea how it will work honestly. Once the season got going I pushed that out of my brain for the moment.

I'd think that Louisville and SMU might play since geographically that makes a little sense. I'd think SMU and Wake would make sense as well.

I assume the ‘24 FSU Week 0 game is set in stone with all the travel packages being sold, but do you think the two Colorado games will still be season openers? I know you’re tired of P5 openers every year and covering a team that is always 0-1. Chances you think GT either pushes those games or tries to ease into the season those two years by moving Georgia State to Week 0 in ‘26 or moving the FCS game to Week 0 in ‘25?

KQ- GT won't push games. You have to pay money to do that and it is not a small amount. That is why the Ole Miss and Bama series are still on the books. Those two programs had to pay GT to not play them and push those games. You'd need both programs to want to push a game to avoid paying for it. Also Colorado has an issue now because they are moving back to the Big XII and they had a non-conference game in 2025 with Houston set up so that has to go away so there is no way in hell they want to reschedule two non-conference games two years out and have to get FBS opponents and have at least one be a P5. So no is the answer to your question.

Why did UNC, CU, and FSU vote no to the expansion. These three teams offer the ACC a foot into Texas (Dallas) and a foot isn’t California tv markets.

I would think this adds TV$. I would also think it would help with recruiting in these talent rich states. They are also not tapping the ACC TV money for 7-9 years.

Thoughts?

The SEC and the B1G think those states are important.

KQ- FSU is just pissed and wants to get out. That's how I read their posture. UNC and Clemson can raise an extra $5 million through multiple means so they didn't care and it just complicates things for them so it was an easy no if their leadership didn't see the rewards being lucrative enough.

The PAC XII disappears next year. What happens to the money that was suppose to go to these teams from TV. If a former team is on TV how do they get paid.

Example
2024. Stanford plays someone on TV. How does Stanford get compensated?

KQ- Stanford will be in the ACC. The Pac-12 TV deal expires after this year that was the whole issue and why the league broke up. They could not get a deal the majority of the programs agreed to.

The ACC will have more potential games to show. If the ACC gets $x per year, how are the extra games compensated to the league?

KQ- That is where the new money comes in. That is all in the contract with ESPN and there is language on how much money the league gets for adding additional teams. Those are baked into these TV deals.

Does the league just rotate in these three new teams as part of their 50(?) game package?

KQ- No the package expands.

JOLers, my son is trying out for his high school baseball team (Harrison), and we have been tasked with participating in the team’s fundraisers. One of these is a sale of fully cooked Zeigler BBQ Boston Butt. They are $55 each. The Boston Butt orders will be delivered the week of October 12.

The other fundraiser is the Hoya Baseball Golf Tournament at Brookstone Country Club. Entry into the golf tournament is $225/ individual or $800/ foursome. Entry fee includes breakfast, lunch, and a sleeve of golf balls. There will be door prizes, and each par 3 will have hole-in-one prizes, sponsored by Hardy Chevrolet-GMC. The Tournament is scheduled for Monday, October 30.

The team is only allotted $1600 per year by the school, so these fundraisers pay for field and facility maintenance, as well as uniforms, team equipment, and travel costs.

Please DM me if you’re interested.

Matt Gieger’s son Madden is a freshman at Calvary Christian in Florida. He is already 6’8” and 180

The North Metro GT Alumni Club is excited to host watch parties at two locations this Fall.

We will start with the Ole Miss game on 9/16!

Come hang with your fellow Jackets and grab some Alumni Association merch while there.

1. Mutation Brewery

With GT fan and Head Brewer Dan leading the efforts, Mutation Brewery is a great place to cheer on your Jackets!

Food and drink discounts will be available.

Event Facebook Page: GT Watch Party

Address: 5825 Roswell Rd, Atlanta, GA 30328-4905, United States

2. Kettlerock Brewing

GT loyalty runs deep with the Peets at Kettlerock Brewing. Read about the family here!

Festivities will start with the first pour at noon for Oktoberfest by the Mayor of Peachtree Corners and then continue through the evening game.

Food truck will be on hand and some beers will be discounted for the fans!

Event Facebook Page: GT Watch Party

Address: 6035 Peachtree Pkwy NW, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092-3369, United States

Meant to post this last week, but with everything else going on it got buried.

Georgia Tech will begin their fall practices later this month, and will hold two scrimmages against teams in October.

10-14 Kennesaw State

10-27 UAB

THE FLATS – Georgia Tech softball and coach Aileen Morales announced a five-game fall slate for 2023 Tuesday. The schedule is highlighted by three home games, including the first pair and fall finale at home.



The White and Gold will open fall play on The Flats with 10 innings against crosstown foe Emory on Sept. 29 at 6 p.m. at Mewborn Field. That same weekend, Tech will also take on North Georgia in a doubleheader on Oct. 1 beginning at noon in front of the home crowd.



The Yellow Jackets will hit the road the following weekend, first stopping at Columbus State on Oct. 7 at 12 p.m. for a meeting in Columbus, Ga., before wrapping up the weekend at Gulf Coast State College on Oct. 8 for a contest in Panama, City, Fla.



Georgia Tech will wrap up fall competition back on The Flats, facing Emmanuel in a 10-inning contest on Oct. 13 at 5 p.m. at Mewborn Field.



Georgia Tech enters its seventh season under coach Aileen Morales, bringing back 18 returners from last season’s squad. Chief among the notable returners a dynamic duo of right-handers in the circle in Blake Neleman and Chandler Dennis as well as the “walking web gem” serving as Tech’s vacuum in the middle, shortstop Jin Sileo. Also returning from a combination of last season’s regular starting lineups is a slew of Yellow Jackets, including third baseman Mallorie Black, outfielder Ella Edgmon, utility player Sara Beth Allen, outfielder Madison Dobbins, infielder Grace Connelly, designated player Emma Minghini, infielder Abby Hughes, outfielder Paige Vukadinovich and catcher Reese Hunter.



The stable of returners is bolstered by the Yellow Jackets’ recent recruiting class, composed of five highly-touted new Jackets. The class consists of three newcomers joining the collegiate ranks along with a pair of transfers in sophomore infielder Brionna Condon and graduate infielder Tiffany Domingue.



Morales will lead a retooled staff on The Flats in 2023-24 as she’s joined by assistant coaches Erin Dixson, Hunter Bunch and Kelsey Bennett as well as director of operations Deven Boland in prepping the Jackets on the diamond.

It looks like the University of West Georgia is making the jump to Division 1 athletics (FCS football) and will join the Atlantic Sun Conference on July 1, 2024. Wouldn't be surprised to find them on future Tech schedules moving forward.

https://www.westga.edu/news/around-campus/ncaa-division-I.php

Has a tackle and a blocked field goal that was returned for touchdown. Pretty solid start to his career!

This is quite an insightful, but depresssing, article about where we are headed for watching our favorite sports. Grab a drink - it's a long read.

THE FLATS – Following a historic performance in Georgia Tech’s 48-13 win over South Carolina State on Saturday, junior Kyle Kennard (Atlanta, Ga./Riverwood H.S.) has been named the Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Lineman of the Week, the league office announced on Monday.



Kennard had an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in the win over S.C. State, becoming only the second Georgia Tech player since 2000 to pull off the rare trifecta in a single game (joining Bruce Jordan-Swilling, who had all three at Virginia in 2017).



Kennard’s first-quarter interception and his recovery of his own forced fumble in the third period both set up Georgia Tech touchdowns and led to the Yellow Jackets outscoring S.C. State 14-0 in points off turnovers for the game.



In addition to the takeaways, Kennard had five tackles, including a half-tackle for loss, in the win over S.C. State. For his efforts, he received an exemplary 93.9 overall defensive grade from Pro Football Focus.



The ACC Player of the Week award is the first of Kennard’s career.



Kennard and the Yellow Jackets (1-1) return to action when they travel to No. 17/19 Ole Miss (2-0) for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on Saturday. The game will be televised nationally on SEC Network.

I guess being competitive is not all that matters.

Oregon State is 16th
Washington State is 23rd.