Georgia Tech's spread option makes history

IOWA CITY - Iowa's bowl opponent has made some history in its own right this year.

Georgia Tech (11-2) cruised to the Atlantic Coast Conference Coastal Division crown then beat Clemson 39-34 Saturday to win the ACC title. The Yellow Jackets will make their first Orange Bowl appearance in 43 years.

Georgia Tech runs a spread-option attack built on speed and precision. It features an athletic quarterback and a bruising, physical running back. The Yellow Jackets often operate with two slot backs and two wide receivers in their triple-option attack. Georgia Tech has the nation's 11th best offense and averages more than 35 points a game.

“Certainly we run a lot of triple option, but that's only one set,” Georgia Tech Coach Paul Johnson said. “We have several different types of option.”

Running back Jonathan Dwyer is the offense's workhorse. He's rushed for 1,346 yards and 14 touchdowns this year at a 6.1-yard per carry clip. He's a taller version of former Iowa running back Shonn Greene and was the ACC Player of the Year in 2008.

“Jonathan is a complete back, about 235 pounds,” Johnson said. “He has really good speed and balance and good hands. He's able to run inside or outside. He's not just a typical prototype dive fullback. He's a guy who can break big plays.”

Quarterback Josh Nesbitt is a dual threat. He passed for 1,689 yards and 10 touchdowns this year, but also ran for 991 yards and 18 touchdowns. Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas has caught 46 passes for 1,154 yards - a 25.1 yard-per-catch average -and 10 touchdowns. Dwyer, Nesbitt and Thomas are juniors.

Johnson is in his second season leading the Yellow Jackets, and he's won the ACC Coach of the Year award both years. Last year he took Georgia Tech to the Chik-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta. This year's 11-2 record is the school's best since winning a co-national title in 1990.

Georgia Tech does need to replace starting tackle Phil Smith, who suffered a broken leg against Clemson.