Georgia Tech Rocks Notre Dame in Season Opener

Tashard Choice, the leading rusher in the ACC last season with 1,473 yards, rushed for more than 100 yards for an eighth straight game

Salem-News.com SPORTS

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Georgia Tech didn't need a secret weapon.

It had Tashard Choice.

Choice rushed for a career-high 196 yards and two touchdowns and the Georgia Tech defense had little trouble with any of Notre Dame's replacements for Brady Quinn, shutting down the running of Demetrius Jones and the passing of Evan Sharpley and Jimmy Clausen in beating Notre Dame 33-3 on Saturday.

Fighting Irish coach Charlie Weis kept his choice of starting quarterback secret until game time, hoping that preparing for three quarterbacks would make it tough on Georgia Tech's defense.

It didn't work. In fact, it almost looked as if Georgia Tech knew what was coming.

The only score for Notre Dame (0-1) came on a 24-yard field goal by Brandon Walker in the third quarter. The Irish were held to minus-8 yards rushing.

Choice, the leading rusher in the Atlantic Coast Conference last season with 1,473 yards, rushed for more than 100 yards for an eighth straight game, breaking the school record set by Eddie Lee Ivery in 1978.

He scored on a 22-yard run on a direct snap and set up his other 7-yard TD -- also on a direct snap -- with a 45-yard run.

The only disappointment for Georgia Tech (1-0) was it was forced to settle for four field goals by Travis Bell, who had another one blocked. Jonathan Dwyer added a 7-yard TD run in the fourth quarter.

Story by: The Associated Press

Courtesy: GT Athletics

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