The tide has been rolling out for Tech football as of late. Owners of a three game losing streak, the Jackets have had different issues each of the last three weeks that lead to losses. Tech middle linebacker Jabari Hunt-Days is looking forward to being apart of growth on Tech’s defense.
After the road loss to the BYU on Saturday, Hunt-Days noted that the best is still ahead for Georgia Tech. “As a defense we still haven’t played our best game, and that’s what we’re looking for now and that’s what we’re looking forward to as a team. Everybody does their job and everything just clicks.” Hopes are still present on The Flats despite the escaping victory each of the last three games, “we’re trying to stay positive about it. We’re not pleased with our record of course. I feel pretty good about the team as a whole right now.”
The Jackets have shown flashes of brilliance of defense, including a stout second half performance against BYU in which the Cougars were forced to punt on five consecutive possessions. Hunt-Days noted that it requires a full four-quarter effort for the defense to be at its best, “sometimes we have those second halves where we are just unbelievable. We’ve got to get that cranked up in the first half. As a team we still have a lot of growing to do. A lot of growing to do.” In order to do that, the middle linebacker affirmed, “everybody has to be on one page and one accord on the same page together. There’s enough leadership on the team…. Being the first people out there for practice. The little things will make us that much better.” There’s also an individual aspect that he hopes to embody, “My role is being a leader and doing what I can. I’m looking up to Brandon Watts. I’m looking up to Jemea Thomas. I’m looking up to Quayshawn Nealy. As an individual, I have to look at their examples. They are doing a great job being a leader so I’m trying to follow them and do the same as them so our team can get better.”
After reviewing the film from last weekend, Hunt-Days saw that a part of his game that he hopes to change this weekend. “There just has to be a new motor. A change.” It’s something that he says has “always been a personal (challenge).”
His next chance to turn on that motor will be a much welcomed home game against Syracuse (3-3) at historic Grant Field after logging nearly 5,000 miles of travel over the past two weeks. Hunt-Days and the rest of the Tech defense will have all eyes on Orange running back Jerome Smith, who leads the ACC with eight touchdowns on the ground. Sparked by a quarterback change dating a few weeks ago, Syracuse has moved the ball efficiently with new signal-caller Terrel Hunt running the offense. He began his Syracuse career without throwing a pick in his first 52 attempts, third longest in ‘Cuse history to begin a career.
“They are a physical team. They’ve got some good players and that matchup with our defense should be pretty interesting for the fans to see. We’re going to get out there and continue to do our best.”
