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Georgia Tech’s Dalen Penson Is The Key To Beating Pittsburgh
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- Georgia Tech’s Dalen Penson Is The Key To Beating Pittsburgh
Brian Bishop-Imagn Images
Georgia Tech travels to face Pittsburgh on Saturday night, and the entire game plan hinges on one player. Per Sports Illustrated , head coach Brent Key has identified Dalen Penson as a core piece of the roster who needs more targets. Defenses are currently giving Penson at least 10 yards of cushion, which creates a massive opportunity for the Yellow Jackets to exploit. The team cannot afford to sit back and let the opposition dictate the field position when a talent like Penson is waiting for a simple slant route.
Key Wants The Ball In Penson's Hands
The coaching staff knows exactly what the other teams are trying to do. Sports Illustrated reported that Key stated Penson says daily, "coach, I want to play both ways," demonstrating an appetite extending past merely catching passes. The coach noted that Penson has only played the receiver position for about six months, yet his development has been impressive enough to earn a spot in the rotation. Key stated he will make sure to get "some first-down slants and hits to him and let him roll," which is a clear signal that the game plan is changing. The player who just set a career high with 88 receiving yards against Boston College should be given the ball.
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Opponents are playing him off because they fear his speed after the catch. The stats show that Penson is dangerous the moment he touches the ball. If Georgia Tech wants to win on the road, they must stop worrying about the other side of the ball and start attacking the weakness in the Pittsburgh secondary.
Stevenson's Freshman Leap Is Critical
While Penson leads the offense, true freshman Trae Stevenson is the key to the defense holding up. Per Sports Illustrated, Stevenson missed time early in the season because of injuries while he was a starter for Mercer, and he is now ready to play. The article highlights his "sticky pass coverage" and his ability to stay in position to make plays on the ball. This stretch of games will solidify his role as a starter for 2026, making Saturday a make-or-break moment for his confidence.
The Yellow Jackets have struggled in coverage at times, but Stevenson offers a solution that the team has been waiting for. If he can step up and make the plays, he becomes a cornerstone for the future of the program. The team wants him to play aggressively.
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The Game Plan For Saturday
Georgia Tech returns to the gridiron with a clear path to victory if they follow the advice of their own head coach. According to Sports Illustrated, Penson is one of the favorite players on the team because of his work ethic and his desire to do everything, from returning punts to playing corner.
