By Ryan Hope
Two of the nation''s leading rushers face off Saturday when BYU faces Georgia Tech in Atlanta.
Georgia Tech junior running back Tony Hollings and BYU sophomore Marcus Whalen, currently seventh and eighth in rushing respectively, will play key roles as they lead their offenses.
'We want to get Marcus the ball 18 to 25 times a game,' coach Gary Crowton said. 'We want to use him a lot but we can''t have him carry the ball 30 times a game and expect him to hold up.'
Averaging 138 rushing yards per game, Whalen is one of the few consistent performers on the BYU offense. He is also averaging 17 receiving yards per game.
A former safety, Hollings, has rushed for over 400 yards in the Yellow Jackets'' first three games.
'He''s really good,' Crowton said. 'He might be one of the best in the country.'
Hollings is currently fifth in the country in rushing and Whalen is eighth.
Both teams are coming off losses and are hungry for a victory.
Last week BYU fell 31-28 to Nevada while Georgia Tech lost 24-19 to Clemson.
'We''re a little frustrated because we''re better than how we''ve played,' BYU senior defensive end Jeff Cowart said. 'This game gives us a chance for redemption.'
Improvement must be made on both sides of the ball for BYU to get some redemption.
Junior quarterback Bret Engemann will be the starter for the Cougars, but Crowton said he wants Engemann to perform better.
He was benched in the second half of the UNR game in favor of freshman quarterback Lance Pendleton. Crowton said he benched Engemann to punish him for throwing an interception, near the end of the half.
'I want Engemann to get in there and get into a rhythm and just fight through any adversity he has,' Crowton said. 'That''s the only way he will get to be as good as I think he can be.'
Pendleton will play in spot duty but Crowton wants Engemann to take the majority of the snaps.
Sophomore receiver David Christensen will return for the Cougars adding what Crowton said he believes will be some needed offensive punch.
The Cougars have suffered a lot of injuries lately, but Crowton said the Cougars are getting healthier and should improve.
Sophomore defensive end John Denney, junior cornerbacks Jernaro Gilford, Brandon Heaney and Kip Nielson should be ready to play on Saturday.
Georgia Tech''s explosive backfield may give the Cougars one of their toughest tasks of the season.
'We need to attack, wrap up, gang tackle and pursue really well,' BYU junior defensive tackle Ryan Gunderson said. 'He''s a really good running back.'
Junior quarterback A.J. Suggs, a transfer from Tennessee, is another offensive star for the Yellow Jackets. Suggs averages 156 yards passing a game.
Suggs'' favorite receiver is senior Kerry Watkins who has snagged 14 receptions this season.
BYU is averaging 35 points a game and Georgia Tech averages 31.7 points a game. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m. (EDT) at Bobby Dodd Stadium and is being broadcast on ABC.