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Police: Man who called 911 charged with murder, arson
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Former T-Bred a part of Ga. Tech's recent success
11/20/2009 12:15 AM
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Ben Anderson's breakthrough season seems to keep getting better and better.
The South Aiken High School graduate is making a major impact playing defensive line for Georgia Tech - a team ranked No. 7 in the nation with a berth in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game already secured.
After winning a spot in the Yellow Jackets' starting lineup at the beginning of the season, the 6-foot-2, 275-pound Anderson was recently named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week. Anderson recorded five tackles, three for a loss, and two sacks - all career-highs - in Georgia Tech's 49-10 win over Duke last Saturday. Anderson helped the Yellow Jackets' defense shut out the Blue Devils for the final three quarters, while giving up only 25 rushing yards.
"It was my best game of the season, and getting the award was a huge deal for me and my family," said Anderson, who came into the season as Georgia Tech's most experienced defensive lineman with last year's starters - Darryl Richard and Vance Walker - both selected in the NFL Draft. "I had a lot of expectations this season, and getting the award really helped out."
Much like the Yellow Jackets, Anderson's play has improved every week. He's started all 10 of Georgia Tech's games, making what was then a season-high two tackles against Florida State and again against Virginia.
"Ben works really hard, and he has a great motor," Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson said. "He had some big shoes to fill, and I think at times he has played really well. He is coming off one of his better games, and I think his best football is ahead of him."
Prior to his standout performance against Duke, Anderson's biggest moment of the season came against Clemson, the team for which he grew up cheering. Anderson made a huge stop late in the win when he tackled Heisman Trophy candidate C.J. Spiller for a one-yard loss on third-and-1 from the Yellow Jackets' three-yard line. The stop forced Clemson to kick a field goal, keeping Georgia Tech from falling behind.
"Personally, I'm glad I get to play Clemson, being from South Carolina," Anderson said. "I didn't get an offer from them, so it feels good to play them. I wish we played South Carolina too."
If Clemson wins one of its final two games, Anderson will be feeling good again as he'll line up against the Tigers for the second time this season - a showdown in the ACC title game.
"I think it's pretty funny. They're both huge games," Anderson said.
While Anderson's recent success might come as a surprise to some, one of his former coaches has always expected it.
"Ben was great when he played for me," said North Augusta's Dan Pippin, who coached Anderson when he was the head coach at South Aiken. "He was the strongest kid I've ever coached. Relentless is the best way to describe him - especially in the weight room.
"To play at that level and be undersized, height-wise, you have to have a tremendous amount of heart. I think he's getting better all the time because of how hard he works."
Before playing the ACC title game, the Yellow Jackets will have their work cut out for them when they play Georgia in their regular-season finale. Although this has been a tough year for the Bulldogs, a second-consecutive victory over its big rival would be icing on the cake that's been Georgia Tech's 9-1 season.
"It's Georgia; it's huge," Anderson said. "It's a rivalry game, and anything can happen."
Of the limitless possibilities the future holds, it's reasonable to believe Anderson could continue playing football professionally after the redshirt junior's days at Georgia Tech are done.
"I think he's got a shot to do whatever he wants to do," Pippin said, citing the extremely high level at which Anderson is already thriving.
For his part, Anderson is enjoying the Yellow Jackets' current run and will contemplate his post-college career and a shot at the NFL down the line.
"I'll go as far as football will take me," Anderson said.
Wins against Georgia and in the ACC title game would take Anderson and his teammates at least to the Orange Bowl.
Contact Noah Feit at nfeit@aikenstandard.com.
11/20/2009 12:15 AM
0 comment(s) on this story E-mail this story to a friendBen Anderson's breakthrough season seems to keep getting better and better.
The South Aiken High School graduate is making a major impact playing defensive line for Georgia Tech - a team ranked No. 7 in the nation with a berth in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game already secured.
After winning a spot in the Yellow Jackets' starting lineup at the beginning of the season, the 6-foot-2, 275-pound Anderson was recently named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week. Anderson recorded five tackles, three for a loss, and two sacks - all career-highs - in Georgia Tech's 49-10 win over Duke last Saturday. Anderson helped the Yellow Jackets' defense shut out the Blue Devils for the final three quarters, while giving up only 25 rushing yards.
"It was my best game of the season, and getting the award was a huge deal for me and my family," said Anderson, who came into the season as Georgia Tech's most experienced defensive lineman with last year's starters - Darryl Richard and Vance Walker - both selected in the NFL Draft. "I had a lot of expectations this season, and getting the award really helped out."
Much like the Yellow Jackets, Anderson's play has improved every week. He's started all 10 of Georgia Tech's games, making what was then a season-high two tackles against Florida State and again against Virginia.
"Ben works really hard, and he has a great motor," Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson said. "He had some big shoes to fill, and I think at times he has played really well. He is coming off one of his better games, and I think his best football is ahead of him."
Prior to his standout performance against Duke, Anderson's biggest moment of the season came against Clemson, the team for which he grew up cheering. Anderson made a huge stop late in the win when he tackled Heisman Trophy candidate C.J. Spiller for a one-yard loss on third-and-1 from the Yellow Jackets' three-yard line. The stop forced Clemson to kick a field goal, keeping Georgia Tech from falling behind.
"Personally, I'm glad I get to play Clemson, being from South Carolina," Anderson said. "I didn't get an offer from them, so it feels good to play them. I wish we played South Carolina too."
If Clemson wins one of its final two games, Anderson will be feeling good again as he'll line up against the Tigers for the second time this season - a showdown in the ACC title game.
"I think it's pretty funny. They're both huge games," Anderson said.
While Anderson's recent success might come as a surprise to some, one of his former coaches has always expected it.
"Ben was great when he played for me," said North Augusta's Dan Pippin, who coached Anderson when he was the head coach at South Aiken. "He was the strongest kid I've ever coached. Relentless is the best way to describe him - especially in the weight room.
"To play at that level and be undersized, height-wise, you have to have a tremendous amount of heart. I think he's getting better all the time because of how hard he works."
Before playing the ACC title game, the Yellow Jackets will have their work cut out for them when they play Georgia in their regular-season finale. Although this has been a tough year for the Bulldogs, a second-consecutive victory over its big rival would be icing on the cake that's been Georgia Tech's 9-1 season.
"It's Georgia; it's huge," Anderson said. "It's a rivalry game, and anything can happen."
Of the limitless possibilities the future holds, it's reasonable to believe Anderson could continue playing football professionally after the redshirt junior's days at Georgia Tech are done.
"I think he's got a shot to do whatever he wants to do," Pippin said, citing the extremely high level at which Anderson is already thriving.
For his part, Anderson is enjoying the Yellow Jackets' current run and will contemplate his post-college career and a shot at the NFL down the line.
"I'll go as far as football will take me," Anderson said.
Wins against Georgia and in the ACC title game would take Anderson and his teammates at least to the Orange Bowl.
Contact Noah Feit at nfeit@aikenstandard.com.
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