Web posted December 28, 1997

By Tony Fabrizio
Morris News Service

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Joe Hamilton was Georgia Tech's sustaining force in tough wins over over Wake Forest, Clemson and North Carolina State, as well as in heartbreaking losses to Virginia and Georgia.

To the extent that a 6-5 record and Carquest Bowl berth can be viewed as success, Hamilton is the reason for the Yellow Jackets' season.

To the degree that Tech fans can look forward to 1998, Hamilton is the cause for optimism.

``I think over the last month of the season he played as well as any (quarterback) in the country,'' said Tech coach George O'Leary, whose team plays 7-4 West Virginia Monday night at Pro Player Stadium. ``He's done a great job making plays - making big plays - and making something out of nothing at times. You can't ask for more from a quarterback.''

After struggling with in the opener at Notre Dame and in the first half of the next game at Wake Forest, Hamilton came on to have arguably the best season of any quarterback in Tech history.

A sophomore from Alvin, S.C., Hamilton set school records for passing efficiency (146.6), completion percentage (64.6) and total offense (2,792), while his passing yards (2,314) fell 83 yards shy of the school record.

Hamilton's numbers were exceptional over the final four games against Virginia, Duke, Maryland and Georgia: a 71.2 completion percentage, 1.172 yards (293 per game) and six touchdown passes with no interceptions.

West Virginia coach Don Nehlen notes the progress Hamilton made from the beginning of the season until the end.

``Look at Hamilton in their opener against Notre Dame and he was 10 percent of the offense,'' Nehlen said. ``Look at him im the middle of the season he's 30 percent. Look at him now, and he's 50, 60, 70 percent. He's an excellent quarterback, a big-league player.''

Hamilton might have spent this week prepping for a game just down the road that truly matters - the Orange Bowl clash between 12-0 Nebraska and 11-1 Tennessee.

As the top prep player in South Carolina three years ago, Hamilton was recruited hard by Nebraska, and he vacillated for weeks over the school's offer.

``I came very close to going to Nebraska,'' Hamilton said for the first time. ``There was a point where I even told one of the coaches I was going there. Basically, it came down to Tech and Nebraska, and the only reason I didn't end up playing at Nebraska was my gut feeling about my mother and her having to travel to see all my games. I really didn't think she wanted me to be that far away.''

Of his encounter with outgoing Nebraska coach Tom Osborne during a recruiting visit, Hamilton said, ``The guy's a class act, an exceptional guy. He never changes his tone of voice. He tells you they'd like to have you there, but he makes it your decision.''

Too short at 5-10 to draw much interest from the NFL, Hamilton is well suited for offensive coordinator Ralph Friedgen's multiple offense. He has a strong enough arm to throw the deep ball and above-average accuracy on the intermediate routes. Moreover, he is as dangerous running the option and quarterback draw as former Jackets great Shawn Jones was while leading Tech to three consecutive winning seasons (1989-91).

Barring an injury or collapse by Tech's offense over the next two years, Hamilton will surpass Jones' school records for passing yards (4,786), completions (372) and total offense (9,296).