Georgia Tech notebook

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - Georgia Tech's defense isn't invincible after all.

Virginia proved as much Saturday in a 27-17 victory over the Yellow Jackets.

"Believe it or not, our defense can be scored on," quarterback Reggie Ball said.

The Jackets put up two disbelieving performances the previous two weeks. They held Wake Forest's vaunted rushing offense 100 yards under its average and kept Clemson out of the end zone in a game two weeks ago.

Virginia showed Georgia Tech's vulnerabilities early in Saturday's game, though. The Cavaliers scored 17 points on their first three possessions, succeeding in both running and passing the ball.

Tailback Wali Lundy rushed for 55 yards and two touchdowns on those drives, while quarterback Marques Hagans completed 9 of 12 passes for 93 yards and scrambled for 22 more.

Georgia Tech head coach Chan Gailey credited Hagans' potential both as a passer and a runner for Virginia's offensive efficiency.

"His scramble ability is outstanding," Gailey said. "Those linemen are so big, and he's a little-bitty guy. It's hard to find him. When he's right, he's a very good quarterback."

Virginia's 366 yards were the most allowed by Georgia Tech since the season opener against Auburn. The 27 points also ranks among the season's worst. Virginia Tech's offense scored 30 points in a 51-7 rout earlier this year.

"They just came out and executed," Yellow Jackets cornerback Kenny Scott said. "Give them a lot of credit."

SETTING THE MARK: Former Georgia Tech star Greg Gathers promised Eric Henderson a telephone call when the senior defensive end broke his school record for tackles for loss.

Gathers better go ahead and look up Henderson's number.

Henderson equaled Gathers' career mark of 57 tackles for loss with a sack early in the second half of Saturday's game. Henderson, who played one year with Gathers, can break the record Saturday against Miami.

"It's always a blessing to be able to do something like that," said Henderson, who has 6 tackles for loss this season. "Greg's a great player. I thank God for the opportunity."

DOING OK: Cavaliers safety Nate Lyles, who was taken off the field on a cart early in Saturday's game after colliding with Georgia Tech tailback P.J. Daniels, was not seriously injured and should be released from the hospital today.

"The important thing is that Nate Lyles will be fine," Virginia coach Al Groh said.

TECH-BITS: Defensive tackle Joe Anoai started and played throughout Saturday's game, making three tackles and combining on a tackle for loss. Anoai missed last week's game against Wake Forest with an ankle injury and was questionable coming into the game. ... P.J. Daniels is a 50-percent passer for his career. The senior tailback threw an incompletion in the first half of the Virginia game. His only other pass attempt went for a touchdown in last season's victory over Connecticut.

Reach Adam Van Brimmer at adam.vanbrimmer@morris.com.