Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive coordinator Al Groh's previous two seasons with the team have no bearing on how the unit performs this season, defensive end Izaan Cross told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

"We look at [Saturday] as another game, another opportunity for us to show what we have," Cross said. "We've gotten better, we've watched film on them, seen what they do. This is a new season."

The Yellow Jackets allowed an average of 26.1 points per game in 2011 and 25.2 points per game in 2010, Groh's first with the Yellow Jackets. Last season, the Virginia Cavaliers -- Saturday's opponent -- ran for 272 yards against the Jackets' 3-4 scheme, a season high against the defense. Tech players are confident that won't happen again this year.

"We remember them being pretty physical up front," Tech defensive end Euclid Cummings said, "but this year we're a year better, and I feel like we'll be able to match that."

Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The game will be televised by ESPNU.

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