<p>Travis Bell knew his job was on the line.</p><p>Mired in a slump that began early last season, Bell faced a make-or-break week if he wanted to remain Georgia Tech's No. 1 kicker. Coach Chan Gailey planned to make a change if the junior missed his first try against Miami on Saturday.</p><p>Bell popped it right through the uprights _ and suddenly felt like he couldn't miss. He wound up making three field goals in all, two from 38 yards and another from 39, to help the No. 21 Yellow Jackets defeat Miami 30-23 in a crucial Atlantic Coast Conference game.</p><p>Gailey didn't tell Bell that his job was in jeopardy. The kicker figured that one out on his own.</p><p>"That's the good thing about coach Gailey. He's not a threatening guy," Bell said. "He just lets me do my thing. But I knew in the back of my head that I didn't have many kicks left."</p><p>Bell's career got off to a brilliant start when he made 15-of-17 as a redshirt freshman, setting a school record by hitting 15 in a row. He was a second-team All-ACC pick and a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award as the nation's top kicker.</p><p>After making his first five attempts of 2005 _ at that point, he was 20-of-22 in his career _ Bell inexplicably fell into a horrible slump. He went 6-of-16 the rest of the season, the only lull in his woes coming when he made three field goals from beyond 40 yards against Wake Forest.</p><p>Bell held on to his job coming into this season, but Gailey had to consider a change when the kicker made only 4-of-9 through Georgia Tech's first seven games. Kickoff specialist Mohammed Yahiaoui was standing by if Bell faltered again.</p><p>"Coach has to put someone in there who can put the ball through," Bell said. "It's business, nothing personal. He's just doing what he has to do to make sure we win the game."</p><p>Bell did his part Saturday, kicking every ball right down the middle.</p><p>"Hopefully I can build on this game and kick like that every week," he said. "I went out there with a lot more confidence. Every kick, I knew I was going to make it."</p><p>___</p><p>MUSICAL CHAIRS: Avery Roberson made his second straight start at cornerback for Georgia Tech. But he wound up playing safety when Djay Jones got hurt.</p><p>Jones went out in the second quarter with an upper-body injury _ it appeared to be his shoulder or arm _ and Roberson shifted over to take his place.</p><p>"You do have to change your reads," Roberson said. "At corner, I just worry about covering my man, but the safety has to remember formations and the types of plays they're running. I just try to go out there and make plays and not think too much. When you think too much, you sometimes make mental mistakes."</p><p>It isn't known how long Jones will be out. Gailey is always reticent about discussing injuries.</p><p>___</p><p>BEND, DON'T BREAK: Georgia Tech's defense gave up 317 yards to the Hurricanes but held them without an offensive touchdown until the closing minutes.</p><p>Three times Miami drove inside the Yellow Jackets 20, only to settle for a field goal each time. The Tech defense also came up with four crucial turnovers.</p><p>"Our mentality is when they get in the red zone, they only get three points," defensive end Adamm Oliver said. "When they get in the red zone, we have to tighten up."</p><p>Javarris James broke off a 49-yard run on Miami's first offensive possession, and the Hurricanes had first down at the Georgia Tech 18. But quarterback Kyle Wright was thrown for a 4-yard loss and Jahi Word-Daniels broke up a pass, forcing Jon Peattie to kick a 38-yard field goal.</p><p>Miami was on the move again in the second quarter, driving to the Tech 17. A holding penalty backed the Hurricanes up 10 yards, Wright was sacked by Avery Roberson for a 7-yard loss and Peattie came on again to make a 36-yarder.</p><p>The Hurricanes had first-and-goal at the Tech 9 late in the third, but a false start slowed the drive and Kenny Scott knocked away a third-down pass in the end zone. Peattie trotted on again, this time for a 26-yarder.</p><p>"Sometimes things happen _ a missed tackle or a play you've never seen," Oliver said. "We're not perfect. Mistakes are going to happen, but I think we all play with more urgency when we're down in the red zone."</p><p>___</p><p>EXTRA POINTS: Miami made a change on defense, giving Darryl Sharpton his first start at middle linebacker and shifting Glenn Cook to the weakside. ... Georgia Tech RB Tashard Choice has rushed for 100 yards in three of his last four games. His 107-yard performance made him the first back to reach triple figures against Miami this season. ... Largely because of QB Reggie Ball being thrown for 29 yards in losses, the Yellow Jackets finished with just 87 yards rushing. Miami extended its school-record streak to eight straight games without allowing 100 yards on the ground. ... Calvin Johnson caught the 22nd touchdown pass of his career, tying Kerry Watkins for second place in school history. The only player to catch more TDs for Tech: Kelly Campbell with 24.</p>
