Georgia Tech jumps into bowl practice

Sophomore DB A.J. Gray (15) and junior DB Lance Austin (17) signal a turnover after a play in the first half of the game Saturday, October 29, 2016. SPECIAL/Daniel Varnado

Sophomore DB A.J. Gray (15) and junior DB Lance Austin (17) signal a turnover after a play in the first half of the game Saturday, October 29, 2016. SPECIAL/Daniel Varnado

Georgia Tech began preparations for Kentucky and the TaxSlayer Bowl Tuesday, the first of two practices this week as players begin final exams on Thursday.

“It seems like it’s been forever since we were out there, so it was good to get back out there, get started,” coach Paul Johnson said.

The Yellow Jackets enjoyed a nine-day respite without practice since the win over Georgia Nov. 26.

“We just started right back into everyday drills, what we do,” Johnson said. “Inside run drills for the defense, pass (skeleton), option period for the offense. We didn’t really dial in the specific game plan, just tried to hit a little bit of all of it.”

The offense did some work against the defensive look that coaches expect to see from Kentucky. Tech has faced a defense coached by Kentucky coach Mark Stoops before, in the 2012 ACC championship game when Stoops was Florida State’s defensive coordinator.

“He played four defenses in the game, so I’m sure he’ll pick one of those and come with it,” offensive line coach Mike Sewak said.