Georgia Tech returns to practice after weekend off

Georgia Tech quarterback TaQuon Marshall (16) celebrates after he scored a touchdown at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday, September 4, 2017. Tennessee won 42-41 over Georgia Tech in double overtime. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Georgia Tech quarterback TaQuon Marshall (16) celebrates after he scored a touchdown at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday, September 4, 2017. Tennessee won 42-41 over Georgia Tech in double overtime. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Georgia Tech returned to practice Monday after taking the weekend off following the cancellation of its road game against UCF due to Hurricane Irma.

Players reported feeling fresh after having played their first two games, against Tennessee and Jacksonville State, in a span of six days.

“You run faster, you cut better because your legs aren’t as dead, they don’t feel as heavy,” quarterback TaQuon Marshall said. “You just feel a lot lighter on your feet.”

Tech practiced three times last week. The Yellow Jackets prepared specifically for Pittsburgh Wednesday and Thursday before taking Friday through Sunday off. The Yellow Jackets will face Pitt in the ACC opener on Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

“We’re feeling great,” offensive lineman Will Bryan said. “Those couple days off – thank you, coach (Paul) Johnson – were really needed. Now we’re feeling fresh, ready to go and looking forward to this weekend.”

Bryan said he returned home to Lavonia, enjoying time on the lake and a “big ole steak dinner.” Marshall said some of his friends from Harris County came up to visit him.

Tech practiced in full pads on Monday. Johnson said the team will practice in pads again on Tuesday and may go to shells (shoulder pads and helmets) for Wednesday and Thursday.