Defense steps up from the start

It had been a sore point among Tech defenders: why the poor starts the previous three games?

The ACC’s top defense turned that around Thursday night, picking off two passes in a near-perfect first half.

Safety Morgan Burnett ended Miami’s first possession when he deflected Robert Marve’s third-down throw. Linebacker Brad Jefferson snuffed out the next drive, stopping Graig Cooper for no gain on third and 1.

Then came the big one: Defensive end Michael Johnson intercepted Marve’s third-down slant and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown. It was 10-0 Tech early in the second quarter.

In Tech’s 6-1 start, the defense usually set the tone on the first possession. Only Boston College scratched the scoreboard with a field goal.

Then Virginia (53 yards, field goal), Florida State (68 yards, touchdown) and North Carolina (67 yards, touchdown) sliced up the Jackets on their opening drives. Georgia Tech lost two of those games.

“After they got a first down on the first series, everybody was like, ‘It’s gut-check time,’” defensive end Derrick Morgan said. “We knew the pattern it was taking but we didn’t want it to happen again. Everybody stepped up, played assignment football and we stopped ‘em.”

— Larry Hartstein

Johnson deploys arsenal of trick plays

Coach Paul Johnson said all along he had a few trick plays up his sleeve – he just hadn’t found the right moment.

That moment came on Tech’s first play from scrimmage. Quarterback Josh Nesbitt tossed to receiver Demaryius Thomas on an end-around, then Thomas threw 22 yards to a wide-open Lucas Cox. The drive ended with a Scott Blair field goal.

Tech continued to be bold, trying an onside kick in the second quarter, but Miami recovered. No damage was done because Rashaad Reid intercepted Jacory Harris. …

Linebacker Sedric Griffin and safety Dominique Reese left in the first half with left knee injuries and did not return. …

Cornerback Jahi Word-Daniels missed his fourth straight game with a hamstring injury. … Defensive tackle Vance Walker didn’t play due to an ankle injury, ending his streak of 23 consecutive starts, and he was replaced by Elris Anyaibe.

Several high school players Tech is recruiting were at the game. They included Izaan Cross, a defensive end from Flowery Branch, Darren Myles Jr., a safety from Carver-Atlanta, and David Sims, a quarterback from Calhoun County (S.C.).

— Larry Hartstein

Nesbitt handles pain

Quarterback Josh Nesbitt admitted he was in a lot of pain Thursday night, but shrugged it off as “part of the game.”

Playing on a sprained left ankle, Nesbitt guided the Jackets to a 41-23 win over Miami.

The sophomore ran for 93 yards and orchestrated an option offense that torched the Hurricanes for 518 yards.

“We were on the same page,” Nesbitt said. “Once we’re on the same page, we can do just about anything.”

Twelve days after playing one of his worst games, Nesbitt played one of his best.

“He may have missed a read or two, but not many,” coach Paul Johnson said.

Nesbitt’s only regret was getting caught from behind on a 54-yard run. If he had been 100 percent, Nesbitt said, it would have been a touchdown.

Jonathan Dwyer, who ran for more than 100 yards for the eighth time this season, said Nesbitt inspired the rest of the team.

“It shows how much heart he has and how tough he is,” Dwyer said.

— Larry Hartstein