Nesbitt comes back after being knocked out

Georgia Tech led 38-35 when quarterback Josh Nesbitt got the wind knocked out of him. As he walked slowly to the sideline, Tech fans had to be nervous.

Backup Jaybo Shaw’s 1-yard keeper set up third-and-4. He tossed to Roddy Jones for a 7-yard gain. After another 1-yard gain by Shaw, Nesbitt returned.

“Josh came to me and I don’t think you could have kept him out of there with a team of horses,” coach Paul Johnson said, adding that he was proud of Shaw for moving the chains.

Two plays later, Nesbitt’s pitch to Jones turned into a 54-yard touchdown run, pushing Tech’s lead to 10.

Nesbitt didn’t put up big numbers: 40 yards rushing, 19 yards passing. But he executed the option well, freeing up Jones and Jonathan Dwyer for big runs. And he committed one insignificant turnover: a Hail Mary-interception at the end of the first half.

Nesbitt said the wet field wasn’t a problem.

“We’ve practiced in harder rain than that, rain where we couldn’t see in front of us,” he said. “As long as you can make the right read, get the ball pitched or handed off, you’re all good.”