Georgia Tech begins preparing for Clemson

By DOUG ROBERSON

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

After watching film of Saturday’s 37-17 win against Jacksonville State, Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson said the game was as he thought: a great first series, followed by a huge drop in intensity by his team.

He noted that his players put four of the Gamecocks on their backs to free Jonathan Dwyer for a 74-yard touchdown run on the game’s first play from scrimmage.

But then, after the first series, and especially the first quarter, the “intensity level ... just fell off.”

Johnson said he doesn’t know why his team has a recurring problem with that aspect of the game, but that if the players can’t get ready for Thursday’s nationally televised game against Clemson to open the ACC season, “they don’t have a pulse.”

Practice OK

Johnson said Sunday’s short practice was very quiet, and was spent mostly on beginning to prepare for the Tigers.

Dwyer said he expects to see the team really begin to raise its intensity in Monday’s practice, when they start hitting again.

Johnson said he wants to see them “crisp and fast and hard and not lackadaisical. That’s got to happen in practice. Intensity will come Thursday night.”

Tiger roar

Johnson had nothing but praise for Clemson after watching film of the Tigers’ 37-14 win against Middle Tennessee State.

“They are as talented as anyone in the league,” Johnson said.

He noted the Tigers scored on a kickoff return from C.J. Spiller, as well as a punt return. The Tigers also had three sacks and three interceptions.

But to stop Clemson, teams must try to slow down Spiller, who sat out the second half of Saturday’s win because of a tweaked hamstring, but resumed practicing on Sunday.

“He’s such a great athlete anytime he touches the ball he’s a threat to score,” Johnson said. “[Wide receiver] Jacoby Ford’s the same. Tremendous potential.”

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, who opened his Sunday teleconference with “Welcome to Tuesday” in reference to the short week, said he was very happy with his team’s performance, but wasn’t pleased that it didn’t finish two drives at the end of the game.

But now, they are focused on Georgia Tech and the unique challenge Johnson’s spread-option offense brings, compared with the four- and five-wide receiver sets MTSU used.

“You can throw a grenade and kill everybody [on the field] in this game. Everybody’s going to be so close together, compared to the other game where everyone was spread out,” Swinney said.