By DOUG ROBERSON

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Despite C.J. Spiller’s 96-yard kick return to open Clemson’s game against Middle Tennessee State last week, Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson said they aren’t going to kick the ball out of bounds, nor will they kick it short when the Yellow Jackets host the Tigers at 8 p.m. Thursday.

“Planning on kicking it,” Johnson said. “Got to kick it and cover it.”

Spiller’s return for a touchdown was the fourth of his career.

Johnson said he was pleased with the kick coverage, kick return and punt return teams in Saturday’s 37-17 win against Jacksonville State, noting Julian Burnett and Anthony Barnes did a good job of busting JSU’s wedges. The Gamecocks averaged 19.3 yards on kick returns. Tech allowed 19.6 per game last season.

Line settles

Johnson said that he will not use two offensive lines in Thursday’s game, as Tech did Saturday against JSU. He said they will rotate as many as eight players against Clemson’s defensive line, which goes nine deep.

He singled out guard Joseph Gilbert and tackle Brad Sellers for their performances on Saturday, saying they played as he expected them to.

The starting lineup, with Sellers, Gilbert, Sean Bedford, Cord Howard and Austin Barrick, will remain the same.

Practice better

Johnson said Monday’s practice was more to his liking, noting there was “more effort, urgency and energy, which is what we needed.”

Outside linebacker Sedric Griffin said all 11 starters on defense made a point of coming out on Monday with the goal of producing.

“Made sure today was full speed, going 1,000 percent,” Griffin said. “Today was a check-up day. You just don’t want to come out flat like we did Saturday.”

When asked if he has spoken to his assistants about coming out with a little more pace to set an example for the players, Johnson said he wouldn’t call it pace, but he did talk to them, “making sure that everyone has the same expectation level I do.”

Etc.

Backup quarterback Jaybo Shaw (broken collarbone) threw a few short passes Monday, and freshman QB Jordan Luallen returned to drills for the first time since spraining his ankle a month ago.