Nesbitt learns from performance vs. Clemson

By DOUG ROBERSON

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia Tech quarterback Josh Nesbitt said he learned a lesson after Thursday's night up-and-down 30-27 victory over Clemson.

"One play might be bad but the next play might be better," he said. "Got to go out there and play 60 minutes."

Nesbitt learned it because he lived it.

His night started with an interception on Tech's first play because he said he didn't see the safety DeAndre McDaniel ready to jump Demaryius Thomas' route down the seam.

But on his next play something good happened: Nesbitt ran the option to perfection and Anthony Allen sprinted 82 yards for a touchdown after a timely pitch from the quarterback.

But that good play was followed by one bad play after another. His passes were consistently overthrown, or just missed. Nesbitt said Clemson's defense made it tough to be accurate.

Between the first and fourth quarters, Nesbitt was for 1-of-8 for 20 yards, with two interceptions.

But in fourth quarter, the next plays got better.

He completed two of his four passes for 63 yards, including a 39-yarder to Thomas on third-and-11 on the game-winning drive that moved Tech into field goal range. The drive before that, which led to Scott Blair's game-tying field goal, Nesbitt carried the ball five consecutive times for 41 yards, including a 4-yard run on third-and-one at Clemson's 24. As Johnson has said earlier in the week, Nesbitt seems to always make something happen on third down.

While Nesbitt wasn't as consistently effective passing as in last week's win over Jacksonville State when he was 6-for-11 for 141 yards and a touchdown, he did come through when Tech need him to.

"We have to get more efficient, but I think Josh did enough to help us win the game," coach Paul Johnson said. " He made some mistakes with a few things, but I guarantee he is a smart kid and is going to learn from it. The more you play, the more you learn and I know he will get better at that stuff."

Defense improving

Though Clemson scored 27 consecutive points, defensive coordinator Dave Wommack thought his unit played well, except for the four big plays that led to the Tigers' scores.

"Thought the kids were really flying around and determined," Wommack said. "Even good for them to come from behind and win. There will be a lot of good things to take away."

One of those good things was the play of Derrick Morgan, who had 10 tackles including a career-high three sacks.

However, Wommack is concerned about the lack of depth on the defensive line. Other than Morgan, few of the players were able to pressure Clemson quarterback Kyle Parker.

"We've got to develop some people or maybe move a linebacker to get a speed rush," Wommack said.

Jason Peters, Ben Anderson, Robert Hall, T.J. Barnes and Anthony Egbuniwe totaled 11 tackles, with two for losses.

"I think the kids are trying," Wommack said. "Everybody expects to see what they saw last year [from Michael Johnson, Darryl Richard and Vance Walker]. Those three guys are gone. They are NFL players. It's not going to happen overnight for us like that. We just don't have those guys right now."

Motivational words

Georgia Tech center Sean Bedford said that the comments made by Clemson safety DeAndre McDaniel did motivate him.

McDaniel told reporters in South Carolina that as long as each player on his defense stayed disciplined, he didn't see what was so difficult about stopping Tech's offense. McDaniel said there was no way Tech would run for 400 yards. He was right. Tech rushed for 301 yards on 49 attempts.

"We didn't run for over 400 yards on them," Bedford said, "but it was a little bit of motivation. Anytime you hear them talking about you like that, it always irritates you and makes you want to play a little bit harder."