New QB, same old approach for Tech’s defense

By DOUG ROBERSON

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia Tech middle linebacker Brad Jefferson says nothing will change the team’s plan just because Jacksonville State’s quarterback has never started a college game.

Ryan Perrilloux, who started all 11 games for the Gamecocks last season, was suspended for Saturday’s season-opener against the Jackets for violating unspecified team rules.

Stepping in will be Northside (Warner Robins) graduate Marques Ivory, who never lost as a starter in high school, winning 30 consecutive games and two state titles. He played in four games as a freshman reserve last year for the Gamecocks, completing 7-of-12 passes for 127 yards and two touchdowns. Ivory is a big quarterback at 6 feet 1 and 235 pounds.

“Still going to stick with same plan,” Jefferson said. “Nothing’s changed. We’re treating him like any other quarterback. We’re doing our same time [thing]. We know he’s new but we’re sticking with our plan.”

Tech defensive end Robert Hall said the key will be to keep Ivory from getting into a rhythm.

“If you are facing an inexperienced opponent, you do not want to allow them to get comfortable and get things rolling,” Hall said. “Kill his will early.”

Hall, who is from Hawkinsville some 25 miles from Warner Robins, wasn’t too impressed by Ivory’s credentials, which include passing for more than 4,500 yards and 45 touchdowns.

“My take on that is that high school doesn’t mean much when you are in college,” Hall said. “I did well in high school but I learned not to take what you did in high school too seriously up here. You are equals here.”

20-hour rule

Coach Paul Johnson said he has no issue with the NCAA’s 20/8-hour rule, which was in the news cycle this weekend with reports that Michigan’s program routinely exceeded the time the NCAA allows athletes to spend in practice.

NCAA rules stipulate that athletes are limited to practicing four hours a day and 20 hours a week during the season, or eight hours a week out of the season. Scheduled hours include practices, games, required weight-training, or meetings with a coach. It does not include training room activities.

The Detroit Free Press spoke with 10 current or former players, each of whom gave similar accounts that they spent much more than eight hours a week during the offseason on mandatory workouts.

“We don’t even come close to the 20-hour rule,” Johnson said. “Once the season, starts we don’t even get remotely close to it.”