Tech backup QB Shaw breaks collarbone

By DOUG ROBERSON

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia Tech backup quarterback Jaybo Shaw could be out for at least six weeks after breaking his right collarbone during Saturday’s practice, according to coach Paul Johnson.

Shaw’s injury occurred when a player fell on him after he threw a pass during the extended 11-on-11 drill at Bobby Dodd Stadium. He left for the trainer’s room, and came back to practice wearing a sling.

“It’s unfortunate because he’s really playing well,” Johnson said. “It’s just one of those fluky things.”

Johnson said he will sit down with Shaw and discuss options, mentioning the possibility that Shaw could redshirt this season.

Shaw, a sophomore from Flowery Branch, was an important piece of last season’s team, appearing in seven games with one start. He passed for 321 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 200 yards and three touchdowns.

Redshirt freshman Tevin Washington will back up starter Josh Nesbitt, with freshman David Sims moving to third-string. Freshman Jordan Luallen is out with an injured ankle.

Shaw had returned to practice Thursday after sustaining a concussion in last Saturday’s practice.

Johnson said that despite the injuries he won’t put a no-contact jersey on the quarterbacks during practice.

“We don’t [tackle] these guys all week,” Johnson said. “My experience is you got to play sometime. Next Saturday they aren’t going to tag them, or in two Saturdays.

“So you’ve got to get somewhat used to it, but you’ve got to be smart. You can’t second-guess what you do. The kid fell on him after he threw the ball. It’s football. It’s one of those things that happens. I feel bad for us and him, but it is what it is.”

Leg weary

Johnson said that Sunday’s off-day is coming at the right time.

“We’re a little leg weary,” Johnson said. “Everything looked like it was a little bit in slow motion.”

Saturday’s practice was Tech’s 15th in 13 days. The team will begin practicing again at 3:45 p.m. Monday.

“I think guys are tired, and that’s why we knocked it off short,” Johnson said. “You could tell they were tired.”

Passing game

One of the standouts in Saturday’s practice was A-back Marcus Wright, who caught a long pass from Nesbitt down the seam. He just missed catching another later in the practice. He also added a touchdown run late in which he launched his 5-foot-8 frame over the pile.

Wright, a sophomore who appeared in seven games last season, gave credit to the line as well as the team’s offensive philosophy.

“In the option, you get a lot of people flowing to one direction, so our play-actions are real good against people who want to run those safeties,” Wright said.

Quarterbacks coach Brian Bohannon said he was pleased with the quarterbacks’ decisions.

“I thought we made improvements,” he said. “I though the quarterbacks for the most part did a good job of keeping the plays positive.”

Unofficially, the quarterbacks were 11-for-18 passing, with rushing touchdowns from Shaw and Sims, and a passing touchdown from Washington.

Notable

● Johnson said he thought B-back Jonathan Dwyer had a good day. Dwyer, the ACC player of the year last season when he rushed for 1,395 yards, scored a touchdown after breaking two tackles and powering his way to the end zone.

● A-back Anthony Allen added a score on run to the left, and freshman Orwin Smith had a long touchdown run down the right sideline, outrunning the defense to the corner.

● Scott Blair made all of his extra points, as well as a 27-yard field goal.

● Stephen Hill went up high to make a catch just in front of the goal line on a pass that floated after Sims was hit.

“Overall it was more of an offensive day than usual,” Johnson said.