BLACKSBURG, Va. - Georgia Tech’s chances to upset No. 14 Virginia Tech Saturday took a considerable hit with the pre-game announcement that quarterback Justin Thomas, center Freddie Burden and right tackle Andrew Marshall were to dress but not start.
All three were listed as questionable prior to the game. Thomas has been the Yellow Jackets’ most integral player this season, contributing 192 yards of total offense per game and playing at the highest level of his career. Matthew Jordan was to make his first career start in his place. Burden has probably been the Jackets’ most consistent offensive lineman this season. Burden and Thomas both ended 35-game starting streaks, dating back to the first game of the 2014 season.
Burden and Thomas both left the North Carolina game last week with upper-body injuries. Marshall, who was listed with a lower-body injury, had started seven of the past eight games. Burden’s replacement is first-year freshman Kenny Cooper. With Jahaziel Lee at left tackle and Parker Braun at left guard, Georgia Tech was to start three first-year freshmen on the offensive line. Marshall’s backup on the depth chart is Eason Fromayan.
Coach Paul Johnson had said twice during the week that he expected Thomas to play.
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