Scoring 38 points was nice. The 38-14 win over Duke on Saturday was hardly satisfying, though, for Georgia Tech players and coaches.
“That could have easily been a 50-point game,” quarterbacks and B-backs coach Bryan Cook said. “We missed some opportunities, we missed some throws, we missed a couple catches, some things that we need to clean up.”
An overthrow by quarterback Vad Lee to wide receiver Darren Waller and Lee’s sole interception were two plays cited by Cook that, if executed better, could have become big plays and possibly scores.
“We’ve got to clean some stuff up in the pass game,” Lee said, “ because I feel like we left a few things out there, obviously. But I think those are things that can be fixed real easily.”
Lee finished 8-for-16 for 125 yards and four touchdowns with one interception. Not counting a kneel-down to end the first half and the clock-killing final drive of the game, Tech had 11 possessions. The Yellow Jackets scored five touchdowns and a field goal and had two more possessions end with missed field goals. They punted twice and had one turnover on the interception.
“The main thing I saw was there was a lot of improvement we can make,” B-back David Sims said.
More playing time: B-back Zach Laskey will probably play more Saturday against North Carolina than he did against Duke, Cook said. Laskey was effective playing behind Sims, as he was in the Elon game. Against Duke, Laskey carried three times for 24 yards and also caught a 19-yard touchdown pass.
Sims has held an edge over Laskey in part because of his blocking ability, but Cook said there isn’t much difference between the two in that regard.
Technical flaws: Kicker Harrison Butker's two misses Saturday were attributable to "just basic fundamental stuff and technique," coach Paul Johnson said. After making a 49-yard field goal — Tech's longest since the 2009 ACC title game — Butker missed wide from 39 yards and had a 30-yard attempt blocked.
“I think that sometimes on the short ones, you start to punch it and not kick it,” Johnson said. “He’s just got to kick it.”
Honored players: Lee and guard Shaquille Mason were named the ACC offensive back and offensive lineman of the week, respectively. Lee's four touchdown passes were the most by a Tech quarterback since 2006 and he also ran for 76 yards on 22 carries.
Mason was credited by coaches with 16 knockdown blocks, helping the Jackets run for 344 yards. He also helped keep Lee clean, as Tech did not allow a sack. The Jackets are the only team in FBS that has not permitted a sack.
Coaches named Mason, cornerback Jemea Thomas and linebacker Anthony Harrell the offensive, defensive and special teams players of the week, respectively. Thomas was credited with seven tackles. Harrell had two tackles.
Etc.: Johnson did not have an update on safety Isaiah Johnson, who is returning from ACL surgery. On his radio show on 680 the Fan, Johnson said that A-back Deon Hill, who missed the Duke game with an illness, will return this week. … With events such as Music Midtown and the PGA Tour Championship taking place Saturday, fans are urged to arrive early for the noon kickoff. … The Tech ticket office is selling family packs — three tickets, hot dogs and sodas for $75 — for the game. They are available at ramblinwreck.com and 1-888-832-4849.
