Shotgun fumbles irk Johnson in Tech scrimmage

First, the Georgia Tech offense couldn’t get the shotgun snap to work. At the end, the Yellow Jackets defense had difficulty stopping the offense. The weather was great, though.

Tech’s third scrimmage of spring practice had its moments of promise for the offense and the defense, but coach Paul Johnson had a difficult time getting past the shotgun snaps botched by both centers and quarterbacks. Center Catlin Alford, who has snapped for the first string this spring with two-year starter Jay Finch recovering from shoulder surgery, and offensive tackle Ray Beno, subbing at center, became the focus of attention Saturday morning.

“It’s pretty hard to play when every other play, the snap goes over your head or rolls back or whatever,” said Johnson, agitated.

Fumbles short-circuited four of the first six series of the morning, and more followed, helping the Tech defense control play for the first part of the scrimmage. Unofficially, the offense, which began each series at its own 30, tallied three field goals but no touchdowns until the 17th possession. Including that drive, though, the offense drove for four touchdowns and a field goal in the final seven possessions, largely feeding the defense a diet of triple-option plays.

“The ball was on the ground way too much, and we had a lot of errors to start off with, but I was really proud of how we pushed through at the end,” said offensive lineman Will Jackson, who flipped between guard and tackle during the scrimmage.

Walk-on center Michael Muns ended up getting playing time with the first-string offense.

“He’s the only guy who can snap it,” Johnson said. “First-team center.”

Saturday’s stars

A-back Dennis Andrews was one of the top performers, running smoothly and making a string of big plays for the offense, including a 60-yard run and a 10-yard scoring run. Andrews is in competition for a spot in the A-back rotation with Deon Hill, B.J. Bostic, Synjyn Days and Tony Zenon. B-backs David Sims, Broderick Snoddy and Matt Connors contributed big plays, including a 60-yard scoring run by Connors.

On defense, Chris Milton intercepted quarterback Vad Lee after Lee was flushed from the pocket by defensive end Jeremiah Attaochu. Milton ran back the interception for a 35-yard touchdown. Milton has practiced with the first string with Jamal Golden, with Isaiah Johnson and Fred Holton out recovering from surgeries.

“He’s gotten better,” defensive coordinator Ted Roof said of Milton. “With our safeties, my main emphasis has been tackling — pursuit angles and tackling. He made some nice plays (Saturday) and, I tell you, Jamal Golden tackled the best I’ve seen him tackle since I’ve been here.”

Testing the diamond: Despite the snap issues, the offense ran several snaps with the diamond formation — with the quarterback in shotgun, the A-backs tightly flanking him and the B-back directly behind him. Snoddy said he likes it because, as he is farther from the line of scrimmage, it gives him more time to read the line as he takes the handoff and make a decision on where to run. He took one handoff and bounced it to the outside for a 20-yard gain.

For the offensive line, “you’re not coming off (the ball at the snap) as much,” Jackson said. “When we run the triple (option) and most of our bread-and-butter stuff, it’s a lot more aggressive and really forcing the defense to react, whereas out of the gun, we’re a little more patient with it and kind of seeing where the defense goes, and then attack.”

Injury report: Defensive back Domonique Noble was carted off the field after suffering leg injury. Center Freddie Burden has been out after undergoing knee surgery. Johnson said he didn't know if Burden will be out for the season.

Defensive back Demond Smith is out with a hamstring injury. Wide receiver Corey Dennis also likely is out for the rest of spring with a hamstring injury. With wide receiver Darren Waller also missing Saturday’s scrimmage with a hip pointer, that left Micheal Summers as the only scholarship wide receiver available during the scrimmage.

Kicking well: Kicker Justin Moore made both of his field-goal tries, including a 52-yarder. His career long in a game is 41 yards. Moore will compete with David Scully, who was 2-for-3 with a long of 42, and highly touted freshman Harrison Butker when preseason camp begins.

“I think he’s done well,” Johnson said of Moore. “He’s had a couple pretty good scrimmages.”