Tech A-backs take a step up

It was an A-back day for Georgia Tech against Tulane, and Qua Searcy made the most of it.

Searcy, a redshirt freshman from Lamar County, scored two touchdowns, the first of his collegiate career, in the first half on Saturday. He took an option pitch 13 yards for a touchdown to open the scoring in the first quarter and then caught a 17-yard pass from quarterback Justin Thomas that put the Yellow Jackets ahead 28-7 at halftime.

Searcy originally was projected to play receiver, but was moved to defensive back last season during his redshirt year. He’s landed at A-back this season, a position that fits his speed and versatility as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Searcy finished with 35 yards rushing on six carries and believes he’s found a home in the offensive backfield.

“Justin (Thomas) makes it a good home for me,” Searcy said. “He makes me feel comfortable back there.”

With Tulane’s defense focused on stopping the B-back inside, Searcy, fellow A-back Clinton Lynch, and quarterbacks Justin Thomas and Matthew Jordan enjoyed open space on the outside.

“We all realized it,” Searcy said of Tulane’s focus on taking away the B-back. “We talked about it in the huddle and made adjustments. Justin did a good job reading it; the offensive line did a good job blocking it, and we just made plays.”

Jordan, who replaced Thomas late in the third quarter, led the Yellow Jackets with 72 yards rushing, highlighted by a 65-yard option keeper for his first career touchdown. Thomas added 71 yards on the ground with a touchdown.