1. Vad Lee looked smooth, if not quite spectacular, in his first collegiate start. He carried six times for 49 yards. He completed seven of 11 passes for 189 yards. He accounted for three touchdowns. He led Georgia Tech to a touchdown on each of the seven possessions he worked. ("Hard to do better than that," coach Paul Johnson said.) Lee didn't turn the ball over. He appeared to make sound option reads, which is a big deal in this stylized offense, and he never seemed harried. Then again, he was playing against Elon.
2. The newly energized defense fit its billing. Ted Roof returned to his alma mater as coordinator insisting his men would be more aggressive. The Jackets forced four turnovers, and a fifth was overridden by an offside penalty. Cornerback Jamea Thomas recovered a fumble, which was forced by safety Jamal Golden, on the game's second play. Linebacker Jabari Hunt-Days had a first-quarter interception. Linebacker Tyler Marcordes returned an interception 95 yards to score. Safety Chris Milton returned an interception 54 yards to score. So far, so good. Then again, these guys were playing against Elon.
3. The B-backs had encouraging days. Johnson said afterward that he wanted to establish his B-backs early, and that happened. Starter David Sims rushed for 49 yards and scored on a 59-yard reception. (This came one play after Johnson yelled at Sims for something.) Backup Zach Laskey rushed for 51 yards. Each B-back rushed for a touchdown, and together they managed 100 yards rushing. Given that the position is designed to churn out 100-yard rushing games, but had seen production slip in the past two seasons, this was an indication that better days might be at hand. Then again, these backs were running against Elon.
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