Georgia Tech conducted its second on-site bowl practice Sunday and was still working out of its layoff. Players went through drills in helmets, shoulder pads and shorts as they tightened up the game plan for Mississippi State in Wednesday’s Orange Bowl.
“The energy was good,” Johnson said. “We’ve got to get more into it a little mentally, but the energy part of it was really good.”
It followed Saturday’s practice at Nova Southeastern University, where Johnson said the tempo dragged at first before picking up later.
Asked further about players’ mental sharpness for practice, Johnson said that “it wasn’t terrible. I’m just saying, if you asked me what my message to them is, the energy’s good. We need to be more into it mentally. There are a lot of guys who are into it.”
It is often the struggle of bowl preparation, as players try to resume game preparation after not having played in three or four weeks. Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen specifically tried to challenge his players mentally at their practice Sunday by putting the offense and defense in difficult situations (such as having the offense pick up one of Tech’s most complex blitzes).
“It takes experience just to get ready for the game speed, the game mentality,” Mullen said, “because we haven’t been out there playing a game in over a month. That aspect of it is what’s tricky.”
Tech will practice again Monday at Nova Southeastern before a walk-through at Sun Life Stadium Tuesday. Johnson reported no injuries for his team after the practice.
About the Author
