Monday's practice at Georgia Tech is designated for conditioning work, and, two days after blowing out Middle Tennessee State, there was a lot of running.
"We needed it," coach Paul Johnson said. "There were a lot of 'efforts' in the game."
An "effort" is a demerit for not playing with full effort on a given play. Coaches grade all 11 players' effort level on every play. Saturday's game, a 49-21 win in Murfreesboro, Tenn., was a challenge to players' conditioning level. The defense went against the Blue Raiders' no-huddle, high-tempo offense. The offense had drives of 17, 16 and 11 plays. The defense was given 60 efforts, cornerback Louis Young said, and had to do extra running and "up-downs" as punishment.
"We've played pretty good the last few games, but, lack of effort, we can control that," Young said. "We've got to stop that."
Players of the game
The coaches named quarterback Tevin Washington, safety Isaiah Johnson and defensive back Jemea Thomas as players of the game from Saturday. Washington directed the Jackets to five touchdowns in seven possessions, throwing for two scores and running for two more. Johnson had an interception and a fumble recovery, both inside Tech's 20-yard line. Thomas made two solo special-teams tackles.
Smith returns
After a suspension for the first two games for violating team rules, offensive tackle Phil Smith will have to earn his starting job back. Smith started eight games last year. Johnson said there probably will be a three-player competition among Smith, Ray Beno and Tyler Kidney for the two starting tackle spots. Kidney earned the right tackle job in preseason camp, and Beno won the opportunity to replace Smith in the first two games.
After further review
From the MTSU game, coaches counted 81 blocks that knocked defensive players to the ground in 75 plays. Johnson said the two fumbles, both on handoffs to B-backs from Washington and backup Synjyn Days, were the quarterbacks' responsibility. Of MTSU's 22 completions, 16 were caught either at or behind the line of scrimmage. The Blue Raiders completed 22 of 35 passes, but averaged a relatively light 5.6 yards per attempt.
Lee update
Johnson said that Washington's performance thus far doesn't have any influence on whether or not he'll redshirt freshman quarterback Vad Lee.
He said that Lee could play now if he had to, "but he'll be a lot better when he learns. If we don't have to have him, we're going to hold him, but he could still play. You're one play away from him having to play."
From the other side
MTSU coach Rick Stockstill applauded Tech's players, particularly Washington, the defensive backs and wide receiver Stephen Hill.
"I think [those players were] the difference that we saw," Stockstill said Monday on a teleconference. "They're a much better team," than last year, when Tech beat MTSU 42-14 at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Etc.
After missing the first two games, A-back Marcus Wright did not return to practice. Johnson said that J.C. Lanier, who has been out since close to the beginning of preseason practice, is questionable for this week's game. … ESPN has taken an option on Georgia Tech's Sept. 24 home game against North Carolina and not determine a kickoff time until Sunday. … Tech's varsity athletes attended a class Monday evening about personal branding, including social media usage.
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