Johnson changes play-calling method
Part of Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson’s plan to help his players “just do their job” in Saturday’s game against North Carolina included simplifying the way the plays were relayed to the offense.
Instead of sending in plays through either an A-back or a wide receiver, which is the way Johnson’s usual method, the plays to quarterback Justin Thomas were sent by hand signals from either A-backs coach Lamar Owens or graduate assistant Steven Sylvester.
After Thomas received the play, Tech’s players would line up and the coaches would analyze how North Carolina lined up. Thomas would then look back to the sideline to receive more information before going under center for the snap.
During his interview at halftime, with the Jackets leading 21-14, Johnson said he changed the system so that Thomas doesn’t miss his checks.
Johnson said after the loss to Duke in the previous game that he may have been giving Thomas too many reads. The Jackets rushed for a season-low 165 yards in that game. That came after rushing for 216 yards in a loss to Notre Dame two weeks ago.
Tech surpassed its total against Duke and was on the verge of passing what it totaled against the Fighting Irish with 204 yards on 38 carries by halftime against the Tar Heels.
“Kept them on their heels a little bit,” quarterback Justin Thomas said. “(They were) A little winded. They didn’t expect it.”
The system may have also helped Tech control the tempo of the game against a Tar Heels offense that likes to play fast. The Jackets had an edge in time of possession for more 12 minutes in the first half.
It a system something that Tech’s players said they have been working on for several weeks.
“We practiced it a lot, even before this game,” wide receiver Ricky Jeune said. “We practiced it during the offseason. Had it in our bag and decided to use it this game.”
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