The injury bug that has laid out Georgia Tech like a virus finally reached its most integral player. Quarterback Justin Thomas suffered an upper-body injury while leading the Yellow Jackets to a touchdown on their opening possession, leaving his availability for next Saturday’s game against Georgia in question.
In Thomas’ place, backup Matthew Jordan had moments, leading the Jackets to the end zone’s doorstep early in the second quarter and driving the offense for two touchdowns when the game was out of reach. But his first meaningful action at quarterback was pocked with six fumbles, an interception and a number of missed reads.
Jordan became the backup prior to the second game of the season after Tim Byerly’s season-ending knee injury but prior to Saturday had played just three series of mop-up duty. Asked to take over the helm from the team’s most dynamic player and the offensive captain, the redshirt freshman was game, but couldn’t steady the offense.
“I thought he did OK,” coach Paul Johnson said. “Did some good things. But you’ve got to value the ball. He made some critical mistakes.”
With Miami seeming to play for Jordan to keep the ball on option plays, he ran 28 times for 60 yards, the most rushes by a quarterback since Tevin Washington had 32, for 120 yards, in the 2010 Independence Bowl. He ran for tough yards and made plays in the passing game, picking up six first downs and one touchdown on keepers and three more first downs through the air.
He also had a costly fumble at the end of a 56-yard drive early in the second quarter. With the score tied at 7, missed blocking assignments caused an ambush of Jordan, whose fumble was recovered by Miami. He had five more fumbles besides, not all due to the wet conditions.
With Tech down 24-7 on the opening possession of the second half, he threw an interception after wide receiver Ricky Jeune fell down.
“I definitely learned a lot, so I think this will definitely help me in the future,” Jordan said.
That future may include the Georgia game. After the injury, Thomas walked slowly and stiffly. Johnson said that he thought Thomas hit his head on the ground, but clarified that he didn’t suffer a concussion.
After losing their top defensive player two games ago (defensive tackle Adam Gotsis), the Jackets may now be without their most indispensable member of the team, as well.
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