With depth thinning, Georgia Tech gave two more first-year freshmen their first game action of the season.
A-back Mikell Lands-Davis and defensive tackle Kyle Cerge-Henderson burned their redshirts five games into the season. Lands-Davis’ action was planned, following injuries to a number of A-backs ahead of him on the depth chart. He made an impact, with three carries for 18 yards (a long of 14) and two receptions for 24 yards. His total included a 19-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Justin Thomas for his first career catch. He also missed blocks on the perimeter.
“He made a couple nice catches, and then at the end, a couple of not-so-nice plays,” coach Paul Johnson said. “He’s going to get better.”
Cerge-Henderson was sent into the game in the third quarter. The Jackets were without two of their standard complement of tackles, as Patrick Gamble was out with a head injury and Adam Gotsis was ejected from the game in the second quarter after a targeting infraction. When Gotsis left, Francis Kallon and tackle Jabari Hunt played in the middle together, but were taxed by the Tar Heels’ up-tempo pace with Cerge-Henderson as the top reserve. Cerge-Henderson, an early enrollee, is the son of Kevin Henderson, who played linebacker for Tech in the mid-1980’s for then-coach Bill Curry.
Lands-Davis and Cerge-Henderson were the ninth and 10th members of the 27-player signing class of 2015 to lose their redshirts, joining linebackers Victor Alexander and Brant Mitchell, offensive tackle Will Bryan, safety A.J. Gray, B-back Marcus Marshall, A-backs TaQuon Marshall, defensive end Anree Saint-Amour and wide receiver Brad Stewart.
At least three other first-year freshmen were dressed and ready to play, but didn’t get in the game – A-back Quaide Weimerskirch and wide receivers Harland Howell and Christian Philpott. The Jackets largely depended on starters Ricky Jeune and Stewart at wide receiver.
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