Special-teams play has been an area of concern for Georgia Tech since its 42-41 double-overtime loss to Tennessee on Labor Day.
In that game, kicker Shawn Davis missed two field-goal attempts, while kickoffs and kickoff coverage were problematic for the Yellow Jackets.
In Saturday’s 35-17 win over Pittsburgh, a special-teams blunder reared its head again on a punt from freshman Pressley Harvin in the second quarter. Airing out a high kick that landed near the west sideline at the 20-yard line, Tech had a chance to make a tackle and swap field position while leading 14-7. Instead, two Yellow Jackets over-pursued Quadree Henderson and missed their tackles, allowing him to go 80 yards for a touchdown.
“Other than the punt return for a touchdown? I thought we kicked the ball well,” coach Paul Johnson joked when asked about the kicking. “Even the one they returned for a touchdown, the kid kicked the ball all the way between the numbers and the sideline … it was a great punt. We just missed a couple of tackles. And we’ve got to re-evaluate who’s on that team. I thought we covered the kickoffs pretty good.”
Freshman T.D. Roof has been a bright spot on special teams, and he added two more strong tackles Saturday. Davis made all five of his extra points, and though he didn’t manage a touchback on his kickoffs, the best return Henderson managed was 29 yards.
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