Tech changes play-calling system against North Carolina

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 wide receiver, which is the way Johnson has done it at Tech, 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 last week’s loss to Duke 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 Irish with 204 yards on 38 carries by halftime against the Tar Heels.