A banged-up roster and a shortened game week led to a change in practice strategy for Georgia Tech. In preparation for their Thursday night game against Virginia Tech, the Yellow Jackets practiced in shoulder pads and shorts Monday, eschewing the standard full-pads practice.
“We’re having to be very smart in how we’re preparing,” Tech defensive coordinator Ted Roof said. “We’re preparing so that we’ve got gas in our tank when it’s time to go on Thursday night.”
A physically rugged game against North Carolina forced safeties Chris Milton and Jamal Golden out of action with injuries, along with outside linebacker Quayshawn Nealy. Golden, who injured his shoulder against the Tar Heels, said Monday that he plans to play. Nealy and Milton did not practice Monday. Coach Paul Johnson said he probably won’t know their availability until Thursday.
Defensive end Jeremiah Attaochu also did not practice Monday, but Johnson said he expects him to play.
Johnson is a firm believer in practicing in pads to prepare for games, particularly for a hard-hitting opponent like Virginia Tech. However, Johnson said on his radio show Monday night the team will probably practice in shoulder pads and shorts again on Tuesday to avoid the risk of injury. A light walk-through is possible on Wednesday.
“I think it’ll help us,” Golden said. “It’ll keep our legs together, our bodies not banging on each other all the time, have us healthy and ready to go bang on somebody else on Thursday.”
With three games in 13 days, Johnson was reminded of a similar stretch at the start of the 2009 season, when Tech played Jacksonville State on a Saturday in the opener, then Clemson and Miami on successive Thursdays.
In the 33-17 loss to the Hurricanes, “We looked like we were running in sand and we were kind of spent,” Johnson said. “So you hope that’s not the case.”
Improper protest: Johnson said players who marked their wristbands and towels in Saturday's game in a show of solidarity with a movement supporting college athletes seeking NCAA reform should have discussed the issue with the entire team and coaches before acting.
“It needs to be a team thing. Six guys don’t represent a team when 80 of them don’t even know what’s going on and the coaches don’t know what’s going on,” he said.
Johnson said he spoke with the team about the matter and acknowledges the players’ right to support a cause. There were no disciplinary measures for players, including quarterback Vad Lee and Attaochu, who wore the initials “APU” (All Players United) on Saturday.
ACC honors: Guard Shaquille Mason was named the ACC offensive lineman for the second week in a row. Mason was the team's highest-grading offensive lineman in the Jackets' 28-20 win over North Carolina. Roof was named ACC coordinator of the week by Athlon Sports, as the Jackets shut out UNC over the game's final 39 minutes.
“The players played and the credit goes to them,” Roof said. “We did what we were supposed to do.”
Defensive stopper: North Carolina tight end Eric Ebron, an NFL prospect, caught five passes for 95 yards and a touchdown in the first half against Tech, but just one pass for 13 yards in the second half. The difference: coaches decided to defend Ebron with cornerback Jemea Thomas instead of linebackers.
“He does happen to be one of our best players on the team,” Johnson said. “Ebron was one of their best players, so you kind of matched up best on best.”
On TV: ESPN used a six-day option to delay its determination of the kickoff time for Tech's game at Miami on Oct. 5. Game time must be announced no later than Sunday.
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