Georgia Tech defensive coordinator Al Groh is a Virginia graduate and letterwinner, was head coach there for nine years and still owns a home in Charlottesville. On Saturday, he’ll bring a team to Virginia for the first time since being dismissed at Virginia after the 2009 season.
He declined the opportunity this week to froth or get misty-eyed over the thought of it.
“Another challenge, a chance to win the seventh game of the season,” Groh said of the game’s meaning to him.
Groh isn’t devoid of sentiment. He said he held “unlimited affection” for his players, coaches and Cavaliers fans. On Saturday, he’ll coach against players he recruited and coached. Virginia coach Mike London was a Groh hire and worked for him for six years. Linebackers coach Vincent Brown played for Groh when both were with the New England Patriots.
Groh’s players, who helped beat Virginia last year in his first game facing his alma mater as a Tech coach, don’t harbor much desire to exact revenge for his firing.
“I think the motivation more comes from them being next on our schedule,” inside linebacker Julian Burnett.
Injury report
Outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu returned to practice Wednesday, his first day back since the Oct. 1 N.C. State game. Inside linebacker Daniel Drummond practiced for his second day in a row. The two players, who both sustained leg injuries in the N.C. State game, were limited to non-contact drills. Backup linebacker Brandon Watts, also injured against N.C. State, practiced for the third day in a row and is expected to play. Coach Paul Johnson was more hopeful for Drummond than Attaochu, but didn't rule out Attaochu playing.
“He’s got a chance,” Johnson said of Attaochu. “He’s getting better every day.”
Practice disappointing
Johnson was concerned about the week’s practices through Wednesday, calling them “kind of lethargic.” Johnson said that while the team has had six consecutive weeks with games and that players have exams, “you’ve got to be able to push through it.” He was hopeful that the team would practice better Thursday, the final practice of the week.
“We need to clean up a lot of stuff,” he said.
Wright off team
A-back Marcus Wright left the team two weeks ago, Johnson said. Wright, perhaps best remembered for his role in Tech’s defeat of Georgia in 2008, is expected to graduate in May and will have a year of eligibility remaining should he decide to transfer.
“He needs to finish school, and we’ll try to help him find a place to go,” Johnson said.
Wright was injured coming into the season and never got into any games.
“He wasn’t going to play,” Johnson said.
Lee update
Johnson plans to redshirt freshman quarterback Vad Lee except in case of emergency. B-back David Sims, who converted from quarterback in the spring, takes snaps at quarterback weekly in case he’s needed in a pinch. With a redshirt year, Lee will have four years of eligibility remaining.
“But if you needed a quarterback in the first half of the Virginia game, we wouldn’t hesitate to put Vad in,” Johnson said.
Mason ‘doing great’
Backup guard Shaquille Mason has played limited snaps in place of Will Jackson for the past two games. He has earned co-offensive line coach Mike Sewak’s confidence, but will likely need to refine his technique to gain more playing time. Proper form is crucial for Mason because, as a freshman, Sewak said, “physically, he’s not overwhelming.”
“Coming in as a true freshman, I think he’s having a way better year than I was my redshirt freshman year,” guard Omoregie Uzzi said. “Shaq’s doing great.”
Trying harder
Johnson gave an encouraging report on backup B-back Charles Perkins, who has played sparingly after coming up short in the preseason competition for the starting job. Johnson noted Tuesday that he has been practicing hard and has had a good attitude.
Said Johnson, “I’d love to be able to get him in the game.”
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