Georgia Tech quarterback Tevin Washington was one of the last players off the practice fields Tuesday, having done some extra passing work with wide receivers Stephen Hill and Daniel McKayhan.
It’s not unusual. Washington is one of the team’s hardest workers. But Washington has perhaps a little more of an edge this week, as the No. 12 Yellow Jackets prepare for Virginia. Washington had perhaps his least efficient game this season Saturday, completing six of 19 passes and missing several reads on option plays. He ran a career-high 32 times for 120 yards and two touchdowns in Tech’s 21-16 win over Maryland.
“For the most part, it motivates me to go out this week and try to have a better game,” he said. Washington said he has put memories of the Maryland game “in the library,” but was trying to use “every play at practice, trying to make sure I’m doing things correct and making sure I’m giving us the best chance to win.”
Washington has had the team’s most carries in each of Tech’s past three games. Tech quarterback and B-backs coach Brian Bohannon said that Maryland schemed to have Washington keep the ball rather than hand it off to B-back David Sims or pitch it to an A-back on option plays. Washington averages 3.3 yards per carry, below Sims’ 6.5 yards-per-carry rate and A-backs Orwin Smith (14.5) and Embry Peeples (11.2), among others.
It was part of a frustrating afternoon in which the Tech offense gained a season-low 386 yards of offense.
“It was tough, but I think I made it tougher on myself, not being patient with my reads,” Washington said.
Washington has remained typically upbeat. Being the quarterback of a 6-0 team probably helps.
“[When] you have a bad play, you’ve just got to learn from that mistake and go on to the next down,” he said.
Injury report
Inside linebacker Daniel Drummond and backup linebacker Brandon Watts continued to offer hope that they will be able to play Saturday as they recover from injuries, while outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu did not participate in practice again Tuesday. Watts practiced for a second consecutive day. Drummond participated, but was limited to non-contact work. Attaochu is considered questionable. All three sustained injuries in the Oct. 1 game against N.C. State and missed the Maryland game.
Kudos
Coach Paul Johnson gave a pat on the back Tuesday to two backup B-backs, Richard Watson and Charles Perkins. After falling short in the B-back competition in the preseason, both have played sparingly in the season. Johnson said he told Perkins on Monday that “he busted his tail” in last week’s practices and told Watson that he appreciated his positive attitude.
Bohannon said coaches are trying to develop Perkins to the point where they’ll have enough confidence to give him more snaps. After opening the starting spot for competition last week, Bohannon said that Sims will remain the starter.
Gonnella update
Andrew Gonnella, the Maryland offensive lineman who was taken away from Bobby Dodd Stadium in an ambulance Saturday, met with reporters Tuesday in College Park. Md., on Tuesday. He revealed that he sustained a dislocated knee when a pile of players fell on the back of his knee, wrenching the joint. He also said that he refused to sign anesthesia paperwork until he found out the result of the game. He returned Monday evening from Atlanta.
“He seems like a great kid,” said Johnson, who visited Gonnella at Emory University Hospital Midtown on Sunday. “You’re just disappointed for anybody who gets hurt.”
Scouting report
Bohannon’s take on the Virginia defense:
“They do some things similar to what we saw last week. Really, a majority of their core defense is the same guys that we played against last year. They’re big, physical tough guys that play extremely hard. They’ve had two weeks to get prepared for us, so I’m sure they’re going to be more than ready to play when we come to town.”
