Tech wary of Miami’s Duke Johnson
Perhaps the biggest focal point for Georgia Tech’s defense this week is Miami running back Duke Johnson, who is fourth in the ACC in rushing at 105 yards per game and Tuesday was called “the complete package” by coach Paul Johnson. Last year, he lit up the Yellow Jackets with 184 rushing yards on 22 carries.
Strong tackling and minding gaps in the line will be priorities.
“He’s a guy that you’ve got to finish,” defensive coordinator Ted Roof said. “He’s not going down with an arm tackle. He’s a guy who, you wonder how he’s squirting out of there, but he does.”
Roof has called in one of his own players, cornerback Lance Austin, to simulate Johnson in practice this week on the scout team.
“He gives a great, great look,” safety Jamal Golden said. “He jump cuts, cuts back across the field, he’s fast, he’s a physical guy. He simulates him very well.”
About the Author
Ken Sugiura is a sports columnist at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Formerly the Georgia Tech beat reporter, Sugiura started at the AJC in 1998 and has covered a variety of beats, mostly within sports.
