Georgia Tech quarterback Tevin Washington went back to basics this week. In the throes of a slump, Washington has attempted to re-gain his form.
“When you’re in a funk, you just try to go back to home base, go back to square one, go back to the things you were doing when you were doing good, just try to imitate those things,” Washington said.
After starting the season 27-for-42 for 821 yards, eight touchdowns and one interception in the first four games, Washington is 12-for-39 for 255 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions in the past three. Dropped passes and inconsistent protection haven’t helped.
Coach Paul Johnson said the offense needs to start completing big pass plays again. After completing 21 passes of 20 yards or more in the first six games, Tech had none against Virginia. A 66-yard pass to A-back Orwin Smith was wiped out by a penalty.
“We need to throw it a little more in this game, and we need to throw some high-percentage things and get some confidence back,” Johnson said.
Wednesday, Johnson said that Washington has had “a pretty good week of practice.”
Reunion
For the second consecutive week, defensive coordinator Al Groh will coach against a former member of his staff at Virginia. Last week it was Virginia coach Mike London. On Saturday, it will be Miami coach Al Golden, who was Groh’s defensive coordinator for five seasons.
Earlier this week, Golden called Groh “the hardest worker I’ve ever been around” and said that “I learned more football from him in five years than I have in the rest of my career.”
Local knowledge
Tech has two players from the Miami area, linebackers Malcolm Munroe and Nick Menocal. Wide receivers coach Buzz Preston is assigned to recruit the Miami area. He said there are a couple of prospects in the area that he is recruiting. He said the Miami game has some effect on his efforts.
Some prospects “have always wanted to go to Georgia Tech, so if you want them, they’ll come,” he said. “Some, they’ll gauge it maybe by [Saturday’s game].”
Practice report
Johnson reduced the practice time by two periods, from 20 to 18, Wednesday, in an effort to save players’ legs for Saturday. The team practiced again in shoulder pads and shorts.
“I think that overall the guys have worked hard and practiced hard,” Johnson said. “Hopefully, we can take it to the field.”
Shorthanded
Miami will face Tech without starting defensive tackle Micanor Regis, who was suspended by the school for one game for punching a North Carolina player in the groin in the Hurricanes’ 30-24 win over the Tar Heels last week. Regis has 25 tackles and 3 tackles for loss this season.
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