On the final day of preseason camp, both the Georgia Tech offense and defense had their moments.
The offense compiled a list of snappy passes and a few long runs and scored touchdowns on three consecutive possessions midway through the scrimmage of roughly 100 plays. The defense walked away Saturday from Bobby Dodd Stadium having held the offense scoreless on the other possessions.
“I think it was good competition,” defensive end Izaan Cross said. “The offense has improved a lot since the spring to now. It’s light years better, I feel like.”
As was the case last week, quarterback Tevin Washington was effective passing the ball. Unofficially, Washington completed nine of 12 passes for 78 yards. He delivered passes accurately, enabling receivers to run after the catch. Washington also executed a deft fake pitch on an option play, freeing him for a 36-yard scoring run. Washington, who entered the camp as the starter, will leave it in the same position. Synjyn Days, who had success running quarterback draws, remains the No. 2.
“I thought Tevin threw the ball fairly well again,” coach Paul Johnson said.
The defense benefited from at least seven fumbles, some forced and many the result of mishandled center-quarterback exchanges. Cross made the most forceful turnover, interrupting a handoff from Days to B-back Preston Lyons to end a possession in the red zone. Cross was in on a number of stops Saturday.
Said Cross, “On that one play, I just wanted to get off the field. I just did whatever I could to do that.”
Injury report
A-back B.J. Bostic likely will be out about four weeks with an injury. Johnson would not specify it, but Bostic’s right arm was in a sling at the scrimmage. Johnson said it was possible that Bostic, who played as a freshman last season, could redshirt this season, depending on the timing of his recovery.
Among players who did not play Saturday: B-back Richard Watson, guard Will Jackson, A-back Orwin Smith, inside linebacker Julian Burnett and wide receiver Tyler Melton. Watson is recovering from a concussion. Burnett didn’t play in order to rest up bumps and bruises. Melton has had a strained calf. Jackson has missed time in camp with a shoulder injury. Smith was not at the practice because of a family issue.
Lyons and freshman guard Errin Joe both sustained leg injuries, but Johnson said he didn’t think either was serious.
Greene catching on
Freshman wide receiver Jeff Greene concluded an impressive camp with two catches for 32 yards. He fought off press coverage from freshman cornerback Jamal Golden and ran down the sideline and leaped high for a 17-yard reception from freshman quarterback Vad Lee. With Melton out and Stephen Hill not playing much of the scrimmage, Greene and fellow freshman Darren Waller took a lot of snaps with the first string.
“I think he’s played himself into a position where he’s certainly going to play,” Johnson said of Greene.
Lee update
Johnson said walk-on quarterback Darryl Dickey likely will run the scout-team offense. Freshman Demond Smith, a likely redshirt, is another possibility. Smith began camp at quarterback and moved to safety after Fred Holton’s torn Achilles injury. Having either Dickey or Smith run the scout team means Lee will continue working as a backup and could play this season.
“We’ll evaluate and see where he’s at each week,” Johnson said.
On Saturday, he completed five of 10 passes for 46 yards. Late in the scrimmage, he made a poor decision reading a blitz and threw an interception to safety Isaiah Johnson.
Tough running
B-back David Sims, whose improvement has been one of the central developments of the preseason, played with the first string on the opening series. He ran five times for 18 yards and also caught three passes for 21 yards. Yards were not easy to come by running up the middle Saturday for any of the B-backs. Johnson was asked if Sims had made a case to be the starting B-back, a notable ascension after switching to the position from quarterback in the spring and starting off fourth on the depth chart.
Said Johnson, “I don’t think there’s any question.”
The defensive line of ends Jason Peters and Cross and tackle Logan Walls bogged down the running game.
“I feel like we have to set the tone with the front three,” Cross said.
Going home
Players were ecstatic to check out of a nearby hotel where they had been staying since reporting to camp Aug. 2. Washington said he was going home to Wetumpka, Ala., to see his new nephew.
The team has Sunday off and will begin preparing Monday for the season opener, which is Sept. 1 against Western Carolina. Classes begin Monday.
“I’m not feeling good about classes starting, but I’m glad we got through camp,” Isaiah Johnson said.
Etc.
Burnett dressed but did not participate in the scrimmage, as Paul Johnson said he was “just beat up.” In his place, Quayshawn Nealy was active, repeatedly blowing up plays at the line of scrimmage. Said Isaiah Johnson, “He’s a playmaker. He comes up; he brings it.” ... Freshmen Zach Laskey, Corey Dennis and Demond Smith have moved to safety for depth reasons from, respectively, B-back, wide receiver and quarterback. Paul Johnson said Laskey will play on special teams this season. ... Johnson celebrated his 54th birthday Saturday. The team sang “Happy Birthday” to him after the scrimmage.
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