Georgia Tech offensive coordinator Dave Patenaude liked what he saw from quarterback Jordan Yates in Saturday’s game vs. Boston College, save one particular mistake. Yates led the offense to three touchdowns and a field goal in the Jackets’ 41-30 loss to the Eagles at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
He completed 17 of 28 passes for 126 yards, with a touchdown pass and interception. He also ran for 76 yards, including a 2-yard scoring run, not including 29 yards in sacks. Yates was playing in place of starter Jeff Sims, who was out with an injury and had his right foot in a protective walking boot.
“Super wired into what we were doing,” Patenaude said of Yates. “Great energy, ran the ball fantastic. Made a boneheaded mistake throwing the ball in the end zone. He owns that. Throws a pick in the red zone. Can’t have that.”
Yates threw the interception in the third quarter, when Tech had a second-and-10 at the Boston College 12-yard line. With the score 28-24 in the Eagles’ favor, a touchdown would have put Tech in the lead for the first time in the second half. Patenaude said Yates prepared well, saw the field well and played well. He completed passes to eight different targets.
“He missed a couple throws, but that’s going to be any quarterback in any game,” Patenaude said. “And he handled himself well – he’s got great presence. He doesn’t get flustered.”
What Patenaude also appreciated was Yates’ playmaking ability, demonstrated in his throwing with different arm angles and eluding defenders with pump fakes.
“I don’t necessarily tell him to do that, but that’s who he is, that’s what his game is, and you’ve got to let him be him,” Patenaude said.
It’s not clear if Yates will start again Saturday at No. 8 Notre Dame.
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