Georgia Tech’s Jordan Yates expected to start against No. 6 Clemson
As of Friday, Georgia Tech quarterback Jordan Yates was expected to be the starter for the Yellow Jackets’ game at No. 6 Clemson on Saturday, according to people familiar with the situation. Jeff Sims, who started the season opener against Northern Illinois before suffering an injury to his left arm or shoulder and started all 10 games last season, also could play after being sidelined for last week’s win over Kennesaw State.
Making his starting debut, Yates was named the team’s offensive player of the week for his play against Kennesaw State on Saturday, when he completed 17 of 23 passes for 254 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions in the team’s 45-17 win. He became the first player in school history to throw for four touchdowns in his first career start. Sims was available to play only on an emergency basis.
On Tuesday, offensive coordinator Dave Patenaude said that he, coach Geoff Collins and the quarterbacks knew who would start, but that he was not going to divulge that information.
Collins said Yates, in his start against the Owls, “was efficient in the passing game, was getting us into the right runs, was having the right RPO’s and the looks off of the force protectors. Really proud of him.”
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.
