Georgia QB Eason thriving in late-game, pressure situations
— Georgia freshman Jacob Eason is proving he can be trusted in the closing minutes.
In fact, the young quarterback’s best play has come in high-pressure situations late in games, providing confidence that will be needed in Saturday’s visit from No. 8 Auburn.
Coach Kirby Smart said Eason showed impressive poise when he led the Bulldogs to a last-second 27-24 win at Kentucky last week. Eason completed each of his four passes on the game-winning drive that began with less than three minutes remaining. Georgia won on Rodrigo Blankenship’s 25-yard field goal as time expired.
Following the game, Smart said Eason “does not feel pressure. That’s just the kid. He has a very calm demeanor, which is what you want a quarterback to have.”
Eason’s first late game-winning drive came at Missouri early in the season. He also threw a go-ahead 47-yard touchdown pass to Riley Ridley with only 10 seconds remaining against Tennessee. That dramatic pass became a footnote when the Vols won the game with a Hail Mary pass.
“He’s a kid that the more he plays in a game, I think the more confident he gets,” Smart said Monday.
Georgia (5-4, 3-4 Southeastern Conference) had lost four of five, including two straight, before the win at Kentucky. Auburn (7-2, 5-1, No. 9 CFP) will be playing to preserve its SEC championship hopes and shot at making the playoffs.
It hasn’t been a smooth first season for Eason, who has started the last eight games.
After winning the starting job from senior Greyson Lambert, Eason hasn’t always played as well as in some late-game pressure situations. He has completed 145 of 272 passes for 1,754 yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Smart said Eason “has got a long way to go.”
“He’s got to improve,” Smart said. “He’s got to improve communication, decision making ... but I certainly think these opportunities at the end of the game give him a chance to show leadership and gain the confidence of the other players.”
Eason has not been made available to speak with reporters this season.
Eason may have found a new favorite target. Javon Wims, a junior college transfer, set career highs with five catches for 90 yards against Kentucky. Wims (6-4, 215) gives Eason a tall and physical target. Wims showed his big-play potential on a 51-yard catch.
Wims said he is developing a bond with Eason. He said they are “just getting to know each other as friends and teammates.”
“We both are very goofy guys,” Wims said. “The connection has been growing a lot stronger. He’s trusting me a lot more to make plays if he throws me the ball.”
Wims said last week’s game-winning drive was import- ant for Eason.
“We are tremendously confident in Jacob,” Wims said. “He has been improving each and every week. He’s been practicing better and we’ve been developing better timing with him. It’s going to boost his confidence going forward.”
Smart said S Kirby Choates, listed as the top backup to Dominick Sanders, “is focusing on academics right now.” Choates has missed the last four games. ... Smart said WR Jayson Stanley will miss the game with a foot injury. He said DT DaQuan Hawkins-Muckle is questionable after missing the Kentucky game with an ankle injury.
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NOTES: Tech’s Johnson still believes in defense ATLANTA
— Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson still has confidence in his defensive coaches following one of the worst showings ever by the unit.
The Yellow Jackets gave up the second-most yards in school history in last week’s lopsided loss at No. 15 North Carolina. Georgia Tech’s defense has another tough challenge at No. 18 Virginia Tech on Saturday.
The search for improvement on defense has been a constant theme for Johnson this season. He said Tuesday a review of last week’s 48-20 loss to North Carolina solidified his belief that defensive coordinator Ted Roof’s scheme is sound and the players aren’t confused.
“I watch the tape repeatedly over and over and I watch it with the defensive coaches and I understand what’s happening,” Johnson said, adding he has faith in the defensive scheme. “... As long as it’s sound as you’ve got a chance to execute it, that’s all you can ask of them.”
Georgia Tech has allowed 34 or more points in four of its last five games. The defense gave up 636 yards to North Carolina last week, second only to the school-record 667 allowed against Notre Dame in 1977.
The Yellow Jackets rank last among the nation’s 128 FBS teams in third-down defense. Opponents have been successful in converting 52 percent of third-down plays.
Johnson said defensive players have not lost faith or lack an understanding of the system.
“I don’t think we have those problems,” he said. “I’ve had those before where the kids would come and say coach you’ve got to help us. That’s not the issue. We’re not having those problems. We’ve just got to play better.”
The defense’s inability to get off the field on third down has been the biggest weakness.
“That creates most all the problems,” Johnson said. “Not all of them, but it would solve a lot if you could get off the field on third down.”
The Yellow Jackets (5-4, 2-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) rank last in the league with only eight sacks. Defensive tackle Patrick Gamble leads the unit with three sacks.
Georgia Tech has tried to bolster its normal four-man pass rush by sending five or more players on blitzes. That tactic opens the way for experienced quarterbacks such as Virginia Tech’s Jerod Evans to counter with quick passes to beat linebackers or defensive backs left in man coverages.
Johnson, who runs the spread option offense, said he offers advice on defense but won’t “micromanage” on that side of the ball.
“I’ve got enough confidence in our guys on defense to try to let them coach,” he said.
Virginia Tech is averaging 34.9 points and 444.4 yards per game. The Hokies (7-2, 5-1 ACC) are 4-0 this season when scoring 30 or more points.
Johnson said on his weekly radio show Monday night he expects QB Justin Thomas (upper body injury) to play this week. Thomas missed the fourth quarter of last week’s game with the injury. Center Freddie Burden missed the second half, also with an upper body injury. Johnson said Tuesday no injury update would be provided to reporters before Thursday.
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