Marshall says Jackets look good in practice

Facing an important home game against Virginia Tech (7-2, 3-2 ACC) on Saturday, Tech quarterback TaQuon Marshall gave Yellow Jackets fans a piece of good news Tuesday:

“I saw a lot more focus from people today,” he said. “Everybody was really focused in. I didn’t have to say too much. By far, to me, in my opinion, it was the best Tuesday practice we’ve had this season.”

Georgia Tech (4-4, 3-3) is coming off a 40-36 loss at Virginia in which it held a lead in the final two minutes. It was the third game the Jackets have lost this season in the final minutes. Playing in the rain, Marshall completed only 6 of 22 passes, was intercepted twice and sacked five times. He has completed 36 of 86 passes this season with six touchdowns and the two interceptions.

Offensive lineman Kenny Cooper said he saw the same things Tuesday that Marshall did. Cooper made his college start in last year’s win over Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.

“We came out there today, and it seemed like a different team,” Cooper said. “We are really focused and want to get the ‘W.’”

Neither Cooper nor Marshall could explain why the team may not have been as focused the past few games as it looked in the season-opening 42-41 loss to Tennessee in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The lack of focus is odd considering they know they are going to be publicly critiqued by coach Paul Johnson should they fail to execute.

Johnson said during his weekly Tuesday news conference he thinks he is doing his players a disservice if he doesn’t hold not only them accountable, but also his assistant coaches and himself.

Marshall said the team seems ready to face Virginia Tech and try to get the season’s fifth win.

“I think everybody will be ready to go by Saturday,” Marshall said.

“His discipline will be handled internally like it always is,” Smart said.

Smart referring to it being handled “internally” is the same way he had addressed Patrick’s situation before, never directly confirming a suspension.

Patrick was arrested Oct. 5, two nights before Georgia’s game at Vanderbilt, on two misdemeanor charges, including marijuana possession. It was the second marijuana-related arrest for Patrick at UGA, which invoked the four-game suspension as stipulated in the school’s student-athlete drug policy.

Carter was second on the team in tackles against South Carolina and would seem to have a chance to keep playing a lot of snaps, perhaps even starting. But he spoke about being happy to have Patrick back.

“It’s going to be huge,” Carter said. “When both of us were out, the young guys were doing good. When I came back, the young guys were still doing good. It’s just great to have everybody back, and the young guys with experience under their belt, and having a leader on our defense like Natrez back.”