The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Despite rout, Johnson sees plenty for offense to ‘correct’
Coach says unit needs to improve as it faces tougher opponents.
Even when Georgia Tech scored against Alcorn State on Saturday, the Yellow Jackets were still not meeting coach Paul Johnson’s
standards.
On the Jackets’ first touchdown, a 28-yard run in the first quarter by B-back Jordan Mason, left tackle Will Bryan and left guard Parker Braun double-teamed an Alcorn State defensive end to clear a path for Mason. It was a highly effective combination — they drove the lineman about 8 yards downfield, by which point Mason was on his way to the end zone, untouched — but Bryan and Braun weren’t supposed to double-team, Johnson said.
“Just things like that, we’ve got to correct against better people,” Johnson said Tuesday at his weekly news conference.
The better people start showing up Saturday, when the Jackets play South Florida in Tampa. USF finished 16th nationally last season in defensive yards per play and 11th in defensive yards per rush, although the Bulls have had to replace five all-conference players off last year’s defense.
With eight returning starters on offense, Johnson has particularly high standards for the unit. Johnson observed a surplus of mental errors and a lack of attention to detail in Saturday’s game. Tech did plenty right in the 41-0 win over Alcorn State, but not nearly enough for Johnson’s liking. He faulted both coaches and players.
“I still wasn’t happy with ’em after I watched the tape,” Johnson said.
Quarterback TaQuon Marshall had problems, particularly in the first half, throwing accurately. He also made mistakes on his reads in the passing game, Johnson said, missing opportunities for big plays. Marshall also acknowledged losing confidence after a slow start. Johnson said he wanted Marshall to relax and trust in his ability.
“Sometimes there’s some fundamentals stuff that, on a sprintout, we can help him with that he didn’t do a good job of and we didn’t do a good enough job of coaching him on,” Johnson said. “And then sometimes, you’ve just got to throw it.”
Marshall said that he didn’t do a good enough job of communicating with the offensive line at the line of scrimmage. “But I promise it’ll be fixed this week,” Marshall said. “Don’t worry.”
The depth chart released Tuesday revealed a lineup change. Right guard Brad Morgan, who made his first career start Saturday, was bumped to second string, with Will Bryan shifting from left tackle to replace him. Bryan’s vacated spot will be taken over by redshirt freshman Zach Quinney, who made his college debut Saturday.
“I thought he did some good things,” Johnson said of Quinney. “The more he plays, hopefully, the better he gets.”
The wait continues for the return of center Kenny Cooper, who suffered a foot injury during spring practice. There had been a possibility that he would be available for Saturday’s game, but he had not been cleared to take part in contact by Tuesday morning.
Tech begins ACC play on Sept. 15 at Pittsburgh, a week after the USF game, and follows that with No. 2 Clemson, the team that has defended the Jackets better than anyone in recent seasons.
Tech cornerback Lamont Simmons and linebacker Bruce Jordan-Swilling will be available for the game at South Florida. Simmons is returning from a hamstring injury. He was a candidate to start coming into the season after playing as the No. 3 cornerback last season, but Johnson said that he wasn’t sure how Simmons would fit into the depth chart, as he hadn’t practiced in three weeks.
“You don’t just slide him back in there,” Johnson said. “He’ll have to earn his way back.”
Jordan-Swilling missed the season opener after suffering an injury while riding a scooter. He is listed as the backup to David Curry at one of the inside linebacker spots.