The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Sims is expected to be available Saturday,
After leaving Saturday’s game against Northern Illinois with a left arm or shoulder injury, Georgia Tech quarterback Jeff Sims is expected to be available to play Saturday against Kennesaw State.
In comments about Sims’ play against Northern Illinois at a Tuesday news conference, offensive coordinator Dave Patenaude said he needs to work on staying confident, concluding the response by saying “we have conversations about it all the time, and I expect him to go out there and play a hell of a game on Saturday.”
Backup Jordan Yates subbed in for Sims and played the final two-plus quarters, leading the Jackets to all of their 21 points in the 22-21 loss. While Sims watched from the sideline with his left arm in a sling, Yates finished 12 for 18 for 135 yards with one touchdown pass. He also ran nine times for 27 yards and a touchdown.
Sims was 3-for-8 passing for 21 yards. He ran six times for a net of 34 yards. He was off target on a few critical throws, including a deep ball into the end zone to wide receiver Nate Mccollum that was overthrown.
“I thought he was a little tight,” Patenaude said of Sims. “I think it was the first time back under the lights. He kind of choked a couple balls, didn’t really drive the ball. Kind of just wanted to get it out there.”
Bouncing back: After a humbling loss to Northern Illinois on Saturday, Georgia Tech players had responded well to the defeat, coach Geoff Collins said Tuesday.
“I think the guys have had the perfect response after the loss on Saturday night,” Collins said Tuesday at his weekly news conference. “Had a lot of good meetings, a lot of good talks. Had two good practices. Continue to message and learn from the things that we need to get better at as an entire organization.”
The Yellow Jackets lost 22-21 at Bobby Dodd Stadium to a team that was 0-6 last season. For a team aspiring to a winning record in Collins’ third season leading the Yellow Jackets, it was a major setback. Defensive coordinator Andrew Thacker said he and the staff are having to balance being positive after Saturday’s failure but also trying to correct mistakes.
“In times of failure, you can break as a man,” he said. “You can break kids that are forming habits as young adults, but you also can’t tolerate things that are inexcusable in critical situations.”
Collins reiterated the confidence he has in himself, staff and team to fulfill the vision he has had for Tech to join the elite of college football.
“It’s just when it’s going to happen, and sometimes those lessons, those experiences, all those things, have to happen for you to get there,” Collins said.
Collins also was asked what he would say to Jackets fans unhappy about the loss to the Huskies and lacking confidence in the team’s future under his direction.
“I’ve addressed how much confidence I have in this team, how much confidence I have in these coaches,” he said. “I’m excited for Saturday, lessons learned from the game that we can apply. It’s just taking the next step every single week in the program to
get better.”