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First Georgia Tech Football Practice In The Books

July 30, 2008

ATLANTA -Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson had a chance to see his entire Yellow Jacket squad for the first time Wednesday as Tech conducted its first practice session of the 2008 season.

The Yellow Jackets practiced for two hours in helmets and shorts at Rose Bowl Fields.

“There’s a lot of excitement going into the first practice, and for me, a lot of anticipation,” Johnson said after seeing Tech’s newcomers on the field for the first time. “But you have to remember it’s just the first day and we’re not even in pads yet.”

Tuesday’s practice appeared to run much smoother and at a quicker pace than the spring sessions held in March and April when Tech players were being introduced to new schemes.

“I think there is some carry-over from the spring,” Johnson said. “The guys who were here in the spring at least knew where to line up. We may have even tried to do too much today given that we have so many freshmen.”

There are 26 true freshmen in camp including 21 on scholarship. There are 78 players on the roster who are either freshmen or sophomores.

The defensive line, meanwhile, returns three senior veterans in tackles Darryl Richard and Vance Walker, and end Michael Johnson.

“We’ve got some experience on defense and I think we’ll play well,” Johnson said. “But we have to play well for the entire season.”

Tech will practice at 3 p.m. on Thursday and Friday at Rose Bowl Field. The Great Jacket Encounter is scheduled for Saturday at 3 p.m. in Bobby Dodd Stadium.

TECH TRIVIA QUESTION

What is the earliest in a calendar year that Georgia Tech has played a football game?

(Answer below)

 

WHAT THE JACKETS ARE SAYING

It’s unanimous. Every Georgia Tech player thinks 2008 can be a great season. But what do the Yellow Jackets need to do to make that happen? Here’s what some of the Yellow Jackets said:

 

Question: We will have a great season in 2008 if…

We perfect our offensive and defensive schemes         Clyde Yandell

We play together                                                                 Mohamed Yahiaoui

We play to our potential                                                    Jahi Word-Daniels

We believe in each other                                                    Willie White

We play as a team                                                              Logan Walls

We stay healthy                                                                   Lance Walls

Everyone comes together as a team                                Vance Walker

We work hard                                                                       Alex Walker

We believe                                                                            Osahon Tongo

We execute                                                                           Demaryius Thomas

Limit the turnovers                                                              Luke Snider

Unite as one heartbeat                                                       Andrew Smith

We take it one game at a time                                          A.J. Smith

We can limit the big plays and score a lot of points     Brad Sellers

I am in Miami in January                                                  Darryl Richard

We play hard                                                                        Dominique Reese

Everyone buys in                                                                 Steven Powers

We work hard                                                                       Michael Peterson

We improve every day                                                       Jason Peters

We execute on offense                                                       Alex Paquette

Play as a team                                                                     Derrick Morgan

We come to play                                                                 Quincy Kelly

We play as a team                                                              Roddy Jones

We execute and do what we are coached to do            Michael Johnson

We accomplish all team goals                                          DeRon Jasper

We work for it                                                                      Kyle Jackson

We stay tight as a team                                                      Cord Howard

We are a close-knit team                                                   Jim Henry

We band together as a team                                             Robert Hall

We play as one                                                                    Sedric Griffin

We believe in ourselves                                                      Martin Frierson

We execute and play fast                                                  Zach Fisher

We work as a team                                                            

We stay healthy                                                                   Anthony Egbuniwe

We play as a team and believe                                         Correy Earls

We do work                                                                          Jonathan Dwyer

We get better each day                                                       Jason Davis

We play together and don’t fumble                                 R.B. Clyburn

 

ANSWER TO TRIVIA QUESTION

August 26th. In 2001, Tech beat Syracuse, 13-7, on August 26th. That game was played in East Rutherford, N.J.  Tech’s game vs. Jacksonville State on August 28th will be its earliest home game ever.

 

 

 

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