Sept. 22, 2005
ATLANTA–Georgia Tech’s Reggie Ball was much improved Thursday, according to head coach Chan Gailey, who declared his quarterback probable to play Saturday as the 15th-ranked Yellow Jackets (3-0, 1-0 ACC) travel to No. 4 Virginia Tech (3-0, 2-0 ACC).
The Jackets and Hokies kick off at 3:30 p.m. at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Va., in an Atlantic Coast Conference Coastal Division showdown that will be regionally televised on ABC.
Ball, a junior from Stone Mountain, Ga., who had started 27 straight games, is recovering from a bout with viral meningitis that caused him to spend two days in the hospital and miss the first game of his career, Tech’s 28-13 victory over Connecticut last Saturday. After being released from Emory Hospital Monday, he was on the practice field Tuesday and Wednesday with limited reps.
“A lot better today,” said Gailey after Thursday’s workout. “He had a good practice, and he did a lot more than he had done the previous two days. I was very encouraged.”
While Gailey said that he expects Ball to be able to play, how much and whether or not he will start the game remain in question and will be game-time decisions.
“I still think both quarterbacks will play,” continued Gailey, referring to Ball and backup Taylor Bennett. “I know you want me to say a percentage, and I don’t know. I know you want me to say who’s going to start, but I don’t know.”
If Ball does not start, the Jackets will again turn to Bennett, the redshirt freshman lefthander who led Tech to the win over the Huskies. On his first collegiate snap, he threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Johnson and finished the game 11-for-30 for 142 yards with one TD and no interceptions.
“I think he progresses every day that he gets extra reps, and obviously he’s been able to learn from that and get better,” said Gailey of Bennett.
Gailey said that the Yellow Jackets’ Friday afternoon walk-through will be slightly more extensive than usual. Following that, Tech will depart for Blacksburg.
Defensive Eric Henderson and tight end Mike Matthews remain questionable.
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