Aug. 20, 2005
ATLANTA–Quarterback Reggie Ball had another solid performance and freshman tight end Colin Peek continued to impress to highlight Georgia Tech’s third and final preseason scrimmage Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium/Grant Field.
Ball, the junior from Stone Mountain, Ga., was eight-for-15 for 104 yards and two touchdowns in the short scrimmage.
Backup quarterback Taylor Bennett, the redshirt freshman lefthander from St. Louis, Mo., threw for just 29 yards but had two touchdown passes among his eight completions against Tech’s first-team defense.
One of Bennett’s touchdowns covered three yards to true freshman tight end Colin Peek, who made a nifty one-handed grab in the end zone.
Peek, the 6-6, 260-pounder from Jacksonville, Fla., and the Bolles School, also had a touchdown catch in Wednesday’s scrimmage. He is making the most of his opportunity at tight end with junior George Cooper nursing an injury. Junior Mike Matthews is the starter, and Peek has been working as the second tight end.
“I actually thought he (Cooper) might be back today, but it looks more like Tuesday,” said Gailey. “The great thing about that is that Colin is getting a ton of reps to learn the game and what he has to do.”
Damarius Bilbo, Chris Dunlap and Chris Woods also caught touchdowns, while Calvin Johnson, who finished with three catches for 42 yards, had a spectacular 24-yard touchdown catch nullified by a penalty.
P.J. Daniels was the leading rusher with nine carries for 42 yards and one touchdown. Backup Tashard Choice had an impressive 31-yard gain, and Woods turned a screen pass into a 46-yard touchdown.
“P.J. does look healthy,” said Gailey of his senior starter who was hampered by injuries much of last season.
“It’s very valuable to have depth (at tailback), and not just depth, but experienced depth. All of those guys have played in games.”
Gailey said that sophomore Pat Clark had earned the job as punt return specialist. Clark was Tech’s punt returner in last year’s opener as a true freshman but looked shaky and was replaced. For the season, he had one catch for 11 yards and five returns for 19 yards in limited duty.
“He’s a lot more mature,” said Gailey. “He’s a lot more aware of the speed of the game, having played some last year. It’s just that maturing that takes place between year one and two.”
The Jackets will have a short workout Sunday night, then take off Monday for the first day of classes before beginning their Auburn preparations in earnest on Tuesday. Tech opens the season Sept. 3 against the 15th-ranked Tigers, who bring a 15-game winning streak into the nationally-televised contest at Jordan-Hare Stadium (8:45 p.m. ET on ESPN). Practices are now closed to the public.
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