Oct. 14, 2008
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Eight members of the Georgia Tech football team have been selected to the 2008 Phil Steele Mid-Season All-ACC Teams announced today. Senior offensive lineman Andrew Gardner, senior defensive linemen Michael Johnson and Vance Walker, as well as sophomore B-Back Jonathan Dwyer were named to the first-team. Senior defensive lineman Darryl Richard, sophomore defensive lineman Derrick Morgan and sophomore safety Morgan Burnett were second-team selections while sophomore wide receiver Demaryius Thomas was a third-team pick.
Gardner has been a big reason why the Jackets rank first in the ACC and eighth in the nation rushing for 255.0 yards per game. They are also fourth giving up 1.50 sacks a game.
Johnson is tied for seventh in the ACC and tied 71st nationally averaging 0.50 sacks per game, while his 1.33 tackles per game are good for fifth and tied for 26th, respectively. He has 20 tackles, a fumble recovery, four pass break-ups and a blocked field goal.
Walker is averaging 1.17 tackles for loss a game, which is tied for ninth in the ACC and tied for 49th in the nation. He also has 24 tackles and two sacks.
Dwyer is second in the ACC and 30th nationally averaging 95.83 yards a game. He is also third in the league and tied for 39th nationally with 133.50 all-purpose yards a game. Dwyer has rushed 87 times for 575 yards and four touchdowns. He owns an 88-yard touchdown run and 79-yard touchdown catch this season, while also averaging 24.4 yards per kick-off return.
Richard has 19 total tackles this season, including five tackles for a loss and one sack. He also has a fumble recovery and a pass break-up. Morgan, meanwhile, ranks second in the ACC and eighth in the country with 1.08 sacks a game. He is also tied for second in the league and tied for 17th in the nation with 1.50 tackles for loss a game. He has 25 tackles, a fumble recovery, a pass break-up as well as a blocked field goal.
Burnett leads the Jackets with six interceptions this season which are tied for sixth in the ACC and 18th nationally. He has a team-high 39 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a fumble caused and two pass break-ups.
Thomas has 18 receptions this year for 359 yards, an average of 19.9 yards per catch. He has two touchdowns on the season, including an 88-yarder, while his 71.80 receiving yards per game average ranks second in the ACC and 53rd in the nation.
The Yellow Jackets will return to action on Saturday at Clemson (12:02 p.m./ESPN).
