ATLANTA – Georgia Tech head coach George O’Leary plans to utilize more players as the Yellow Jackets host Navy Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium/Grant. Tech and the Midshipmen kick off at 3:30 p.m. There is no local television coverage, while the live radio broadcast is available on WGST-AM 640.
“I want to play more people,” said O’Leary following Wednesday’s practice. “We played 47 against [against FSU], and I want to be in the high 50’s.
“Sometimes you get so wrapped up in the game that you forget about getting other kids in there. I just want to make sure we are getting enough kids reps because you never know when they’re going to be needed.
“We’ve been keeping the some of the younger kids after practice because I think their steps and their techniques need some work. They understand they’re going to have some playing time, so they need to do things right and stop the missed assignments.
Among those whom O’Leary would like to see getting more snaps is sophomore tailback Sidney Ford (Lindale, Ga.).
“Sidney Ford needs to play,” said O’Leary. “I like the way he’s hitting the holes right now, and he’s going to get his opportunity this week.”
Last season, Ford played in three games and gained 69 yards on just 11 carries.
Tech has played seven true freshmen thus far, with linebacker Daryl Smith (Albany, Ga.) and cornerback Jonathan Cox (Chicago, Ill.) seeing the most significant playing time. O’Leary indicated that several more freshmen might be thrown into the mix this week, including offensive guard Leon Robinson (Garden City, Ga.), receiver Jonathan Smith (Argyle, Ga.) and cornerback Tony Hollings (Jeffersonville, Ga.).
“There could be a few more who see the field this week, only because I think they’re deserving of it,” said O’Leary.
O’Leary expects to use at least one, and perhaps both, of his backup quarterbacks-sophomore Jermaine Crenshaw (Greenville, Ala.) and redshirt freshman Andy Hall (Cheraw, S.C.)-along with starter George Godsey (Tampa, Fla.).
“Two will definitely see the field, but it could be three,” said O’Leary. “Right now I’m not sure who the second one will be. It will depend on who has the best week of practice.”
