Oct. 2, 2002
As Georgia Tech (4-1, 1-1 ACC) continues its preparations for Saturday’s Atlantic Coast Conference contest with Wake Forest (2-3, 0-2 ACC), the Yellow Jackets must ready themselves for the Demon Deacons’ potent rushing attack without ignoring standout receiver Fabian Davis.
The Tech-Wake Forest game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. at Bobby Dodd Stadium/Grant Field and will be regionally televised on ABC, including Atlanta affiliate WSB Channel 2. Radio coverage on the Georgia Tech-ISP Radio network is available in the Atlanta area on flagship station 790 the Zone (WQXI-AM) as well as South 107.1 (WSTH-FM) and Magic 98.1 (WMGP-FM).
Davis is the Deacons’ leading receiver with 19 catches for 266 yards, but he is also the team’s second-leading rusher with 262 yards on just 24 attempts (10.9 yards per carry). Also a dangerous return man, he averages 154.6 all-purpose yards per game.
“You have to know where he is at all times,” said Tech head coach Chan Gailey. “He’s like Derrick Hamilton at Clemson or Sam Aiken at North Carolina; you have to know where he is at all times.”
Gailey said that backup placekicker Dan Burnett (Lilburn, Ga.) kicked effectively in Wednesday’s practice and should be available for Saturday’s game, but starter Luke Manget (Conyers, Ga.) remains doubtful with a strained groin.
“Dan felt good today, and he’ll be clean for Saturday. Now we just have to see if we can get Luke back,” said Gailey, who added that he expected Manget might be able to kick extra points and short field goals, at best.
Manget, who has made an ACC record 146 consecutive extra points, suffered a strained groin in warmups prior to last Saturday’s win over North Carolina and did not kick in the game. He was replaced by Burnett, who hit three extra points but suffered a sprained left (non-kicking) ankle on a running-into-the-kicker penalty.
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