Aug. 18, 2007
ATLANTA -Georgia Tech still has work to do prior to its season opener Sept. 1 at Notre Dame, but the Yellow Jackets appeared to be well on track at today’s intra-squad scrimmage at Bobby Dodd Stadium/Grant Field.
In a two-hours-plus scrimmage, Tech accomplished about all it had planned. The Yellow Jackets suffered no significant injuries, the starters got in plenty of snaps without getting banged-up, and the coaching staff got to watch a number of players jockeying for position on the team’s depth chart.
Five different Georgia Tech quarterbacks threw passes to eight receivers and 11 different Yellow Jackets had at least one rushing attempt.
Although he played just a couple of series, senior running back Tashard Choice looked to be in top form. He carried the ball nine times for 64 yards and one touchdown and three of his rushing attempts were for 10 yards or more.
Other statistical leaders were redshirt-freshman receiver Demaryius Thomas, who caught three passes for 30 yards and a touchdown and true freshman running back Roddy Jones, who had six carries for a touchdown and also caught four passes for a team-high 39 yards.
Defensively, true freshman Mario Butler continues to make his case for not wearing the redshirt. He broke up a team-best two passes Saturday. Senior All-American linebacker Philip Wheeler led the defense with four solo tackles, eight total tackles and he forced a fumble.
The Yellow Jackets have few worries when it comes to the kicking game. Ray Guy Award candidate Durant Brooks booted three punts for an average of 50.3 yards and senior placekicker Travis Bell was 3-of-3 on field goal attempts.
Classes begin on the Georgia Tech campus on Monday. Practices, beginning Monday evening, will be closed.
LEADING RUSHERS
Tashard Choice – 9 carries, 64 yards, 1 touchdown
Jonathan Dwyer – 13 carries, 36 yards, 1 touchdown
Jamaal Evans – 7 carries, 18 yards, 2 touchdowns
LEADING RECEIVERS
Roddy Jones — 4 receptions, 39 yards
Demaryius Thomas – 3 receptions, 30 yards, 1 touchdown
Greg Smith – 2 receptions, 25 yards
LEADING PASSERS
Taylor Bennett – 10-for-20, 95 yards, 1 touchdown
Calvin Booker – 5-for-12, 41 yards
PUNTING
Durant Brooks – 3 punts, average of 50.3
FIELD GOALS
Travis Bell – 3-of-3 from 35, 27, 19
LEADING TACKERS
Philip Wheeler – 8
Adamm Oliver – 6
FORCED FUMBLES
Philip Wheeler – 1
Shane Bowen – 1
PASS BREAK-UPS
Mario Butler – 2
3 with – 1
SACKS
Jamal Lewis — 1
