Aug. 16, 2008
ATLANTA – Three true freshmen scored touchdowns and two sophomore B-backs combined for 174 yards in Georgia Tech’s 90-minute football scrimmage at Bobby Dodd Stadium on Saturday.
“We ran over 100 plays and we’re at the point where I know what they can do,” head coach Paul Johnson said. “Now, we just have to get ready to play.”
True freshmen – quarterback Tevin Washington, receiver Tyler Melton and safety Cooper Taylor – combined for three of Georgia Tech’s six touchdowns. Washington had a 53-yard TD run, Taylor returned a fumble 39 yards for a score and Melton made an impressive catch in the end zone on a 35-yard pass from another true freshman, quarterback Jaybo Shaw.
Shaw took most of the snaps with the first-unit offense as sophomore quarterback Josh Nesbitt remained sidelined with a shoulder injury.
“Jaybo has a good football background,” Johnson said of the rookie signal-caller. “He was coached well in high school. I’m not sure he played as well today as he has in practice.”
Sophomore B-back Anthony Allen, a Louisville transfer not eligible until 2009, ran for a team-high 90 yards on seven carries including a 70-yard touchdown run. Jonathan Dwyer, the sophomore expected to start at B-back, had seven carries for 84 yards including one 55-yard TD run.
Senior Calvin Booker was the leading passer on Saturday, completing 8-of-12 passes for 88 yards. Booker did throw the only interception of the day, a short pass picked off by redshirt freshman defensive end Jason Peters.
Peters and another redshirt freshman defender, Kyle Jackson, recorded Tech’s two sacks. Jackson added one fumble recovery.
Saturday’s scrimmage was the final public practice of the year. The Yellow Jackets will have Sunday off before returning to the practice field Monday afternoon.
Tech opens the 2008 season Aug. 28 against Jacksonville State at Bobby Dodd Stadium (7:30 p.m.)
NOTEBOOK
– Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith, a longtime friend of Paul Johnson, watched Saturday’s scrimmage from the sidelines.
– Classes begin Monday on the Georgia Tech campus.
– Anyone planning to watch the season opener via ESPN360 should probably experiment with the website in advance. Not all computers or website providers are compatible with ESPN360.
– Tevin Washington ran for 75 yards on a team-high 13 carries.
– Another sophomore B-back, Quincy Kelly, rushed for 46 yards on seven carries.
– True freshman Steven Sylvester and junior Martin Frierson both had fumble recoveries.
– Redshirt freshman Chandler Anderson kicked a 24-yard field goal.
