Andrews continued his strong recent play by firing a 4-under-par 68 in the closing round of the NCAA Tallahassee Regional, securing a fourth-place finish in the regional, ensuring that Tech advances to compete in next week's NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championship in Atlanta.
The Gold Standard is a campus wide effort of the Georgia Tech Athletic Association to raise awareness of sportsmanship at all Georgia Tech Athletic events by increasing positive Yellow Jacket support.
Georgia Tech's student-athletes have a proud history of bringing distinction to the Institute on the playing field, in the classroom, and in their careers. The Alexander-Tharpe Fund, Inc. was established to ensure that this tradition can be extended far into the future.
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The Georgia Institute of Technology is one of the nation's top research universities, distinguished by its commitment to improving the human condition through advanced science and technology.
Now in its 60th year of competition, the Atlantic Coast Conference has long enjoyed the reputation as one of the strongest intercollegiate conferences in the nation. Since the league's inception in 1953, its 12 members have combined for 127 national championships.
Visit the RamblinWreck.com preseason central page for practice updates, videos and photos at the conclusion of practice each day. Fans can receive continuous updates on Facebook or on Twitter.
Saturday, August 20
The Jackets held their tune-up of the preseason on Saturday, scrimmaging for an hour and fifteen minutes in front of fans at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Head coach Paul Johnson had to be somewhat happy with his quarterbacks on Saturday as they accounted for all three touchdowns. Redshirt junior Tevin Washington, redshirt sophomore Synjyn Days and true freshman Vad Lee all found the end zone on running plays.
Washington's 36-yard run was the longest score of the three, while Days scored on an 8-yard play and Lee a 1-yard leap.
"A lot of guys did some good things (today)," Johnson said. "Clearly Synjyn [Days] can run the ball. I thought Tevin [Washington] threw the ball fairly well again, and Vad [Lee] continues to do some good things. He [Vad] made the freshman mistake at the end and made a poor decision, but he is coming so we will just see. We will evaluate him and see where he is at each week."
The passing game was strong as well on Saturday, highlighted by a 30-yard catch by freshman Jeff Greene on a pass from Lee that drew some cheers from the fans. Johnson noted that Greene has definitely earned playing time with his outstanding performance in preseason camp.
The defensive side of the ball saw some good things Saturday as well. Junior defensive end Izaan Cross had a solid day on the outside. Sophomore safety Isaiah Johnson had an interception at the end of the scrimmage, while senior linebacker Steven Sylvester forced and recovered fumbles. Redshirt junior linebacker B.J. Machen recorded a sack.
Tech will have Sunday off, before beginning preparations Monday for the season-opener against Western Carolina.
THREE CHEERS
Head coach Paul Johnson celebrated his birthday on Saturday. The team sang "Happy Birthday" to the fourth-year head coach at the conclusion of practice.
POST-SCRIMMAGE INTERVIEW WITH LINEBACKER STEVEN SYLVESTER
Friday, August 19
The Jackets held their final regular practice of preseason camp Friday, training two hours in shorts and should pads. The team will hold a scrimmage at 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning at Bobby Dodd Stadium, before beginning preparations on Monday for the season-opener against Western Carolina. Saturday morning's scrimmage, weather permitting, is open to the public.
Knowing that your football career may have come to an end before it even begins is a tough pill to swallow for many, but not for Tech redshirt freshman defensive end Denzel McCoy. McCoy, who has been sidelined with a rare heart condition known as "cardiomyopathy" since his arrival on the Flats in 2010, has shown that he can overcome adversity.
"I'm still pretty optimistic I'll be able to play again," said McCoy, who spoke to media Friday for the first time since learning of his condition. "It's not really something that's heavy on my mind; it's just something God throws at you, shows you how big of a man you are. It's something I've got to be able to handle.
"The reason I came to Tech was because a degree from here is unprecedented. God put two things in my life, football and academics. Academics are working out better right now. Hopefully I'll be able to play again, but if not, it's not the end of the world."
See the full interview with McCoy here:
Thursday, August 18
Saturday morning's practice, weather permitting, will be open to the public. Practice begins at 9:30 a.m. in Bobby Dodd Stadium. If there is a weather issue, please check RamblinWreck.com for updates.
The Yellow Jackets practiced in full pads for two hours Thursday afternoon.
We also announced today that former Yellow Jacket Sean Bedford will speak at the Kickoff Luncheon next Friday. This event is shaping up to be a must-see for Yellow Jacket fans. Please see the story on Bedford for ticket-purchasing information.
Wednesday, August 17
The Yellow Jackets had their final two-a-day of the fall. going in full pads Wednesday morning and in shells in the afternoon.
Among the topics head coach Paul Johnson discussed with the media after practice Wednesday evening was the offensive line. Johnson hinted at the possibility of sophomore guard Will Jackson seeing some time at tackle with true freshman Trey Braun playing guard. In short, several O-linemen have the versatility to play more than one spot.
Johnson made special mention of junior center Nick McRae, who is the back-up to sophomore Jay Finch. Johnson told the media about how McRae has battled nagging injuries throughout camp yet has not missed a minute of practice.
What does Johnson think will be the biggest keys to success in 2011? "I think turnovers will be huge. We have to take care of the ball and we have to create more. We can do better in every aspect."
Georgia Tech President Dr. Bud Peterson will be throwing out the first pitch prior to Saturday's Braves-Diamondbacks game at Turner Field.
Four Georgia Tech walk-ons were awarded scholarships on Tuesday by Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson.
Linebacker Robert Hogan III, A-Back Robert Godhigh, offensive lineman Tyler Kidney and linebacker Matt Serpico were all applauded by their fellow teammates after practice once the team was told they had earned scholarships.
Johnson also noted after practice that wide receivers Stephen Hill and Jeff Greene have been really impressive in practice so far this week. Greene, a true freshman from Peachtree City, Ga., has been working with the No. 1 offense in practice while senior Tyler Melton, sophomore Jeremy Moore and junior Daniel McKayhan all continue to sit out with injuries.
"Jeff Greene continues to do some really good things at wide receiver," coach Johnson said. "He's running with the ones so he's had every opportunity."
Melton, a returning starter from 2010, continues to nurse a strained calf muscle he sustained last week.
The Jackets practiced for two hours in full pads Tuesday. The squad will hold its final two-a-day session of the season on Wednesday.
Tech hosted the Big Brothers Big Sisters following Saturday's scrimmage. Players and coaches shared ice cream and socialized with the group after the conclusion of the scrimmage.
Read about today's practice on our blog by clicking here
An Interview With Rashaad Reid
Saturday, August 13
Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson saw plenty of positives and some negatives as well after watching the Yellow Jackets scrimmage for the first time this preseason. Tech held an open 90-minute practice/scrimmage inside Bobby Dodd Stadium Saturday morning.
"It was like a lot of first scrimmages, there were way too many balls on the ground and way too many penalties," Johnson said. "But we hit some big plays. When you play against eachother there's positives and negatives on both sides. It's a starting place and we'll look at it and try to make some improvements."
While no official statistics were kept, Tech enjoyed a solid performance in the passing game. Junior quarterback Tevin Washington passed for well over 100 yards including a 63-yarder to senior A-back Roddy Jones. Redshirt freshman QB Synjyn Days threw the only touchdown of the day, a strike to true freshman Jeff Greene in the end zone.
"I thought Tevin threw the ball well and Synjyn threw the ball pretty well, too," Johnson said. "That part was pretty good."
Greene ran with the first unit Saturday as most of the veterans -- junior Stephen Hill, senior Tyler Melton, sophomore Jeremy Moore and junior Daniel McKayhan -- all sat out with injuries.
"Jeff (Greene) had a nice day, other than jumping off sides two or three times. But we feel like he's going to be a good player. I think all those freshmen receivers are going to be good players."
Washington scored the only other touchdown Saturday on a one-yard QB keeper. Sophomore Justin Moore booted a 45-yard field goal on his only attempt. David Scully's 52-yard attempt was long enough, but just wide left.
On defense, DE Emmanuel Dieke had a sack, true freshman Jamal Golden picked off a Vad Lee pass for an interception, and Steven Sylvester and Isaiah Johnson both recovered fumbles.
Thursday, August 11
Georgia Tech concluded its ninth day of practices with an evening session in full pads on Thursday. The Yellow Jackets will hit the practice field in the morning on Friday before conducting their first scrimmage of the season on Saturday.
Wednesday, August 10
Georgia Tech practiced twice Wednesday -- in shells this morning and in full pads late this afternoon.
"Less than stellar" is how head coach Paul Johnson summed things up. "I thought the defense did well at the end of practice."
Johnson did announce that junior OT Phil Smith would not play in the first two games of the season after violating team rules.
Interview With A-Back Roddy Jones
Tuesday, August 9
The Jackets returned to a normal practice schedule on Tuesday with two hours of work in full pads beginning at 3 p.m. Notes from the day are below, including a video interview with redshirt junior quarterback Tevin Washington.
EARNING PRAISE FROM THE COACH
Head coach Paul Johnson praised a couple of players for their efforts so far in practice, primarily senior B-Back Preston Lyons and sophomore linebacker Brandon Watts.
"Preston is a better runner than people give him credit for," Johnson said. "He is actually one of the better athletes on the team. If you go by 40-time, vertical jump and all that stuff, he's actually a really good athlete. People look at him and don't give him enough credit."
Johnson noted that Brandon Watts stood out in the 1-minute drill, and even made a couple of quarterback sacks.
HENDRICKS WATCH LIST
The Ted Hendricks Foundation announced the 35 preseason candidates for the Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award Tuesday. Junior Izaan Cross was featured on the list for the award that honors the nation's best defensive end.
Cross, a native of Flowery Branch, Ga., had 41 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in 13 games last season for the Jackets.
The final mid-season watch list will be announced in November and the winner will be announced on Dec. 7.
INJURY UPDATE
Offensive linemen Will Jackson was in a red (injury) shirt for Tuesday's practice. Morgan Bailey sustained an injury during Tuesday's practice. Johnson did not comment on the severity of both set injuries.
Interview With Quarterback Tevin Washington
Monday, August 8
Monday marked the first of four two-a-day practices this month. The Yellow Jackets went in full pads in the morning and shells in the afternoon.
"I thought they (the players) fought threw it pretty well," head coach Paul Johnson said. "We dragged at times, but overall I thought they fought threw it and we accomplished some things."
Johnson, when asked about sophomore kicker Justin Moore: "I know he has the ability and the talent to get it done."
Injury Update: Jimmie Kitchen (r-Fr., DT) and true freshman Dominique Noble joined junior OG J.C. Lanier on the list of players nursing injuries. Lanier will be out approximately four weeks with a stress fracture.
Sunday, August 7
In the first full-contact practice of the season, the Yellow Jackets spent two hours working on special teams with a kicking scrimmage on Sunday. Notable returners for punts were senior A-Back Roddy Jones, freshman defensive back Jamal Golden and freshman running back Zach Laskey. Deep men for kick returns were junior Orwin Smith, senior Embry Peeples and redshirt freshman Charles Perkins among others.
The Jackets will hold two practices on Monday at Rose Bowl Field.
Matt Winkeljohn shares his most "Intriguing Players" of the 2011 season in today's Sting Daily.
Tech held its first morning practice of the season Saturday, a 9:45 a.m. session at Rose Bowl Field. Players and coaches then broke for a quick lunch and meetings, before conducting a press conference with the media.
The Yellow Jackets returned to Rose Bowl Field Friday for practice No. 3 of the 2011 season, spending the first half of the two-hour session outdoors before heading inside the John and Mary Brock Football Practice Facility for the second portion. It was the first practice of the season in shorts and shoulder pads, and the players certainly felt the heat with temperatures in the high-90's.
FAN DAY
Just a reminder that fan day is Saturday, Aug. 6, at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Festivities begin at 3 p.m. on Callaway Plaza with music, prizes, inflatables and games for the kids. From 4-6 p.m. the gates will open and fans can enter the stadium to meet the 2011 Yellow Jackets. Entrance to Fan Day will be at the tunnel off Callaway Plaza, at the northwest corner of the stadium.
It may not be accurate to say the new indoor practice facility -- the John and Mary Brock Football Practice Facility -- paid for itself today. After all, the beautiful new building cost more than $9 million to construct. It IS accurate to say, however, that the Brock Facility came in very handy on Thursday for the Yellow Jackets' second practice of August.
