Days impresses for Tech at spring game

ATLANTA -- Coach Paul Johnson isn't about to sound a quarterback alarm at Georgia Tech.

Despite a difficult afternoon for Tevin Washington in the Yellow Jackets' spring game Saturday, the coach stopped short of criticizing the junior who's expected to begin fall practice as the starting quarterback.

"For the biggest part of spring, Tevin has done a good job," Johnson said. "Today he did some questionable things. I think he got rattled a little bit and got out of his element.

Freshman quarterback Synjyn (SINN-jinn) Days ran for 122 yards and one touchdown and passed for a TD in the Gold team's 21-7 victory over the White squad in the game.

Washington played with a brace on his left knee and endured a long afternoon leading the White team. He threw three interceptions, was sacked three times and lost a couple fumbles.

Because of a torn medial collateral ligament he sustained in the Yellow Jackets' loss to Air Force Dec. 27 in the Independence Bowl, Washington had limited mobility with his knee.

"He's banged up a little bit, and he's got a big, old, bulky brace on now, so he's not moving real well," Johnson said. "But I think he's gotten better this spring. He's certainly played better than he did today."

Washington, who went 1-3 as the starter last season after Joshua Nesbitt broke his arm in a Nov. 4 loss at Virginia Tech, was clearly disappointed with the results.

He added, though, that circumstances weren't much better in the first 14 practices of spring against a defense on which three starters are returning up front - ends Jason Peters and Izaan Cross and nose tackle Logan Walls.

"I think we got it going on the third drive," Washington said. "We had a tough time getting in rhythm against the defense. Overall, I think it will make us better. I would rather be going through this struggle now than going through the same thing in the fall."

Days connected with B.J. Bostic for an 11-yard scoring pass early in the first, and Richard Watson made it 14-0 with a 15-yard run on the next possession.

Washington ran for a 15-yard TD in the second quarter. Days' 1-yard TD run came in the third.

Johnson liked what he saw from Days, but pointed out that he likely faced easier circumstances against a second-string defense and getting better protection than Washington was afforded.

"We're excited about Synjyn," Johnson said. "He's got to grow. I mean he doesn't even bother to look downfield unless you specifically tell him who to throw it to sometimes. That's a young quarterback, but he's got some tools. He likes to compete."

Georgia Tech, which is coming off a 6-7 season, opens the 2011 season at home against Western Carolina on Sept. 1.

Johnson said the Jackets avoided major injuries in the scrimmage. Linebackers Julian Burnett and Daniel Drummond were held out with minor ailments.

Freshman linebacker Quayshawn Nealy led the Gold defense with seven unassisted tackles and one sack. Defensive end Emmanuel Dieke had seven solo stops for the Gold squad.

Defensive coordinator Al Groh singled out Nealy, a redshirt freshman, as progressing this spring and added that cornerback Louis Young and linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu, both sophomores, are getting close to becoming key defenders.

"They had solid offseasons and got a look at what they had to do," Groh said. "Clearly the work that they got last year got them off to a fast start this spring. They have the skills to do some things."

Coach Johnson was mostly critical of an offensive line returning three starters. Protections were soft on the offensive line. Blitz assignments were missed up front and in the backfield. Snap exchanges were jumbled when the center snapped on the wrong count.

But the coach indicated that Washington still must perform at a high level to keep the job.

"I don't know that's a whole lot different than other positions," Johnson said. "We're going to play the guy that gives us the best chance to win. We've had those two guys go through spring. We've got two freshmen coming in the fall (Vad Lee of Durham, N.C., and Demontevious Smith of Monroe, Ga.). We'll give them a chance to see what they can do, too."

Each of the three kickers missed a field goal attempt. The Jackets are replacing Scott Blair, who handled kicking duties the last four years.