Johnson stands by QB Thomas following first loss

ATLANTA -- Georgia Tech's first loss of the season still stings.<br /> <br /> Coach Paul Johnson said "you don't get a re-do" and the Yellow Jackets must move past last week's 31-25 home loss to Duke. Even so, on Tuesday he was still bemoaning his team's mistakes, including three turnovers, in the game.<br /> <br /> "It's amazing we had a chance to be in the game and win the game," Johnson said.<br /> <br /> Georgia Tech (5-1, 2-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) fell out of the Top 25 after one week in the poll.<br /> <br /> The Yellow Jackets will play at North Carolina on Saturday night as they try to remain near the top of the ACC's Coastal Division race.<br /> <br /> Johnson said he has "all the confidence" in quarterback Justin Thomas, who threw two interceptions against Duke. It was a rare poor game for Thomas, who threw only one interception in the 5-0 start. Georgia Tech led the ACC in turnover ratio before the loss.<br /> <br /> One of the interceptions came deep in Duke territory as Thomas tried to play through an ankle injury.<br /> <br /> "He shot-putted that one," Johnson said. "That's not him. I'm thinking that's because he couldn't push off his ankle."<br /> <br /> The second interception came as Thomas tried to throw the ball out of bounds.<br /> <br /> "You have to have better judgment," Johnson said. "I think he was disappointed with it. I don't think you'll see it again. He knows better than that."<br /> <br /> Tim Byerly ran for two touchdowns after taking over for Thomas last week. Johnson stressed that Thomas is his starter but Byerly could see more playing time.<br /> <br /> Each quarterback has been effective. Thomas, a sophomore in his first season as the starter, leads Georgia Tech with 599 yards rushing. Byerly leads the team with five rushing touchdowns.<br /> <br /> Byerly (6-0, 212) plays like a physical running back while the smaller Thomas (5-11, 189) has the speed to be dangerous in the spread-option offense.<br /> <br /> "I've said all along I'm a big Tim Byerly fan," Johnson said. "I love the kid. I think he plays hard. He's got tremendous toughness and savvy. There might be situations where we put him in the game, but Justin is our quarterback."<br /> <br /> Johnson said Thomas "has the skill set we're looking for, not that Timmy doesn't, but he's different. ... When I say I've got confidence in him, I don't have any doubt he needs to be our quarterback."<br /> <br /> This could be a good bounce-back week for Thomas and the Georgia Tech offense. North Carolina (4-3, 0-3) ranks last in the ACC in total defense and scoring defense. The Tar Heels give up an average of 43.3 points per game - about 15 points per game more than North Carolina State (28.7), the league's next-worst defense.<br /> <br /> Senior linebacker Quayshawn Nealy, a team captain, said he is reminding his teammates last week's loss didn't end the team's ACC championship hopes.<br /> <br /> "Definitely my role is to encourage guys to keep their heads up," Nealy said. "We're still great in the standings and in good position right now."