Georgia Tech looking to 'bounce back' after loss

The Yellow Jackets (0-1) had only five days to regroup after Monday night's 20-17 overtime loss at No. 15 Virginia Tech. The players were off Tuesday and Friday, leaving only two practice days, including none in full pads.

There was little time to implement a game plan for Presbyterian, a Football Championship Subdivision team that played in Division II until 2007. Johnson says his focus will be on his team showing improvement.

"Every team has some good players and I'm sure Presbyterian will have some guys as well, but Saturday night is about Georgia Tech," Johnson said. "It's about us moving forward and improving in a lot of areas we need to improve in."

The Yellow Jackets played well on defense against Virginia Tech before giving up a tying field goal in the final seconds of regulation. Johnson wasn't satisfied with the production from his spread-option offense.

There are expected to be at least three new starters for Georgia Tech on offense: running back Zach Laskey, wide receiver Darren Waller and offensive tackle Bryan Chamberlain.

Laskey is moving past Charles Perkins at the "B-back" position which lines up behind the quarterback.

"If we can't run, we can't do a lot of things," Perkins said. "It all starts with that, so Saturday we have to improve in the running game."

Perkins had only three carries for five yards against the Hokies. Laskey had seven carries for 28 yards.

"It was a lot I saw that I didn't like, not just at that position," Johnson said. "There were several positions. We've got to do a better job coaching those guys. My take on that is if one or two guys are not doing what you like, then they've got an issue. If it's more than one or two guys, then we've got an issue.

"We've got to work and make sure we help those guys play better."

There is no line on the game. Johnson didn't dwell on the upset potential in the game, but he mentioned two examples of FCS schools playing well against Atlantic Coast Conference teams, including Georgia Tech's 10-7 home win over Gardner-Webb in 2008.

"Gardner-Webb came in here a few years with about 25 kids from Georgia and they played their tail off and we went out and showed up and barely got out of there alive," Johnson said. "That kind of stuff can happen."