Jackets gearing up for Bulldogs

ATLANTA (TNS) — After three days off, Georgia Tech returned to practice Monday with vigor. The Yellow Jackets, who normally would use Monday’s practice for review of the previous game and conditioning, dove into full-pads preparation for Georgia. It was similar in nature to the team’s standard Tuesday practice, when the offense and defense start work against the scout teams. Tech is trying to end the Bulldogs’ five-game winning streak in the series.

“It was a high-intensity practice, good intensity,” A-back Charles Perkins said. “I liked the effort guys came out with (Monday).

After 11 games in 12 weeks, players felt the benefit of the short rest they received from their free weekend.

“Anytime you get just time to get off your feet and just relax without the wear and tear on your body from Saturday, you definitely come out a lot fresher and a lot better feeling the following week,” guard Shaquille Mason said.

The Jackets got some good news earlier this week.

Considering that Georgia Tech is heading into the 12th game of the season, the Yellow Jackets are in pretty good shape from an injury standpoint.

“All good,” coach Paul Johnson said Monday, following his team’s first practice of Georgia week. “We’re expecting everybody to play.”

That includes nose tackle Shawn Green, who missed the Clemson game with a knee injury. Johnson said that Green “had a good day” at Monday’s practice, conducted in full pads. Another is Perkins, who played through the Clemson game with a knee injury that forced him out of the Virginia and N.C. State games.

“I feel great,” Perkins said. “I wasn’t full speed against Clemson, but I think I’m back to full strength now.”

It has been a memorable season for the jackets would would like nothing else than to end the regular-season with a victory over Georgia.

Georgia Tech is promoting right guard Shaquille Mason as an All-American candidate, but he may not be able to do any better than Johnson’s commendation Monday.

“He’s really good,” Johnson said. “He’s probably the best offensive lineman we’ve had since I’ve been here.”

Among others, that would surpass two-time All-American and three-time All-ACC guard Omoregie Uzzi and two-time first-team All-ACC center Sean Bedford. Mason has been the dominant player of Tech’s offensive line, which has produced the No. 4 rushing offense in the country at 327.9 yards per game. A team captain, Mason has been the team’s highest-graded offensive lineman in every game.

“It means a lot because I know that a lot of linemen have come through here that I’ve looked up to,” Mason said of Johnson’s evaluation. “It’s just a great thing to hear and a great accomplishment.”

Mason has started 37 games in his career, including the past 36 in a row. In an e-mail to football media members last week, Tech’s communications office also promoted quarterback Justin Thomas, linebacker Quayshawn Nealy and Johnson for consideration for national awards.