Offensive line changes paying off for Yellow Jackets
The starting lineup on the offensive line has changed for Georgia Tech the last few weeks and it’s made a difference in the way the team has performed.
The biggest change has come at right guard, where Connor Hansen has worked his way into the starting lineup. Hansen, a 6-foot-2, 310-pound sophomore from Tallahassee, Fla., has given additional heft and stability to the front and the running game has responded.
Hansen has joined with redshirt freshman Zach Quinney as newcomers who are helping push the ball downfield. Quinney has started the last five games.
“Now they’re playing, that’s the other thing that’s helped the offense,” coach Paul Johnson said. “While he was far from perfect, I think the other thing that’s helped the offense is getting Connor in there at guard. He’s a little bigger body and a little stronger. I think we’ve been better since we put him in there.”
The starting lineup last Friday had Jahaziel Lee at center, Parker Braun and Hansen at guard, and Quinney and Andrew Marshall at tackle. That group helped the offense rush for 542 yards, the third-most in school history.
“This is by far the best we’ve played as a unit this year,” said Braun, the team’s all-ACC junior. “I think some things have changed. Without a doubt, things have changed since the first three weeks.”
The effort was certainly noticed by Louisville coach Bobby Petrino, who took one of the worst losses of his career.
“They did a good job of executing,” Petrino said. “They ran the fullback, the quarterback, the pitch guy and we weren’t able to get it stopped. I think we stopped it one time for a field goal, but other than that, it was something that was disappointing to me, but you’ve got to give them credit for it.”
