ATLANTA — Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson said his team's first scrimmage Saturday was "a starting place" that included some big plays, but too many penalties and botched plays.

Georgia Tech did not keep official statistics in the scrimmage at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

Quarterback Tevin Washington, the favorite to take the starting job held by Joshua Nesbitt the last three years, completed a 63-yard pass to A-back Roddy Jones. Redshirt freshman Synjyn Days had the only touchdown pass to freshman Jeff Greene.

"It was like a lot of first scrimmages, there were way too many balls on the ground and way too many penalties," Johnson said. "But we hit some big plays. When you play against each other there's positives and negatives on both sides. It's a starting place and we'll look at it and try to make some improvements."

Johnson's Yellow Jackets are trying to regroup after a 6-7 record in 2010.

Georgia Tech lost five of their last six games last year, including its second straight loss to rival Georgia. It was Johnson's first losing season since a 2-10 record in his 2002 debut at Navy.

Johnson said Washington and Days threw "pretty well." Freshman Vad Lee had a pass intercepted by Jamal Golden. Washington scored on a 1-yard run.

Receivers Stephen Hill, Tyler Melton, Jeremy Moore and Daniel McKayhan were held out with injuries, opening the way for Greene to work with the first-team offense.

"Jeff had a nice day, other than jumping offsides two or three times," Johnson said. "But we feel like he's going to be a good player. I think all those freshmen receivers are going to be good players."

Sophomore Justin Moore kicked a 45-yard field goal on his only attempt. David Scully was wide left on a 52-yard attempt.

Defensive end Emmanuel Dieke had a sack. Steven Sylvester and Isaiah Johnson recovered fumbles.