2012 Sun Bowl: Jay Finch, Orwin Smith return to practice

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets saw two key players return to the practice field this week, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Ken Sugiura. Center Jay Finch was back in action after leaving the ACC Championship Game against Florida State with an injury, while running back Orwin Smith practiced for the first time since suffering an ankle injury in the Yellow Jackets' victory over Duke on Nov. 17.

Finch, a redshirt junior, is a second-year starter anchoring Georgia Tech's offensive line. Smith, a senior, rushed for 673 yards and five touchdowns in the Yellow Jackets' first 11 games. Last year, he placed second on the team with 11 rushing scores, three behind quarterback Tevin Washington. In his career, Smith has gained more than 2,500 yards on offense while finding the end zone 21 times.

Although he played in both of Georgia Tech's last two games, offensive lineman Ray Beno missed practice this week while having surgery on a broken finger. He is expected to play in the Yellow Jackets' bowl game against the USC Trojans.

Georgia Tech and USC will kickoff the 2012 Hyundai Sun Bowl at 2 p.m. ET on Dec. 31.