Jackets freshmen contribute

First-Timers

Tech coach Paul Johnson wasn’t afraid to throw some freshmen into the action Thursday night.

Even with some jitters, backup quarterback Jaybo Shaw kicked off his career nicely with an 11-yard pass to start Tech’s second possession of the third quarter.

“Glad [the first game is] over, get the nerves out. Words can’t describe how nervous I was,” Shaw said.

He rushed for a 2-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter and finished the night with 51 yards on nine carries.

A-back Embry Peeples carried twice for 18 yards, including a 15-yard run in the third quarter.

Wide receiver and punt returner Tyler Melton caught one pass for five yards.

Cornerback Rashaad Reid earned one tackle and safety Cooper Taylor also played.

— Jenna Marina

Perrilloux’s Performance

Ryan Perrilloux’s first start for the Gamecocks turned out to be a mixed bag.

The former Louisiana State quarterback completed 22 of his 37 pass attempts for 136 yards, threw two interceptions, two touchdowns and was sacked four times. He also rushed for 67 yards on 18 carries.

Richard said Perrilloux might be the “best quarterback we’ll see all year,” and Johnson said he thought the Jackets did a nice job of containing him.

The Gamecocks had difficulty finding a groove. Jacksonville State didn’t earn its first first down until nearly three minutes into the second quarter when Perrilloux hit tight end Justin Howard with a 9-yard pass.

The Gamecocks converted two of their seven third downs in the first half.

Perrilloux finally put the Gamecocks on the scoreboard with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Maurice Dupree roughly two minutes into the third quarter.

— Jenna Marina