Tech QB Shaw overcomes early nerves in first game

Jaybo Shaw didn’t know what to expect.

After starting all four years at Flowery Branch, Tech’s No. 2 quarterback was told, simply: stay ready.

He ended up playing almost the entire second half in the 41-14 win over Jacksonville State.

“I knew I was going to get some snaps, but I didn’t know I was going to play that much,” the 6-foot, 190-pounder said.

“[Quarterbacks] coach [Brian] Bohannon and coach [Paul] Johnson just gave me the idea to play every snap on the sideline like you’re in the game.

“My nerves were going crazy when they told me I was going in. I went out, coach Johnson called an easy pass play and I completed it, and after that my nerves calmed down and I just went back to playing football and making my reads.”

Shaw ran nine times for 51 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown, and hit all three of his passes for 48 yards.

Johnson said he has no plan on how much Shaw will play.

“We’ll play it by ear,” Johnson said after Wednesday’s practice. “I don’t have any plan to go in and play them both.

“In camp Jaybo earned the right to play, and he’s going to play some this year. He may play some Saturday, depends on how the game is going, so I wanted to get him some experience early on.”

Johnson said Shaw played O.K.

“I’m sure he was really nervous,” the coach said. “He had a long run and even though he completed his passes he can throw it better than he threw it. The more he plays, the better he’s going to get.”

BC coach tries to find matchups

Boston College coach Jeff Jagodzinski said he didn’t learn much about Tech’s defense from watching the opener against Jacksonville State.

He noted the Jackets played Cover 2 in the second half.

“They didn’t show a lot against Jacksonville State,” Jagodzinski said Wednesday. “They’re going to do a lot more than they showed. They’re not going to just sit still for you. They’ve got a lot of good athletes on defense running around.”

One of the most intriguing matchups will be the Eagles’ offensive line, which allowed no sacks last week, against Tech’s defensive front. The Jackets led the nation in sacks last year (3.69 per game) and had four in the opener.

“I think both lines are strengths of both teams,” Jagodzinski said. “It’s going to be a good challenge.”

BC defense will be tough test

In Boston College, Tech will be facing a team that ranked second nationally in rushing defense last year. The Eagles opened 2008 by holding Kent State’s Eugene Jarvis, the nation’s leading returning rusher, to 51 yards.

“That’s their thing, that’s what they want to do,” said sophomore B-back Jonathan Dwyer, who led the Jackets with 112 yards and two touchdowns on just 11 carries in the opener.

“But in coach Johnson’s eyes, he’s going to run the ball. That’s what we do. That’s what going to set the tempo for us.”

Etc.

Outside linebacker Anthony Barnes (shoulder) didn’t practice on Wednesday. If he can’t play, senior Tony Clark could start. Left guard A.J. Smith did not practice because he was sick.

Johnson also said that he will likely make a decision today on whether Scott Blair will continue punt and place-kick.