Blair, Tanner split kicking duties

The kickoff  that was returned for a touchdown landed in the middle of the field at the 11-yard line, and was run back 89 yards by Leon Berry. Johnson said it was supposed to be a kick left. It was the first return for a score allowed by Georgia Tech since 2006 against North Carolina State when Darrell Blackman returned one 95 yards.

Johnson said that he may have to find players for the unit that aren't so easily blocked.

This week's changes occurred after Blair missed two field goals in last week's win against North Carolina. He also put two kickoffs out of bounds, Johnson opened up the kicking competition.

Tanner, a freshman, kicked the last extra point and kickoff in last week's game, and hit all six extra points Saturday.

Blair was 6-of-10 on field goals this season, including three misses on kicks of less than 40 yards. He was 12-of-13 on kicks of that distance last season.

Change at wide receiver

Wide receiver. Tyler Melton made his first start of the season. He replaced Stephen Hill. Melton started seven games last season, catching five passes for 53 yards. Hill, a true freshman, caught two passes against North Carolina.

Melton, a 6-0, 205-pound native of Houston,  has been out since hurting his MCL during the last week of fall camp.

Magnolia meeting

Saturday's game against MSU was the Jackets' first in Mississippi in what is now 117 seasons of football. Tech owned a 3-0 record against the Bulldogs, with the first game being played in 1908. And one likely has nothing to do with the other, but Tech has no players on its roster from Mississippi.

Odd stat

Tech is 0-for-5 on the opening game coin toss this season after losing it to Mississippi State.

First-quarter warriors

With two touchdowns against MSU, Tech has outscored opponents 62-14 in the opening period this season.