Jones, Jackson glad to be back for Yellow Jackets

Perhaps the two most pleasant surprises to come from Georgia Tech's 41-10 win over S.C. State was the play of A-back Roddy Jones and middle linebacker Kyle Jackson.

Rushing for 45 yards and two touchdowns on four carries, Jones resembled the player of 2008 who finished the regular-season with a 214-yard game against Georgia.

After dislocating his wrist during spring practice last year, Jones wasn't the same player during the 2009 campaign, rushing for 345 yards on a 6.5 per-carry average, compared with 690 yards and 8.5-per carry average the season before.

"This was the Roddy Jones of the 2010 season," Jones said. "Hopefully a new and improved [me]. Obviously last year with the injury I wasn't quite where I wanted to be, but this year I come into the season healthy and excited about what it can hold."

Jones credited fellow A-back Orwin Smith and wide receiver Quentin Sims for vicious blocks that sprung him on one touchdown.

"It's easy for me when all that happens," Jones said.

Jackson's 2009 season also was derailed by injury. He sat out the season because of a dislocated bone in his foot. He worked his way back to start Saturday. He finished with four tackles.

"It was good to finally be back and execute the things that we've learned," Jackson said.

He said he was more anxious than nervous as he sat in the locker room before the game. Once he started to play, he said the nerves were there, but they quickly went away.

"It's good for us to be come out collectively and get the kinks out, the nerves out," Jackson said. "It was helpful to be able to have this opportunity."

Keeping guys fresh

Tech rotated players throughout most positions all game, using all three quarterbacks, all four B-backs, etc.

Tech coach Paul Johnson said it was important to keep the players fresh.

"I think we pretty much played the entire two-deep at offense, we got three-deep at a bunch of spots," Johnson said.

Backup quarterback Tevin Washington saw his first action since last season's opener. He rushed for 44 yards and one touchdown. David Sims, the third-string quarterback, rushed three times for 34 yards.

Allen happy

Redshirts?

Six freshman played Saturday: cornerback Louis Young, outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu, safety Isaiah Johnson, cornerback Fred Holton, kicker Justin Moore and A-back B.J. Bostic.

Paul Johnson said Attaochu caught his eye with his play on special teams. He was in on two tackles. Isaiah Johnson forced a fumble and was in on six tackles.

Bostic had five carries for 30 yards.

"I was real nervous when I got out there," Bostic said. "But after the first carry I was real comfortable."

Bostic said he, Johnson, Holton and Young compared notes after the game about their experiences.

"The atmosphere was crazy," Bostic said. "I'm ready for the next game already."

Johnson said it wouldn't take too much to be better than last season, but he was impressed by Moore's kickoffs.

Though a decision on whether to redshirt other freshmen likely won't be made for several weeks, the players who didn't dress out for Saturday's game included quarterback Synjyn Days, A-back Charles Perkins, offensive lineman Catlin Alford, offensive lineman Morgan Bailey, linebacker Quayshawn Nealy, defensive end Anthony Williams and defensive tackle Denzel McCoy.

Tech redshirted 23 players last season.