STARKVILLE, Miss. -- The Georgia Tech offense had little problem executing last season, churning out 500 yards in a 38-7 win over Mississippi State.
Saturday night in Starkville it was more of the same. The Yellow Jackets and their option offense bewildered the Bulldogs to the tune of 479 yards in a 42-31 win to improve to 4-1 on the season.
Tech also proved it can get things done through the air. Both junior quarterback Josh Nesbitt and junior wide receiver Demaryius Thomas had career nights. Nesbitt completed 11 of 14 passes for a career-best 266 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions while Thomas hauled in eight catches for 174 yards and one score.
“I thought [Nesbitt] played a heck of a game,” said Tech coach Paul Johnson. “Josh can throw the ball. I thought offensively though all the skill guys all played very well. I’m not sure it all clicked but we had some guys make plays.”
It was the third time this season that Thomas has surpassed 100 receiving yards and the fifth time in his career. He continues to lead the Tech receiving corps, with 24 catches for 536 yards and three touchdowns.
The Jackets, as usual, got things done on the ground as well, picking up 213 yards on the ground. Jonathan Dwyer led the charge with 83 yards on 16 carries and one touchdown.
Four different Tech backs scored a rushing touchdown.
Tech took advantage of three first-half Bulldogs turnovers and built a 28-17 lead at the half. The Jackets picked up over half of their 2008 yardage total in the first half, with 256. They had 140 on the ground.
Tech also had another opportunity to put points up midway through the second quarter following a 65-yard completion from Nesbitt to Thomas down to the MSU 3-yard line. But on the following play Dwyer fumbled at the goal line and was recovered in the end zone by the Bulldogs.
The Jackets converted eight of their 13 third-down attempts and both of their fourth-down tries.
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