It’s rare that an opening season matchup with teams from the Bowl Championship Series and the Football Championship Series (formerly 1-AA) is so intensely followed, but tonight’s matchup features a bevy of new beginnings and a do-over. Let’s start with the do-over. The last time we saw Ryan Perrilloux he was running all over Tennessee on the way to an MVP nod in the SEC championship game. Because of some, uh, questionable decision making, Perrilloux bounced himself out of Baton Rouge. Now he is at Jacksonville State looking to kick some serious I-AA tail on the way to a successful NFL career. It all starts tonight on the Flats.
The Paul Johnson era starts tonight as well, which means a dramatically new offense led by a quarterback making his first start (Josh Nesbitt), and a new starting running back … excuse me, B-back (Jonathan Dwyer). Tech has a new defensive scheme (compliments of new D-coordinator Dave Wommack) and even new uniforms (compliments of Russell Athletic.) The thing that remains the same is what is going to affect everyone’s inaugural experience at Bobby Dodd. Tech’s defensive front four of preseason All-American Vance Walker, Michael Johnson, Darryl Richard and Derrick Morgan all had moments of brilliance last season and should give the Gamecocks tons of trouble in this game. J-State will not be able to hang with them for four quarters and while Perrilloux may achieve some success because of his own natural ability, he flat out does not have enough weapons to compete.
Tech’s offense, while shaky at times during preseason, should not have a problem with the Gamecocks, who are without linebackers Alexander Henderson and Jared Stewart, because of suspension. Look for confidence-building performances for Nesbitt and Dwyer. Also look for freshman quarterback Jaybo Shaw to get some game action tonight if Tech gets up on J-State.
Crosskey can be reached at jcrosskey@scoreatl.com.
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