Senior quarterback Joshua Nesbitt launched his Heisman campaign with a nifty 35-yard touchdown run two minutes in, and the No. 17 Yellow Jackets rolled to a 41-10 win over South Carolina State.

Nesbitt, who accounted for 28 touchdowns running and passing last year, finished with 130 yards rushing and three scores. Speedy A-back Roddy Jones added two touchdowns while averaging an eye-popping 11.3 yards a carry. Coach Paul Johnson's option attack generated 371 yards on the ground.

Backup quarterback Tevin Washington capped the scoring with a 10-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

Playing a 3-4 defense installed by new coordinator Al Groh, the Jackets held the Bulldogs to 16 first downs and 268 total yards. Quarterback Malcolm Long's 1-yard run in the third quarter gave South Carolina State its lone touchdown.

The Jackets were far from flawless, however. Tech vowed during the offseason to improve its passing game, but Nesbitt completed just 1 of 6 throws for 8 yards, with an interception.

The competition gets much stiffer for the defending ACC champions. They visit Kansas and No. 18 North Carolina the next two weeks.