ATLANTA -- It was uncertain how the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets would fare replacing their two most productive running backs from last year's Orange Bowl championship team.

Any lingering doubts were answered Thursday night, when the Yellow Jackets rolled out two new B-backs who looked like they had been playing the position for years.

Newcomers Patrick Skov and Marcus Marshall, who manned a position known in common football terminology as the fullback, combined to rush for 256 yards and five touchdowns to lead No. 16 Georgia Tech to a 69-6 win over the Alcorn State Braves at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

"Both those guys played about like what we thought they would," Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson said.

Skov, a graduate transfer from Stanford, carried 12 times for 72 yards and three touchdowns, on runs of 3, 21 and 4 yards. Marshall, a freshman from Raleigh, N.C., carried eight times for 184 yards and touchdown runs of 49 and 64 yards.

"Skov did some good things. He got some tough yards," Johnson said. "Marcus can hit some big plays. He's got ability.'

Georgia Tech (1-0) totaled 553 yards, including 476 on the ground. The Yellow Jackets did not commit a penalty and had to punt only twice. Alcorn State (0-1) had 272 yards in offense -- 151 in the second half.

Georgia Tech starting quarterback Justin Thomas only played the first quarter. He completed 3-of-4 passes for 54 yards and one touchdown, and rushed for 2 yards and one touchdown.

"We did about what I thought we'd do," Thomas said. "The Bs had a good game, especially with it being the first time being out there. They showed some good things."

Backup Tim Byerly played the next two periods and rushed for 42 yards and one touchdown.

"Give Georgia Tech all the credit," Alcorn State coach Jay Hopson said. "They're an outstanding team and they proved why they're the Orange Bowl champion and a playoff-contending football team today."

Georgia Tech scored on each of its seven possessions in the first half and took a 48-0 lead. The Yellow Jackets had 371 total yards before halftime while limiting Alcorn State to 81 yards and four first downs.

"I thought we got off to a good start," Johnson said. "When the first unit was out there, offense and defense, they played pretty well. It was a good way to start the season."

The Yellow Jackets took the opening drive 63 yards in five plays, with Thomas scoring on a 13-yard keeper. He started to the right, reversed his field and dived in for the score.

Georgia Tech also scored on 3-yard run by Skov, a 1-yard run from A-back Isiah Willis, a 19-yard pass from Thomas to wide receiver Micheal Summers and a 49-yard run from freshman B-back Marcus Marshall.

"Give Georgia Tech credit," Hopson said. "They executed well. We had a few missed executions where we didn't take the dive and they popped it. They make you pay for it. That's the one thing about the triple option is if you don't do your job, and you mis-execute, they're going to hit you."

The Yellow Jackets started the second quarter with Byerly, and he led a 71-yard touchdown drive. The score came on a 21-yard run by Skov.

Alcorn State finally made a first down early in the second quarter, but the Braves had their momentum stopped when receiver Darryan Ragsdale had the ball stripped by defensive end KeShun Freeman at the end of a reception. The ball was recovered by freshman safety A.J. Gray. Georgia Tech covered the 59 yards in seven plays, with Byerly scoring on an 8-yard run.

Georgia Tech finally made a mistake late in the half when Marshall had the ball knocked loose at the end of 20-yard run and cornerback Warren Gatewood recovered for Alcorn. The Braves were able to move to the Georgia Tech 18, but kicker Haiden McCraney missed a 35-yard field goal as time expired.

Alcorn State took the second-half kickoff and drove 75 yards in 10 plays, with Arron Baker scoring on a 1-yard run. Georgia Tech tacked on two scores in the third quarter, a 4-yard run from Skov and a 64-yard run from Marshall.

"They executed on a high level," Hopson said. "It was proud of our football players. We fought for 60 minutes tonight."

The Yellow Jackets scored in the fourth quarter after Alcorn punter McCraney, kicking from the end zone, fumbled the ball forward into the arms of Shawn Kagawa. Three plays later, third-string quarterback Brady Swilling scored on a 1-yard run.

NOTES: The 69 points were the third most scored by Georgia Tech in the modern era. The Yellow Jackets scored 70 against Navy in 2001 and Elon in 2013. ... Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson improved to 7-1 in season openers. ... Georgia Tech had four players make their first career starts: RB Isiah Willis, WR Ricky Jeune, OG Shamire Devine and FB Patrick Skov. ... The Yellow Jackets rushed for 200-plus yards for a 15th consecutive game, the nation's longest active streak.