re: Drywall question...here or OT lounge?

studs are 1.5" wide so, if you split it down the middle you should have 3/4" of space to this the stud on each side of the gap.

If you angle the screws slightly inward 5 degrees or so you will hit the studs fine.

if you are just patching an area, you will want to bevel the edges of the exisitng rock witht he rasp or your blade just slightly prior to putting in the new piece. If you can use the manufactured beveled edge of the new piece (the long edges) do so and preferentially place that part on the seam that is going to be most visible.



One more piece of advice: if you need to you can always scab in some 2x4 to make your edges have lots of wood to screw to if needed. Like if for instance your studs are not perfectly plumb and straight. It is also easier to cut a hole in the rock up to exisitng studs and add scabs at that point for securing the replacement rock than it is to try and cut rock straight down the middle of a stud. It will cost a bit more for the wood but will save you a ton of time and headache.