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Johnsons carry the load for Georgia Tech vs. NC State

Nov 5, 2006 - 4:19 AM RALEIGH, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Georgia Tech had one Johnson too many for North Carolina State.

Calvin Johnson and James Johnson combined for four touchdowns as the 20th-ranked Yellow Jackets posted a 31-23 triumph over the Wolfpack in a Atlantic Coast Conference matchup.

A 6-5 wide receiver with unlimited potential, Calvin Johnson caught nine passes for a season-high 168 yards, including two first-quarter scores that helped build a 14-3 lead at the end of one period. His second TD catch was his 11th of the season, breaking a school record held by Kelly Campbell (1999, 2000).

"We had a lot of people around him," Wolfpack coach Chuck Amato said. "We had every conceivable thing you would want to try against him. We had him bracketed and they just threw the ball up higher than we could jump. So you have to give credit to the guy who threw the ball up there."

The Yellow Jackets (7-2, 5-1 ACC Coastal) took the lead for good, 24-23, on a 26-yard field goal by Travis Bell with 9:08 remaining. After Georgia Tech forced a three-and-out, Reggie Ball marched the visitors 65 yards in nine plays, capping the drive with a seven-yard TD pass to James Johnson for a 31-23 advantage with 2:24 remaining.

Ball completed just 13-of-35 passes for 215 yards with two interceptions but tossed four touchdowns. James Johnson had three catches for 40 yards and two TDs and tailback Tashard Choice carried 34 times for 164 yards for the Yellow Jackets, who allowed just 54 yards on the ground.

Sophomore signal-caller Daniel Evans threw for a career-high 270 yards on 21-of-53 attempts for North Carolina State (3-6, 2-4 Atlantic), which was just 5-of-19 on third-down conversions.

"I missed some throws," Evans said. "I missed some guys and some guys missed some of my passes. They have bailed me out a whole bunch of times this year. I am not worried about it at all."

Darrell Blackman opened the second half with a 95-yard kickoff return that pulled the Wolfpack within 21-20. He finished with 208 all-purpose yards.

"Starting out the game, we knew they were going to try to keep the ball away from me and Andre (Brown) and try to keep us from returning it," Blackman said. "They did a good job of that at the end of the first half. But I just had a feeling they were going to kick it deep and give me an opportunity to return one. My thoughts were right and I just went with my opportunity."

NC State took a 23-21 lead on the final play of the third quarter on a 32-yard field goal by John Deraney.