Sept. 25, 2006
ATLANTA–For the second time this season, Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson has been named Atlantic Coast Conference Offensive Back of the Week.
Johnson, a junior from Tyrone, Ga., had a career-best 165 yards receiving on six catches with two touchdowns to lead Georgia Tech to a Thursday night victory over Virginia, 24-7. His 165 yards are just one yard fewer than Virginia’s offensive output for the game.
Despite missing the week of practice with a leg injury, Johnson caught the two longest touchdowns of his career on plays of 58 and 66 yards. With Tech leading 10-0 late in the first half, Ball found Johnson over the middle, and Johnson raced for the end zone and the 17-0 lead. On the Jackets’ first offensive play of the second half, Johnson caught Ball’s pass near the right sideline, eluded two defenders and caught back to the middle for the touchdown.
Earlier this season, Johnson shared the ACC award after he had seven catches for 111 yards and a touchdown against second-ranked Notre Dame.
Johnson is also one of four nominees for this week’s Cingular All-America Player of the Week. The winner will be determined by fan voting. In addition to Johnson, this week’s nominees, selected by a panel of ESPN college football analysts, include New Hampshire wide receiver David Ball, Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn, and South Carolina wide receiver Sidney Rice.
Fans can determine the winner by text messaging “VOTE” to “87654” on their wireless phone and casting their votes for the nominees by 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday. The winner will be announced September 21 during ESPN’s Thursday night college football game between Auburn and South Carolina.
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