After watching game video from Saturday’s win over Georgia Southern, Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson stood behind an official’s in-game explanation that linebacker Paul Davis swung at a Georgia Southern player. The act drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, which gave the Eagles a first down rather than a fourth-and-31 on their opening drive of the second half.
“He got knocked down and swung at air,” Johnson said. “He didn’t hit anybody, but he did swing. You’ve got to hold your composure. You’ve got to be smarter than that. I think he learned. I don’t think it’ll ever happen again.”
With the first down, Georgia Southern scored a touchdown on the drive, starting its comeback a 35-10 deficit to a 38-35 lead. After the game, Johnson said the penalty was “a killer” and “changed the whole game,” but softened his stance Monday.
“Just because you got a penalty doesn’t mean you’ve got to let them go score,” he said. “It doesn’t mean you don’t score when you get the ball. It’s one play. It wasn’t the be-all, end-all.”
Davis won’t be disciplined.
“For what?” Johnson asked. “He didn’t hit anybody. I think he’s very remorseful, and you learn from that.”
