Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson said he was told by an official that linebacker Paul Davis had swung at a Georgia Southern player to draw a critical personal-foul penalty early in the third quarter.

“The official told me that ’40 swung at somebody,’” Johnson said, referring to Davis’ jersey number. “That’s what he told me.”

On the opening drive of the third quarter, Georgia Southern faced a third-and-8 from the Tech 33 when a shotgun snap got past quarterback Kevin Ellison, who recovered the ball at the Eagles’ 44-yard line for a 23-yard loss. The Eagles would have faced a fourth-and-31, but the penalty gave them a first-and-10 on the Tech 41. Georgia Southern was in the end zone four plays later on a 32-yard run by Ellison.

The Eagles scored touchdowns on their next three possessions to climb out of a 35-10 halftime deficit.

“It was a killer,” Johnson said of the penalty. “It changed the whole game.”

About the Author

Keep Reading

Former Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Norman Arey died Oct. 11, 2025 at the age of 84. In addition to sports writing, Arey also co-wrote the popular "Peach Buzz" society column. (Courtesy of the Arey family)

Credit: Courtesy of the Arey family

Featured

Thousands of "No Kings" protesters marched down Courtland Street from the Atlanta Civic Center to Liberty Plaza on Saturday. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: Abbey Cutrer