Jackets one win from division title

For the third time in four games, the Jackets have come from behind in the fourth quarter to win. Tech dropped North Carolina State 31-23 and moved within one win of clinching the ACC Coastal Division and a spot in the ACC Championship Game on Dec. 2 in Jacksonville.

Quarterback Reggie Ball led the Jackets to the 27th win of his career, but he only completed 13 out of 35 passes for 215 yards and two interceptions. However, four of his 13 passes were for touchdowns to go along with 16 rushing yards. His 231 yards of total offense moved him up to eighth in the ACC record books for total offense. Ball passed Duke's Ben Bennett and Spence Fisher.

Calvin Johnson caught two of Ball's four touchdown passes to increase his total to a school-high 11 touchdown receptions. C. Johnson tied and passed former Tech player Kelly Campbell for the single-season touchdown record. He also tied Kelly Campbell's record of 24 career touchdown receptions at Tech. C. Johnson's 176 receiving yards gave him his 11th career 100-yard game to surpass Harvey Middleton and Campbell to set another school record in Raleigh.

Several records and new career highs were established as Ball's four touchdown passes in the game brought his season total to a career-high 17. Ball threw for 16 as a junior, but has up to five games remaining in the 2006 season. He has also thrown six more touchdown passes than Clemson's Will Proctor to lead the ACC. Ball's 54 career touchdown passes passed Shawn Jones (51) for second all-time at Tech. He trails only Joe Hamilton with 65.

While James Johnson only had three receptions for 40 yards, two of those were for touchdowns. J. Johnson's first touchdown pass came on the drive after Ball was picked off by Patrick Lowery. Lowery returned the interception 28 yards for a touchdown that closed the gap to 14-13.

"When Reggie threw the pick and came over to the sideline... I put my arm around him and I said 'we're going to go win this thing' and he said 'I know,'" said Tech Head Coach Chan Gailey.

J. Johnson then proceeded to catch a 25-yard touchdown pass that was set up by a 41-yard run by Tashard Choice. Choice ended the day with 164 yards on 34 carries. J. Johnson's second touchdown came with just over two minutes to go. The seven-yard pass from Ball gave Tech the 31-23 lead that would end up as the final score.

"We tried our best to not win this one, but our players would not let that happen," Gailey said.

North Carolina State scored 23 points in the game and amassed 339 yards of total offense. However, the Tech defense held the Wolfpack offense to three Josh Deraney field goals in five attempts. Deraney put kicks of 25, 32 and 34 yards between the uprights. However, he missed attempts from 49 and 53 yards. The Wolfpack's only other touchdown came on a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Darrell Blackman to open the second half.

"Our defense came up big to keep them out of the endzone and make them kick field goals," Gailey said.

Tech punter and Ray Guy semifinalist Mohamed Yahiaoui continued his strong performance by kicking six punts for a combined 297 yards. The Jackets can clinch the Division title with a win tomorrow at North Carolina.