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Georgia Tech Football Top 50 Best Moments, #46: Calvin Johnson’s Wonder Catch

By Reeves Guyton

Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson rushes upfield against Syracuse in the Champs Sports Bowl at the Florida Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Florida Dec 21, 2004. Georgia Tech defeated Syracuse. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson rushes upfield against Syracuse in the Champs Sports Bowl at the Florida Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Florida Dec 21, 2004. Georgia Tech defeated Syracuse. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images) /
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JACKSONVILLE, FL – JANUARY 01: Wide receiver Calvin Johnson #21 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets makes a catch as cornerback Vaughn Rivers #19 and Brandon Myles #7 the West Virginia Mountaineers defend in the Toyota Gator Bowl at Alltel Stadium January 1, 2007 in Jacksonville, Florida. West Virginia defeated Georgia Tech 38-35. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL – JANUARY 01: Wide receiver Calvin Johnson #21 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets makes a catch as cornerback Vaughn Rivers #19 and Brandon Myles #7 the West Virginia Mountaineers defend in the Toyota Gator Bowl at Alltel Stadium January 1, 2007 in Jacksonville, Florida. West Virginia defeated Georgia Tech 38-35. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images) /

46. Calvin Johnson’s Wonder Catch

November 6, 2004: Georgia Tech 24, NC State 14

Prior to the 2004 season, many analysts and journalists believed Georgia Tech would be pretty good. It was the first time Georgia Tech had a 5 star recruit in the last 5 years (Data not available before 1999) and also a good dual-threat QB coming in. Unfortunately Tech only went 7-5 with a Champs Bowl win but the bright spot of the season was Calvin Johnson’s play.

Calvin Johnson came into Atlanta with offers from only a few schools, but he chose Georgia Tech. He had a fantastic season on the flats, as he caught 48 passes for 837 yards (17.4 average), and 7 touchdowns, as well as scoring a rushing touchdown. As impressive as those stats are for a freshman (he would only get better), the real moment of brilliance came during week 8 in Raleigh.

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I think most people knew Calvin Johnson would be good before week 8, but the catch caused the nation to look on as Calvin Johnson would become one of the best in the nation, and eventually, one of the best ever in the NFL.

Georgia Tech was down by 4 points in the 4th quarter with about 12 minutes remaining. Tech was driving, but were faced with a 3rd & 4 on NC State’s 43. That’s when Calvin Johnson made himself known. Reggie Ball took a short drop back out of the shotgun, waiting for Calvin Johnson to make his break. Off his back foot, Ball slung the ball towards Johnson. It was behind him, but that didn’t stop Johnson from grabbing it. He stopped on a dime, jumped in the air, reached his arm back, grabbed the ball, and brought it into his body. He even caught it through contact from the NC State defensive back.

Next: Georgia Tech Football Top 50 Best Moments, #50: Give Me Liberty!

While the 2004 season wasn’t as good as some believed it would be, this catch forever etched Calvin Johnson into the minds of the nation and established him as one of the nation’s best!

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