Wake Forest Demon Deacons
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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C— Georgia Tech stormed back from a two-score deficit and edged Wake Forest 30–29 in overtime Saturday afternoon, delivering one of the most dramatic ACC games of the season so far.
The defenses dictated the opening frame. Georgia Tech broke the ice with a 35-yard field goal from Aidan Birr, capping a modest drive but gaining early confidence. Wake’s offense struggled to find rhythm, mustering just a handful of first downs. After 15 minutes, Georgia Tech led 3–0.
Momentum swung heavily toward the Demon Deacons. Demond Claiborne ripped off a 27-yard touchdown run, then Justice Ellison added a short scoring plunge as Wake’s offensive line began controlling the trenches. A field goal before halftime pushed the Demon Deacons ahead 17–3. Georgia Tech entered the locker room looking flat, with work to do on both sides of the ball.
The Yellow Jackets flipped the script. Quarterback Haynes King found Eric Rivers for a 14-yard touchdown, slicing into the deficit. Moments later, King powered in a 5-yard rushing score, tying the game at 20 after a sluggish first half. The comeback was fueled by King’s legs — he would finish with over 100 rushing yards — and a defense that clamped down on Wake’s rushing attack.
Both teams traded blows in a tense final stretch. Birr’s 19-yard chip shot gave Georgia Tech a 23–20 lead, its first since the opening quarter. Wake Forest responded with a 29-yard field goal, knotting the score at 23 and forcing overtime after both sides came up empty on late drives.
Wake Forest struck first with a field goal, inching ahead 26–23. Georgia Tech answered calmly, setting up Birr for another clutch kick. His make sealed the 30–29 victory, completing a resilient Jackets comeback and silencing the home crowd.
Georgia Tech looked dead in the water at halftime but responded with a dominant second half. King’s dual-threat ability carried the offense, while Birr’s steady leg proved decisive. For Wake Forest, missed opportunities on third down and costly penalties proved too much to overcome.
The Yellow Jackets improve to 5–0 (2–0 ACC), while the Demon Deacons fall to 2–2 (0–2 ACC), left searching for answers in a crowded conference race.
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