By Garin Turner
Wake Forest looked poised to deliver an early-season statement, building a 17–3 halftime lead over No. 16 Georgia Tech. But the Demon Deacons couldn’t close the door. The Yellow Jackets stormed back in the second half and ultimately walked away with a 30–29 overtime win Saturday night in Winston-Salem, sending Wake Forest to 2–3 on the season and 0–2 in ACC play.
A Promising First Half
The Demon Deacons set the tone on the opening kickoff, marching downfield on a balanced drive capped by a one-yard touchdown plunge from running back Desmond Claiborne. Quarterback Robby Ashford added a short scoring run later in the quarter, and Wake Forest tacked on a field goal to carry a 17–3 lead into halftime.
The defense did its part early as well. Isaiah Shirley’s pick-six in the first half kept momentum squarely on Wake Forest’s side and had Truist Field buzzing. At the break, it looked like the Deacons were in command.
Georgia Tech Flips the Script
The second half told a much different story. Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King settled in and began to find holes in the Wake secondary. He connected with Justin Joly for a short touchdown in the third quarter that cut the lead to 17–10, then followed with another scoring drive that pulled the Jackets within three.
Wake Forest’s offense sputtered under mounting pressure. Ashford was forced into uncomfortable throws and tossed a pair of costly interceptions that allowed Georgia Tech to keep chipping away. By the start of the fourth quarter, the Deacons’ double-digit cushion had vanished.
Down to the Wire
Georgia Tech tied the game at 23 late in regulation after another King touchdown strike, and Wake Forest had one last chance to put it away in the final minutes. Instead, a stalled drive gave the ball back to the Jackets, and regulation ended with the score even.
In overtime, Georgia Tech struck first with a field goal to take a 30–27 lead. Wake Forest responded with a promising drive but came up short inside the 10-yard line. Forced into a fourth-down decision, Ashford’s pass sailed incomplete, sealing the one-point defeat after the Jackets had missed an extra point earlier.
By the Numbers
•Wake Forest QB Robby Ashford: 21/35, 252 yards, one rushing TD, two INTs
•RB Desmond Claiborne: 12 carries, 35 yards, one TD
•WR Chris Barnes: 3 catches, 76 yards
•LB Nick Andersen: 11 tackles
•Georgia Tech QB Haynes King: 23/34, 270 yards, 2 TDs
•WR Keenan Jackson: 7 catches, 95 yards, 1 TD
•LB Kyle Efford: 9 tackles, 1 sack
What It Means
For Wake Forest, the loss will sting. Leading a ranked opponent by two touchdowns at home only to let it slip away highlights the team’s struggles with consistency and execution. The offense flashed potential early but turned stagnant, while turnovers and missed red-zone opportunities proved costly.
For Georgia Tech, the comeback keeps their ACC hopes intact and showcases resilience on the road. King’s steady hand in the second half, paired with a defense that tightened when it mattered most, gave the Jackets their third win of the year.
What’s Next
Wake Forest will try to regroup quickly with another conference matchup looming against Georgia Tech’s rival, Georgia Tech’s rival (replace with next opponent from schedule). The Demon Deacons need to find answers in the run game and limit turnovers if they want to turn the tide on their season.
Georgia Tech returns home looking to build momentum as ACC play heats up.
