Georgia Tech Beats Wake 30-29 OT; Virginia Tech 23-21

Virginia Tech edged NC State 23-21 as John Love made three field goals and Marcellous Hawkins scored the Hokies’ first rushing touchdown, with Virginia Tech’s defense holding late to seal the win. NC State, grieving the death of defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot’s daughter, managed a season-low 299 yards and struggled on defense and special teams. In Atlanta, No. 16 Georgia Tech rallied from a 17-point third-quarter deficit to beat Wake Forest 30-29 in overtime after Haynes King ran for two touchdowns and Aidan Birr’s 33-yard field goal forced OT; E.J. Lightsey intercepted Wake Forest’s two-point try to end the game. Wake Forest squandered a large lead despite Demond Claiborne’s 119 rushing yards and two scores, and quarterback Robby Ashford was hampered by a knee issue and briefly replaced. The Yellow Jackets improved to 5-0, their best start since 2014, and are slated to host Virginia Tech on Oct. 11, while reports list Wake Forest’s next road date at Oregon State. The weekend featured controversy over a missed offsides/no-flag free play, crowd proximity concerns on the tying kick, and criticism of Wake Forest’s late-game decisions.