Georgia Tech came into this week looking to avenge the heartbreaker from last week (losing by a point to Miami in Miami) by giving fans a homecoming win against ACC opponent Wake Forest.
Although Georgia Tech was the first to score, it was Wake Forest’s Scotty Washington that put up the game’s first touchdown. Tech responded in the second quarter when Jerry Howard rushed for a two-yard touchdown to take the lead 10-7.
But Wake Forest continued with their plans to ruin Tech’s homecoming. After going eight plays for 80 yards, wide receiver Tabari Hines capped off the drive with a 15-yard touchdown reception. Then minutes later, quarterback John Wolford made a mad dash to the flat and ran for a one-yard touchdown. With the score at 21-10 with Tech down by 11, the only positive so far was the announcement that the top 3 graduating classes from Georgia Tech raised a combined $11 million as alumni.
In the second half, the Yellow Jackets showed more fight and more grit as they chipped away and eventually took the lead. Two big runs by quarterback Taquon Marshall (for 49 yards) and A-back Qua Searcy (for 42 yards) put Georgia Tech ahead 25-24 after two failed 2-pt conversions.
The momentum was totally in Tech’s favor but they couldn’t take full advantage of it. Running back KirVonte Benson finally got his long-awaited touchdown after a 100-plus yard night but that was overshadowed by the botched extra point attempt. So after two failed 2-pt conversions and a fumbled PAT, after all that dominance and scoring the Jackets were only up seven points, 31-24.
But all doubt was put to rest in the last 3:00 of the game when Yellow Jacket hero and leader Taquon Marshall ran for a jaw-dropping 70-yard touchdown to extend the lead by 14 points.
Georgia Tech’s defense held tight the final two minutes and capped off their homecoming with a comeback victory 38-24.
-Jon J.
Photo: Hakim Wright