Stung in overtime: the Deacs drop a 30-29 thriller in overtime to the 18th ranked Yellow Jackets

Preview: #18 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (4-0, 1-0) vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2-1, 0-1)

Coming off their break/bye after their matchup with ACC rival NC State (click HERE for our article), Wake Forest begins a 3-week stretch of games against conference foes, starting with today's matchup (September 27, 2025/12pm EST kickoff on ESPN from Allegacy Stadium) against the 18th ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

Coming in undefeated and with a world of confidence, the Tech offense (249.3 rushing yards per game/243.0 passing yards per game/492.3 total offense per game) is rambling and rolling as they are averaging nearly 39 points per game (38.8). Dual quarterback Haynes King (515 passing yards/69.7% completion rate/2 touchdowns and 1 interception) is the team's second leading rusher (274 rushing yards/5.3 yards per carry/5 touchdowns) as their ground game features leading rusher Jamal Haynes (290 rushing yards/5.4 yards per carry/3 touchdowns) and big-play threat Malachi Hosley (219 rushing yards/9.1 yards per carry/4 touchdowns). Isaiah Cannon (167 receiving yards/15.2 yards per catch/2 touchdowns) provides a complimentary presence in the passing game, as the team looks to challenge Wake's defense (allowing 132.3 rushing yards per game/184.7 passing yards per game/317 yards on total defense) led by Nick Andersen (23 tackles) and Langston Hardy's presence on the pass-rush (2.5 sacks).

Offensively, quarterback Robby Ashford (697 passing yards/63.5% completion percentage/1 touchdown and 3 interceptions) looks to pace the offense and the passing game, as Wake is putting up 400.3 yards per game on offense (154.0 rushing yards per game/246.3 passing yards per game). Demond Claiborne (247 rushing yards/9.9 yards per carry/4 touchdowns) looks to break out for a big effort against the Yellow Jackets' defense (allowing 155.3 rushing yards per game) and big-play wide receiver Chris Barnes (248 receiving yards/20.1 yards per reception) looks to do the same against the Tech pass defense (which is allowing a relatively stingy 179.8 passing yards per game). Kyle Efford (20 tackles) and Christian Garrett (1.5 sacks) look to slow down the Deacs' offensive attack.

Game recap: Wake sprints out to a 20-3 lead, but Georgia Tech survives in overtime

While Wake defers the ball until the 2nd half, they showed little deference against the Yellow Jackets.

After taking a 3-0 lead in the 1st quarter (Aiden Birr's 35 yard field goal at the 8:09 mark in the 1st quarter), Wake's balanced offense and steady defense set the tone as they go on a 17 point scoring run.

Robby Ashford's 4 yard score at the 10:46 mark of the 2nd quarter gives Wake a 7-3 lead. At the 5:53 mark of the 2nd quarter, Demond Claiborne hits paydirt with a focused 27 yard touchdown run to add to the lead (14-3). And after a fumble ruling is overturned, Wake closes out the half (0:22 in the 2nd quarter) with a field goal from 24 yards out by Connor Calvert to take a 17-3 lead into the half.

The Deacs start off with the ball in the 2nd half/3rd quarter. Robby Ashford would leave the game after a 29 yard rushing play to get the offense near the red zone (at or inside the 20 yard line); Deshawn Purdie would enter the game at quarterback and Wake closes out the drive with a 24 yard field goal by Connor Calvert to take a 20-3 lead.

Georgia Tech would snap Wake's 20 point scoring run with their first touchdown of the game at the 5:39 mark of the 3rd quarter. Haynes King delivers a 14 yard touchdown pass to Eric Rivers to cut into the Wake lead (20-10). To close out the quarter, King would close out Tech's next scoring drive with a 5 yard touchdown run to make it a 20-17 game.

The Yellow Jackets would tie the game at the 9:45 mark of the 4th quarter with another field goal by Aidan Birrto make it a 20-20 game. On the ensuing drive (as Robby Ashford re-enters the game), Micah Mays' key reception would get the Deacs into the red zone, but the field goal attempt at the 6:54 mark would hit the left upright (goal post), keeping the game locked at 20. On the very next play, Wake's defense comes up with a big play as they recover a fumble by Georgia Tech's Jamal Haynes, giving the offense a golden opportunity inside the 25 yard line of Georgia Tech. This time, Connor Calvert converts a 29 yard field goal as the Deacs retake the lead (23-20) with 5:08 left in the 4th quarter/2nd half.

Going into the 2 minute timeout, Sawyer Racanelli absorbs a blow to the helmet to hold on for a key 3rd down reception for 16 yards resulting in a 1st down for the Deacs to retain possession. At the 1:48 mark of the 4th quarter, a controversial no-call on the Deacs' possession by the referees (as they miss a clear offsides penalty by the Georgia Tech defense in the image below) gives the Yellow Jackets another chance (as Wake punts the ball away). And to add to it, a pass by Tech's Haynes King which appears to be non-catchable is ruled as a pass interference call at the 1:19 mark of the 4th quarter.

With 2 seconds left in the 4th quarter and the additional opportunities provided to the Yellow Jackets, Aiden Birr's 33 yard field goal ties the game at 23 to put the game to overtime.

For overtime, Wake elects to start on defense as Georgia Tech gets the ball at the Wake 25 yard line.

Haynes King would run in from the 2 yard line to give the Yellow Jackets the lead in overtime; combined with the extra point, they'd take a 30-23 lead.

On Wake's opening possession of overtime, Demond Claiborne wastes no time in getting the Deacs on the board with a 25 yard sprint for a touchdown to cut the lead to 30-29. In their effort to go for the 2 point conversion, the pass is intercepted, ending the game.

Post-game: Wake drops to 0-2 in the ACC as they look to make adjustments for their first road game of the season on October 4, 2025 (against Virginia Tech)

Similar to their previous game, the 2nd half adjustments and execution by Wake's opponents is slightly better than theirs, resulting in another close loss (as they have lost their 2 games on the season by a combined 11 points).

Wake outgains Georgia Tech in total offense (443 to 411) and holds them to 163 rushing yards (on 42 carries for a 3.9 yards per carry average) compared to their run efforts (40 carries for 210 yards along with a 5.2 yards per carry average). However, the Yellow Jackets win the time of possession battle (32:46 to 27:14) and combined with the late opportunities, win in overtime.

Haynes King leads the Yellow Jackets in rushing (21 carries for 107 yards and 2 touchdowns) along with his passing effort (28/42 for 243 passing yards and a touchdown). Wide receiver Eric Rivers contributes with 8 recaptions for 77 yards and a touchdown. Kyle Efford and E.J. Lightsey (8 tackles apiece) pace the team's defense.

For Wake, quarterback Robby Ashford (13/28 for 219 passing yards along with 10 carries for 84 yards and a touchdown) and Demond Claiborne (21 carries for 128 yards and 2 touchdowns) provide presence on offense. Defensively, safety Nick Andersen and linebacker Quincy Bryant (11 tackles each) lead the team's efforts.

For post-game, Coach Dickert, defensive end Jayden Loving, quarterback Robby Ashford, and tight end Eni Falayi field our questions for post-game. Ranging from the team effort, execution, and readiness to go for the 2 point conversion to win the game in overtime, the team looks to rebound as they venture to Blackburg, VA for their first road game of the season against the Virginia Tech Hokies (here are their responses to our questions):

Notes: All video and photos are recorded by asnortonccs; you may watch our 2025 season playlist by clicking HERE.