Georgia Tech Beats NC State After Thrilling Fourth Quarter

© Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (7-4, 5-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) beat the NC State Wolfpack (5-6, 2-5) 30-29 on Nov. 21 at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. After three relatively uneventful quarters, the final frame was a back-and-forth affair. It culminated on an 18-yard touchdown run by Georgia Tech quarterback Aaron Philo with 22 seconds remaining. A missed 58-yard field goal by Wolfpack kicker Collin Smith took place as time expired.

The Yellow Jackets again relied on two QBs (Haynes King and Philo). Philo, a true freshman, took most of the snaps, throwing for 265 yards and leading his team in rushing with 57 yards and one TD.

NC State quarterback CJ Bailey, also a freshman, had a mixed-bag performance. Bailey threw three INTs yet also ran for three TDs and a two-point conversion. He was given the starting QB job midway through the season.

Georgia Tech came into this matchup riding high after an upset of previously undefeated Miami (9-1, 5-1).

What Happened

In the first quarter, the teams traded punts early and showed no real promise shown on any drive. That all changed when Georgia Tech linebacker EJ Lightsley returned a Bailey forward pass for a TD for the first points. Although it initially looked like a fumble because the action happened behind the line of scrimmage, it was ruled an interception.

NC State answered on a drive that took nine plays and 75 yards. On a third-and-4, Bailey elected to take it himself, running it in for a 16-yard TD to tie the game at 7-7.

The only scoring in the rest of the first half came via two Aidan Birr field goals, putting Georgia Tech up 13-7. After a Georgia Tech turnover on downs late, NC State had a chance to take a lead into the locker room. That hope was quickly squashed when Bailey threw his second INT, this time to linebacker Trenilyas Tatum.

Bailey’s two INTs were NC State’s 18th and 19th turnovers of the season.

The only notable third-quarter drive belonged to the Yellow Jackets. Philo and King led their team on a 60-yard drive. However, it stalled and Birr kicked another field goal to make it 16-7 Georgia Tech.

A Fourth Quarter to Remember

The Wolfpack reached paydirt for the second time early in the fourth quarter. Bailey took it 28 yards for his second rushing TD, putting NC State nearer at 16-14 in favor of Georgia Tech.

Later in the fourth quarter, a questionable play took place. A 38-yard catch was made by Georgia Tech wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr., but replays showed that he was seen pushing off on an NC State defensive back. No offensive pass interference was called, though. Philo threw an INT into the NC State end zone as his pass was tipped by Singleton. Safety Bishop Fitzgerald returned it to the NC State 18-yard line.

However, the good feelings for the Wolfpack were short-lived. Three plays later, Bailey threw an INT to defensive lineman Romello Height, not far past the line of scrimmage. He returned it to the NC State 3-yard line.

The Yellow Jackets cashed in immediately. King got behind his center and ran into the end zone for the score. A Birr extra point made it 23-14.

The Wolfpack responded with a 75-yard drive, culminating in another Bailey rushing TD, this time from one yard out. That made it a one-score game again with the Yellow Jackets up 23-21.

After a stalled Georgia Tech drive and a punt, NC State got the ball back at their 28-yard line. Four plays later, running back Hollywood Smothers broke free for a 53-yard score to give the Wolfpack their first lead of the game with 90 seconds to go. After Bailey ran into the end zone for a successful two-point conversion, the Wolfpack led 29-23.

After getting the ball back, Georgia Tech, led by Philo, put together a disciplined, meticulous 75-yard drive. It culminated in the freshman QB reaching the end zone on an 18-yard TD run with 22 seconds remaining. A Birr extra point gave the Yellow Jackets a 30-29 lead.

However, the Wolfpack would not go quietly. A 28-yard reception by Dacari Collins put NC State into Georgia Tech territory. After an incomplete pass that would’ve put them in a better position, they were forced to bring on Smith to try a 58-yard field goal. The kick had the distance but went wide left, giving the Yellow Jackets the win.   

What it Means

NC State drops to 5-6 on the season. The Wolfpack must win their next game to be bowl-eligible this season. Bailey’s performance was emblematic of a true freshman with growing pains, one that NC State head coach Dave Doeren can only hope will improve with experience.

The defense will also be made to answer for failing to make a late stop against Georgia Tech. NC State was done in by several short gains.

Georgia Tech improves to 7-4. Head coach Brent Key has to be feeling some hope after Philo’s big night. The dual-QB threat also makes the Yellow Jackets hard to solve. Georgia Tech now has a 21-11 lead in the all-time series between the two teams.

What’s Next

Both of these teams have an in-state rivalry game on deck.

NC State will make the short trip to Chapel Hill, N.C., to take on the North Carolina Tar Heels (6-4, 3-3) on Nov. 30. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. EST.

Georgia Tech will travel to Athens, Ga., to take on the 10th-ranked Georgia Bulldogs (8-2, 6-2 Southeastern Conference) on Nov. 29. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. EST.