Ga. Tech beats Wake 38-24

ATLANTA — After two excruciating losses, Georgia Tech finally showed a finishing punch.

Quarterback TaQuon Marshall ran for two long touchdowns, including a 70-yarder with 1:57 remaining that clinched a 38-24 victory over Wake Forest on Saturday night.

The Yellow Jackets rallied from an 11-point deficit in the first half, dominating the final two quarters to put a bit of a salve on a pair of one-point losses to Tennessee and Miami . In both defeats, Georgia Tech squandered double-digit leads in the second half, becoming the first Atlantic Coast Conference team since 2006 to lose two games in a season by the narrowest of margins.

“You’re not always going to be in the lead,” said Marshall, who finished with 163 yards on 23 carries, also scoring on a 49-yard run. “It’s good to go through some adversity to see how guys react.”

The Yellow Jackets (4-2, 3-1) ran their triple-option offense to perfection, piling up 427 yards rushing against a team that had an off week to prepare. KirVonte Benson bounced back from a hamstring injury to run for 136 yards and a touchdown. Qua Searcy broke loose for a 42-yard scoring run against the Demon Deacons (4-3, 1-3), who lost their third straight.

Marshall turned in his fourth 100yard game of the season, his first as Georgia Tech’s starting quarterback.

“The guys opened up some holes for me,” he said. “I was just trying to make the play.”

Benson’s 11-yard TD gave the Yellow Jackets a 31-24 lead with 11:55 remaining. The extra point was blocked, leaving the door open for Wake Forest to force overtime.

The Demon Deacons drove to the Georgia Tech 24, where they faced fourthand-1. Cade Carney was stuffed for no gain and Marshall finished off the Demon Deacons three plays later.

TECH