Georgia Tech edges Wake Forest in OT after disputed offsides call

Georgia Tech survived a late officiating controversy and a furious Wake Forest comeback to beat the Demon Deacons 30-29 in overtime Saturday at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium in Winston-Salem. The No. 16 Yellow Jackets improved to 5-0, while Wake Forest fell to 2-2 in a game that hinged on a missed offsides call in the closing minutes and an overtime defensive play.

Wake Forest led by as many as 17 points late in the third quarter behind a powerful ground game that produced 210 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 40 carries. Running back Demond Claiborne and quarterback Robby Ashford repeatedly moved the chains, and Claiborne scored a 25-yard touchdown in overtime to pull the Deacons within range. Georgia Tech chipped away, however, and tied the game late after a sequence in the fourth quarter that has become the focus of debate.

With Wake Forest leading 23-20 and 1:52 remaining, replays showed a Georgia Tech defender in the neutral zone as the ball was snapped, a play that ordinarily would have drawn an offsides penalty and given Wake a fresh set of downs to run out the clock. No flag was thrown, and Wake was forced to punt. Georgia Tech then tied the game on a...