Aaron Philo ran for an 18-yard touchdown with just 22 seconds left, leading Georgia Tech to a 30-29 victory over N.C. State on Thursday night after they had lost the lead with under two minutes remaining.
Georgia Tech (7-4, 5-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) was ahead until 1:30 left in the game, when Hollywood Smothers broke away for a 53-yard touchdown run for N.C. State (5-6, 2-5).
Philo quickly responded with his own game-winning touchdown, a run he described as a dream come true.
“That was the moment you dream of, ever since you were a little kid,” Philo said. “I couldn’t ask for a better moment.”
Georgia Tech’s coach, Brent Key, praised Philo’s awareness. “He was smart and saw it and took off and ran,” Key said.
Despite Philo’s dramatic score, N.C. State nearly had the chance to win. The Wolfpack moved the ball to the Georgia Tech 41-yard line, but Collin Smith’s 58-yard field goal attempt missed wide left as time ran out.
N.C. State’s freshman quarterback, CJ Bailey, had three touchdown runs, but also threw three interceptions. E.J. Lightsey returned one of those interceptions 21 yards for a touchdown, giving Georgia Tech a 23-21 lead before Smothers’ touchdown run for N.C. State. Bailey also ran for a 2-point conversion, which helped N.C. State (6-5, 3-4 ACC) secure bowl eligibility.
Romello Height’s interception of a Bailey pass set up Haynes King’s 3-yard touchdown run, giving Georgia Tech more points.
Georgia Tech completed a perfect 5-0 record at home this season at Bobby Dodd Stadium, while N.C. State missed its chance to become bowl eligible.
Bailey showed his running ability with a 16-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and a 28-yard touchdown run at the start of the fourth quarter.
Georgia Tech led 13-7 at halftime, after failing to score an offensive touchdown. Aidan Birr kicked three field goals: 44 yards, 41 yards, and a 45-yarder in the third quarter, which was set up by Philo’s 49-yard pass to Eric Singleton.
Despite all the late-game excitement, N.C. State coach Dave Doeren said that Lightsey’s first-quarter interception was a tough moment for his team.
“We did a lot of good things there third and fourth quarter, but the opening shovel pass that ricochets into their guy’s hands was a tough play for us,” Doeren said.
