North Carolina State's Art Norman (95) and Thomas Teal (69) try to tackle Georgia Tech's Synjyn Days (10) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
RALEIGH, N.C. -- D.J. White and Quayshawn Nealy scored defensive touchdowns in the second quarter to help Georgia Tech beat North Carolina State 56-23 on Saturday.<br />
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White's 38-yard interception return and Nealy's 43-yard fumble return put the Yellow Jackets (8-2, 5-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) in firm control, blowing open a close game to keep them right behind No. 22 Duke in the Coastal Division standings.<br />
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It was a welcome contribution for a defense that has struggled amid the brilliance of the league's top total offense. That unit did its part, too, finishing with 549 total yards behind a big day from Synjyn Davis.<br />
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Davis ran for 157 yards and a touchdown, while reserve quarterback Tim Byerly ran for two scores and starter Justin Thomas ran for one.<br />
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Jacoby Brissett and Matt Dayes each ran for scores for the Wolfpack (5-5, 1-5), who led early but was outscored 49-3 over the next 35-plus minutes.