Joshua Nesbitt led Georgia Tech’s grueling ground game and its defense made big plays down the stretch as the Yellow Jackets beat North Carolina 30-24 in ACC action on Saturday.

Running Tech’s triple option, Nesbitt ran the ball 26 times for 105 yards. The senior quarterback had plenty of help as Anthony Allen added 116 yards on 20 carries to lead the Jackets, who piled up 373 rushing yards.

Still, North Carolina (0-2) was in position to pull out a comeback victory. In the game’s final minutes, the Tar Heels drove into Georgia Tech territory but turned the ball over on downs.

Georgia Tech (2-1) controlled the ball most of the game, but couldn’t pull away from the Tar Heels. The teams exchanged the lead five times and were tied twice. Nesbitt’s one-yard touchdown tied the score at 24-24 late in the third period and Scott Blair kicked two field goals in the fourth quarter to provide the difference.

North Carolina quarterback T.J. Yates completed 18 of 24 passes for 208 yards and a touchdown.