ATLANTA — The more the clock ran late in the first half, the more enraged Paul Johnson became.

Johnson, Georgia Tech's coach, was livid as the first half ended with his team 6 yards from the end zone. Officials did not stop the clock following a first-down catch by Demaryius Thomas, who appeared to go out of bounds when tackled at the Tar Heels' 44.

Johnson continued to complain from the sideline. Georgia Tech was out of timeouts, leaving Johnson no way to stop the clock even as the Yellow Jackets moved the ball.

Time ran out after quarterback Josh Nesbitt completed a 33-yard pass to Stephen Hill at the North Carolina 6, and Johnson raced onto the field to again confront the officials.

Johnson was still talking about the strange end to the half after the Yellow Jackets' 24-7 win over the No. 22 Tar Heels.

"First of all, (Thomas) has caught the ball and goes out of bounds," Johnson said. "The one official calls him out of bounds and the other winds the clock. Even if he is not out of bounds, it's a first down so the clock has to stop to set the chains.

"They kept winding the clock. It was like (the officials) froze or something. I don't know. That is what happened. It really took away any chance we had to get another play and kick a field goal or something."

Fans booed the officials as they left the field at halftime and throughout the second half.