The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defeated the No. 23 Duke Blue Devils 28–25 on October 10 at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field in Atlanta. Trelain Maddox scored the go-ahead touchdown from one yard out with 54 seconds remaining, and Duke missed a field goal on its final possession. Georgia Tech improved to 2–3 overall and 1–1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, while Duke fell to 4–1 and 1–1.
Maddox reached the end zone three times, scoring on runs of five, 60 and one yards. His 60-yard touchdown gave the Yellow Jackets a 21–10 lead in the third quarter. Georgia Tech finished with 165 rushing yards and 383 total yards against a Duke defense that had helped the Blue Devils win their first four games.
Duke answered with 15 consecutive points and moved ahead 25–21 on Nate Sheppard’s five-yard touchdown run with 2:40 remaining. The Yellow Jackets responded with an eight-play, 61-yard drive after Rahkeem Smith’s 39-yard kickoff return. Alberto Mendoza connected with Jordan Allen twice for important gains before Maddox supplied the winning score.
The Blue Devils still had time to threaten a tie. Duke drove into Georgia Tech territory, but E.J. Lightsey broke up a third-down pass before Gavin Strange missed a 33-yard field goal attempt with eight seconds left. The closing stand allowed the Yellow Jackets to finish a game in which their earlier lead had disappeared.
Mendoza completed 23 of 30 passes for 218 yards and a touchdown without throwing an interception. Allen made a career-high 10 catches for 99 yards, including the five-yard touchdown reception that opened the scoring. Justice Haynes added 69 rushing yards, giving Georgia Tech production from several parts of its offense.
Sheppard rushed for 99 yards and two touchdowns for Duke, while Walker Eget passed for 259 yards and a touchdown. Duke finished with 418 total yards and held the ball for 35:26, but Georgia Tech avoided a turnover and delivered the decisive late drive. The result ended Duke’s eight-game overall winning streak and gave the Yellow Jackets their first conference victory of the season.
Georgia Tech improved to 8–1 against nationally ranked ACC opponents under head coach Brent Key. The Yellow Jackets also extended their winning streak against Duke to six meetings. Their next game is an October 17 trip to Virginia Tech, with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. Eastern on ACC Network.
GSB Take
Georgia Tech showed the composure it needed after Duke took control late in the fourth quarter. The final touchdown drive, turnover-free offense and last defensive stand gave the Yellow Jackets a useful foundation for the next week. Reproducing that execution on the road will determine whether this win starts a larger improvement in conference play.