Duke Defeated by Georgia Tech After a Forced Overtime Battle

Atlanta, GA – On Saturday evening, the Duke Blue Devils (4-1) were defeated by the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (2-3) 23-20 after forcing into overtime at the Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field for the Yellow Jacket’s homecoming game.

Georgia Tech just pulled off a major upset over Pittsburgh on the road last weekend; it was also head coach Brent Key’s first triumph. As for Duke, ​​an offense that is balanced, doesn’t turn the ball over, and is receiving excellent performance from the offensive front has been immediately improved by new head coach Mike Elko so there is no shock as to why this was a good battle between the two ACC teams. 

 After a few strong plays from Hassan Hall and Dylan Leonard to open the first quarter for Duke, quarterback Jeff Sims as well as the offense fell flat for Georgia tech until a pass interference extended the drive for Sims and he pushed the Yellow Jackets into the Duke red zone. Sims completed 23 of 34 passes for 227 yards and added 95 running yards on 17 attempts. The field goal by Gavin Stewart gave the Yellow Jackets a 3-0 lead as he proceeded to kick the ball accurately.

The Yellow Jackets’ offense would take over at the 6- yard line and would have a long way to go to the end zone to begin the second quarter. Sims connected with Nate McCollum for an 18-yard score for the game’s first touchdown. Because of penalties, the Blue Devils had to settle for a field goal that was successful. Duke reduced the deficit and made it 10-3 to end the first half. 

Duke’s attack was consistently stopped. The Blue Devils moved within the Georgia Tech 10-yard line in the third quarter with a 17-3 deficit, but Leonard was intercepted by K.J. Wallace which gave the ball back to the offense. 

With 10:42 left in the 4th quarter, Stewart made a 23-yard field goal to give Georgia Tech a 20-6 lead. With 5:55 left, Shamir Hagans’ 53-yard punt return gave the Blue Devils their first score after the Yellow Jackets reclaimed possession. 

Only 5:55 remained in regulation time when Leonard completed a throw to Dalmolin for the Blue Devils, who then drove for a 2-yard touchdown to send the game into overtime following Hagans’ 81-yard punt return for a score that trimmed the advantage to 20-13.

Stewart’s field goal attempt for the Yellow Jackets early in the first overtime made the score 23-20. Duke prepared to shoot a 52-yard field goal to send the game into a second overtime, but the kick was missed, and the Yellow Jackets achieved victory in a thrilling overtime session.

Join the Blue Devils as they face their Rival school North Carolina on October 15th at the Wallace Wade Stadium.