Georgia Tech’s running game too much for Duke in 56-33 win
It had been so long since Duke and Georgia Tech last played a football game that many ACC fans probably had forgotten who or when they last played.
Duke was beaten by North Carolina on Nov. 7 and later had its game with Wake Forest canceled while Georgia Tech’s last game had been Oct. 31 against Notre Dame. The Yellow Jackets had games with Pitt and Miami postponed because of coronavirus issues.
The long, frustrating break resulted in an ACC game Saturday in Atlanta that was filled with good plays and bad as the Yellow Jackets emerged with 56-33 victory at Bobby Dodd Stadium. There were big offensive plays but also a host of turnovers, kicking-game gaffes and other mistakes. The stadium lights even blinked off for 10 minutes.
Georgia Tech (3-5 overall, 3-4 ACC) battered the Blue Devils with a season-high 377 rushing yards behind running backs Jordan Mason, Jahmyr Gibbs and Dontae Smith. Gibbs had a 61-yard scoring run on the first possession of the game, setting an offensive tone for the Yellow Jackets, but left late in the first half with a leg injury.
Freshman quarterback Jeff Sims passed for 146 yards and three touchdowns and had 108 yards rushing for the Yellow Jackets, who ended a three-game losing streak and will be in Raleigh next week to face N.C. State in the Wolfpack’s final regular-season game.
Duke dropped to 2-7 overall and 1-7 in the ACC, committing five turnovers in the game — the Blue Devils have 30 turnovers in all this season. That more than offset Chase Brice’s 273 yards passing and two touchdown throws.
The scoring breakdown:
Smith TD: Georgia Tech 56, Duke 33
Dontae Smith’s 22-yard touchdown run completed a big offensive night for the Yellow Jackets. Smith had given the Yellow Jackets a 49-33 lead with a 36-yard run earlier in the fourth quarter.
End of three quarters: Georgia Tech 42, Duke 33
The Yellow Jackets answered the Duke score with one of their own late in the third quarter. Tech quarterback Jeff Sims first had runs of 28 and 14 yards, then hit wideout Adonicus Sanders for a a 24-yard TD with 33 seconds left in the third.
Garner TD: Georgia Tech 35, Duke 33
Chase Brice’s second touchdown pass of the game pulled the Blue Devils within two points as he connected with Jarett Garner for a 28-yard score.
Camp TD: Georgia Tech 35, Duke 26
Another quick swing came early in the third quarter. Duke converted a fourth-down play on a pass, but Chase Brice then had a pass tipped and picked off by the Yellow Jackets’ Tariq Carpenter. Tech quickly converted as Jeff Sims hit Jalen Camp for a 24-yard score.
Halftime: Georgia Tech 28, Duke 26
The Blue Devils converted a Michael Carter II interception into a 35-yard field goal by Charlie Ham with seven seconds left in the first half to pull Duke within two points. In a wacky first half that saw the stadium lights go out for 10 minutes, Georgia Tech had 257 yards in total offense to Duke’s 212. Both teams scored on fumble recoveries in the end zone. There were kicking-game gaffes by both teams. There were big offensive plays. A little of everything.
Domineck fumble recovery: Georgia Tech 28, Duke 23.
Another crazy turn in a game of crazy turns. After Duke had taken the lead with a safety, Duke’s Damond Philyaw-Johnson misplayed the ensuing kick. Seemingly confused, he fielded the ball at the 1-yard line on what he apparently believed would be ruled a touchback. Moments later, Duke quarterback Chase Brice fumbled in the end zone and Tech’s Jordan Domineck recovered.
Duke takes lead with safety: Duke 23, Georgia Tech 21
After Georgia Tech misplayed the kickoff, then was called for a penalty, Duke took the lead when Shaka Heyward tackled Jordan Mason in the end zone for a safety.
Durant TD: Duke 21, Georgia Tech 21
Running back Mataeo Durant’s second TD of the game, on a 30-yard throw from Chase Brice, tied the score. The TD pass came on third-and-9., completing a 63-yard drive with 2:23 left in the first half.
Gibbs TD: Georgia Tech 21, Duke 14
Jahmyr Gibbs’ second touchdown of the game came after a big momentum swing. After Duke’s Chase Brice was injured, Gunnar Holmberg entered the game but could not handle a high snap on the first play, the ball bounding 30 yards and recovered by the Yellow Jackets. Gibbs, who had a 61-yard score early in the game, later scored from 26.
Gibbs was injured on Tech’s next possession, falling awkwardly after a 42-yard pass completion and left the game. He returned for the second half on crutches.
Duke’s Brice leaves game with injury
Brice briefly left the game after taking a hit to his left shoulder releasing a pass. Brice had completed a 44-yard throw to Dennis Smith during the possession.
Durant TD: Duke 14, Georgia Tech 14
The Blue Devils went 57 yards in 11 plays to tie the score early in the second quarter. Duke converted a third down on Chase Brice’s 14-yard throw to tight end Noah Gray. On second down from the 1, running back Mataeo Durant busted in for the score, his seventh rushing TD of the season.
First quarter: Georgia Tech 14 Duke 7
The Yellow Jackets had 156 yards in total offense to Duke’s 53 and averaged 8.2 yards a play. Jahmyr Gibbs had a 61-yard scoring run on Tech’s first possession of the game and Jeff Sims a touchdown pass. Duke’s score came after a muffed punt by the Yellow Jackets.
Carter TD: Georgia Tech 14, Duke 7
The Yellow Jackets bounced back from a botched punt to retake the lead with a 75-yard drive. Jordan Mason broke off a 48-yard run to the Duke 20, and Jeff Sims then found wide receiver Malachi Carter in the left corner for a 12-yard score.
Moments after the score, the stadium went dark and the game was stopped to reset the lighting system.
Heyward recovered fumble: Duke 7, Georgia Tech 7
Duke used some special teams hustle to tie the score. Porter Wilson’s punt was muffed by Georgia Tech, as Shaka Heyward recovered in the end zone for the score.
Gibbs 61-yard TD: Georgia Tech 7, Duke 0
It took the Yellow Jackets four plays after the opening kickoff to take a 7-0 lead. After quarterback Jeff Sims’ scrambling run on third down to avoid a sack, freshman running back Jahmyr Gibbs broke loose down the left side for a 61-yard touchdown.
Duke’s Shelton out due to COVID-19 protocols
Duke announced before the game that starting linebacker Rocky Shelton II, a redshirt sophomore, did not make the trip to Atlanta due to the school’s COVID-19 protocols. The school said an assessment by Duke’s medical personnel indicated no other members of the program were at risk because of Shelton’s circumstance.
This story was originally published November 28, 2020 at 6:50 PM.
