Oct. 16, 2004
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By CHARLES ODUM
AP Sports Writer
ATLANTA (AP) – P.J. Daniels rushed for 114 yards and threw the first touchdown pass of his career, and Georgia Tech’s defense delivered another strong effort in a 24-7 win over Duke on Saturday.
Daniels rushed for more than 100 yards for the third time this season. Freshman Calvin Johnson caught two touchdown passes, including one from Daniels, for Georgia Tech (4-2, 3-2 Atlantic Coast Conference).
Johnson finished with six receptions for 92 yards.
Tailback Cedric Dargan started for Duke (1-5, 0-3) after missing four games with a leg injury, but he was shut down as Tech’s defensive front dominated the line of scrimmage. Dargan, who rushed for 114 yards in Duke’s season-opening loss to Navy, was held to 31 yards on 20 carries.
Tech was slowed by three turnovers, including two interceptions by Reggie Ball, who completed 10 of 20 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown.
After holding Maryland to 81 yards of offense in a 20-7 win last week, Georgia Tech’s defense was again strong, recording five sacks and holding Duke to 184 yards.
Tech’s defense set up the Yellow Jackets’ first touchdown. Eric Henderson recovered a fumble by Dargan at the Duke 12. Two plays later Daniels, running behind left tackle Leon Robinson and fullback Jimmy Dixon, scored from the 7.
Tech pushed its lead to 14-0 in the second quarter on Ball’s 20-yard touchdown pass to Johnson.
Travis Bell added a 47-yard field goal for Tech.
Duke was held scoreless until taking advantage of a Tech turnover late in the first half. Daniels fumbled a handoff from Ball with 1:16 left in the half when it appeared Ball held the ball too long.
Linebacker Giuseppe Aguanno recovered for Duke at Tech’s 36. Mike Schneider completed passes of 14 yards to Ronnie Elliott and 16 yards to Jomar Wright, helping the Blue Devils move to a third down at the Tech 1.
Schneider fumbled near the line on a third-down keeper, but officials ruled he reached the ball over the line for the touchdown before fumbling.
Schneider was 9-of-20 passing for 81 yards.
There was another controversial play late in the third quarter when Tech stopped Dargan for an apparent safety on a third-down play. When the officials ruled Dargan was stopped at the 1, Tech players argued, and cornerback Reuben Houston was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
Duke’s Ronnie Drummer had a kickoff return for an apparent touchdown to open the second half, but the play was negated by a holding penalty.
Daniels had five carries on the first seven plays of Tech’s first second-half possession, and Duke was expecting another run on a second-down play from Blue Devils’ 13. Daniels took the handoff from Ball and rolled right before suddenly stopping and passing to an open Johnson for the touchdown and a 24-7 lead.
It was Daniels first career pass attempt.
