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THE FLATS – Georgia Tech fumbled on three-consecutive plays, which led to three Duke touchdowns in a span of 1:49 and turned what was a 7-7 game late in the third quarter into a 28-14 defeat on Saturday afternoon at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Georgia Tech outgained the Blue Devils, 354-304, but couldn’t overcome its untimely spate of turnovers with less than three minutes to go in the third period. The Yellow Jackets were driving to break the 7-7 deadlock when sophomore B-back Jerry Howard began the string of fumbles at Duke’s 43-yard line with 2:41 remaining in the third quarter. Fifty-two seconds later, Duke scored on a 48-yard pass on third-and-12 to take a 14-7 lead.
Duke booted the ensuing kickoff out of bounds, giving the Jackets possession at its own 40-yard line. But on the first play of the series, senior quarterback TaQuon Marshall lost control of the ball and the Blue Devils only needed five plays to make it 21-14.
Georgia Tech didn’t even run an offensive play before it turned the ball over yet again, as freshman returner Juanyeh Thomas put the ball on the ground on the 6-yard line while trying to make something happen Duke’s next kickoff. It took just one play for the Devils to score their second touchdown in 15 seconds and third in 1:49, giving them a commanding 28-7 lead.
The Yellow Jackets controlled play for much of the final quarter but only found the end zone once more in the disheartening loss.
Needing three victories in its final five games to become bowl eligible for the 20th time in the last 22 seasons, Georgia Tech is off next Saturday before returning to action on Thursday, Oct. 25 at Virginia Tech. Kickoff for the nationally televised contest (ESPN) is set for 7:30 p.m. The Yellow Jackets have beaten a nationally ranked Virginia Tech squad each of the last two seasons.