THE FLATS – Trelain Maddox scored the game-winning touchdown from a yard out – his third TD of the game – with a 54 seconds to go and Georgia Tech held on for its latest win over a nationally ranked Atlantic Coast Conference opponent, a 28-25 victory over No. 23 Duke on Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field.
Behind Maddox’s touchdown runs of 5, 60 and 1 yards, Georgia Tech moved to 8-1 against nationally ranked ACC opponents under head coach Brent Key, while Duke’s eight-game winning streak came to an end.
Maddox’s career-high 80 rushing yards also helped lead the Yellow Jackets to a season highs for yards on the ground (165) and yards per carry (6.1) against a Duke defense that came into the game ranked sixth nationally in rushing defense, allowing just 63.8 yards per game.
In all, Tech’s offense racked up 28 points and 383 total yards, which also far surpassed the Blue Devils’ season averages of 11 points and 261.8 total yards per game allowed (ranked sixth and 16th nationally, respectively).
The Yellow Jackets’ defense was also impressive, particularly against the run, as it limited the nation’s leading rusher, Nate Sheppard, to just 99 yards on the ground, 62 yards lower than his 161.0-yard average coming into the game.
However, despite controlling play for much of the game, Georgia Tech (2-3, 1-1 ACC) found itself in a 25-21 hole with 2:40 left on the clock after Duke scored 15 unanswered points to erase a 21-10 Yellow Jackets lead.
After a pivotal 39-yard kickoff return by Rahkeem Smith gave the Jackets starting field position at their own 39 yard line, quarterback Alberto Mendoza engineered an 8-play, 61-yard touchdown drive, culminating with Maddox’s 1-yard “tush push” go-ahead score. Mendoza accounted for 53 yards on the game-winning drive, including passes of 20 and 14 yards to Jordan Allen, who led all players with a career-high 10 receptions for 99 yards.
After Maddox gave the Yellow Jackets the 28-25 lead with 54 seconds remaining, Duke (4-1, 1-1 ACC) made it interesting by driving all the way to the Georgia Tech 16 in just 50 seconds. However, after a key third-down pass breakup by linebacker E.J. Lightsey, Duke kicker Gavin Strange pulled a 33-yard field goal attempt wide left to seal the Tech triumph.
Mendoza was an efficient 23-of-30 passing for 218 yards and a touchdown, and Justice Haynes ran for 69 yards to join Maddox and Allen in pacing the Yellow Jackets’ offense. Defensively, safety Tae Harris and defensive tackle Tawfiq Thomas led Georgia Tech with seven tackles apiece, while linebackers Kyle Efford and Lightsey each added six stops. Kelvin Hill had two tackles for loss from his nickel back position.
Georgia Tech returns to action next Saturday at Virginia Tech. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. on ACC Network.