Duke Bounces Back, Beats Georgia Tech In Durham

After their devastating defeat last week to Pittsburgh in Durham where Duke came back from a twenty three point deficit but lost to by a score of 33-30 Duke returned to action this week and was on the other end of the spectrum against Georgia Tech.

Duke football scored 38 consecutive points in the first half to cruise to a, 41-23, victory over Georgia Tech on Saturday afternoon on Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium

Duke quarterback Quentin Harris went 11-of-20 for 176 yards through the air, rushed for another 38, and added a touchdown. Defensively, Koby Quansah and Brandon Hill both had 11 tackles apiece, while Victor Dimukeje earned a career-high three sacks on the day. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/10/12/football-strong-first-half-lifts-duke-to-41-23-victory.aspx

The three sacks for Dimukeje were tied for second in Duke's single-game history and are the most since 2016 and the most in an ACC game since 2003. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/10/12/football-strong-first-half-lifts-duke-to-41-23-victory.aspx

Georgia Tech (1-5, 0-3) opened the scoring by marching 75 yards down the field, including converting a 3rd-and-12 play en route to a 19-yard touchdown pass from James Graham to Jerry Howard Jr. for the early advantage.”according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/10/12/football-strong-first-half-lifts-duke-to-41-23-victory.aspx

Duke (4-2, 2-1) responded with 38 consecutive points to take a 38-14 lead into halftime. The Blue Devils outgained the Yellow Jackets, 268-93, heading into the break after Georgia Tech's opening score, getting 121 yards on the ground and 147 through the air. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/10/12/football-strong-first-half-lifts-duke-to-41-23-victory.aspx

After having to settle for a 33-yard field goal, the Blue Devils found the end zone in the final minute of the first quarter with an Eli Pancol rush to take a 10-7 lead. Pancol capped the 55-yard drive with a three-yard run to the left side of the end zone. The carry was the first of the wide receiver's career, marking his first rushing touchdown and his third overall score of the season. Three of Pancol's four touches this year have resulted in six points for the Blue Devils.”according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/10/12/football-strong-first-half-lifts-duke-to-41-23-victory.aspx

The Duke defense and offense continued to fire on all cylinders. The Blue Devils forced four punts and a turnover on downs and added four more touchdowns to extend its lead to 38-7 with 3:10 remaining in the second quarter. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/10/12/football-strong-first-half-lifts-duke-to-41-23-victory.aspx

Deon Jackson dashed into the end zone twice during that time, while Harris punched the ball in for six after Mataeo Durant was tripped up at the 1-yard line after a career-long 38-yard scamper up the middle. Durant finished the half with a team-best 62 yards on eight carries. The sophomore running back completed the afternoon with 74 yards.”according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/10/12/football-strong-first-half-lifts-duke-to-41-23-victory.aspx

Duke's special teams also got into mix, blocking a punt and running it back for another six points. Xander Gagnon came off the left edge to block the punt and Javon Jackson scooped up the ball for the 14-yard return – Duke's first blocked punt for a touchdown since 2012.”according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/10/12/football-strong-first-half-lifts-duke-to-41-23-victory.aspx

The scoring slowed in the second half for the Blue Devils as Duke took its foot off the gas and settled for a second field goal from AJ Reed. Georgia Tech landed in the end zone once and tacked on a field goal, but couldn't make up the 24-point halftime deficit.”according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/10/12/football-strong-first-half-lifts-duke-to-41-23-victory.aspx

A week after losing to North Carolina down in Atlanta they were then beaten by North Carolina’s tobacco road rival Duke and have yet to win a game in conference play.

Georgia Tech limited Duke to three points and 105 yards in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a first-half outburst by the Blue Devils in a 41-23 defeat on Saturday afternoon at Duke’s Wallace Wade Stadium. “according to https://ramblinwreck.com/jackets-fall-at-duke-2/

Georgia Tech opened and closed the first half with 75-yard touchdown drives but only managed a total of 18 yards on its five other series in the opening half. While the Yellow Jackets went three-and-out on four of those five series, Duke scored on each of its five possessions during that stretch and the Jackets found themselves trailing 38-14 at halftime.”according to https://ramblinwreck.com/jackets-fall-at-duke-2/

Tech’s defense dominated in the second half, surrendering just five first downs to go along with the three points and 105 yards allowed after the break.”according to https://ramblinwreck.com/jackets-fall-at-duke-2/

Offensively, Georgia Tech racked up a season-high 379 yards of offense, including a career-high 206 passing yards by redshirt freshman quarterback James Graham and a career-high 106 rushing yards by sophomore Jordan Mason (good for the first 100-yard performance of his career).”according to https://ramblinwreck.com/jackets-fall-at-duke-2/

Duke will now prepare to head to Charlottesville on Saturday to face Virginia who lost on the road to Miami this week by a score of 17-9. “according to https://virginiasports.com/schedule.aspx?path=football