Duke defense keys 34-20 upset of No. 20 Georgia Tech

DURHAM, N.C. Defense and special teams led the way for Duke’s 34-20 upset of No. 20 Georgia Tech. And the Yellow Jackets’ special teams issues directly led to three of the Blue Devils’ first four scores.

A high snap on a punt-turned-incomplete-pass by punter Ryan Rodwell set Duke up at the Georgia Tech 48-yard line, and quarterback Thomas Sirk hit wide receiver T.J. Rahming for an 11-yard touchdown pass to make it a 13-3 game in the first quarter. The Yellow Jackets then gave up a 69-yard punt return to Duke’s Ryan Smith, who was brought down at the 1-yard line. Shaquille Powell popped it in on the next snap for a 19-3 lead. And Duke’s final score came on a 100-yard kickoff return by DeVon Edwards in the fourth quarter, putting the Blue Devils up 26-13.

Turning point

With five minutes left and Georgia Tech trailing just 26-20, the Yellow Jackets had fourth-and-1 from the Duke 26-yard line. But defensive end Deon Williams and safety Jeremy Cash stuffed fullback Patrick Skov for no gain, bailing out Duke’s anemic second-half offense.

Three who mattered

Cash: Duke’s most productive player, with 12 total tackles, four quarterback hurries, three tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and one sack

Edwards: In addition to his 100-yard kickoff return, Edwards recorded eight tackles at safety

Dwayne Norman: The redshirt senior linebacker annually thrives in Duke’s 4-3 alignment for the Yellow Jackets, with nine total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack and quarterback hurry apiece

Three key numbers

2.9: Georgia Tech’s yards per carry average against Duke

7.3: Georgia Tech’s yards per carry average entering the game

3: First downs for Duke after the first quarter. The game was won on defense and special teams.

Highlight reel

The final dagger was delivered by Duke on fourth-and-1 with about two minutes left on the clock, as Powell burst through the line for a 30-yard touchdown.

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