Georgia Tech left Durham, NC 7-0 after a hard-fought 27-18 win over Duke. Duke was favored, and ESPN Metrics had the Blue Devils with a greater than 60% chance of winning.
QB Haynes King was his usual tough-as-nails self, guiding Georgia Tech on 4th quarter scoring drives to take control of the game. He’s the constant of the Georgia Tech team, but for the Jackets to reach their full potential, their defense had to start taking some steps forward.
The Jacket’s defense was pedestrian, 65th in the country, giving up nearly 170 yards on the ground and ranked 103rd. Oddly enough, though for all the yards given up by the Georgia Tech defense, they hadn’t given up more than 23 points in regulation. It’s like a redzone switch would go off, but at some point, you either start giving up points or stop giving up yards.
In the first half, Duke moved the ball at will, but could only score 7 points. In the second half, Georgia Tech gave up only 31 rushing yards, and only 75 in the entire game on the ground for just 2.1 yards per rush. Duke only scored 3 points in the second half, until a late, meaningless TD. Duke’s Darrian Mensah did throw for 373, but he had to, as Georgia Tech turned Duke one-dimensional in the second half.
This was a top 20 offense in Duke, and Georgia Tech’s defense rose to the occasion despite being down multiple starters.
DC Blake Gideon may have grown as a coordinator as well, as his 2nd half adjustments and play of his defense allowed Haynes King and the Georgia Tech to do what they do best, and that’s put together grinding scoring drives.
Georgia Tech now goes from nice story to a bona fide playoff and ACC title threat as the Jackets are off to their best start since 1966.
The special season continues in Atlanta. Who knows when or if it ends, but Saturday was another major test passed.
