Georgia Tech 28, Duke 25: Five Key Plays
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Duke incurred a heartbreaking loss in Atlanta, 28-25, to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets when freshman kicker Gavin Strange missed a 33-yard field goal that would have forced overtime. The loss breaks an eight-game winning streak and drops Duke to 4-1 on the 2026 season. Georgia Tech has now beaten Duke six straight games.
Play One: With 1:48 remaining in the game, Duke linebacker Bradley Gompers was flagged for a late hit out of bounds on Georgia Tech, awarding the Yellow Jackets a first down. Five plays later, Georgia Tech scored a touchdown and went up 28-25 with 54 seconds remaining.
Play Two: Duke defensive end Tyshon Reed was flagged for roughing the passer on Georgia Tech quarterback Alberto Mendoza. Instead of a three-and-out, with Georgia Tech forced to punt out of its end zone, the Yellow Jackets were “gifted” a first down. The roughing-the-passer call was atrocious. Reed hit Mendoza with perfect timing right as he was delivering the ball. Georgia Tech scored four plays later to take a 14-7 lead. I’m not a fan of blaming the referees, but this call was 100 percent wrong. Reed did not rough the passer.
Play Three: With eight seconds remaining in the first quarter, on second-and-6, Walker Eget completed a 24-yard pass to Nate Sheppard. Two plays later, Duke lined up in a Wildcat formation and Nate Sheppard took the direct snap and rushed for a 5-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7 early in the second quarter.
Play Four: With 10:29 remaining in the third quarter, on first-and-15, Georgia Tech running back Trelain Maddox burst through the line and rambled for a 60-yard touchdown to give Tech a 21-10 lead. Football games are won and lost via turnovers and explosive plays. There were zero turnovers in this game, but this was an explosive play that went Georgia Tech’s way.
Play Five: With 2:40 remaining in the game, on second-and-goal, Duke lined up in the Wildcat formation and Nate Sheppard took the direct snap and rushed for a 5-yard touchdown to give Duke a 25-21 lead. Unfortunately, the lead would not hold.
- AT-L: Duke football loses 28-25 heartbreaker on missed field goal to Georgia Tech, records first loss of season
- Georgia Tech upsets Duke on late Trelain Maddox touchdown
- Duke falls to Georgia Tech, 28-25, as last-second FG attempt sails wide
- Georgia Tech Needs Rain To Beat Duke’s Strong Defense
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