Maddox finished with 81 rushing yards and three touchdowns, delivering the decisive score after Georgia Tech put together a clutch drive in the closing minutes. The Yellow Jackets improved to 2-3 overall and 1-1 in Atlantic Coast Conference play, while Duke suffered its first loss of the season, falling to 4-1 and 1-1 in the ACC.
Georgia Tech quarterback Alberto Mendoza guided the game-winning possession, completing several important passes to move the Yellow Jackets 61 yards in eight plays over 1 minute, 38 seconds.
Duke still had an opportunity to steal the victory. The Blue Devils advanced deep into Georgia Tech territory during the final minute, but kicker Gavin Strange missed a 33-yard field-goal attempt wide left with five seconds remaining, allowing the Yellow Jackets to celebrate a much-needed victory.
“At the end of the day that was the first time this year we’ve played as a football team,” Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key said. “I thought we played as a complete team.”
Maddox Delivers When It Matters Most
Georgia Tech had struggled to close out tight games earlier in the season, suffering one-possession defeats against Colorado and Stanford. With the Yellow Jackets trailing 25-21 and 2:40 remaining, the offense faced another opportunity to prove it could deliver under pressure.
This time, Georgia Tech responded.
Mendoza connected with Jordan Allen for a 20-yard gain early in the possession, then found Dalen Penson for 13 yards. Another completion to Allen, this one covering 14 yards, helped put the Yellow Jackets in position to reclaim the lead.
Maddox finished the drive with his one-yard touchdown run, giving Georgia Tech a 28-25 advantage with less than a minute remaining.
Allen finished with 10 receptions for 99 yards and caught Mendoza’s touchdown pass, providing a consistent presence in the passing game.
“They were trying to funnel me into an inside defender,” Allen said. “So I just kind of sat there and presented my numbers to Berto (Mendoza) so he could just zip it on me, and that’s exactly what he did.”
Maddox Breaks Loose for a Long Touchdown
Maddox’s game-winning run was not his only memorable contribution. In the third quarter, the Georgia Tech running back broke free around the right side for a 60-yard touchdown, the Yellow Jackets’ longest play from scrimmage of the season at that point.
The explosive run extended Georgia Tech’s lead to 21-10 and showcased Maddox’s ability to change the game with one carry.
Key praised Maddox’s leadership and commitment to the program, explaining why he was selected as a team captain.
“That’s why we named him a captain,” Key said. “I love that dude. I’ve said it since spring ball: there is nobody that epitomizes what it is to be a Georgia Tech football player and a Tech man more than Trelain Maddox.”
Maddox’s three-touchdown performance gave the Yellow Jackets the offensive spark they needed to overcome Duke’s late challenge.
Mendoza Guides the Yellow Jackets
Mendoza, the younger brother of last season’s Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, delivered a strong performance under center. He completed 23 of 30 passes for 218 yards and one touchdown, helping Georgia Tech sustain drives and capitalize on opportunities.
His composure during the final possession was particularly important, as the Yellow Jackets needed accurate throws and efficient execution to move into scoring position.
The victory represented a significant step forward for a team that had struggled in close contests. Georgia Tech had let a 20-10 lead slip away against Stanford, but against Duke, the Yellow Jackets answered in the final minutes rather than watching another opportunity disappear.
Duke’s Penalties Prove Costly
For Duke, the defeat ended an unbeaten start and exposed a familiar problem: penalties.
The Blue Devils were flagged six times for 71 yards, continuing a troubling trend that had already placed them among the nation’s most penalized teams. Several infractions proved especially damaging, as third-down penalties extended both of Georgia Tech’s first-half touchdown drives.
A personal foul also cost Duke 15 yards during the Yellow Jackets’ decisive fourth-quarter possession, helping Georgia Tech maintain its march toward the go-ahead score.
Duke running back Nate Sheppard produced a strong individual performance, rushing for 99 yards and two touchdowns while adding 91 receiving yards. His contributions helped keep the Blue Devils competitive, but the team could not overcome the costly penalties and late defensive breakdown.
Duke’s final possession provided one last chance to escape Atlanta with its perfect record intact. After moving into field-goal range, Strange lined up for the potential tying kick, but his attempt missed to the left with only five seconds remaining.
A Much-Needed ACC Victory
The win gave Georgia Tech its first ACC victory of the season and snapped a six-game losing streak against FBS opponents dating back to the previous season.
More importantly, the Yellow Jackets demonstrated the resilience that had been missing in earlier close games. Maddox supplied the explosive plays, Mendoza delivered in the passing game, and the offense executed when the outcome was on the line.
Duke, meanwhile, will have to regroup after seeing its unbeaten record disappear. The Blue Devils’ penalty problems and missed late opportunity will be areas of focus as conference play continues.
Up Next:
Duke returns home next Saturday to face rival North Carolina.
Georgia Tech travels to Virginia Tech next Saturday, looking to build on its dramatic victory and gain momentum in ACC play.
