How Tech beat Duke

By Doug Roberson

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

1. Pressure Duke quarterback Thaddeus Lewis: Oh yes, Tech did this. The Yellow Jackets sacked Lewis and backup Sean Renfree four times for 35 yards. After the first drive, in which Lewis went 5-for-5, Duke quarterbacks were 22-for-36.

2. Don’t give up easy points: While Tech missed a lot of tackles, the mistakes didn’t result in any points for the Blue Devils. Duke didn’t score after taking a 10-0 lead in the first quarter.

3. Establish the passing game early: It depends on your definition of early. Josh Nesbitt passed for 14 yards in the first quarter, but added 75 in the second and 106 in the third. The Jackets passed for 213 yards in the game, the second-highest total this season.

By the numbers

• 16 -- Games with at least 100 yards rushing for Jonathan Dwyer, tying P.J. Daniels for the third-most in Tech history. Dwyer had 14 carries for 110 yards and two touchdowns.

• 83 -- Yard kickoff return was Tech’s longest since 2003, when Kenny Scott returned one 90 yards against N.C. State.

• 298.9 -- Passing efficiency rating for Nesbitt, the second-best mark in school history. George Godsey set the record with a 309.7 against Navy in 2001.

Injury report

Sean Bedford (ankle): No information provided.

Sedric Griffin (undisclosed): No information provided.

Malcolm Munroe (knee): No information provided.

Etc.

• Tech’s punt in the third quarter was the first time it has punted in the second half since the win against Mississippi State on Oct. 3.

• Dwyer has rushed for more than 100 yards in each of the past four games.

• Forty-nine points were the most that Tech has scored at Duke in 38 games.

• Coach Paul Johnson is 19-5 in two seasons at Tech. His winning percentage (.792) is the highest in school history.