A quarter-by-quarter look at Georgia Tech’s 34-20 loss to Duke on Saturday in Durham, N.C.:
FIRST QUARTER
Big play: Duke returner Ryan Smith slipped through three tackle attempts and returned Ryan Rodwell's punt 69 yards, down to the Tech 1-yard line. The Blue Devils crossed the goal line on the first play from scrimmage for a 19-3 lead after a botched point-after try.
Turning point: Down 7-3, Tech went three-and-out and then Rodwell had to throw incomplete after the snap flew over his head, giving Duke the ball at the Tech 48. The Blue Devils needed just four plays for a 13-3 lead after a failed extra-point try.
Takeaway: Not a whole lot went right for the Yellow Jackets, who were getting overpowered at the line of scrimmage. Duke outgained Tech 155-14 in the quarter.
Score: Duke 19, Tech 3
SECOND QUARTER
Big play: Quarterback Justin Thomas, with good protection from the offensive line, found wide receiver Ricky Jeune in the end zone to cut the lead to 19-10 with less than a minute to play in the half. It was just the second third-down conversion of the half.
Turning point: After Duke had scored touchdowns on three of its first four possessions, Tech forced a punt. The Jackets kept Duke off the scoreboard and began to steady itself after a disastrous first quarter.
Takeaway: The touchdown to Jeune, the first of his career, put the Jackets within striking distance going into halftime. Getting the ball first to start the third quarter, they were in far better position to win than seemed likely after the first quarter.
Score: Duke 19, Tech 10
THIRD QUARTER
Big play: After Tech converted A.J. Gray's interception with a Harrison Butker field goal to cut the lead to 19-13, Duke's DeVon Edwards returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for the score. Tech had not given up a kickoff return for a touchdown since the Virginia Tech game in 2010.
Turning point: On the drive following Duke's return for a touchdown, the Jackets pushed into Duke territory but got behind schedule and faced a third-and-13, where Thomas was intercepted after rolling away from pressure.
Takeaway: The defense continued to hold, limiting the Blue Devils to 29 yards on 11 third-quarter plays, but the Jackets came up with only three points on four possessions, continuing their faltering play on third downs.
Score: Duke 26, Tech 13
FOURTH QUARTER
Big play: Thomas lost the ball while attempting to pitch on a third-and-5 from the Tech 39, giving the Blue Devils the ball with 2:12 left in the game. The turnover closed the door on the Jackets. It was one more failed third-down conversion for the Jackets, who ended the game 5-for-19.
Turning point: On fourth-and-1 from the Duke 26 with about five minutes to play, B-back Patrick Skov was stopped short, giving the Blue Devils the ball back and drastically lowering Tech's chances to win. Tech had gotten excellent field position on the drive, starting at the Duke 35-yard line after Lawrence Austin's interception, but couldn't gain a first down.
Takeaway: The Jackets had hoped to bounce back after their loss to Notre Dame last week, but played another inefficient offensive game and were fortunate to have a chance to win it in the fourth quarter. The offensive line continued to block poorly, ball handling was problematic in the rain and big plays by the offense were few. A season that began with such optimism and hope has been reduced considerably.
Score: Duke 34, Tech 20
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