The game that was
Against a Duke team with a vexing short-range passing game, Georgia Tech manufactured its eighth win of the season by a 38-31 score. The Yellow Jackets allowed a second consecutive opponent to go north of 30 points, but also cranked out 549 yards of total offense, the third-highest total recorded in ACC league play by any team this season. Tech improved to 8-3 overall and 5-3 in the ACC.
What we learned
1. Tech pass defense needs attention. The Tech defense was not able, and perhaps not prepared, to handle the string of crossing routes and quick-hitting passes that Duke quarterback Sean Renfree completed. The Jackets did well to force Renfree to put together long drives to score, but he was able to do so with many open receivers. After a three-game run in which Tech allowed an opponent passer rating of 73.8, the rate has jumped to 144.4 in the past three games. It's partly a function of facing better passers, but a source of concern nonetheless.
2. Duke isn't bad. Despite being beat up by injuries and weighed down with a five-game losing streak, Duke gave Tech all it wanted. The Blue Devils took an early lead and had an opportunity in the fourth quarter to tie the game. Of Duke's six consecutive losses, four of them were by a combined 22 points. Under coach David Cutcliffe, Duke has become competitive, just not victorious.
3. Tyler Melton can go get it. The Tech wide receiver made two acrobatic catches Saturday and finished with a career-high three receptions for 54 yards. With Stephen Hill out in the second half with an apparent back injury, Melton made a key third-down catch to extend a fourth-quarter possession. Known more for his downfield blocking ability, Melton has seven receptions in his past three games for 122 yards.
Loose ends
After dropping out last week, Tech returned to the Associated Press poll Sunday, appearing at No. 25. The Jackets moved from No. 23 to No. 21 in the USA Today coaches poll. Tech has been in and out of the AP poll three times this season. … ESPN announced that it will carry the Georgia-Georgia Tech game Saturday at noon. ... According to its Twitter account, the Champs Sports Bowl added Tech to its list of ACC candidates, which only includes half the league: Clemson, Virginia Tech, Virginia, Florida State, Wake Forest and now the Yellow Jackets.
Numbers game
51
The number of consecutive point-after tries made by kicker Justin Moore. He is two shy of the record for PATs made in a row in a season, set by Luke Manget in 1999. Manget, in fact, made all 160 in his career.
Sound bite
"Everyone was so excited. We were moving up the field and then he just made the play."
Duke tight end Cooper Helfet, to the Raleigh News & Observer, about Tech defensive back Jemea Thomas' interception to stop the Blue Devils' final drive. The 5-foot-10 Thomas outjumped the 6-4 Helfet for the ball.
What's next?
The Jackets finish their regular season against archrival Georgia Saturday at noon at Bobby Dodd Stadium. This past Saturday, the Bulldogs earned a spot in the SEC championship for the first time since 2005 by beating Kentucky 19-10. Georgia, No. 13 in the AP poll, has won nine games in a row, its longest single-season streak since 1982.
Ken Sugiura
