5 turnovers help Tech topple Duke, end skid

Fumble-recovery TD provides boost; Jackets gain 377 yards rushing.

Georgia Tech and Duke have played every year starting in 1933. With this year’s hiatus of the Tech-georgia series, it’s now the Yellow Jackets’ longest uninterrupted series. And yet, until Saturday, they had never cleared the 50-point threshold, despite the preponderance of Blue Devils teams that were susceptible to such beatings.

After three consecutive losses, Tech’s 56-33 win over Duke was a high-water mark for coach Geoff Collins in many ways as the Jackets push into their final three games of the regular season.

“Just really proud of them, and excited to go back to work with them (Sunday),” Collins said.

Five takeaways from the game:

1. Players lobby

A play that was one of the turning points — defensive end Jordan Domineck’s fumble-recovery touchdown after a strip sack of Duke quarterback Chase Brice late in the second quarter, which

gave the Jackets a 28-23 lead that they never gave up — was a suggestion from Tech defensive players to defensive coordinator Andrew Thacker.

When Duke was starting the drive from its 1-yard line — this was after a botched return of a free kick following the Blue Devils’ safety almost itself became a safety for Tech — Jackets players lobbied Thacker to call a particular blitz, safety Tariq Carpenter said.

“When we knew the ball was going to be on the halfyard line, we told him, like, ‘Hey, let’s run this,’” Carpenter said.

On the play, linebacker Quez Jackson blitzed between defensive tackle Ja’quon Grifffin and defensive end Jordan Domineck and was picked up by left tackle Casey Holman. That left Domineck in a oneon-one with running back Deon Jackson, a matchup Domineck won easily before bringing down Brice and popping the ball loose, which he recovered for his first career touchdown.

2. Turnover harvest

Domineck’s fumble recovery was one of five turnovers created by the Tech defense, the most by the Jackets since their 2014 win over Pitt (when the Jackets recovered an absurd five fumbles in the first quarter).

Duke was a compliant opponent — its 25 turnovers before Saturday were most in FBS — but not solely responsible.

Linebacker David Curry was central, tip p ing a third-quarter pass by Brice that Carpenter intercepted and punching out the ball from Jackson’s grasp on the next possession (cornerback Tre Swilling recovered). Curry also nearly had an interception of Brice in the first quarter.

Tech’s defense has had its problems this season, but its capacity to rip balls loose has been a strength and has often served to cover other flaws.

“We exceeded (the team) goal,” Domineck said, “because we were really just aiming for three (turnovers). But five, we’re just going to keep building off of that.”

Saturday, though, Tech’s run defense played to a different standard. Starting with defensive tackles like Griffin and Djimon Brooks slipping through blocks to disrupt run plays, Duke running backs were often forced laterally, enabling Carpenter and others to clean up in run support.

The Jackets, who were 14th in the ACC in rushing defense (202.7 yards per game), held Duke to 68 rushing yards.

3. Scoring style points

After a three-game losing streak including games against Clemson and Notre Dame, followed by three consecutive weeks off, there couldn’t have been many more favorable matchups than Duke.

Five of the Blue Devils’ six losses had been by double digits. Beyond having trouble holding onto the ball, they also were having trouble protecting the quarterback. A win over Duke this season is not resume-type material.

Further, Tech has mistakes to clean up, starting with special-teams errors, three turnovers and 11 penalties. They would have been more costly against a better opponent.

On the other hand, the decisive way in which Tech won needs attention. Domineck said that “I felt like I was in the Super Bowl.”

4. Line leads run game

Tech’s physical style was nowhere more evident than on the offensive line. Left tackle Zach Quinney, left guard Jack Defoor, center Mikey Minihan (Kenny Cooper subbed for him), right guard Ryan Johnson and right tackle Charlie Clark (who was making his first career start as Jordan Williams occasionally spelled him) repeatedly won the line-of-scrimmage collisions to clear paths for running backs Jahmyr Gibbs, Jordan Mason and Dontae Smith.

“Charlie Clark got out there and battled,” Collins said. “He’s a guy that hadn’t gotten a lot of burn (playing time) throughout his career. I thought he did some really nice things out there (Saturday).”

Running 48 times to 23 pass attempts in part as a means of counteracting Duke’s pass-rushing strength, the Jackets amassed a Paul Johnson-esque 377 rushing yards, the highest total in Collins’ tenure.

Mason was his familiar will-imposing self, having recovered fully from a foot injury suffered in the season opener. Taking over for Gibbs after he suffered a leg injury in the second quarter, Mason finished with 105 yards on 21 carries.

5. Also worth noting

Tech played without slot receiver Ahmarean Brown and punter Pressley Harvin, among others. Brown was not on the “Above the Line” chart before the game. Harvin was on the chart and was dressed for the game, but was not 100%, Collins said afterward. Austin Kent took his place on punt duty and helped the Jackets net a solid 41.3 yards on three punts. Pejé Harris played in place of Brown, catching two passes for 8 yards.

Tech’s 56 points were the most in Collins’ tenure, bettering the 46 scored in the win over Louisville on Oct. 9.