Team Grades for Duke’s 34-20 Win vs. Georgia Tech

I need to stop making predictions. In our game preview, it was predicted that Duke would lose 28-24 mainly because of how dominant Georgia Tech has been over Duke the past couple of years. In the keys to the game though it was highlighted that Duke could not afford for Justin Thomas to find his confidence throwing the ball as well as finding a way to limit the rushing attack of the Yellow Jackets. Duke did both these things. Thomas completed an abysmal 6 passes on his 21 attempts and the Tech running game was held to 173 yards which is well below their season average. Duke completed the upset at home and it is time to give out grades to the team. 

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Offense – C+

The offense could only muster 279 yards but they also only had the ball for about 24 minutes compared to Georgia Tech’s 36 minutes. QB Thomas Sirk was once again largely ineffective after he threw a 11-yard touchdown pass to T.J. Rahming in the first quarter. Sirk was picked off twice and only had 114 yards on 17 completions. The passing attack continues to be short passes with no real explosiveness.

The star of the day was senior RB Shaquille Powell who had 88 yards on 14 carries. Three of those carries went for touchdowns. Jela Duncan also returned from a pectoral injury to provide some more depth to the Duke backfield. Shaun Wilson fumbled on the first drive of the game.

Duke’s offense will have to show up during conference play if they hope to take the Coastal crown.

Defense – A+

Duke’s defense is arguably the best in the ACC right now. They stifled the Tech attack all afternoon and held a team who averages 377 yards on the ground a game to 173. Jeremy Cash played like a man possessed with 12 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 4 QB pressures, and 2 forced fumbles. Because of his play Cash was named National Defensive Player of the Week by the Walter Camp Foundation. Breon Borders had an interception and the Duke front stuffed GT all day to the tune of 2.9 yards a carry. This group will continue to keep Duke in games the entire year.

Special Teams – A+

Have to give an A+ to a group that were responsible for 14 of Duke’s 34 points. DeVon Edwards returned his second kickoff of the year 100 yards for a TD. Ryan Smith returned a punt 69 yards to Georgia Tech’s one yard line to set up a Shaquille Powell TD run. Will Monday had another solid day. 

Duke returns to action at home on Saturday against Boston College and a stout Eagles defense. Keep it here for a preview and prediction on the game.