By Garin Turner
The Duke Blue Devils (4-1, 1-0 ACC) take on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (2-3, 1-1 ACC) Saturday at 4 pm EST on ESPN 3 at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Duke is coming off of a 38-17 win last week against Virginia while the Yellow Jackets upset then 24 Pitt 26-21.
Georgia Tech has struggled to put points up this year being outscored 148-81. They’re scoring 16.2 points a game and have allowed teams 29.6 while surrendering 411.8 yards per game.
The Yellow Jackets were able to pull off the upset last week due to a strong running attack. Hassan Hall carried 20 times for 157 yards and QB Jeff Sims added 81 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown. Sims also threw for a score and 102 yards. Sims on the year has thrown for 841 yards and three touchdowns and two interceptions. He’s second on the team in rushing yards with 206. Hall has 260 yards on the ground to lead Georgia Tech.
Despite the defensive struggles, LB Charlie Thomas leads the Yellow Jackets in tackles (45) and interceptions (2). He also has a sack. DL Keion White leads the team in sacks with four. LB Ayinde Eley has three.
Duke picked up the win last week with a balanced rushing attack and forcing two turnovers. They never trailed in the game. The Blue Devils carried the ball 48 times for 248 yards and four touchdowns. QB Riley Leonard had two of the touchdowns while rushing for 59 yards. He also accounted for a touchdown pass. Jordan Waters (13 carries, 33 yards), and Jaquez Moore (3 carries, 67 yards) also scored. Jaylen Coleman led the team in carries (19) and yards (97).
Leonard has seven passing touchdowns and four TDs on the ground. He’s thrown for 1,176 yards and rushed for 260. Coleman is the leading rusher for the Blue Devils with 308. Waters has 248 and Moore 156. Coleman has four rushing touchdowns along with Leonard and Waters for the team lead. Moore has one score.
