Live Game Thread: Duke vs Georgia Tech

Kickoff is coming up soon at Wallace Wade Stadium as Duke (4-2, 3-0 ACC) looks to knock off No. 12 Georgia Tech (6-0, 3-0) and make a statement within the ACC.

The Blue Devils had the past week off after traveling to California and decimating the Golden Bears, 45-21. Manny Diaz's team remains undefeated in conference play, but suffered two losses in non-conference play, including one at home to Illinois.

Sep 10, 2021; Durham, North Carolina, USA; A Duke Blue Devils helmet sits on an equipment chest during the third quarter of the game against the North Carolina A&T Aggies at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-Imagn Images | William Howard-Imagn Images

The Yellow Jackets have been pushed to the brink recently, escaping Wake Forest with a 30-29 win in their last road game. They are 6-0 to start the season for the first time since 2011.

A quick preview of Georgia Tech and live updates from the game can be found below. To read the biggest storylines for the matchup, click here.

Georgia Tech Preview

Oct 11, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King (10) runs the ball for a touchdown against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the fourth quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The Yellow Jackets have had the opportunity to move to 7-0 for the first time since 1966, when they started the year 9-0. Both of Georgia Tech's road trips this season, to Colorado and Wake Forest, have resulted in one-possession victories.

Quarterback Haynes King is the centerpiece of the offense, both in the air and on the ground. He leads the team in both categories since the Yellow Jackets utilize the option game in the backfield as good as anyone in the country. King has 440 yards rushing and nine touchdowns this season, so he will be a threat at any level.

Oct 18, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz looks on prior to the first half of the game against Florida State at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

As a matter of fact, any Yellow Jacket carrying the rock is a threat. They have had a rusher over 100 yards in every game this season and average 238 yards on the ground per game. The offense is putting up 36.7 points per game and will be tough to manage on third downs.

Oct 11, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets wide receiver Malik Rutherford (8) celebrates after a two-point conversion against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the first quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Georgia Tech has thrown the ball more in its past two games, but there isn't a clear leading receiver in the room. Isiah Canion leads the team with 245 yards and two scores, but both FIU transfer Eric Rivers and senior Malik Rutherford are over 200 receiving yards as well and have more catches than Canion.

Defensively, Georgia Tech is surrendering just 21 points per game, good for fourth in the conference. The Yellow Jackets have the conference's worst run defense, allowing 169.5 yards per game. Veteran linebacker Kyle Efford and safety Clayton Powell-Lee lead the team in tackles. Nate Sheppard and Anderson Castle should have plenty of success against this front, especially in short-yardage spots.

Oct 26, 2024; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies running back Malachi Thomas (24) runs the ball against Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive back Clayton Powell-Lee (5) during the second quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images | Peter Casey-Imagn Images

The Yellow Jackets are a bit better against the pass, but Darian Mensah will be the best quarterback they have seen so far. They only allow 188.8 yards through the air per game, but they will be without their best player in the secondary, Ahmari Harvey. Mensah should be able to push the ball down the field to both Cooper Barkate and Que'Sean Brown without Harvey patrolling the field.

Sep 18, 2021; Durham, North Carolina, USA; A Duke Blue Devils helmet sits on an equipment box during the fourth quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-Imagn Images | William Howard-Imagn Images

Duke's running game has picked up in recent weeks, and that should continue in this one. Both defenses are solid, and given Georgia Tech's propensity to run as well, this could be a game with limited possessions. Duke's ability to generate pressure in the passing game and force turnovers probably gives them the edge defensively.

Live Updates

Oct 18, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz looks on during the warmups of the game against Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

First Quarter

Duke wins the coin toss and defers to the second half. Georgia Tech will get the ball first. Duke is 4-0 this season when winning the coin toss.

Linebackers Tre Freeman and Kendall Johnson start the game for Duke defensively. Both entered the day questionable.

PUNT: Georgia Tech picks up a pair of first downs and takes five minutes off the clock, but ultimately punts and pins the Blue Devils deep. Duke's first possession will begin at its own 3-yard line.

Oct 18, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets wide receiver Eric Rivers (3) looks on during the warmups of the game against Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

TURNOVER & TOUCHDOWN: Georgia Tech's Omar Daniels houses a 95-yard scoop-and-score after Darian Mensah fumbles on a read option. Georgia Tech takes a 7-0 lead.

End of Q1: Georgia Tech 7, Duke 0

Second Quarter

TURNOVER ON DOWNS: Duke is stopped in the red zone and attempts a field goal, but the hold is muffed by Kade Reynoldson, who is tackled for a 13-yard loss. Georgia Tech takes over at its own 25.

THREE AND OUT: Blue Devils defense gets a quick stop, continuing its strong start. Yellow Jackets punt to the Duke 35-yard line.

Oct 18, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils wide receiver Andrel Anthony (1) wearing Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness month during the warmups of the game against Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

PUNT: Georgia Tech punted the ball back to the Blue Devils. With a touchback, Duke began its drive with 4:21 left in the half.

TOUCHDOWN: Duke scored their first touchdown of the game with less than 30 second left in the first half. The extra point was GOOD, tying the game 7-7.

Throw it up and let the big man make a play 👀👑 pic.twitter.com/IRRni1vMGe
— Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) October 18, 2025

Blue Devils out-gained the Yellow Jackets in total offense in the first half, 238-110.

HALFTIME: Duke 7, Georgia Tech 7

Third Quarter

Oct 18, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils tight end Landen King (0) catches the ball and celebrates a touchdown during the first half of the game against Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

FIELD GOAL: Duke is stuffed on three straight runs from the 1-yard line and has to settle for a 23-yard field goal by Todd Pelino, which is up and good. Blue Devils took 8:43 off the clock and take a 10-7 lead.

FIELD GOAL: The best drive of the day for Georgia Tech so far ends in a 40-yard field goal for Aidan Birr, tying the game 10-10.

Oct 18, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils linebacker Kendall Johnson (42) tackles Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King (10) during the first half of the game at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

PUNT: Blue Devils pick up one first down but can't move any further and punt back to Georgia Tech, who will get the ball for the final seconds of the quarter.

End of Q3: Duke 10, Georgia Tech 10

Fourth Quarter

Oct 18, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils running back Anderson Castle (4) runs with the ball during the first half of the game against Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

FIELD GOAL: Georgia Tech settles for a 23-yard field goal after Duke stands tall in the low red zone. Yellow Jackets retake the lead, 13-10.

THREE AND OUT: Duke sends the ball back to the Yellow Jackets with 9:58 remaining in the game.

Oct 18, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King (10) hands off the ball to running back Malachi Hosley (0) during the first half of the game against Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

TOUCHDOWN: Malachi Hosley punches it in from 10 yards out to put Georgia Tech up double-digits with less than five minutes to go. Yellow Jackets lead 20-10.

MISSED FIELD GOAL: Pelino lines up for a 46-yard attempt put hooks it just wide right. Georgia Tech takes over at its own 29.

Oct 18, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King (10) runs with the ball during the first half of the game against Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

TOUCHDOWN: Haynes King darts off the left side and scampers in for a 28-yard score. Georgia Tech extends its lead to 27-10 with 2:10 remaining.

TOUCHDOWN: Mensah finds Sahmir Hagans in the corner of the end zone for a 19-yard score. Mensah connects with Cooper Barkate for a two-point conversion. Duke still trails 27-18.