College Sports

Sanders' late TD catch helps Georgia Tech beat Duke 31-27

Posted October 09, 2021 7:00 am

By AARON BEARD

Duke running back Mataeo Durant (21) dives into the end zone for a touchdown as he is hit by Georgia Tech linebacker Charlie Thomas (25) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris Seward) The Associated Press

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) - Adonicas Sanders caught a 36-yard touchdown throw from Jeff Sims with 51 seconds left to help Georgia Tech rally past Duke 31-27 on Saturday.

The Yellow Jackets (3-3, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) got the ball with 1:42 left and no timeouts at their own 12-yard line. But Sims targeted Sanders for the two big plays on the go-ahead drive, first when he beat Jeremiah Lewis deep down the right side for a 37-yard gain.

Then came Sanders catch at the goalline, securing the deep ball despite Lewis committing a pass-interference penalty in a desperate attempt to break up the pass.

Those were Sanders' only catches of the game.

Duke (3-3, 0-2) had one more drive to respond and crossed midfield, but Juanyeh Thomas intercepted an overthrown ball from Gunnar Holmberg over the middle with 15 seconds left to seal this one.

Sims threw for 297 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions for Georgia Tech, which scored the game's first 14 points but found itself in a tight finish to the final seconds. One of those three scoring throws was a 77-yard pass to Jahmyr Gibbs '“ who was left completely uncovered coming out of the backfield for an easy catch-and-run on the left side on the Yellow Jackets' first possession.

Mataeo Durant handled a record-setting workload to lead the Blue Devils. He ran 43 times for 152 yards and a touchdown, breaking a program single-game mark for most carries that had stood for nearly 51 years. Holmberg threw for 292 yards and two touchdowns, but couldn't come up with a final drive for the win.

THE TAKEAWAY

Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets appeared to have earned a breakthrough win under third-year coach Geoff Collins two weeks ago when they routed a ranked North Carolina team that was the preseason Coastal Division favorite. But they followed that by getting blown out before halftime in a 52-21 home loss to Pittsburgh. This was a big road win to respond to an ugly loss, allowing the Yellow Jackets to match their win total for each of the past two seasons.

Duke: The Blue Devils had won three straight, with two against power-conference opponents Northwestern and Kansas, before last weekend's 38-7 loss at rival North Carolina. This time, Duke had its chances but failed to capitalize in a close game, namely with a pair of missed field goals from Charlie Ham and being stuffed on fourth-and-short at the Georgia Tech 20-yard line in the first quarter - while Holmberg's pick was Duke's only turnover all day.

UP NEXT

Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets have an open weekend followed by a trip to Virginia on Oct. 23 in a Coastal Division matchup.

Duke: The Blue Devils stay in the division with a trip to Virginia next Saturday.

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Follow Aaron Beard on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/aaronbeardap

Georgia Tech quarterback Jeff Sims (10) rolls out against Duke defensive end Ben Frye (93) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris Seward) The Associated Press

Georgia Tech quarterback Jeff Sims (10) celebrates his touchdown with teammates after he scored against Duke during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris Seward) The Associated Press

Duke cornerback Jeremiah Lewis (39) celebrates after he intercepted a pass against Georgia Tech during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris Seward) The Associated Press

Duke safety Jaylen Stinson (16) gets upended by Georgia Tech place kicker Gavin Stewart (88) and Georgia Tech defensive back Myles Sims (16) as he returns a kickoff during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris Seward) The Associated Press

Duke head coach David Cutcliffe watches the team play against Georgia Tech during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris Seward) The Associated Press

Georgia Tech head coach Geoff Collins directs the team against Duke during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris Seward) The Associated Press

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