ATLANTA, Ga. - The 11th chapter of the Blue Devils' 2006 season finished the same as all the others-a Duke loss. But more alarming than the agonizing endings are the repetitive ways by which Duke loses its games.
Once again, the Blue Devils squandered opportunities, committed costly errors and beat themselves. Duke had its chances throughout the game, but Georgia Tech would not relinquish the momentum and ran away with the victory.
The Blue Devils got off on the right foot, though, after a John Talley interception on the first play from scrimmage set up Duke for a chance at an early lead. Immediately, the Blue Devil sideline was going crazy, and Bobby Dodd Stadium was silent.
"We came out on the first defensive drive and got a interception on the first play," defensive lineman Vince Oghobaase said. "We were hella excited."
The moment was fleeting, however, as a dropped pass-which looked like it would have resulted in a touchdown-and a missed field goal deflated Duke's spirits and, ultimately, its chances at winning.
"It was a big momentum shifter," fullback Tielor Robinson said. "But that's football. Sometimes you score, sometimes you don't. Momentum shifts from side to side-you just have to overcome it."
But the Blue Devils had trouble regaining any kind of momentum again, even after Robinson flipped over two Georgia Tech defenders and fell into the endzone for Duke's first touchdown of the day. The score came with just 3:15 left in the first half, and by that time, the Yellow Jackets had already racked up 28 points. Aside from Duke's touchdown drive, the Yellow Jackets limited the Blue Devils to 19 yards of total offense before the break.
Despite the troubles, though, Duke came out in the second half with a chance to stage a comeback. But every time the Blue Devils needed to make a play and get momentum fully on their side, they failed to execute.
"You get momentum from the smallest things," Robinson said. "It's not hard to get momentum, but once you get it, you want to hold onto it."
Even though the Blue Devils were fighting an uphill battle from the start of the game, they still had their opportunities to get back into the game. After each of Duke's first two touchdowns, the defensive unit forced a Georgia Tech three-and-out and provided the offense with a chance to make it close.
The momentum could have shifted toward the Blue Devils. Touchdowns following these defensive stops would have closed the margin to 14 with more than a quarter to play. Instead, Duke's offense totaled just eight yards on the two series, which resulted in a punt and an interception.
If that was not bad enough, Georgia Tech then scored touchdowns on each of its ensuing offensive drives. Although the Yellow Jackets allowed Duke some chances to close the margin, Georgia Tech made sure to slam the door shut for good.
Throughout the season, Duke players and coaches have repeatedly said the team just needed to clean up its game and eliminate its mistakes. Now Duke has only one game left to pull it all together and avoid a winless season-next weekend's matchup against rival North Carolina.
"We're disappointed right now," head coach Ted Roof said. "We've got one more opportunity left and have to devote everything we have and get ready to play UNC. This is it. There are no more after this."
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