Originally Posted by
Olympic Fan
I've got to speak up for the defense ... I know the raw numbers don't look good, but I thought it was actually a pretty good performance.
You had to be there to see how the combination of inept offense and lousy kicking game kept giving GT the ball near midfield or deeper in Duke territory. The defense was on the field all the time and usually with their backs to the wall. There were a couple of breakdowns, but on the whole the defense did a good job.
I think the game was symbolized by two pass plays at the beginning of the game. On GT's second play, Bennett completed a pass inside the Duke 5, but Chris Davis hit the receiver and knocked the ball loose for a fumble. The ball rolled in the end zone and Leon Wright was right there to fall on it for a touchdown. Somehow, he strumbled off-balance as he tried to get it and the only Tech player within 20 yards beat three Duke players to the ball for a touchdown.
On Duke's first play from scrimmage, Lewis tried to go deep to Riley, who broke free behind the corner. He was wide open for a 67-yard touchdown. The ball was right on his fingertips, but he dropped it -- the first of his three drops.
I agree with Jim -- the dropped passes were devastating. Kelly's three drops came in a very short period and just stymied the offense.