Trelain Maddox's late TD, Duke missed FG gives Yellow Jackets first ACC win of season.

Georgia Tech beat Duke 28-25 with a dramatic last-minute score and stop

Georgia Tech beat Duke 28-25 with a dramatic last-minute score and stop. Trelain Maddox gave the Yellow Jackets the lead on a one-yard touchdown run with 54 seconds remaining, and despite driving into the red zone, Duke kicker Gavin Strange missed a 33-yard field goal wide left with five seconds remaining. The win snapped a six-game losing streak against FBS opponents for the Yellow Jackets. Duke's Nate Sheppard had 190 yards of total offense.

By Alan Cole - Associated Press

2 min read

Duke Georgia Tech Football — Georgia Tech running back Justice Haynes (22) runs against Duke safety Andrew Pellicciotta (35) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in Atlanta.

Mike Stewart - AP

ATLANTA (AP) — Trelain Maddox rushed for 81 yards and three touchdowns, including a go-ahead score from one yard out with 54 seconds remaining, leading Georgia Tech to a 28-25 upset victory over Duke at Bobby Dodd Stadium on Saturday.

Georgia Tech (2-3, 1-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) drove 61 yards on eight plays in 1:38 to claim the lead and, despite the Blue Devils driving deep into Yellow Jacket territory in the final minute, Duke (4-1, 1-1 ACC) kicker Gavin Strange missed a 33-yard field goal wide left with five seconds remaining.

"At the end of the day that was the first time this year we've played as a football team," Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key said. “I thought we played as a complete team."

Yellow Jackets' quarterback Alberto Mendoza, the younger brother of last year's Heisman Memorial Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, completed 23 of his 30 passes for 218 yards and a score. Jordan Allen hauled in 10 catches for 99 yards, including Mendoza's touchdown.

Duke’s Nate Sheppard, who entered the game ranked fourth nationally in rushing yards, had 99 yards on the ground and two touchdowns, along with 91 receiving yards.

Clutch drive

Georgia Tech has already had two critical late-game drives come up short this year, losing one-possession games to Colorado and Stanford. The Yellow Jackets got the ball back with 2:40 left down 25-21, and this time they made the big plays.

Mendoza hit wide receiver Jordan Allen for a 20-yard completion early, found Dalen Penson for 13 yards and completed another big pass to Allen for a gain of 14 yards to set up Maddox's score on the ensuing play.

“They were trying to funnel me into an inside defender," Allen said. "So I just kind of sat there and presented my numbers to Berto (Mendoza) so he could just zip it on me, and that’s exactly what he did.”

Explosive play

In addition to his game-winning score, Maddox also ripped off Georgia Tech's longest play from scrimmage this season. He popped a 60-yard touchdown run around the right side in the third quarter, giving the Yellow Jackets a 21-10 lead.

“That’s why we named him a captain," Key said. "I love that dude. I’ve said it since spring ball: there is nobody that epitomizes what it is to be a Georgia Tech football player and a Tech man more than Trelain Maddox.”

The Takeaway

Duke: Penalties continued to be a thorn in Duke's side. The Blue Devils entered the game 124th nationally in penalties, and took another six for 71 yards Saturday. Both of Georgia Tech's first-half touchdown drives were kept alive by Duke third-down penalties, and a personal foul penalty also handed the Yellow Jackets 15 yards on their final touchdown drive.

Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets got a much-needed first ACC win of the season, responding after blowing a 20-10 lead against Stanford. The win snapped a six-game losing streak against FBS opponents dating back to last season.

Up Next

Duke: Hosts rival North Carolina next Saturday.

Georgia Tech: Travels to Virginia Tech next Saturday.