Georgia Tech’s Yellow Jackets etched their name deeper into program lore on Saturday, improving to 7-0 for the first time since 1966 following a gritty 27-18 road victory over Duke at Wallace Wade Stadium.
This marks one of the most electrifying starts in decades for the ACC powerhouse, fueling dreams of a playoff push and potentially rewriting the team’s championship narrative.
Georgia Tech Whips Duke
The win also clinched Georgia Tech’s first 4-0 start in Atlantic Coast Conference play in 27 years, dating back to the 1997 season.
With this flawless ACC mark, the Jackets now sit atop the conference standings, positioning themselves as legitimate contenders in a league stacked with talent from Florida State to Clemson.
Haynes King: Dual-Threat Dynamo Delivers in Clutch
Quarterback Haynes King was the undeniable hero, showcasing his elite athleticism and poise under pressure.
He completed 14 of 21 passes for 205 yards while adding a game-high 120 rushing yards on 14 carries – a performance that evoked memories of past Tech legends like Joe Hamilton.
King’s highlight-reel moment came with 2:10 remaining, when he burst through the Duke defense for a 28-yard touchdown scamper, slamming the door on any Blue Devils comeback hopes and igniting the traveling Jackets faithful.
King’s versatility proved invaluable, as he became the first Georgia Tech QB since Tevin Coleman in 2014 to rush for 100+ yards in an ACC road win.
“Haynes is a game-changer,” said head coach Brent Key postgame. “He doesn’t just throw the ball – he attacks defenses like a predator.”
Fourth-Quarter Miracle: From Trailing to Dominant
The Jackets’ path to victory was anything but linear. Georgia Tech trailed for most of the afternoon, locked in a defensive slugfest while their offense sputtered through three quarters, managing just 10 points.
Duke’s stout run defense and opportunistic secondary kept Tech at bay, leading 18-10 entering the final frame.
But the fourth quarter belonged to the Jackets. It ignited with running back Malachi Hosley capping a masterful 72-yard, 8-play drive with a 10-yard touchdown plunge at the 4:57 mark, swinging the score to 20-10.
The drive featured crisp short passes from King and punishing runs that wore down Duke’s front seven.
On the ensuing possession, Georgia Tech’s offense erupted again.
King’s 28-yard TD run sealed it, pushing the lead to 27-10 with under three minutes left. Duke managed a late touchdown, but it was too little, too late.
In a stunning stretch, the Yellow Jackets more than doubled their entire game’s scoring output in the final 5:01, erupting for 17 unanswered points.
They executed nearly flawlessly: 11-of-13 passing, 98 rushing yards, zero turnovers, and zero penalties on those final two drives.
It was a masterclass in late-game composure, transforming a potential upset loss into a signature road triumph.
Defensively, Tech’s unit bent but never broke.
Dig Deeper: Echoes of 1966 Glory – and a Cautionary Tale
This 7-0 start isn’t just rare – it’s historic. The 1966 season remains a golden benchmark for Georgia Tech fans, when the Jackets, coached by Bud Carson, roared out to 9-0 behind a high-octane offense led by quarterback Ronny Cobb and a punishing defense anchored by All-American Jim Schneider.
That year, Tech demolished rivals with an average of 31 points per game, including blowouts over Miami (42-0) and SMU (42-14). The Jackets finished 9-1 overall, clinching a Cotton Bowl bid – their first major bowl since 1956.
However, the fairy tale soured in the regular-season finale: a heartbreaking 23-14 rivalry loss to the University of Georgia Bulldogs in Athens, snapping Tech’s perfect streak and handing UGA its only SEC win that year.
The Cotton Bowl was no redemption. On January 1, 1967, Tech fell 27-12 to a Vince Dooley-coached Florida Gators squad, plagued by turnovers and injuries.
Despite the imperfect ending, 1966 cemented Tech’s status as a national power, outscoring opponents 283-95 and ranking No. 8 in the final AP Poll.
Fast-forward to 2025: With seven straight wins, including statement victories over Miami and now Duke, Brent Key’s Jackets are mirroring that ’66 magic.
But history whispers a warning – can they navigate rivalry week against Georgia (November 29 at Bobby Dodd Stadium) and a potential bowl showdown without the late-season stumbles?
At 7-0, Tech controls its destiny in the ACC and eyes the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. Five more wins, including that Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate thriller, could send them to the postseason as conference champs.
Final Word
Next up: Georgia Tech hosts Syracuse (3-4) on October 25, a chance to hit 8-0 and keep the dream alive. As Key put it: “We’re not done. This is just the beginning.”