Georgia Tech wide receiver Isiah Canion (4) pulls in a 30-yard reception while defended by Duke cornerback Kimari Robinson (5) during the second half of Georgia Tech’s 27-18 victory over Duke at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
Ethan Hyman
ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke fell 27-18 to No. 12 Georgia Tech on Saturday at Wallace Wade Stadium.
Duke quarterback Darian Mensah logged 373 yards and two passing touchdowns. The Blue Devils fumbled the ball late in the first quarter, resulting in a 95-yard return by safety Omar Daniels to give the Yellow Jackets a 7-0 lead. After a tight back-and-forth in the second half, Georgia Tech sealed the victory with a touchdown drive with five minutes remaining.
The Blue Devils will travel to face Clemson next weekend.
Duke linebacker Kendall Johnson (42) pressures Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King (10) causing him to make a bad throw during the first half of Duke’s game against Georgia Tech at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Blue Devils fans react during the second half of Georgia Tech’s 27-18 victory over Duke at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke kicker Todd Pelino (29) can’t make the kick for a field goal attempt as Duke’s Kade Reynoldson (41) holds the ball during the first half of Duke’s game against Georgia Tech at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Georgia Tech’s Kyle Efford (44) motions after Duke kicker Todd Pelino (29) missed a 44-yard field goal attempt during the second half of Georgia Tech’s 27-18 victory over Duke at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke head coach Manny Diaz walks off the field with his team following the Blue Devils’ 27-18 loss to Georgia Tech on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
Duke head coach Manny Diaz congratulates Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key after Georgia Tech’s 27-18 victory over Duke at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke quarterback Darian Mensah (10) walks off the field after Georgia Tech’s 27-18 victory over Duke at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke running back Nate Sheppard is brought down by Georgia Tech linebacker Kyle Efford during the first half of the Blue Devils’ game on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
Umpire Danny Worrell goes into the turf as Duke’s Nate Sheppard (20) is tackled during the first half of Duke’s game against Georgia Tech at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Landen King (0) pulls in a 20-yard touchdown reception during the first half of Duke’s game against Georgia Tech at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke tight end Jake Taylor (15) pulls in a tipped ball during the first half of Duke’s game against Georgia Tech at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Jaiden Francois reacts following a defensive stop during the first half of the Blue Devils’ game against Georgia Tech on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
Duke head coach Manny Diaz watches during the first half of Duke’s game against Georgia Tech at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke quarterback Darian Mensah (10) dives after a fumble in the red zone during the first half of Duke’s game against Georgia Tech at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Georgia Tech’s Omar Daniels returned the fumble for a touchdown. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke fumbles the ball during the first half of the Blue Devils’ game against Georgia Tech on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
Duke quarterback Darian Mensah (10) reacts after watching Georgia Tech defensive back Omar Daniels (9) return a fumble for a touchdown during the first half of Duke’s game against Georgia Tech at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke head coach Manny Diaz speaks with officials during the first half of the Blue Devils’ game against Georgia Tech on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
Duke quarterback Darian Mensah (10) prepares to throw during the first half of Duke’s game against Georgia Tech at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Georgia Tech defensive back Jy Gilmore (14) breaks up as pass intended for Duke wide receiver Jayden Moore (8) during the second half of Georgia Tech’s 27-18 victory over Duke at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Luke Mergott and Chandler Rivers bring down Georgia Tech’s Eric Rivers during the first half of the Blue Devils’ game on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
Duke’s Wesley Williams (97) celebrates with Josiah Green (4) after stopping Georgia Tech running back Jamal Haynes (1) during the first half of Duke’s game against Georgia Tech at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Georgia Tech quarterback Ben Guthrie (18) looks back to the bench to see if he should down the ball while running for a 28-yard touchdown during the second half of Georgia Tech’s 27-18 victory over Duke at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke quarterback Darian Mensah (10) is sacked by Georgia Tech’s Amontrae Bradford (98) and Jordan van den Berg (99) during the first half of Duke’s game against Georgia Tech at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke wide receiver Sahmir Hagans walks off the field following the Blue Devils’ 27-18 loss to Georgia Tech on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
Duke head coach Manny Diaz and the team listen to the alma mater after Georgia Tech’s 27-18 victory over Duke at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Georgia Tech wide receiver Isiah Canion (4) pulls in a 30-yard reception while defended by Duke cornerback Kimari Robinson (5) during the second half of Georgia Tech’s 27-18 victory over Duke at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke’s Que’Sean Brown runs the ball during the second half of the Blue Devils’ 27-18 loss to Georgia Tech on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
Duke’s Que’Sean Brown is pressured by Georgia Tech’s Melvin Jordan IV during the second half of the Blue Devils’ 27-18 loss on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
Duke linebacker Luke Mergott sacks Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King during the first half of the Blue Devils’ game on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
Duke quarterback Darian Mensah (10) looks for a receiver downfield during the second half of Georgia Tech’s 27-18 victory over Duke at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Georgia Tech’s Daiquan White breaks up a pass intended for Duke’s Jake Taylor during the first half of the Blue Devils’ 27-18 loss on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
Duke wide receiver Cooper Barkate is tackled by Georgia Tech defensive back Zachary Tobe during the second half of the Blue Devils’ 27-18 loss on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
Duke linebacker Kendall Johnson (42) tackles Georgia Tech quarterback Ben Guthrie (18) during the second half of Georgia Tech’s 27-18 victory over Duke at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Duke quarterback Darian Mensah looks to throw during the second half of the Blue Devils’ 27-18 loss to Georgia Tech on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
Duke’s Chandler Rivers pressures Georgia Tech’s Eric Rivers during the second half of the Blue Devils’ 27-18 loss on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
Duke’s Landen King greets teammate Chandler Rivers during the team introductions prior to the Blue Devils’ game against Georgia Tech on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
This story was originally published October 18, 2025 at 6:50 PM.
