Tech’s defense toughens up in last three quarters

After a poor first quarter in which it gave up 19 points, Georgia Tech’s defense shut out Duke until the game’s final two minutes. Their efforts gave the Yellow Jackets a chance in what turned into a 34-20 loss, Tech’s second consecutive defeat.

Duke jumped on the Yellow Jackets early with touchdown runs of 4 and 1 yards by Shaquille Powell, sandwiched around an 11-yard scoring pass to T.J. Rahming from Thomas Sirk as the Blue Devils jumped out to a 19-3 lead.

The offense didn’t score again until Powell burst through the middle for a 30-yard touchdown with 1:49 left in the game.

“I thought the defense played really well in the second half,” coach Paul Johnson said. “That’s probably as well as…