Following a much-needed bye week after a disappointing loss against Louisville, the Jackets squared off against the Duke Blue Devils under the lights in Bobby Dodd Stadium. In spite of their undefeated record and a recent comeback win over the rival University of North Carolina Tar Heels, Duke came into the matchup as the underdog. For Tech to deliver on expectations, redshirt junior quarterback Haynes King would need to control possession of the game, and the Jackets would need to dominate in the trenches.
Sophomore receiver Eric Singleton Jr. received the opening kickoff and returned it to near midfield to give the offense great field position to begin the first drive.