ATLANTA (Interstat) — Trelain Maddox scored three touchdowns, and Georgia Tech made a final defensive stand to defeat Duke 28-25 on Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium. The Yellow Jackets improved to 2-3 this season, while the visiting Blue Devils fell to 4-1. The NCAA Football Bowl Division game was played before an announced attendance of 46,432. Duke entered as the visiting team, and Georgia Tech was the home team.

Georgia Tech scored seven points in each quarter. Duke scored 10 points in the first quarter, eight in the second and seven in the third. The Blue Devils were stopped on their final possession when Gavin Strange missed a 33-yard field-goal attempt with four seconds remaining. The loss ended Duke’s unbeaten start.

Alberto Mendoza was Georgia Tech’s top star. The 6-foot-2, 203-pound quarterback completed 23 of 30 passes for 218 yards and one touchdown and rushed for 17 yards. Mendoza opened the scoring with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Allen at 8:47 of the first quarter. Aidan Birr made the extra point.

Duke answered in the second quarter. Nate Sheppard ran right for a 5-yard touchdown at 14:20, and Strange kicked the extra point. Sheppard finished with 27 carries for 99 yards and two touchdowns and added seven receptions for 91 yards. His production helped Duke stay within reach throughout the second half.

Georgia Tech responded at 7:37 of the second quarter when Trelain Maddox rushed left for a 5-yard touchdown. Birr’s kick was good. Duke’s Strange made a 35-yard field goal at 3:47 to close the first-half scoring. The Yellow Jackets took a narrow lead into halftime.

Maddox broke free in the third quarter for a 60-yard touchdown run at 10:29. Birr added the extra point. Duke answered at 3:18 when Walker Eget completed an 8-yard touchdown pass to Jared Richardson. Jonah Burton completed a successful two-point pass to cut the margin.

Eget, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound quarterback from Santa Clarita, Calif., completed 26 of 41 passes for 259 yards and one touchdown and ran for 11 yards. He led Duke’s passing attack and kept the Blue Devils in position for a late comeback.

In the fourth quarter, Sheppard scored on another 5-yard run at 2:40. Strange’s extra point brought Duke closer. Georgia Tech moved back ahead when Maddox rushed middle for a 1-yard touchdown at 0:54. Birr’s extra point made the score 28-25. Duke had one last chance, but Strange missed from 33 yards at 0:04.

Maddox finished with 10 carries for 81 yards and three touchdowns and caught two passes for 8 yards. Allen caught 10 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown and returned a punt 33 yards. Justice Haynes added 14 carries for 69 yards. Rahkeem Smith returned four kickoffs for 97 yards. Alex Bacchetta punted four times for 179 yards.

Georgia Tech’s defense received contributions across the field. E.J. Lightsey recorded six tackles. Tawfiq Thomas and Tae Harris each had seven tackles. Kyle Efford had six tackles. Zachary Tobe, Kelvin Hill and Taje McCoy each made five tackles. Melvin Jordan IV, Braylon Outlaw, Cayman Spaulding and Jaylen Mbakwe each added four tackles. Savion Riley had two tackles, while Jonas Duclona, Christian Speakman, Derry Norris Jr., Andre Fuller Jr. and Brayden Manley each recorded one tackle.

Duke’s defensive efforts included Luke Mergott’s seven tackles. Kyon Loud had six tackles. DaShawn Stone and Andrew Pellicciotta each made five tackles. Nick Morris Jr. had three tackles. Kade Reynoldson punted four times for 196 yards. Jeremiah Hasley caught six passes for 39 yards. Jayden Moore had a 42-yard reception.

Other Georgia Tech receiving options contributed. Isaiah Fuhrmann caught two passes for 27 yards. Chris Corbo had two receptions for 18 yards. Gavin Harris caught two passes for 17 yards. Dalen Penson had one reception for 13 yards. Kevin Roche Jr. caught two passes for 12 yards. Debron Gatling had one catch for 21 yards. Chad Alexander caught one pass for 3 yards. Trelain Maddox also had two receptions for 8 yards.

Duke’s additional pass catchers included Jared Richardson with four receptions for 29 yards and a touchdown. Jaivon Solomon had two catches for 22 yards. Jonah Burton had two catches for 15 yards. Nate Kurisky caught two passes for 14 yards. CJ Campbell Jr. rushed six times for 46 yards and caught two passes for 7 yards. Dan Mahan had one carry for 3 yards.

Georgia Tech’s previous results this season included a 34-27 loss at Stanford, a 44-11 home win over Mercer, a 45-24 home loss to Tennessee and a 14-13 home loss to Colorado. Duke’s previous results included a 62-7 home win over William & Mary, a 35-7 home win over Stanford, a 31-27 road win at Illinois and a 17-3 home win over Tulane. Duke’s next game is against North Carolina at home. Georgia Tech’s next game is at Virginia Tech. Duke will then play at Virginia, host Boston College, visit North Carolina State, visit Miami, host Clemson and visit Wake Forest. Georgia Tech will host Boston College, visit Pittsburgh, host Louisville, visit Clemson, host Wake Forest and visit Georgia.

Interstat’s game simulator projected Duke 45, Georgia Tech 39. Interstat’s ELO system gave Duke a 67.5 percent probability to win. Georgia Tech was installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of minus 6.5. The total score of 53 went under the over-under line of 44.5.