In a thrilling season opener, Georgia Tech pulled off a shocking upset by defeating No. 10 Florida State with a 24-21 victory, sealed by Aidan Birr’s 44-yard field goal as time expired. The Seminoles mounted a comeback late in the fourth quarter, levelling the score at 21 with a touchdown drive orchestrated by DJ Uiagalelei, but were unable to regain possession, ultimately leading to Birr’s game-winning kick.
Georgia Tech’s Jamal Haynes made a significant impact with 75 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while quarterback Haynes King contributed with 146 passing yards and 54 rushing yards. The Yellow Jackets dominated the line of scrimmage, accumulating 190 rushing yards and averaging 5.3 yards per carry. Uiagalelei, in his debut for Florida State, completed 19 of 27 passes for 193 yards.
Notably, Ryan Fitzgerald of Florida State achieved a career-long 59-yard field goal just before halftime, tying the game at 14. Despite the limited number of possessions, both teams executed well in the game. Georgia Tech’s final two drives, an 89-yard touchdown drive and a 49-yard drive to set up Birr’s game-winning kick, proved to be decisive.
The match, part of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, attracted a packed crowd of enthusiastic Florida State fans at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, marking the third consecutive Week 0 opener in the city.
Following this upset, Florida State will host Boston College on Sept. 2, while Georgia Tech will face off against Georgia State on Aug. 31.
Florida State’s highly-regarded defensive line, considered one of the best in the ACC, struggled against Georgia Tech, failing to register a sack and allowing the Yellow Jackets to run freely. Conversely, Georgia Tech showcased their strength in the running game, continuing their impressive rushing statistics from the 2023 season.
