Week 3 of the college football season was defined by Georgia Tech’s thrilling upset of No. 11 Clemson, capped off by a 55-yard, walk-off field goal from Aidan Birr.
The win not only shocked the college football world but also marked a momentous victory for the Yellow Jackets, who had endured a nine-game losing streak against the Tigers.
A Historic Finish and Postgame Celebrations
As time expired at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia Tech fans erupted in celebration after Birr’s clutch field goal secured a 24-21 victory over Clemson. The scene on the field was pure jubilation, with fans rushing to storm the field and then taking the goalposts down.
What followed was even more remarkable—Yellow Jacket supporters carried the goalposts out of the stadium, parading them all the way to the nearby pool at the university president’s mansion.
“This ain’t our first time doing this now,” said Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key in an interview with ESPN’s Kris Budden after the game, signaling the team’s long-awaited triumph over Clemson.
Violation of ACC Event Security Policy
While the victory was monumental for Georgia Tech, the postgame celebration did not come without consequences. The Yellow Jackets violated the ACC’s updated event security policy, which prohibits fans from storming the field after games.
As a result, Georgia Tech faces a $50,000 fine, which will be paid to the ACC’s Weaver-James-Corrigan-Swofford Postgraduate Scholarship account. However, given the significance of the victory, the fine might be a small price to pay for the Yellow Jackets and their fans.
An Underdog Victory with Impressive Stats
Georgia Tech’s win over Clemson was not just a dramatic moment in the game, but also a significant achievement for the program. As noted by ESPN’s Kevin Negandhi, the victory was Georgia Tech’s 11th win as an underdog in recent years, the most by any Division I FBS team in that span.
Heading into the game, the Yellow Jackets were a three-point underdog, according to BetMGM odds.
Birr’s field goal was particularly notable for being the longest walk-off kick in Georgia Tech history, and the sixth walk-off field goal by a Yellow Jackets kicker.
It came in dramatic fashion, with Georgia Tech in a “fire drill” situation after burning through all of their timeouts by the 20-second mark in the fourth quarter.
Under coach Brent Key, Georgia Tech has been dominant against nationally ranked ACC opponents, now holding a 7-1 record in such games.
What’s Next for Georgia Tech?
Georgia Tech will look to build on this signature victory as they prepare for their next game on Saturday, September 20, against Temple. The Yellow Jackets will host the Owls for a 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff at home, as they aim to carry their momentum from this landmark win forward.
Georgia Tech’s victory over Clemson in Week 3 was a statement win for the program. It snapped a nine-game losing streak to the Tigers and provided one of the most thrilling finishes of the season with Birr’s game-winning field goal.
While the postgame celebrations led to a fine, the victory was a significant milestone in Georgia Tech’s season and underlined the team’s potential to make a major impact in the ACC this year.
