The college football world was rocked Saturday as the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defeated the No. 12 Clemson Tigers with a dramatic 55-yard field goal as time expired, securing a 24-21 victory. This stunning upset marks the first time Clemson has started a season 1-2 since 2014, leaving Coach Dabo Swinney and his team facing serious questions about their national championship aspirations.
From the opening kickoff, Clemson struggled to find their rhythm. Quarterback Cade Klubnik, a projected Heisman contender, fumbled on the Tigers' first possession, leading to an early Georgia Tech field goal. Missed opportunities plagued Clemson throughout the game, including a missed 52-yard field goal attempt in the first quarter. Georgia Tech capitalized on Clemson's mistakes, building a 13-0 lead early in the second quarter thanks to a strong offensive performance from quarterback Haynes King and running back Jamal Haynes.
While Clemson managed to fight back, scoring a touchdown before halftime and taking a brief 14-13 lead in the third quarter on a 73-yard pass from Klubnik to Bryant Wesco Jr., costly mistakes continued to haunt them. A crucial interception by Klubnik inside Georgia Tech's 10-yard line thwarted a potential scoring drive, ultimately proving to be a turning point in the game.
Haynes King proved to be a significant problem for Clemson's defense, accumulating 211 passing yards and 101 rushing yards, including a touchdown. Georgia Tech consistently outmatched Clemson on both sides of the ball, averaging 6.2 yards per play compared to Clemson's 5.1. Penalties and poor fourth-down conversions further hampered Clemson's efforts.
The game ended with a heart-stopping moment: Aidan Birr's 55-yard field goal as time ran out, sending Georgia Tech fans storming the field in celebration and leaving Clemson to grapple with a shocking defeat. The loss drops Clemson's playoff odds significantly, according to The Athletic, while simultaneously boosting Georgia Tech's chances. While a path to the ACC championship and a potential playoff berth still exists, Clemson faces a daunting uphill battle and must significantly improve to meet preseason expectations.
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Originally published at: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6626516/2025/09/13/georgia-tech-clemson-game-winning-field-goal/
