Georgia Tech stuns No. 12 Clemson with last-second 55-yard field goal
Aidan Birr boots a career-long kick as time expires to lift the Yellow Jackets to a 24-21 upset at Bobby Dodd Stadium
Georgia Tech beat No. 12 Clemson 24-21 on Saturday when kicker Aidan Birr nailed a career-long 55-yard field goal as the clock expired at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
The drive-setting sequence began with Georgia Tech facing third-and-4 at the Clemson 39 with 25 seconds remaining and no timeouts. Quarterback Haynes King ran a draw play, gained two yards and was tackled in bounds as the clock ticked. The Yellow Jackets rushed off the field and their special teams unit hurried onto the turf to attempt the long, hurried kick. Birr, whose previous career long was 51 yards, received the snap and converted from distance as the ball appeared to slip wide right before angling back inside the upright, giving Georgia Tech the lead as fans poured onto the field.
King finished the game 19 of 27 passing for 216 yards and also led the ground attack with 25 carries for 103 yards and a rushing touchdown. Birr’s kick closed out a rally that overcame earlier miscues, and the Yellow Jackets improved to 3-0 on the season.
Clemson struggled to capitalize on opportunities in its return to Atlanta. Quarterback Cade Klubnik completed 15 of 26 passes for 207 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He added 62 yards rushing and a touchdown but also lost a fumble that set up a Georgia Tech field goal. Klubnik’s interception came deep in the Yellow Jackets’ red zone and ended a drive that might have changed the late-game dynamic for the Tigers.
Clemson entered the game ranked No. 12 and left with its second loss of the season, dropping to 1-2. The Tigers are scheduled to play Syracuse next week. Georgia Tech, playing at home, will host Temple in its next game.
Coach Brent Key celebrated on the field after the final play as fans streamed onto the stadium turf. The upset highlighted both Georgia Tech’s ability to execute under pressure and Clemson’s difficulty finishing drives when it mattered most.
The outcome will affect rankings and momentum for each program heading into conference play. Georgia Tech’s undefeated start continued at home, while Clemson will seek to rebound quickly as it looks to stabilize its season.