If Saturday’s Aer Lingus Kickoff Classic truly set the tone for the 2024 season, then we could be in for a really fun ride.
Well, said no Florida State fan, come to think of it.
The Seminoles, ranked No. 10 in both the Associated Press and coaches polls, went down to Georgia Tech on Saturday at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland, courtesy of a 44-yard field goal by Aidan Birr as time expired, a 24-21 final.
It looked for just a second as if that might not happen after a disastrous play moments before, where Tech quarterback Haynes King was thrown for a loss, but managed to hold onto the football.
But Tech recovered, sent Birr out and his kick went just inside the left upright as time expired, dealing FSU not just a loss in its season opener, but an Atlantic Coast Conference loss, always a risky venture playing a conference game to open the season.
FSU was a 10 ½-point favorite, according to most betting sites.
It’s no secret that it’s been a long time since Tech had extended success on the football field, and this statistic marks it: Saturday’s win over FSU was Georgia Tech’s first over a top-10 opponent since October 2015, a 22-16 win over – Florida State.
Georgia Tech finished with 190 rushing yards, led by running back Jamal Haynes, who had 75 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. King finished with 146 passing yards and had 54 rushing yards.
The real heroes, though? The Yellow Jackets’ offensive line, second-year head coach Brent Key said. “Really proud of the offensive line,” coach Brent Key said. “Shocking there, right? Really proud of those guys and how they were prepared.”
Birr’s game-winning kick overshadowed two fantastic kicks by Florida State kicker Ryan Fitzgerald, who hit a 52-yarder early in the game, then sent it to halftime with a 59-yarder.
Seminoles quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei completed 19-of-27 passes for 193 yards in his first game for FSU; he’s at his third stop (Clemson, Oregon State).
Under Key, Tech is becoming known as a giant-killer. Last year, Tech beat both Miami and North Carolina, and now Florida State has fallen. It couldn’t be long before the Yellow Jackets break through, now, and become the favorite in these games.
They’re 1-0 overall, of course, and 1-0 in ACC play. They’ll be out of conference at home next Saturday to host Georgia State.
Florida State is off for a few extra days, and will get a chance to try and even his record on Monday, Sept. 2, a home game against Boston College.
