Georgia Tech Stuns No. 10 Florida State in Dublin Opener

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
24/08/2024 22h44

In a stunning turn of events, the college football season kicked off with a thrilling upset as No. 10 Florida State was defeated by Georgia Tech in the opening game held in Dublin, Ireland. Aidan Birr's last-second field goal secured a nail-biting 24-21 victory for the Yellow Jackets, leaving football fans in awe.

The aftermath of this unexpected outcome prompted immediate reactions from sports enthusiasts, including Kirk Herbstreit from ESPN College GameDay. Herbstreit acknowledged the tough loss for the Seminoles but highlighted the encouraging news that Florida State still has ample opportunities to bounce back and contend for a spot in the College Football Playoff, thanks to the new 12-team format.

Offensively, Florida State experienced a rollercoaster performance against Georgia Tech, with the Yellow Jackets proving to be a formidable force in shutting down their running game. DJ Uiagalelei, making his Seminoles debut, faced adversity while completing 19 of 27 passes for 193 yards. However, he struggled to find success with deeper passes. Despite these challenges, Uiagalelei's clutch fourth-quarter drive, which included converting multiple critical fourth downs, ultimately brought the game to a tie.

Nonetheless, Georgia Tech demonstrated their strength by sticking to their game plan and executing it flawlessly. Offensive line coach Brent Key emphasized the importance of their ground game, which proved to be their winning formula. The Yellow Jackets amassed a total of 190 rushing yards, with Jamal Haynes leading the charge with 75 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Haynes King also showcased his dual-threat capabilities, contributing 146 passing yards and 54 rushing yards to the team's impressive performance.

The game unfolded in a series of back-and-forth scoring. Florida State struck first with Lawrance Toafili's 28-yard rush into the end zone, accompanied by a successful two-point conversion using a swinging gate formation. Yet, Georgia Tech swiftly responded, as King orchestrated a methodical drive that resulted in Zach Pyron's quarterback draw touchdown, narrowing the Seminoles' lead to 8-7.

A 52-yard field goal from Ryan Fitzgerald momentarily extended Florida State's advantage to 11-7, but it was short-lived as Georgia Tech embarked on a meticulous 7-minute, 53-second drive, culminating in Haynes' touchdown to claim a 14-11 lead. Fitzgerald's impressive 59-yard field goal just before halftime tied the game at 14-14.

The second half remained tightly contested, with both teams struggling to find the end zone until the fourth quarter. Georgia Tech took control when Haynes found the end zone for the second time, giving the Yellow Jackets a 21-14 edge. However, Florida State demonstrated resilience as Uiagalelei unleashed several vital throws, ultimately resulting in running back Roydell Williams' game-tying touchdown with 6:33 remaining.

With the game hanging in the balance, Georgia Tech showcased their composure and clock management skills as Haynes King guided another impressive drive. The Yellow Jackets' relentless efforts paid off, as Aidan Birr confidently converted the game-winning field goal, securing the sensational 24-21 upset victory over No. 10 Florida State.

This unexpected outcome in the season opener demonstrated that anything can happen in college football, igniting anticipation for what lies ahead in an exciting and unpredictable season. While Florida State faces the challenge of regrouping, Georgia Tech revels in their exceptional accomplishment and sets a high bar for future matchups.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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