Georgia Tech Stuns No. 10 Florida State in Week 0 Thriller in Dublin

In a thrilling Week 0 showdown, Georgia Tech stunned the college football world by upsetting the 10th-ranked Florida State Seminoles 24-21 in the 2024 Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland. The game, which kicked off the new 12-team College Football Playoff era, was a nail-biting back-and-forth battle in front of 51,711 fans at Aviva Stadium.

Florida State came into the game as 10.5-point favorites, but Georgia Tech had other plans. The Seminoles started strong, with Alabama transfer Roydell Williams making key plays to move the ball to midfield. Indiana transfer Jaylin Lucas and running back Lawrance Toafili powered the offense, with Toafili scoring the first touchdown of the season on a 28-yard run. A trick play on the two-point conversion gave FSU an early 8-0 lead.

However, Georgia Tech quickly responded. Jamal Haynes’ 14-yard rush set up a one-yard touchdown run by backup quarterback Zach Pyron, and with the extra point, the Yellow Jackets cut the lead to 8-7. The game continued with both teams trading blows. FSU kicker Ryan Fitzgerald hit a 52-yard field goal to extend the Seminoles’ lead to 11-7, but Georgia Tech answered with a long, grinding drive that ended with a one-yard touchdown run, giving them a 14-11 advantage.

As the second half began, Florida State’s Fitzgerald set a new career record with a 59-yard field goal to tie the game at 14-14. The Seminoles’ defense fought hard, with big plays from linebacker DJ Lundy and defensive tackle Joshua Farmer, but Georgia Tech’s offense, led by quarterback Zach Pyron, kept pushing. A 21-yard rush by Haynes and a two-yard touchdown run gave the Yellow Jackets a 20-14 lead.

Florida State refused to back down, tying the game once more with a touchdown run by Williams after a clutch 20-yard reception by wide receiver Ja’Khi Douglas. With the score deadlocked at 21-21, Georgia Tech marched down the field in the final minutes. Aidan Birr then nailed a 44-yard field goal as time expired, securing the Yellow Jackets’ stunning victory.

The upset loss is a significant blow to Florida State’s hopes for the College Football Playoff, especially after a disappointing end to the 2023 season. Georgia Tech, projected to finish ninth in the ACC Preseason Poll, defied expectations and sent a clear message that they’re not to be underestimated this season. As the Seminoles head back to Tallahassee, they’ll have to regroup quickly, while Georgia Tech celebrates one of the biggest wins in recent program history.

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Eric Boggs

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