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Brent Key, coaching his alma mater, is no stranger to upsets, and while Clemson may not be a ranked team, the Yellow Jackets' defensive performance was still a shocker. Georgia Tech entered the game with one of the nation's weakest defenses but managed to keep the Tigers out of the end zone entirely.
Although a bowl game is out of reach for Key's squad, defeating a rival is always reason to celebrate for Georgia Tech fans.
Winner: Brent Key
Key has faced heavy criticism for the team's recent struggles, particularly over the last four games, but he deserves credit for keeping his players engaged and ready to compete against Clemson. Key now holds a 2-1 record against the Tigers as head coach, and while Clemson isn't the national title contender it once was, the Tigers had dominated this rivalry until recently. Despite the season's disappointments, no Georgia Tech fan will be unhappy about beating Clemson.
Loser: Red Zone Offense
This is a minor critique, but the final score could have been more lopsided if the Yellow Jackets had capitalized in the red zone. Early in the game, leading 7-0, Georgia Tech had a golden opportunity to extend the lead to 14-0 after a fourth-down stop deep in Clemson territory, but they failed to execute and settled for a field goal. The lack of execution was evident, and if Georgia Tech hopes to pull off upsets against Wake Forest or Georgia, they must improve in this area.
Winner: Georgia Tech's Running Game
Key loves to run the football, but the Yellow Jackets had struggled to do so all season. Against one of the ACC's top defenses, Georgia Tech racked up 269 rushing yards and averaged 5.2 yards per carry. Justice Haynes led the way with 116 yards on 13 carries, including a 53-yard touchdown. Grady Adamson chipped in with 19 carries for 87 yards, and Trelain Maddox added 53 yards on 12 attempts. If the Yellow Jackets can maintain this rushing attack in their final two games, they can compete with the Demon Deacons and Bulldogs.
Winner: Vinnie Sunseri and the Defense
Georgia Tech's defense had been a liability all season, but a coaching shakeup that saw coordinator Jason Semore and defensive ends coach Kyle Pope depart the program aimed to spark a turnaround. Safeties coach Vinnie Sunseri took over play-calling duties and delivered impressive results. Yes, Clemson's offense ranks among the worst in the country, but given how poor the Yellow Jackets had been defensively, this was still a notable effort. The Tigers managed just 228 total yards and averaged a mere 3.4 yards per play. Clemson's rushing attack, missing Gideon Davidson, averaged only 2.5 yards per carry. Georgia Tech, which had ranked near the bottom nationally in rush defense, held the Tigers in check and also recorded four sacks and six tackles for loss. Bigger challenges lie ahead in the final weeks, but this win was a confidence booster for the defense.
Jackson Caudell has been a publisher at the On SI network for four years and has extensive knowledge covering college athletics and the NBA. He is also the co-host of the Bleav in Georgia Tech podcast, bringing thoughtful analysis and comprehensive coverage to his work. Find him on X @jacksoncaudell.