CLEMSON, S.C. — Georgia Tech (3-7, 2-5 ACC) defeated Clemson (6-4, 4-3 ACC), 20-6, at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Clemson starting quarterback Tait Reynolds exited with an injury in the game’s second minute, and the Yellow Jackets went on to outgain the Tigers, 407-228.
The game was Dabo Swinney’s 250th career game as Clemson’s head coach. Kicker Nolan Hauser set Clemson's single-season field goal record with his 28th and 29th made field goals of the season, breaking a tie with Greg Huegel, who hit 27 in 2015. Quarterback Christopher Vizzina recorded 133 passing yards in relief, while Juju Preston led the team in receiving with a career-high 56 yards.
Linebacker Sammy Brown paced Clemson’s defense with 11 tackles and added his first fumble recovery of the season. Safety Corey Myrick contributed his first interception as a Tiger.
On the opening drive, Reynolds completed his first pass attempt and then took the second play 24 yards on the ground for a first down. On the third offensive snap, Reynolds evaded pressure but was injured on the play, and Clemson’s drive stalled at the Georgia Tech 41-yard line.
Georgia Tech struck first on a seven-play, 80-yard drive, as a three-yard rushing touchdown by quarterback Grady Adamson and the ensuing PAT gave the Yellow Jackets a 7-0 lead with 5:34 left in the first quarter. Georgia Tech kicker Aidan Birr made a 24-yard field goal early in the second quarter to increase the Yellow Jackets’ lead to 10-0.
Hauser drilled a 40-yard field goal with 4:36 left in the half to get the Tigers on the board. Clemson’s defense recorded the game’s first takeaway on Georgia Tech’s next possession, as Myrick’s first interception as a Tiger gave Clemson the ball on its own 37-yard line, but Clemson was unable to convert the turnover into points.
Georgia Tech drove to the Clemson three-yard line, but Clemson’s defense held the Yellow Jackets to a field goal attempt. A 22-yard Birr field goal gave the Yellow Jackets a 13-3 halftime advantage.
The Yellow Jackets added to their lead on a 53-yard rushing touchdown by running back Justice Haynes, making the score 20-3 with 10:59 left in the third quarter. Another successful Hauser field goal, this one from 47 yards, accounted for the game’s final points prior to a scoreless fourth quarter.
The defeat snapped a 38-game streak in which Clemson had not lost to a team with a losing record at kickoff, previously the third-longest streak in the nation. It was Clemson’s first loss to a team with a losing record at the time of kickoff since losing to 2-5 Boston College in 2010.
Clemson will now have a quick turnaround before its ACC finale at Duke on Friday, Nov. 20. Clemson will then conclude the 2026 regular season at home on Saturday, Nov. 28, when the Tigers renew their annual rivalry with the South Carolina Gamecocks. Ticket information for Clemson’s remaining games is available at ClemsonTigers.com/FootballTickets.