For the third consecutive year, the college football season kicked off in Dublin, Ireland, where nearly 50,000 fans packed Aviva Stadium to witness Georgia Tech's stunning 24-21 victory over No. 10 Florida State.The Seminoles, led by senior transfer quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, opened the game with a quick 75-yard touchdown drive in just over four minutes, finishing with a trick play for a two-point conversion. The Yellow Jackets quickly responded with a 79-yard touchdown drive of their own, taking just three and a half minutes.
In the second quarter, Georgia Tech seized the lead with a methodical 14-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that consumed nearly eight minutes. Florida State's kicker, Ryan Fitzgerald, tied the game at halftime with a 59-yard field goal, his second of over 50 yards in the half. The Dublin crowd was thrilled when Fitzgerald celebrated with a Conor McGregor-inspired strut.After a scoreless third quarter, Georgia Tech took the lead early in the fourth quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run by Jamal Haynes. Florida State quickly tied it up at 21-21 with a touchdown drive of their own. The Yellow Jackets, relying heavily on their running game, controlled the clock for the final six and a half minutes, setting up kicker Aidan Birr's game-winning 44-yard field goal as time expired.
The atmosphere, which had felt like a home game for Florida State, shifted to stunned disbelief as the final whistle blew.FSU fans had flocked to Dublin, hoping to rebound from last season's disappointment of being left out of the College Football Playoff despite an undefeated record and an ACC championship. The playoff committee's controversial decision was largely due to a season-ending injury to star quarterback Jordan Travis, who has since moved on to the NFL with the New York Jets.
With the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams this season, the era of undefeated major-conference teams being snubbed will soon be over.More than 25,000 fans traveled for the game, which is expected to inject €115 million into the local economy, according to game sponsor Aer Lingus. This year’s matchup marked the sixth college football game in Ireland since 2012. Aviva Stadium is set to host Iowa State versus Kansas State next year and Pittsburgh versus Wisconsin in 2027.
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