CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Georgia Tech quarterback Justin Thomas and defensive lineman Patrick Gamble were both 9 years old the last time Clemson beat Georgia Tech in Atlanta.

“I didn’t know that they hadn’t won there in that long,” Gamble said Thursday at the annual ACC Football Kickoff media event.

“I don’t know too much about that game,” Thomas added.

Thomas and Gamble may not have many recollections of that Saturday Sept. 20, 2003, when Clemson limited Georgia Tech to just 45 rushing yards on 33 carries en route to a 39-3 victory, and they may not be aware of the Yellow Jackets’ current five-game home winning streak against the Tigers.

However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t an important element of the two teams’ upcoming Thursday night game on Sept. 22.

Gamble, whose 38 tackles in 2015 (10 games) ranked eighth on the team, said Georgia Tech’s recent history of home success against Clemson will give the Jackets additional confidence heading into the clash.

“It definitely can give you extra confidence because you have that on your side,” Gamble said. “You can definitely put that on your side, but when it comes on Thursday night, you just have to play the game and let it come to you.”

Thomas, though, isn’t putting as much stock into the streak.

“We aren’t going to harp on the past,” Thomas said. “When we get out there that Thursday, nobody’s going to be thinking about what we did in the past. They’re going to be looking at what we’re doing now, so we are going to go in that week and get prepared like we get prepared for any other game.”

Thomas — who threw for 1,345 yards, 13 touchdown passes and eight interceptions in 2015 after passing for 1,719 yards and 18 touchdowns with six picks in 2014 — is coming off a down season, as is Georgia Tech, which finished 3-9 (1-7 ACC) and lost nine of its last 10 games to end the worst season in the Paul Johnson era.

Thomas admitted a “snowball” effect occurred once things began to go bad last year.

“That’s kind of how it works,” he said. “One thing happens, and it’s a trickling effect.”

Consequently, Johnson is under more pressure entering his ninth season at the helm, and a win over what should be a highly ranked Clemson team could be the relief he needs.

“We’ve had some really good games against Clemson, and Clemson has had some really good teams,” Johnson said. “I think we’ve played them nine times since I’ve been here, and we’re 5-4 against them. There have been back-and-forth games, and you know they’re going to be very talented.

“Their quarterback is one of the top players in the country. I think sometimes people don’t realize how talented they are on defense, so it’ll be a challenge. Coach Swinney has done a great job of building that program up, but hopefully we can keep that streak going in Atlanta this season.”