ATLANTA — Georgia Tech’s Aidan Birr drilled a 55-yard field goal as time expired, as Georgia Tech knocked off No. 12 Clemson 24-21 at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta on Saturday.

The loss sent the Tigers, a preseason top four team, to 1-2 and 0-1 in the ACC. Tech improves to 3-0 and 1-0 in the ACC. The win was the Yellow Jackets’ first over Clemson in 10 tires, dating back to 2015.

Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King outdueled Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, leading the Yellow Jackets on a 10-play, 38-yard drive. King ran 25 times for 101 yards and scored a touchdown, while throwing for 211 yards on 20 of 28 passing.

Klubnik, who fumbled and threw an interception, threw for 207 yards on 15 of 26 passing. He threw a 73-yard touchdown pass to Bryant Wesco and ran for a touchdown as well. Klubnik ran for 62 yards on 17 carries.

Following Birr’s second field goal with 7:46 to play in the first half for a 13-0 lead, Clemson’s offense finally got rolling with a 16-play, 75-yard drive that took 6:57 off the clock. The big play of the drive was a 30-yard Adam Randall run on third-and-22.

Klubnik capped the drive on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line, as he dove over the top with 49 seconds to play in the second quarter. Tech led 13-7 at the break.

The Tigers dominated the third quarter and grabbed the lead with 9:36 to play when Wesco took Klubnik’s pass across the middle and raced 73-yards untouched for a TD.

After each team exchanged punts, Georgia Tech ended the third quarter and started the fourth with a 13-play, 90-yard drive that took 6:15 off the clock. King capped the drive with a 1-yard TD and after the two-point conversion, the Yellow Jackets led 21-14 10:02 to go.

Klubnik and the Clemson offense answered with a 13-play drive of their own, which took 6:35 and covered 75 yards. Adam Randall rolled into the end zone for a 2-yard TD, tying the score at 21 with 3:26 to play.

This is not good

Clemson’s 1-2 start to the season marks the first time since 2014 the Tigers open a season with a 1-2 record. The Tigers ended that season 10-3.

Third down magic

Both teams were great on third down. Clemson was 7 of 12 on third down, while Tech was 8-for-15.

Defense has Klubnik’s back

Klubnik fumbled in the first quarter and gave Tech the football at the Clemson 30-yard line on the Tigers’ first possession of the game. However, the defense stood tall and held the Yellow Jackets to a 40-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, Clemson opened the second half with a long drive. On second down from the Tech 8-yard line Klubnik’s pass to T.J. Moore was taken out of the air by safety Omar Daniels, who raced up the field 45 yards before being tackled at the Clemson 48 by running back Adam Randall, who saved a touchdown.

Clemson’s defense then forced a three-and-out on Tech’s ensuing drive. On two turnovers, the Yellow Jackets tallied just three points.

Injuries

Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams (hamstring), safety Khalil Barnes (hamstring), left tackle Tristan Leigh (ankle) and offensive guard Elyjah Thurmon (concussion) all missed the game.

Next up

Clemson will return home next Saturday and host Syracuse at Memorial Stadium. The game is scheduled to kick off at noon.