Georgia Tech pulled off the biggest upset of college football’s early season on Saturday, stunning No. 12 Clemson 24-21 with a dramatic 55-yard field goal as time expired.
The kick delivered the Yellow Jackets their first victory over Clemson since 2014. In the middle of the pandemonium, a story of belief between a coach and his quarterback emerged.
How Did a Coach’s Unwavering Belief Fuel Georgia Tech’s Historic Upset?
The ACC Network captured the emotional aftermath with an on-field interview featuring coach Brent Key and quarterback Haynes King. The pair was quickly surrounded by celebrating fans who stormed the field after Aidan Birr’s game-winning kick split the uprights.
The network’s post on X highlighted the core message, “I believe in my players.” Brent Key after @GeorgiaTechFB defeated No. 12 Clemson”
“I believe in my players.”
Brent Key after @GeorgiaTechFB defeated No. 12 Clemson pic.twitter.com/PPdyXFpawQ
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) September 13, 2025
During the interview, Key’s raw emotion was on full display when he was asked about his confidence in King during the critical final drive. “I don’t know if he’s my little brother. He’s closer than a cousin. I love this dude, man,” Key said. “Hey, this ain’t our first time doing this now.”
When the interviewer noted how calm Key appeared during the field goal attempt, the coach kept his response simple and direct. “I believe in my players. I believe in my players. We’re good.”
Meanwhile, King remained humble even as students chanted his name around them. “I mean, it makes me feel good, but it’s not me. It’s this whole team. The guys in front, the defense, the guys around me,” King said. “It’s not just a one-man show. It’s a whole building.”
Asked how this victory felt different from past wins, King pointed to the team’s newfound confidence, suggesting this result was no fluke. “I mean, honestly, it doesn’t. How hard we’ve worked this offseason, fall camp and all that, I mean, this is just what we expect nowadays.”
What Does This Win Mean for Both Teams Moving Forward?
The bond between King and Key extends far beyond the impact of Saturday’s game. Key has consistently praised his quarterback’s unselfish leadership, citing a time when King advocated for running plays to help the team win instead of chasing his own personal records.
“When you got a guy like that that puts the team above himself, right, and is willing to lay it on the line for his teammates, everybody else is going to run through a wall for him,” Key said, explaining King’s character. That trust is why Key has previously called King “the best quarterback in the ACC” and predicted he’d receive award recognition by the season’s end.
MORE: ‘There’s No Quitters’ — Dabo Swinney Sends Strong Clemson Locker Room Message Despite ‘Soft’ Defense Admission
Returning from injury, King delivered a gutsy performance. He completed 19 of 27 passes for 216 yards and rushed 25 times for 103 yards and a touchdown.
On the other side, Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik struggled with two costly turnovers — a fumble and an interception. Although the Tigers managed to tie the game at 21-21 with 3:26 remaining, that was enough time for King to lead the game-winning drive.
With the win, Georgia Tech improved to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in ACC play. The loss dropped Clemson to 1-2 overall and 0-1 in the conference. While Clemson still could make the College Football Playoff, this defeat significantly damages the Tigers’ playoff hopes, as they would likely need to win the rest of their games to be considered if they don’t win the ACC.
