There wasn’t much discussion about the Clemson Tigers during the press conference portion of Wednesday’s ACC Kickoff. But that didn’t stop a Georgia Tech veteran player from making some brash remarks about the team.
Senior linebacker Kyle Efford didn’t hold back when describing what this season’s matchup with Clemson meant to him.
Georgia Tech linebacker – Kyle Efford
“It’s always great playing Clemson,” the Dacula, Ga. native told me. “Ever since I was a kid, I was watching those Clemson-Tech games. It’s always been great. And having them at home at Bobby Dodd. I want to pack the Dodd out. I want to take those Clemson boys down.”
The Tigers and Yellow Jackets meet in each team’s ACC opener on September 13. Kickoff time is set for 12:00 p.m. at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta.
It’ll mark the first meeting between the teams on Tech’s home field since Clemson dismantled them by a 73-7 final back in the 2020 campaign. Since that game, the Tigers have beaten the Jackets twice in Death Valley, and once at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Georgia Tech hasn’t defeated Clemson since 2014, in the glory years of the rivalry. In that game, Dabo Swinney was forced into benching incumbent quarterback Cole Stoudt for the young, up-and-coming Deshaun Watson. The Yellow Jackets bullied the Tigers to the tune of 251 rushing yards, a five-yard average per carry. Both teams won double-digit games that season, with Clemson taking home the Russell Athletic Bowl, and Tech the Orange Bowl.
Looking ahead to Day 3 of ACC Kickoff, the Clemson Tigers take center stage. Head coach Dabo Swinney will take the podium at the Hilton Charlotte Uptown at 12:00 p.m., alongside quarterback Cade Klubnik, edge rusher T.J. Parker, defensive lineman Peter Woods, and wide receiver Antonio Williams. Clemson Sports Media will be on the scene, covering the Tigers as they begin their 2025 season in earnest.
