I am pretty sure the game last weekend is still in a lightning delay. One of the longest waits and delays that I have experienced for a Clemson football game.
Maybe it was the fact that Clemson was run off the field in the early part of the first quarter before the delay. Or the fact that when they came back from it, the Tigers offense felt like it was still in the locker room.
And then the reported spirited half-time speech by Tiger defensive tackle Peter Woods lit a bit of a fire for the Tigers and they rattled off 27 straight points for a comfortable win against a game Troy team.
This week the Tigers take their slow start of the season down to Atlanta to face the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. A step up in competition from a week ago.
Here is a look at everything you will need to know about the Tiger’s Week 3 Opponent, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets:
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
School Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Time: Noon; ESPN
2025 Record – 2-0; (0-0 Sun Belt)
First Two Games: Win @ Colorado – 27-20
Win vs. Gardner-Webb – 59-12
Head Coach: Brent Key – 3rd (full) Season – 18-16 Overall
Coach Key, a Georgia Tech alum, has been outspoken about how passionate he is about his school and the football program. Key emphasizes physical, disciplined football, particularly a strong run game (he runs a ton of variations of counter run plays) and stout offensive line play, drawing on his OL background. Known as a recruiter who values fundamentals, Key has also guided Tech to back-to-back winning seasons and bowl appearances.
Offense
Offensive Coordinator: Buster Faulkner – 3rd year as OC – Previous: Georgia Quality Control (Quarterbacks)
Coach Faulkner was a hot commodity coming out of a short stint during UGA’s national championship run. He’s known for adapting his scheme to his players’ strengths, balancing tempo, spread concepts, and run-game heavy looks. He emphasizes fundamentals and versatility at all offensive positions.
Georgia Tech has averaged 43 points their first two weeks of the season (26th in the country) with 271.5 yards rushing per game (9th) and 300 yards through the air (22nd) for an total of 571.5 yards of offense per game through two games (7th)
Here is a look at the projected starters for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets from their released depth chart as well as their 2025 statistics through two games:
| Quarterback | Haynes King | RS Senior | #10 | 19 att, 156 yds; 3 TDs | 13-20, 65%; 143 yds, Int |
| Running Back | Jamal Haynes | RS Senior | #1 | 25 att, 157 yds, 2 TDs | 2 catches, 35 yds |
| Wide Receiver | Malik Rutherford | RS Senior | #8 | 1 att, 13 yds | 5 catches, 62 yds |
| Wide Receiver | Eric Rivers (Florida International/Memphis) | RS Senior | #3 | 3 att, 35 yds | 4 catches, 44 yds |
| Wide Receiver | Isiah Canion | Sophomore | #4 | 4 catches, 67 yds, TD | |
| Tight End | J.T. Byrne | RS Senior | #88 | ||
| Left Tackle | Ethan MacKenny | RS Sophomore | #78 | ||
| Left Guard | Joe Fusile | RS Senior | #67 | ||
| Center | Harrison Moore | Sophomore | #52 | ||
| Right Guard | Keylan Rutledge | Senior | #77 | ||
| Right Tackle | Malichi Carney (South Alabama) | RS Junior | #72 |
Defense
Defensive Coordinator: Blake Gideon – 1st Year – Previous: Texas Safeties Coach (2021-24)
Coach Gideon defense emphasizes aggressive playmaking in the secondary, turnover creation, and solid fundamentals in coverage. He’s in his first season at Georgia Tech. Under him, Texas ranked highly in interceptions, passing yards allowed per attempt, pass efficiency defense, and third-down defense.
The Georgia Tech defense has given up 32 total points through the first two weeks. They have given up an average of 131.5 yards on the ground (71st) and 184 yards through the air (59th). The Jackets are giving up a total of 315.5 yards thus far (66th).
Here is a look at the projected starters for the Yellow Jackets on defense along with stats from the their opening week victory:
| Defensive End | AJ Hoeffler (Clemson) | Junior | #88 | *Has not played* |
| Nose Tackle | Akelo Stone (Ole Miss) | RS Senior | #7 | 8 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sack |
| Defensive Tackle | Jordan Van Den Berg | RS Senior | #99 | 5 tackles, 2 TFL |
| Defensive End | Brayden Manley (Mercer) | Junior | #11 | 3 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 0.5 sack |
| Linebacker | Kyle Efford | RS Junior | #44 | 9 tackles |
| Linebacker | E.J. Lightsey | RS Junior | #2 | 7 tackles |
| Cornerback | Ahmari Harvery | RS Senior | #3 | 5 tackles |
| Strong Safety | Clayton Powell-Lee | Senior | #5 | 5 tackles |
| Free Safety | Omar Daniels | RS Junior | #14 | 7 tackles, TFL |
| Nickelback | Jy Gilmore (Georgia State/Tennessee Tech) | RS Junior | #14 | 4 tackles, TFL |
| Cornerback | Rodney Shelley | Junior | #6 | *Has not played* |
Special Teams
Here is a list of the specialists for the Jackets along with statistics from the 2025 Season:
| Kicker | Aidan Birr | RS Junior | #33 | 3-3; long of 43 yds |
| Punter | Marshall Nichols (UNLV/Mississippi State) | Senior | #47 | 3 punts, 46.3 avg. long of 48 yds |
| Punt Returner | Eric Rivers | RS Senior | #3 | 4 returns, 9.5 yd avg. |
| Kick Returner | Daylon Gordon | RS Senior | #21 |
Turnovers
The Jackets are -4 in turnover margin so far, having thrown 2 interceptions and yet to intercept a pass. They have recovered 1 fumble so far while losing 3 fumbles to their first two opponents.
Summary
Win and advance. The Tigers have yet to hit their stride. Coach Swinney said that the frustrating part is that the offense has not struggled in practice. Our Tigers are on everyone’s upset alert this week. Bobby Dodd Stadium has been known to throw a few curveball for the Tigers.
I think it is safe to say that the fanbase is chomping at the bit to see a glimmer of the offense that all of the local and national pundits thought the Tigers would be this season. No better week to start than this one. The first road test of the season.
Let’s go. Spot the dang ball!
