Georgia Tech and Texas A&M Upset College Football Rivals

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Texas A&M stunned No. 8 Notre Dame on Saturday, marking its first road win against an AP top-10 opponent since 2014. The Aggies overcame a series of mistakes to secure a 24-23 victory with a last-minute touchdown pass from quarterback Connor Reed to tight end Nathan Boerkircher.

The game was a rollercoaster, with Texas A&M erasing five separate deficits. Coach Mike Elko, visibly frustrated after the first half, noted, “Sometimes, it’s going to be ugly. We had to kick this door down, and we did that tonight.” The Aggies’ resilience paid off, allowing them a chance at their first College Football Playoff appearance.

Despite struggles early in the season, including a blocked punt returned for a touchdown and 13 penalties, Reed completed the decisive play on fourth-and-goal from the Notre Dame 11-yard line. Reed’s performance included averaging 21.2 yards per completion, leading to Boerkircher’s miraculous reception.

For the Irish, coach Marcus Freeman’s team fell to 0-2 for the second time under his leadership, raising questions about their season’s direction. Freeman emphasized the urgent need for improvement, stating, “We need to focus on getting better and getting ready for next week.”

In Atlanta, Georgia Tech also made headlines by defeating Clemson 24-21 with a dramatic 55-yard field goal in the closing seconds. Quarterback Haynes King excelled under pressure, showing both poise and agility throughout the game. King totaled 211 passing yards and 104 rushing yards while overcoming numerous challenges against the Tigers.

Texas A&M’s win and Georgia Tech’s upset proved significant in the shifting landscape of college football, challenging traditional powerhouses like Notre Dame and Clemson. Elko expressed optimism for the future, stating, “It shows us that we can do it, and that’s a hurdle we have to get over.”

Both teams will focus on maintaining momentum as the season progresses, with major matchups on the horizon.