Forty years have passed since Georgia Tech hosted the top ranked team at Bobby Dodd Stadium in 1980. That result (3-3) wasn't nearly as lopsided when Notre Dame managed to survive a loss by getting a field goal on the last drive against a Tech team that would finish 1-9-1. Clemson only allowed a very brief tie at 7 before unleashing an offensive onslaught led by Trevor Lawrence.
The first quarter didn't seem to out of hand as Tech won the turnover battle two to one. They just struggled to move the ball against a dominate defense who consistently harassed Sims in the backfield and forced Gibbs to find holes quickly before they were closed by the speed of Clemson's linebackers.