Aug. 27, 2017
THE FLATS – With kickoff just nine days away, Georgia Tech athletics and the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game have a few reminders for fans attending the Labor Day season opener between Georgia Tech and Tennessee at brand-new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta.
Secure Gameday Parking
As gameday approaches, parking is selling fast! Fans can lock in parking at a secure lot in advance by clicking HERE.
Fan Zone
Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game tickets include admission to FanZone presented by Coca-Cola, which will be held from 3-7 p.m. in the Georgia World Congress Center, just a few steps away from Mercedes-Benz Stadium. FanZone will be the location for the Yellow Jackets’ official pregame pep rally, featuring appearances by the Georgia Tech marching band, spirit squads and other special guests. FanZone also includes interactive football games, tons of giveaways, contests and fun, official Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game merchandise and food and drinks. For more information, click HERE.
Tailgate Town
Tailgate Town built by The Home Depot has taken the tailgate party out of the parking lot and put it right next to Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s front door. Enjoy the ultimate FREE outdoor pregame fan experience, featuring grilling, grubbing and gaming at the Georgia World Congress Center’s International Plaza. For more information, click HERE.
Clear Bag Policy
In order to enhance safety precautions and fans’ gameday experience, Mercedes-Benz Stadium will enforce a clear-bag policy. Save time by making sure you have the correct bag ahead of time. For full information, click HERE.
The sold-out Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game between the Yellow Jackets and Volunteers will kick off at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, Sept. 4. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN (play-by-play: Rece Davis; analyst: Kirk Herbstreit; sideline reporter: Maria Taylor).
GRIFFIN NAMED TO SENIOR BOWL WATCH LIST: Senior defensive back Corey Griffin represents Georgia Tech on the official watch list for the 2018 Senior Bowl.
The Senior Bowl, college football’s premier postseason all-star game and NFL showcase, puts together an official watch list for student-athletes that are prime candidates to be invited to participate in the contest, which will be held on Jan. 27, 2018 in Mobile, Ala.
Griffin led Georgia Tech and ranked among the ACC’s top 30 with 82 tackles from his strong safety position in 2016. The 6-2, 199-pounder started all 13 games for the Yellow Jackets last season and has recorded 118 tackles, five tackles for loss and three interceptions over the course of 38 career games.
Fifty-eight Yellow Jackets have played in the Senior Bowl since its inception in 1950. Most recently, Justin Thomas represented Georgia Tech in the 2017 Senior Bowl, making the transition from the Jackets’ three-year starter at quarterback to playing defensive back for the South squad. He made a tackle in the South’s 16-15 win.
JONES HONORED AT CHAMBLEE, MAKES ESPN DEBUT: Former Georgia Tech star Roddy Jones had an eventful weekend.
On Friday night, the Yellow Jackets’ standout A-back from 2008-11 was honored by his high school alma mater, Chamblee H.S. (Chamblee, Ga.) during halftime of the Bulldogs’ contest versus Decatur. Jones remains DeKalb County’s all-time leader in rushing yards and touchdowns.
On Saturday, Jones made his debut as an ESPN sideline reporter during the network’s broadcast of the NCAA Division I FCS showdown between No. 6 Jacksonville State and No. 12 Chattanooga. Jones, who was a member of the Georgia Tech IMG Sports Network football broadcast crew in 2014 and was a sideline reporter for the ACC Network in 2015-16, was hired by ESPN this summer. He’ll be a member of a broadcast team that also includes Anish Sharoff (play-by-play) and Ahmad Brooks (analyst).
Jones was a four-year starter and three-year academic all-ACC performer at Tech. He served as a team captain as a senior. His most memorable on-field performance came as a freshman in 2008, when he rushed for 214 yards and two touchdowns on just 13 carries to help lead the Yellow Jackets to a 45-42 victory at Georgia.
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