July 24, 2002

ATLANTA - Georgia Tech will open the 2003 football season by hosting traditional rival Auburn at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field, Tech Director of Athletics Dave Braine announced Wednesday.

The matchup with Auburn will mark the first game in the 55,000-seat Bobby Dodd Stadium/Grant Field, which is undergoing a two-year, $70 million renovation and expansion that will be completely finished for the 2003 season.

The first Tech-Auburn game since 1987 was originally scheduled to be played at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, but the two schools agreed to move the contest to the Rambling Wreck's historic facility. Tech and the Tigers will also play at Auburn's Jordan-Hare Stadium in 2005.

"There could be no better way to christen the new and improved Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field than with a game against Auburn," said Braine. "Fans from both schools have been anticipating the renewal of this long-time rivalry for many years, and it is only fitting that such a special occasion be commemorated with a truly special game."

The Yellow Jackets have played Auburn 90 times--more than any opponent except Georgia-- including every year from 1905 through 1987. The Tigers won the last meeting, 20-10, in Atlanta in 1987, and lead the series, 47-39-4.

The Tech-Auburn game will kick off a 2003 Yellow Jacket schedule that also includes home games with Georgia, Clemson, North Carolina, and NC State.