Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech Kickoff for Season Opener is 6:00 p.m. (EST) in Atlanta 6/3/02

ATLANTA, Ga. - The Commodores will open the 2002 season - their first under Head Coach Bobby Johnson - under the lights Saturday, August 31 against Georgia Tech in Atlanta.

Georgia Tech officials announced Monday that the season opener against Vanderbilt will feature a 6:00 p.m. kickoff, EST. The game is scheduled in Bobby Dodd Stadium/Grant Field on the Tech campus in downtown Atlanta.

At this time, the game is not scheduled for television.

The Commodore-Yellow Jacket matchup is the first between the schools in 34 years,a 17-10 GT victory in Nashville. The teams - both charter members of the Southeastern Conference - have played on 34 occasions, with Georgia Tech holding a 16-15-3 series advantage.

The game will mark the debut of two new I-A head coaches. While Johnson handles the duties for Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech is directed by Chan Gailey for the first year.

Tech's historic facility, Bobby Dodd Stadium/Grant Field, is in the midst of a two-year expansion project and will seat approximately 42,000 for the 2002 campaign. The project will be completed following the 2002 season and in 2003, stadium capacity will reach 55,000.