Second Half Surge Pushes Tigers Past Hokies, 24-14
BLACKSBURG, Va. – Clemson outscored Virginia Tech 24-7 in the second half en route to a 24-14 Tiger victory in Lane Stadium on Saturday night. The Tigers (7-2, 6-1 ACC) held the Hokies (5-5, 3-3 ACC) to just 228 total yards while forcing three turnovers.
Quarterback Cade Klubnik threw for 211 yards and three touchdowns while running back Phil Mafah rushed 26 times for 128 yards as Clemson totaled 378 yards and 21 first downs. Tight end Jake Briningstool finished with three catches for 39 yards and a fourth-quarter score, breaking the school record for career receptions by a tight end on his touchdown reception.
Defensively, linebacker Sammy Brown made his first career start and led the Tigers with eight tackles (2.5 for loss) and a sack. Clemson held the Hokies to just 40 rushing yards on 21 attempts.
The teams opened the game with a scoreless first quarter. Clemson held a 7-1 edge in first downs in the frame while holding the ball for 11:24, but an interception and a fourth-down stop ended both of Clemson’s first-quarter drives on Virginia Tech’s side of the field.
On the opening play of the second quarter, T.J. Parker forced a Kyron Drones fumble that was recovered by Tré Williams, giving Clemson the ball in Virginia Tech territory. Clemson’s ensuing 46-yard field goal attempt was blocked and returned 77 yards for a Virginia Tech touchdown by Quentin Reddish to give the Hokies a 7-0 lead.
After the teams traded punts on the next three drives, Parker forced a nine-yard loss on an attempted double pass, and Virginia Tech missed a 55-yard field goal to end the possession. Clemson ended the half with a 152-96 edge in total yardage but trailed 7-0 at the break.
Clemson scored on its opening possession of the second half to tie the game, capping an eight-play, 75-yard drive with a 29-yard touchdown pass from Klubnik to Cole Turner. On the drive, Klubnik picked up a critical third-and-9 on the ground with a 13-yard scramble and later added another 13-yard rush.
After Clemson forced a Virginia Tech punt on the next possession, Klubnik evaded a sack on third-and-7 and fired downfield to connect with T.J. Moore for a 41-yard touchdown to give the Tigers a 14-7 lead.
Late in the third quarter, Virginia Tech drove into Clemson territory, as Kyron Drones completed a 30-yard pass to Da’Quan Felton over freshman cornerback Ashton Hampton. On the very next play, Hampton halted Virginia Tech’s drive with a one-handed interception of Drones to end the Hokie scoring threat.
Klubnik then drove the Tigers 93 yards in 10 plays, connecting with tight end Jake Briningstool for a 12-yard score, extending Clemson’s lead to 21-7. The touchdown came on Briningstool’s 113th career reception, moving him past Jordan Leggett atop the school record book for most career receptions by a tight end.
Late in the fourth quarter, Clemson recorded its third takeaway of the game, as R.J. Mickens intercepted Collin Schlee in Virginia Tech territory. Nolan Hauser then added a 34-yard field goal, pushing the lead to 24-7. The field goal gave Hauser the Clemson record for points in a true freshman season (81).
Virginia Tech scored its first offensive points of the game on its final possession, as Schlee’s touchdown pass to Ayden Greene with 1:43 remaining cut the lead to 24-14. Clemson smothered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock to seal the victory.
Clemson will conclude both its 2024 road slate and its 2024 conference slate next week when the Tigers face the Pittsburgh Panthers at Acrisure Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 16. Kickoff for that contest is set for noon ET on ESPN. Clemson also has two remaining home games at Memorial Stadium against in-state foes The Citadel (Nov. 23) and South Carolina (Nov. 30).
