Story of the Stat Line: Virginia Tech vs. Clemson

Evan Bainer

12 Nov. 2024

It was a tough day for the Hokies on both sides of the ball as they fell to the visiting Clemson Tigers 24-14.

With both teams coming off losses the week prior, Virginia Tech and Clemson looked to get back with a win on Saturday. 

The first half of the game was a defensive battle for both teams, as the only score from the first two quarters came off of a blocked field goal that was returned for a touchdown by Virginia Tech’s Quentin Reddish.

The second half is where all of the damage was done to the Hokies. With Clemson scoring 24 unanswered points in the half, Virginia Tech tacked on seven points at the end of the game, but that would not be enough as the team fell short.

Virginia Tech’s offensive struggles were exposed in Saturday’s contest, as they were the primary reason for the loss. Quarterback Kyron Drones completed less than half of his passes (9 of 20) and only threw for 115 yards along with an interception. Drones would later leave the game likely because of a reaggravated injury. Backup Colin Schlee came in and completed seven of his 17 pass attempts for 73 yards, and he also threw one touchdown and one interception. Further, Da’Quan Felton, Virginia Tech’s leading receiver in the game, was only able to bring in six receptions for 68 yards.

Virginia Tech’s run game, which the team has heavily relied on throughout the season, was no short of absent in the contest. While this was in part due to limiting Bhayshul Tuten, Tech’s leading running back, because of his recent injury, the Hokies only managed 40 total rushing yards between four different rushers. As Tuten appeared to have gotten reinjured in the game against Clemson, the Hokies may become heavily reliant on the pass game going forward should the injury be serious.

Virginia Tech’s defense was what kept the Hokies in the game in the first half. Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Cole Nelson, and Keonta Jenkins each picked up a sack in the game, and safety Jaylen Jones came up with a crucial interception in an early Clemson offensive drive that made its way into Virginia Tech territory.

However, the defensive effort was not enough as the Tigers picked up steam in the second half. Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik threw for two touchdowns in the third quarter, both of which were in part due to blown coverage in Virginia Tech’s secondary. Klubnik would go on to throw another touchdown in the fourth quarter, and would end the game with 16 of 34 completed passes for 211 yards. Moreover, Tigers running back Phil Mafah accounted for 128 yards on 26 carries in the game, as he was able to run through the Hokie defense with his heavy workload.

Going forward, Virginia Tech’s offensive uncertainty will likely be a heavy focal point for the Blacksburg team. With much of the coaching staff on the hot seat this season, the Hokies need to win one of their last two games in order to become bowl eligible. Both of these contests do not appear to be easy victories, as they are against the 7-3 Duke Blue Devils and 5-4 Virginia Cavaliers. As the injury updates for Drones and Tuten play out over the coming weeks, Virginia Tech will need to reevaluate its situation with the offense’s leaders heading into its final games.