Hokies Fall Short to Clemson in Hard-Fought Battle, 24-14, as Bowl Hopes Hang in the Balance (11-9-24)

By: Joey Raymond

Headline Photo Credit: Katie Raymond-LMS Network

Blacksburg, VA –A win on Saturday would have punched the Hokies’ ticket to their 30th bowl appearance in 32 seasons, while also marking a first for Coach Pry, with Virginia Tech securing back-to-back postseason trips since his arrival. The Hokies, who participated in last season’s Military Bowl, had a chance to reach another milestone while aiming for their first-ranked victory at Lane Stadium since upsetting No. 10 North Carolina in 2021. The Hokies had a tough challenge in Clemson, boasting the ACC’s top-ranked rushing offense with nearly 203 yards per game, and looked to keep their momentum on the ground as the two teams faced off in front of a roaring Lane Stadium crowd. Unfortunately for the Hokies, things would not go as planned, let’s get right into it.

First Quarter: Early Defensive Standoff and Hokies’ Heroics

Virginia Tech started the game with the ball after Clemson won the toss and deferred. A solid kickoff return brought the Hokies out to their 38-yard line, but they went three-and-out on their opening possession, punting to Clemson. The Tigers, resilient on multiple third downs this drive, kept their opening drive alive with some clutch passing plays to advance to the red zone. But Virginia Tech’s defense held strong, forcing Clemson into challenging third-and-long situations. On a third down play just outside of the red zone, Jaylen Jones came up with an electrifying interception off a tipped pass, ending Clemson’s drive and firing up the crowd.

The Hokies offense tried to take advantage, picking up 23 yards on a pass to Benji Gosnell, but Clemson’s defense forced another punt, shortly after. Clemson came back aggressively, but Virginia Tech’s defense delivered again, halting the Tigers on a 4th-and-2 with a powerful sack on quarterback Cade Klubnik. The first play of the Hoky’s corresponding drive would be a short run from Bayshul Tuten bringing the first quarter to a close with no score.

Second Quarter: Special Teams Surge and Defensive Dominance

The Hokies’ first play of the second quarter took an unfortunate turn as Kyron Drones fumbled, giving Clemson prime field position on the Hokies’ 36-yard line. The Hokies defense stepped up, though, sacking Klubnik on 3rd-and-1 and forcing a 4th-and-3. Clemson lined up for a field goal, but Virginia Tech blocked it and returned it a thrilling 77 yards, putting the Hokies on the board at 7-0. Lane Stadium exploded in celebration, echoing the energy of a classic Beamer-ball era special teams play. 

Clemson tried to reset, but Virginia Tech’s defense was relentless, forcing a 3rd-and-long to end another Clemson drive. With the Hokies offense starting slowly, both teams traded punts, but Clemson made one last push before halftime. A strong Hokies defense forced a three-and-out, giving Virginia Tech the ball back on their 16-yard line with less than a minute to play. The Hokies let the clock run out, entering halftime with a 7-0 lead.

Third Quarter: Momentum Shifts and Costly Mistakes

Clemson came out with renewed energy in the second half, pushing the ball swiftly to midfield and then picking up more ground on a 14-yard scramble by Klubnik. The Tigers kept the momentum going and finally broke through with a touchdown pass to Turner, tying the game at 7-7. Virginia Tech’s offense responded with a promising return on the kickoff, but a holding penalty brought them back to their 14-yard line. A deep pass completion was called back due to another penalty, and the Hokies were forced to punt.

Clemson continued to press, converting a miraculous third-and-7 when Klubnik broke away from a near sack and found TJ Moore wide-open for a touchdown, putting the Tigers up 14-7. Virginia Tech’s offense struggled against Clemson’s defense, leading to another punt. The Hokies defense held steady, forcing a Clemson three-and-out, but Virginia Tech’s offensive challenges continued. A 30-yard pass to DaQuan Felton reignited some hope, but a Clemson interception cut the drive short as the third quarter ended with Clemson leading 14-7.

Fourth Quarter: Clemson Takes Control and Hokies’ Late Push

Starting the fourth quarter, Clemson needed only a few plays to score again, with Klubnik connecting with Jake Briningstool for a touchdown to extend their lead to 21-7. With over 13 minutes left, Colin Schlee took over at quarterback for the Hokies, injecting a spark into the offense. However, Clemson’s defense forced a critical 4th-and-3, and after a close review, the referees determined Schlee hadn’t reached the first down marker. This call deflated the crowd, with many Hokies fans heading for the exits. The frustration from the fanbase was palpable. 

Clemson got the ball back, and while the Hokies defense managed to force a punt, Virginia Tech’s offense couldn’t catch a break. Another promising play, a pass to Benji Gosnell, was called back for holding, leading to yet another punt. Clemson went three-and-out, but on the Hokies’ next drive, Schlee threw an interception, giving Clemson possession close to the red zone. Shortly afterward, we’d see an unfortunate injury to the Hokies’ Gabe Williams. It would be an apparent ankle or lower leg injury and require an ambulance on the field. 

Following the pause, Clemson settled for a field goal to go up 24-7. With time running out, Virginia Tech’s offense made a final push. Schlee connected with Ayden Greene for a touchdown, cutting Clemson’s lead to 24-14. The Hokies attempted an onside kick but couldn’t recover it, allowing Clemson to secure possession and close out the game in victory formation.

In the end, Clemson secured a hard-fought 24-14 victory, leaving Virginia Tech’s Hokies frustrated after a night marked by missed opportunities and mounting setbacks. Despite flashes of promise, Virginia Tech struggled to capitalize, a pattern that’s becoming all too familiar. For head coach Brent Pry, this loss must feel particularly heavy. Earlier in the season, he openly stated that Hokies fans would be disappointed if his team didn’t reach the ACC Championship—a goal that now is out of reach after back-to-back losses. With each passing week, the Hokies’ path to even bowl eligibility grows narrower, a situation that was certainly not what fans or players envisioned.

The fanbase, understandably, is losing patience. Emotions are running high, and frustration is palpable as supporters look for answers beyond the familiar post-game mantra of “We need to improve.” They’re asking a simple question: When will the Hokies start showing real progress? At this stage in the season, the Hokies are fighting not only to salvage their record but to prove to their fanbase that meaningful growth is happening. The longer they linger in this cycle, the louder the doubts become about whether this team—and this coaching staff—can deliver on their promises. We’ll see what happens after the bye week when the team travels to face the Duke Blue Devils.