Overview
- Virginia Tech completed an 11-play, 69-yard drive that ended with Ethan Grunkemeyer’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Luke Reynolds with 1:44 left to beat Clemson 20-16 on Saturday, Oct. 24.
- Head coach James Franklin elected to go for fourth-and-1 near the goal line rather than kick a tying field goal and said he believed that play gave his team the best chance to win.
- Clemson’s defense finished with six sacks and held Virginia Tech to 234 total yards, but three costly defensive penalties on the decisive drive and a replay overturning a late Clemson catch directly extended Virginia Tech’s possession.
- Clemson’s offense again showed major issues, producing one touchdown through the air, stalling in the red zone, and exposing pass-protection breakdowns that have left questions about play calling and the quarterback spot.
- The result secures bowl eligibility for James Franklin in his first season at Virginia Tech and hands the Hokies their first win at Clemson since 2007 while putting immediate pressure on Clemson’s ACC hopes and staff decisions.