Clemson Clinches ACC Title Game in Win Over Virginia Tech

Ohhh, how the Clemson Tigers gave the Virginia Tech Hokies a run for their money in Saturday night’s win in Blacksburg! VT’s powerful run game almost seemed locked up in a cage, while the minds of Hokies’ specials teams seemed to be anywhere but in Lane Stadium. Clemson refused relief and capitalized on each opportunity with one focus and one focus only. That focus being to clinch the ACC title game, and that they did!

Clemson would sport their tried and true orange britches, issuing a clear message that they were ready to get down to business as they entered the field.

Clemson was coming in 5-0 against Virginia Tech under head coach Dabo Swinney.

Initially, the Hokies’ run game was a cause for concern for the Tigers as they possessed a particular weapon by the name of Khalil Herbert. VT currently was coming into the matchup 1stin ACC in rushing, averaging 250.9 rushing yards per game this season.

Clemson’s defense, however, had their own weapons as Clemson totaled 36 sacks this season, the 2ndmost in the FBS. Virginia Tech quarterback Hendon Hooker would obviously need some heavy protection.

Virginia Tech would begin with the ball at their home stadium but would not be able to do much with it.

Clemson would follow with what seemed to be a very promising drive as junior tight end Braden Galloway would make a tremendous catch and run, picking up 49 yards for his team to the VT 12. After a pair of failed plays, the Tigers would ultimately settle for 3 and the first score of the game.

An early injury to Hooker would force a handoff to Virginia Tech junior QB Braxton Burmeister. Burmeister would allow no wasted opportunity and would be quick and sufficient in passing. A final handoff to Herbert would bring in the first touchdown of the game, putting VT up 7-3.

The lead wouldn’t last long as the Tigers refused to end any quarter behind. Clemson would use its next ten plays to make sure of it. QB Trevor Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne would take over. The two NFL bound players would go back to back to get their team into the red zone. Lawrence would go for the keeper, running 17 yards into the end zone for the touchdown, his 5thrushing TD this season!

The second quarter would get off to a slower start with no scoring in the first two drives.

Despite starting with a fair field position at the Clemson 41, Virginia Tech would have to settle for a field goal. It would be Brian Johnson on the 54-yard kick, and it was good, tying the game and marking Johnson’s career-long.

Unfortunately for Virginia Tech, this is where they would see their final days of a close score with their opponent as Clemson quickly responded.

Etienne would run for a combined 20 yards, as it would be the junior running back Lyn-J Dixon from that would become the star of the drive! Dixon would bank in back to back first downs, both being 19 yards apiece, to get his team into the red zone, and ultimately into the end zone!

Virginia Tech would offer an attempt at a touchdown with a little over a minute left of play in the half. Herbert executed calculated moves across the field as if he was solving a math equation. Spin here, run there, cut across here.

After a successful 21-yard run, he would get his team to the Clemson 43. With two seconds left on the clock, the Hokies would take the timeout.

They would return with the expected Hail Mary. After the ball bounced off of a Tiger defender who almost made the pick, VT running back, Raheem Blackshear would make the catch close to the pie line! So close that if Blackshear would have simply extended his arms with the ball, it would have no doubt been a touchdown! Let’s pray for Blackshear’s sake, no NFL scouts were watching…

The Tigers would have possession to open the second half but would be pushed to a quick 3 & out by their opponents, who would soon, in the same manner, quickly lose their next possession.

Virginia Tech would later have a little something to celebrate as senior defensive back Divine Deablo would completely silence an 11 play Clemson drive in the end zone! Deablo would read the Clemson QB perfectly, moving positions to come up with the needed interception for his team and a rare moment for Trevor Lawrence.

Deablo’s efforts, however, would prove meaningless when left up to the Tigers defense. Freshman defensive end Myles Murphy would offer no grace to Burmeister and would force the QB fumble. Clemson cornerback Mario Goodrich would come up with the recovery in the red zone!

Starting at the Virginia Tech 12, Lawrence would have a quick turnaround at redemption. Lawrence would run in all of the necessary yardage and offer his second rushing TD of the game!

With just under two minutes to play in the 3rd quarter and Virginia Tech down by 21, Hooker would check back into the game. No matter the switch, clearly, only one QB was receiving favor in this game, and it was not Braxton Burmeister or Hendon Hooker…

Hooker would take a hit and forfeit the loose ball to Clemson cornerback Derion Kendrick. Kendrick would scoop up the ball and run for a full 66 yards like his life depended on it right into the end zone!

For the Hokies, things would only get worse… Not only was Virginia Tech not able to respond with a much-needed TD, but they also weren’t able to come up with a solid play on 4thand 4, handing favorable field position to Clemson to start the 4thquarter.

To say Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables, who was clutching and jumping on his defense on the sidelines, was thrilled wouldn’t have even covered it.

It would take the Tigers all of one play to completely seal the Hokies’ fate. Lawrence would find wide receiver Cornell Powell deep downfield and let it fly! The ball would land right in Powell’s pocket as he continued his pursuit for 65 yards into the end zone, putting the Tigers up 38-10!

A seemingly hopeful following drive would end in more disaster for the Hokies. In the red zone at the Clemson 5, running back Jalen Holston would offer another team fumble after taking a hit from Clemson linebacker Keith Maguire.

Clemson’s final triumph would come in a somewhat poetic fashion. After forcing the Virginia Tech punt, Clemson would start at the 50 with just four minutes left of play. Senior running back Darien Rencher would run the ball 50 yards for the Tigers final touchdown of the game!

It seemed as if the entire team, trainers and coaches included, fled the sidelines to embrace Rencher, who was the clear heart of their team. Rencher received news with his team, just four days prior, that he had been named the 2020 recipient of the Disney Spirit Award. To his team, he was visibly every bit deserving.

With the final score 45-10, Trevor Lawrence would find himself basking in a special moment of his own. The game marked his 33rd win as the program’s QB, putting him just ahead of Clemson QB legends Rodney Williams and Deshaun Watson, who are tied at 32.

Having sealed the victory, head coach Dabo Swinney would find himself on the sidelines as a target of a nice orange Gatorade bath. Despite the about 40-degree temp. Outside, Swinney seemed all for it! His team had not only pulled off an exceptional win but had clenched an opportunity to face Notre Dame for the ACC Championship title.

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