VT Loses Hot Start, Rolled At Clemson 38-17
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The Hokies got off to a great start offensively and defensively held Clemson in check through nearly three quarters, before the Tigers got moving and rolled to a 38-17 win.
"In the end, it comes down to about four, five or six plays, a couple that we didn't make and a couple that they got points off of or field position off of," coach
With momentum seemingly going its way, Virginia Tech caught a break on the next drive as redshirt freshman safety
The Tigers added a 27-yard field goal before Thomas was intercepted on the next series by senior safety
Thomas was intercepted on Virginia Tech's ensuing drive, Meeks again getting the grab, this time returning it 74 yards for a touchdown.
"I think the ball just came out of his hands, kinda slipped up coming out of his hand," Beamer said.
Neither offense was able to do much in the third quarter, though there were a few questionable calls. Thomas was ruled down on an out pass to Coleman and what looked like a fumble by sophomore wide receiver
Virginia Tech again went three and out, giving Clemson another short field at the Hokies' 47 yard-line. Three plays later, the Tigers got into the end zone again, as Hopkins hauled in a 37-yard touchdown pass at the one yard-line and fell in for a touchdown and a 31-10.
The Virginia Tech offense didn't mail it in though. Thomas scrambled up the middle, untouched, for a 19-yard touchdown with 9:52 left in the game to cut into the deficit.
"That's what they were giving me," Thomas said. "A couple of times it was a designed pass and the defense just opened up and I was able to run through it, like on the touchdown run. That's exactly what happened, but I just had to take what they were giving me. A couple were designed, a couple weren't."
Any chance the Hokies had at making the game interesting though ended on their next drive, when Thomas threw a lateral to senior wide receiver
"We ran it once in the first half and it looked good," Thomas said. "They actually zoned it out that time to where the corner just sat and didn't chase after the ball at all. He was just sitting there, so we can't do anything about it."
Boyd really put the game away with a one-yard touchdown run on the ensuing drive for the final tally.
Virginia Tech, now 4-4 overall and 2-2 in the ACC has a bye next weekend, before traveling to Miami for a Thursday night, primetime game Nov. 1.