Halftime: Clemson 17, Virginia Tech 10
CLEMSON, S.C. — The Hokies got the fast start they were looking for Saturday. It was the rest of the first half that was the problem.
Virginia Tech trails Clemson 17-10 at halftime at Memorial Stadium, undone by a series of turnovers and special teams gaffes in the second quarter.
Two Logan Thomas interceptions and a muffed punt by an unsuspecting Hokies blocker have helped the No. 14 Tigers (5-1, 2-1 ACC) take a lead after 30 minutes, despite being out-gained 248-137.
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Virginia Tech (4-3, 2-1 ACC) started fast, getting two sacks on Clemson’s opening drive, then converting a fourth-and-two in Tigers territory before Thomas hit Corey Fuller on a crossing pattern for a 29-yard touchdown and early 7-0 lead.
After a Michael Cole interception, the Hokies went on a 15-play drive deep into Clemson territory, but running back Michael Holmes got stuffed on fourth-and-one at the 18.
Clemson answered with a field goal, then took the lead thanks to a Hokies special teams mistake early in the second quarter. The Tigers shanked a short punt, but it bounced off unsuspecting Tech receiver Christian Reeves, Clemson pounced on the loose ball at the Hokies’ 26.
A few plays later, quarterback Tajh Boyd leaped over the pile for a 1-yard touchdown run, giving the Tigers a 10-7 lead.
On the Hokies’ next drive, Thomas sailed another throw high for an interception by safety Jonathan Meeks, his second of the game. This one he returned 74 yards, out-racing the Tech offense to the end zone for a touchdown and 17-7 Tigers lead.
Cody Journell pulled Virginia Tech within 17-10 with a 40-yard field goal just before the end of the half.
Thomas has 144 passing yards and a touchdown and the two interceptions. He’s also the Hokies’ leading rusher with 33 yards. Fuller has three catches for 72 yards.
October 20, 2012 - 1:36 PM
The tech defense didn’t give up that last touchdown Andy. The offense did.
Play calling is still what is killing the Hokies they will never be able to overcome Stinney, not even with great players which right now we could use a couple. Beamer will never admit that the offensive play calling is bad, he just wont admit a mistake. Stinespring has got to go!!!!!
Why do you call the same overused, predictable and under achieving screen pass on 2 and 20? Bad play calls. Now our defense is going to have defend Clemson starting at mid field.
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!! homecooking calls suck!
Please give all assists to the crew wearing the pinstripes today for the horrible calls and helping a team win a game they shouldnt. Push offs not called. B/S
Horrible, horrible Tech play calling. The run isn’t there yet we keep trying. Short passes, please. We look like idiots.
Announcers talk about our conservative play calling.
Hopkins just caught a bomb- although it was O interference. Clem up by 21. Bad officiating but we’re to blame.
No blocking at all. Somebody has got to pay for the crap we’re seeing on the field.
logan throws 2 ints sloppy special team and buds in over his head again but lets blame this on stiney.sure there have been some stupid offensive plays called but come on this is another team coaching failure.why isnt anybody calling out foster and his constant failures.making stiney the team scapegoat isnt gonna fix thw whole problem
Can someone tell me what the hell kind of play calling Stinespring is doing with a double pass in that situation? Clemson knows we’re throwing… LEAVE THE PROGRAM STINESPRING
Stinespring and O’Cain have to go!
The defense played well today. The offense did not play well, as usual. The defense kept the team in the game. Stinespring is the offensive coordinator, not Bud Foster. This defeat can be blamed on another offensive failure.