By Will Vandervort.
By Will Vandervort
CLEMSON — Here is an inside look at the Clemson-Virginia Tech series as the 13th-ranked Clemson Tigers host Virginia Tech Saturday at noon in Death Valley. The game will be televised by ESPN/ABC.
About the Hokies: Virginia Tech comes into Death Valley following a 41-20 victory over Duke last week. The win snapped a two-game losing streak. The Hokies are 0-3 on the road this year and come into this game needing to win stay in the ACC’s Coastal Division race.
The Hokies offense: Logan Thomas is fourth in the conference in total offense and has thrown for 1,703 yards and 12 touchdowns. But he is completing only 53.6 percent of his passes and six of his eight interceptions this year have come on the road. Freshman J.C .Coleman sparked life in what was almost a non-existent running game when he rushed for 183 yards and scored two touchdowns, including an 86-yard run in the Hokies win over Duke.
The Hokies defense: Tech has used a lot of Cover 1 this season—man-to-man with a safety over the top—but look for that to change against Clemson. Tech will probably use the robber scheme, using a safety or two safeties to drop underneath of a receiver who already has a corner covering over top of him. The Hokies have been very vulnerable to the run this year and have eight interceptions in the secondary.
The Hokies Special Teams: The Hokies already have a punt return and a kickoff return for a score this year, while kicker Cody Journell is 9-for-10 on field goals, including 3-for-3 from 40-49 yards out.
Records: Clemson 5-1, 2-1 ACC; Virginia Tech 4-3, 2-1 ACC
Series record: Clemson leads 19-12-1
At Clemson: Clemson leads 8-6-1
Streak: Clemson has won two straight
Last meeting: Clemson won 38-10 in the 2011 ACC Championship Game
First meeting: Clemson won 12-5 in Charlotte, N.C.
Clemson’s biggest margin of victory: 35-0 in 1945
Virginia Tech’s biggest margin of victory: 50-6 in 1924
Stat worth noting: Clemson had a nine-game winning streak in the series from 1955-1986.
Memorable game: December 3, 2011 — Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd threw three touchdown passes and ran for another on his way to being named the Most Valuable Player as No. 21 Clemson beat No. 3 Virginia Tech 38-10 to win the 2011 ACC Championship. Boyd threw two touchdown passes to tight end Dwayne Allen and then a 53-yard to Sammy Watkins to put Clemson in front 31-10 in the third quarter. Boyd competed 20 of 29 passes for 240 yards as the Tigers brought back the school its first ACC Championship in 20 years. Running back Andre Ellington also rushed for 125 yards and scored on a 29-yard run in the third quarters as well.