By Will Vandervort

CLEMSON — When he caught Logan Thomas’ pass late in the second quarter of No. 13 Clemson’s 38-17 victory over Virginia Tech, all Jonathan Meeks was thinking was, “This is sweet.”

Indeed it was. There was nothing between Meeks and the end zone, but the bright green grass of Memorial Stadium. With a few extra blocks for insurance purposes, Meeks cruised down the far sideline on his way to a 74-yard interception return which gave the Tigers a 17-7 lead at the time.

“That was a dream,” the senior safety said. “I loved it.”

Meeks interception was one of four turnovers Clemson (6-1, 3-1 ACC) forced Saturday. The secondary recorded three of those turnovers as Meeks grabbed another prior to his touchdown return, while fellow safety Xavier Brewer grabbed the third on a trick play that went bad for the Hokies in the fourth quarter.

It was a performance that was much appreciated by a Clemson offense that struggled for much of the afternoon. The Tigers managed just 295 total yards.

“We just needed to find a spark,” Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd said. “We were not in it the way we needed to be.”

Luckily for Boyd and the offense, the defense was and Meeks was a major reason why. The Rock Hill, S.C., native had not recorded an interception all season prior to Saturday and his first one stopped a Virginia Tech drive and flipped field position.

“I’m so happy for Jonathan,” defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. “He works extremely hard and wants to do so well. He has great humility and he understands what he has to work on and today he had some great success.

“It’s the kind of success we have come to expect from him. We need that from him back there for us to continue to improve.”

Though the Tigers failed to score off Meeks’ first interception, a fumbled Virginia Tech punt a few plays later allowed Clemson to take the lead on a Boyd one-yard keeper with 9:29 to play in the second quarter.

The Hokies (4-4, 2-2) were driving again with just over three minutes to play in the second quarter when Meeks grabbed Thomas’ pass, which was thrown high to his attended target, and took it to the house for six points.

“He was looking in my direction because they had two receivers over there, and on the under route, Travis Blanks played it great,” Meeks said. “Somebody may have got their hands on it. It was green grass after that.

“Garry (Peters) blocked, the defensive line blocked. Coach (Dabo) Swinney could have scored on that one.”

But it was Meeks who scored, as he was the hero of a defense that when it was called upon to help the offense for a change, made the play of the day.

“I’m just so happy for those guys,” defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. “They just keep working so hard and they are improving each week. Now we are starting to see some results from that. Good things happen when you stay committed and work hard.”