Clemson football briefly battled Virginia before taking control. After trailing by seven early in the second quarter, the Tigers rallied with 35 unanswered points, ultimately winning 48-31 at Memorial Stadium.
Virginia (4-3, 2-2 ACC) took a 10-3 lead in the second quarter on an 8-yard touchdown pass from Anthony Colandrea to Dakota Twitty. Clemson (6-1, 5-0 ACC) quickly answered with an 80-yard drive, capped by Phil Mafah’s 1-yard touchdown run. From there, the Tigers’ offense took charge, but the defense had trouble maintaining a steady performance throughout the game. Despite holding Virginia to just 105 yards in the second and third quarters, the Cavaliers found success late, scoring two touchdowns in the fourth to close the gap.
Clemson’s defense recorded four sacks, including a key strip sack from Wade Woodaz that led to a touchdown, but they still struggled at times to contain Virginia’s attack.
Offensively, Cade Klubnik bounced back from a first-quarter interception to throw for 308 yards and three touchdowns, including a pair to tight end Olsen Patt-Henry. Antonio Williams continued to shine, adding a 36-yard end-around score and a trick-play pass that set up Mafah’s second touchdown.
Clemson will now have a bye week before returning to face Louisville in a crucial ACC showdown on Nov. 2.