Tag: Clemson vs. Virginia Tech

Former Tiger Eric Mac Lain on Clemson’s Virginia Tech win, offensive turnaround

Eric Mac Lain on Clemson’s big road win over Virginia Tech.

Clemson football’s offensive breakthrough in the second half powered their 24-14 win over Virginia Tech, overcoming a scoreless start.

Quarterback Cade Klubnik threw for 211 yards and three touchdowns, while Phil Mafah added 128 rushing yards, showcasing the team’s resilience. ACC analyst Eric Mac Lain praised the transformation, saying, “They had about 13, 14 plays in Hokie territory, zero points in the first half,” but applauded Clemson for “pushing the ball downfield, running extremely well.”

Freshman left tackle Elyjah Thurmon stepped in admirably after Tristan Leigh’s injury, with Mac Lain commending his ability to handle a tough pass rush under pressure: “He did fantastic… really held his own.”

Defensively, Clemson clamped down, limiting the Hokies to just 40 rushing yards and a single yard per carry—a marked improvement from the previous week. Mac Lain was particularly impressed, noting, “Without DeMonte Capehart, without Peter Woods… great plan. Executed at a high level.”

Virginia Tech’s only offensive touchdown came late in the game, underscoring Clemson’s defensive dominance. The win highlights Clemson’s adaptability and positions them well for their final ACC game against Pitt this weekend.

Clemson freshman linebacker Sammy Brown looks like a superstar in first career start

Brown looked like the future cornerstone of Clemson’s defense.

Clemson football’s defense found a spark in freshman linebacker Sammy Brown, whose standout performance helped the Tigers shut down Virginia Tech’s offense. Brown, who made his first career start, recorded eight tackles, including one sack and two tackles for loss.

His energy was crucial in holding the Hokies to just 40 rushing yards, far below their season average of 201.6. “We knew we had to stop the run,” Brown said after the game, reflecting on the defensive game plan.

Brown’s playmaking ability was on full display as he filled the middle linebacker spot in a new defensive scheme. Clemson switched to a 4-3 base defense to better match up against the Hokies’ potent ground game, and it paid off. With Brown leading the charge, the Tigers forced three turnovers and never allowed Virginia Tech to find a rhythm on offense.

The Hokies didn’t surpass 100 yards until midway through the third quarter, a testament to Clemson’s defensive adjustments.

One of the key changes that helped in the game was Brown’s aggressive play and ability to read the Hokies’ offensive line. His ability to disrupt plays behind the line of scrimmage kept the pressure on Virginia Tech’s offense, forcing them into uncomfortable situations. “I just tried to be in the right place at the right time,” said Brown. “Everyone played hard, and that’s what made it work.” His instincts and presence in the middle allowed other Tigers defenders to focus on their roles, knowing Brown would be a constant threat.

The defense as a whole was revitalized with the adjustments, but it was Brown who provided the spark the Tigers needed. His leadership in his first start was evident as he confidently ran the defense, helping to shut down the Hokies’ offense. “It felt good to be out there starting and helping the team,” Brown added. “It’s a big confidence boost for me moving forward.”

Brown’s standout performance not only helped the defense, but it was also key in keeping Clemson’s slim ACC Championship hopes alive. With this win, and Brown’s breakout game, the Tigers now move forward with a stronger defensive foundation. The performance of the freshman linebacker sets a promising tone for the remainder of the season as Clemson looks to finish strong.

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik on the Tigers’ second half surge against Virginia Tech

Klubnik on Clemson’s second-half offensive performance against Virginia Tech.

Clemson football’s offense turned a sluggish first half into a dominant second half, leading to a 24-14 win over Virginia Tech. Trailing 7-0 at halftime, the Tigers rallied in the second half with quarterback Cade Klubnik throwing three touchdown passes.

Klubnik’s 29-yard pass to Cole Turner tied the game, and a 41-yard touchdown to T.J. Moore gave Clemson the lead. “We just had to find a way to fight through,” Klubnik said of the team’s resilience.

Despite early struggles, Klubnik was able to find a rhythm, completing 15 of 27 passes for 211 yards and three touchdowns. “I was just doing my part. This game, it’s about the team. We needed this,” he explained, reflecting on the win and his role in the turnaround. The second half saw him build better connections with his receivers, including Turner and Moore, who both contributed key touchdowns.

Clemson’s offense was also boosted by an offensive line that held up under pressure, giving Klubnik the protection needed to execute the game plan. The line’s performance allowed Klubnik to make critical throws, including a well-timed pass to Moore on a third-and-long, which resulted in a touchdown despite a blitz. “I just had to stay composed,” Klubnik said about the play, underscoring his ability to adapt under pressure.

The Tigers’ defense also played a crucial role, with freshman linebacker Sammy Brown making an immediate impact. Brown’s eight tackles, including a sack and two tackles for loss, helped shut down Virginia Tech’s rushing attack, limiting the Hokies to just 40 yards on the ground. “We knew we had to stop the run,” Brown said. The defense’s performance allowed the offense to take control and secure the win.

With the 24-14 victory, Clemson improves to 7-2 overall and 6-1 in the ACC, keeping their conference championship hopes alive. Klubnik, despite showing signs of exhaustion, expressed pride in the team’s effort. “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he said. The Tigers will now look to build on this momentum as they head into their next game.

Clemson dominates second half to take down Virginia Tech on the road

Clemson recovers with a huge second half to take down Virginia Tech.

Clemson football bounced back with a 24-14 road win over Virginia Tech, keeping its ACC Championship hopes alive. Following a tough loss to Louisville, the Tigers’ defense showed up strong, debuting a new 4-3 alignment that featured freshman linebacker Sammy Brown. Brown led the defense with eight tackles, contributing to a unit that stifled Virginia Tech’s run game, holding them to just 40 rushing yards.

In the second half, Clemson’s offense finally found its rhythm. Cade Klubnik threw three touchdown passes, including a 41-yard toss to T.J. Moore, while Phil Mafah provided a steady ground attack with 128 rushing yards. Clemson scored on three of its four drives in the half, shifting the game’s momentum.

One hiccup came from a blocked field goal, which Virginia Tech returned for a touchdown to go up 7-0 early. But the Tigers’ defense and improved offense quickly turned things around. With Miami’s surprising loss to Georgia Tech, Clemson’s path to an ACC title game berth remains open if they can keep winning.

The Tigers will look to carry this energy into their next matchup against Pittsburgh, aiming to build on their improving performance and keep their slim championship hopes alive.

First half analysis: Clemson is playing into Virginia Tech’s hands in must-win game

It’s been an ugly one in Blacksburg so far for the Clemson Tigers.

Anyone hoping the Clemson Tigers‘ 33-21 loss to the Louisville Cardinals last week in Death Valley was a “one-off” — albeit one with incredibly bad timing this late into the regular season — to a team with a great defensive game plan has had a rude awakening.

A week after the loss to Louisville, Clemson hoped for a turnaround against a Virginia Tech Hokies team with four losses. It’s been anything but that so far at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg.

Virginia Tech leads Clemson, 7-0, at halftime. Here’s how both teams got to that point.

Clemson’s offense can’t finish drives

After Clemson’s defense opened the game with a three-and-out stop, Cade Klubnik and the offense’s first drive got off to a promising start. But the Tigers couldn’t finish after using 15 plays to move the ball 48 (net) yards to the Virginia Tech 32.

Klubnik was picked off by Jaylen Jones on a jump pass at the 4-yard line. The Tigers took 6:31 off the clock but came away with zero points.

On its second drive, Clemson went for it on 4th and 2 at the Virginia Tech 26-yard line, but Klubnik was sacked on a play that was blown up by Cole Nelson on the right side of the Tigers’ defensive line.

Clemson’s offensive line is flailing

After the first quarter, Clemson had seven first downs to Virginia Tech’s one. The Tigers had 91 yards of total offense while holding the Hokies to 35 yards (23 of which came on one chunk play). But the Tigers also allowed three sacks in the opening period.

After T.J. Parker forced a fumble by Virginia Tech quarterback Kyron Drones early in the second quarter, Clemson took over with promising field position at the Hokies’ 36. But Klubnik failed to scramble for a first down when he attempted to run on 3rd and 1 and lost two yards as the O-line broke down again.

Special teams continues to be an issue for Clemson… and a plus for Virginia Tech

Clemson, which has had issues in the kicking game for the past two seasons, proceeded to line up for a 46-yard Nolan Hauser field goal try. The kick was blocked by Keyshawn Burgos and returned for a touchdown on a scoop and score by Quentin Reddish for the game’s first (and only) points.

It was Hauser’s sixth blocked kick of the season, and the third in the last two games.

At halftime, Clemson has nine first downs to Virginia Tech’s seven. The Hokies have amassed only 96 total yards against the Tigers’ 4-3 defense while Clemson has been held to 152. Klubnik was off-kilter, completing just 8-of-19 attempts for 81 yards with the interception plus the three sacks.

There have been other mistakes as well. Normally sure-handed receiver Antonio Williams dropped a wide-open pass early in the second quarter that could have gone for big yards. Klubnik then overthrew Bryant Wesco who was open on a streak pattern down the left sideline.

With the No. 4 Miami Hurricanes falling on the road to Georgia Tech in a 28-23 upset, Clemson would still need another Miami loss or an SMU loss to get back into the ACC championship race. But none of that can happen if the Tigers can’t fix their own woes starting in the second half against a hungry Virginia Tech team.

Clemson trails Virginia Tech 7-0 after abysmal first half

Clemson football’s struggles continue.

Clemson football’s struggles continued in the first half against Virginia Tech, as they headed into the locker room down 7-0. Cade Klubnik appeared off rhythm, managing just 8 completions on 19 attempts for 81 yards and an interception. Despite outgaining Virginia Tech in total yards, Clemson couldn’t put points on the board, with dropped passes and penalties spoiling early scoring chances.

On defense, the Tigers introduced a 4-3 scheme, featuring freshman Sammy Brown in his first start at middle linebacker. This setup limited Virginia Tech’s ground game to just 29 yards, an improvement after last week’s struggles against Louisville. But Clemson’s special teams had a costly error, allowing a blocked field goal to be returned 77 yards for Virginia Tech’s sole touchdown.

Injuries on Clemson’s offensive line compounded the issues, with several younger players forced into action and three sacks on Klubnik already. Penalties and mistakes halted Clemson’s first drive, with calls like intentional grounding on Klubnik and a crucial hold on Antonio Williams leading to missed scoring opportunities.

Swinney needs to get through to his team before it’s too late.

ESPN College GameDay hosts predictions split on Clemson vs. Virginia Tech

College GameDay hosts make their picks on Clemson vs. Virginia Tech.

Following a surprising 33-21 loss to Louisville at home, Clemson football’s path to the ACC Championship has become significantly narrower. With their playoff hopes hanging by a thread, the Tigers (6-2, 5-1 ACC) must win out and hope for help, relying on potential losses from conference frontrunners like Miami and SMU. Clemson, ranked No. 23 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings, heads into Week 11 with no room for error as they travel to Lane Stadium to face Virginia Tech.

The Hokies (5-4) are also looking to rebound after a tough 38-31 overtime loss to Syracuse. They’ve had a string of close games this season, with all four losses coming by a touchdown or less. However, Virginia Tech may be missing starting quarterback Kyron Drones, who is listed as questionable.

Clemson needs this win badly to stay afloat in the playoff race, and you know Virginia Tech is hungry for the win. Here’s a look at ESPN College GameDay host picks for this crucial matchup.

Desmond Howard: Clemson

Pat McAfee: Virginia Tech

Nick Saban: Clemson

Lee Corso: Clemson

Kirk Herbstreit: Virginia Tech

Guest picker Paul Skenes: Clemson

Guest picker Livvy Dunne: Clemson

Kickoff time, TV info announced for Clemson football vs. Virginia Tech

Here’s when Clemson will play Virginia Tech on Saturday, Nov. 9.

Late Saturday night, the ACC announced kickoff times for Week 11 conference games, including the Clemson Tigers‘ matchup against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Lane Stadium on Nov. 9.

The Tigers (6-2) and Hokies (5-4) will get underway at 3:30 p.m. ET in Blacksburg. The game will be televised on ESPN. It’s the first time this season that the Tigers will play in the 3:30 p.m. time slot.

Cade Klubnik and the Tigers fell 33-21 to the Louisville Cardinals on Saturday night in Death Valley. Virginia Tech fell to the Syracuse Orange 38-31 in overtime at JMA Wireless Dome in Week 10.

RELATED: Clemson embarrassed at home by Louisville as College Football Playoff hopes fade

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney is 6-0 all-time against Virginia Tech, including a 45-10 victory at Lane Stadium on Dec. 5, 2020 in the last meeting between the two schools.

Clemson leads the all-time series against Virginia Tech, 23-12-1.

ACC Week 11 Kickoff Times, TV info

Friday, November 8

California at Wake Forest – 8 p.m. ET on ACC Network

Saturday, November 9

Miami at Georgia Tech – noon ET on ESPN

Syracuse at Boston College – noon ET on The CW

Clemson at Virginia Tech – 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN

Duke at NC State – 3:30 p.m. on ACC Network

Florida State at Notre Dame – 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC

Virginia at Pitt – 8 p.m. ET on ACC Network

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Game time update announced for Clemson football vs. Virginia Tech

Updates for Clemson vs. Virginia Tech

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – The Atlantic Coast Conference and ESPN have announced that they will use a six-day flex to determine the kickoff times and networks for the five ACC games scheduled for Week 11 that have not yet been announced.

It was previously announced that California and Wake Forest will play at 8 p.m. ET on ACC on Friday, November 8, in Winston Salem, North Carolina, while Florida State will take on Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC on Saturday, November 9.

The game times and networks for the remaining five games will be made on a six-day selection following the conclusion of the games on November 2.

Friday, November 8

  • California at Wake Forest – 8 p.m. ET on ACCN – previously announced

Saturday, November 9

  • Florida State at Notre Dame – 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC – previously announced

Flexed Six-Day Selections

  • Syracuse at Boston College
  • Duke at NC State
  • Clemson at Virginia Tech
  • Miami at Georgia Tech
  • Virginia at Pitt

ACC Football Notes
Through Week 9 of the 2024 season:

  • Two of the eight remaining undefeated teams in all of FBS hail from the ACC – Miami (8-0) and Pitt (7-0).
  • ACC has five bowl-eligible teams – Miami, Pitt, Clemson, SMU and Duke – tied for the second-most among all FBS conferences heading into Week 10.
  • The ACC is 43-15 overall in non-conference play and has played more non-conference games against P4 opponents, including Notre Dame, than any of the other Power 4 leagues.
    • The 43 non-conference wins are the most among all FBS conferences.
  • The ACC has eight non-conference wins versus fellow Power 4 foes.
  • The ACC had 73 league games decided by eight points or less over the last three years (2021-23).
    • This year, 20 of the 38 ACC league games to date have been decided by less than eight points (52.6 percent).


This Week in Week 10

  • Four teams are ranked in the AP Top 25 Poll this week for the fourth consecutive week – Miami (No. 5), Clemson (No. 11), Pitt (No. 18) and SMU (No. 20).
  • Four teams are ranked in the Coaches Top 25 Poll this week for the fourth consecutive week – Miami (No. 5), Clemson (No. 8), Pitt (No. 17) and SMU (No. 20).
    • Duke, Louisville and Virginia Tech also received votes this week.
  • The ACC is one of three conferences with two teams ranked in the top 10 of the Coaches Top 25 poll.
  • Week 10 consists of six ACC games on Saturday, November 9, highlighted by a top-25 matchup between No. 18 Pitt and No. 20 SMU at 8 p.m. ET on ACC Network.

The ACC is the Conference of Quarterbacks (QBs) once again this season:

  • The ACC is the only conference with multiple quarterbacks ranked in the top five nationally in total yards per game, passing yards per game, passing touchdowns, and Total QBR on the season.
  • Six QBs were named to the 2024 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Top 25 watch list – tied for the most of any conference.
  • Seven QBs are ranked in the top 25 of FBS in passing efficiency – the most of any conference.
  • Six QBs are ranked in the top 26 of FBS in total yards per game – the most of any conference.
    • ACC has two of the top four players nationally in total yards of offense per game.
    • Cam Ward (Miami) is second nationally with 366.5 total yards of offense per game.
    • Kyle McCord (Syracuse) is fourth nationally at 348.1 total yards of offense per game.
  • Six QBs, including two of the top three players nationally, are ranked in the top 26 of FBS in passing yards per game – the most of any conference.
    • Kyle McCord (Syracuse) is second nationally with an average of 354.4 passing yards per game.
    • Cam Ward (Miami) is third nationally with an average of 343.3 passing yards per game.
  • Seven QBs have thrown 15 touchdown passes or more this season – tied for the most of any conference.
    • Four QBs rank in the top 10 nationally in passing touchdowns – Cam Ward (Miami) – 24; Tyler Shough (Louisville) – 20; Cade Klubnik (Clemson) – 20; and Kyle McCord (Syracuse) – 19.
  • Five QBs are ranked in the top 25 of FBS in completion percentage – the second-most of any conference.
  • Five QBs are ranked in the top 25 of FBS in points responsible for – the second-most of any conference.
    • Cam Ward (Miami) is second nationally with 172 points responsible for this season.
  • Five QBs, including four in the top 15, are ranked in the top 30 of FBS in total passing yards – tied for the second-most of any conference.
    • Cam Ward (Miami) – 2,746; Kyle McCord (Syracuse) – 2,481; Tyler Shough (Louisville) – 2,348; and Fernando Mendoza (Cal) – 2, 095 all rank in the top 15.
    • Kyle McCord (Syracuse) is the only quarterback in all of FBS to throw for at least 300 yards in every game he has played this season.
  • Four QBs are ranked in the top 30 of ESPN’s Total QBR, including two in the top five.
    • Cam Ward (Miami) – 91.0 and Cade Klubnik (87.4) rank in the top five nationally.
  • Fourteen different ACC quarterbacks have thrown for at least 300 yards in a game this year.
    • Three quarterbacks – Jacolby Criswell (North Carolina), Cam Ward (Miami) and Hank Bachmeier (Wake Forest) – have recorded at least one game of over 400 passing yards this season, with Ward posting two 400-plus yard passing games this year.
      • Jacolby Criswell’s 475 passing yards in Week 4 versus James Madison are the most by a quarterback in a single game this season.
  • Three quarterbacks caught a touchdown pass in Week 9 of the season – Kyron Drones (Virginia Tech), Fernando Mendoza (Cal) and Cam Ward (Miami).
  • Miami quarterback Cam Ward has thrown for over 15,000 yards passing in his career, making him the 13th player recognized by the NCAA to have reached that milestone.
  • ACC had the most of any conferences on the following QB preseason watch lists: Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (13); Maxwell Award preseason watch list (10); and Davey O’Brien Award (8).
  • The ACC had the top-ranked group of quarterback transfers in 2024 by CBS Sports.
  • Since 2018, the ACC has had at least one quarterback drafted in the first round in five different drafts — the only conference to do that.


The ACC’s Preeminent Players ranked among FBS leaders:
Offensive Leaders

  • The ACC has three of the top 25 ranked players in rushing yards per game this season in all of FBS, including two in the top 10 nationally.
    • Omarion Hampton (North Carolina) – 125.8; Bhayshul Tuten (Virginia Tech) – 118.9; and Phil Mafah (Clemson) – 97.4.
  • The ACC has six of the top 35 ranked players in rushing yards this season in all of FBS, including two in the top five.
    • Omarion Hampton (North Carolina) ranks fourth in the nation with 1,006 rushing yards.
    • Bhayshul Tuten (Virginia Tech) ranks fifth in the nation with 951 rushing yards.
  • Six of the top 40 leaders in rushing touchdowns in all of FBS this season are in the ACC.
    • Bhayshul Tuten (Virginia Tech) – 12; Omarion Hampton (North Carolina) – 9; Brashard Smith (SMU) – 9; Demond Claiborne (Wake Forest) – 8; Jamal Haynes (Georgia Tech); and Damien Martinez (Miami) – 8.
  • Three of the top 20 leaders in receiving touchdowns in all of FBS this season are in the ACC.
    • Ja’Corey Brooks (Louisville) – 8; Eli Pancol (Duke) – 6; and Xavier Restrepo (Miami) – 6.
  • Three of the top 25 leaders in receiving yards in all of FBS this season are in the ACC.
    • Ja’Corey Brooks (Louisville) – 799; Xavier Restrepo (Miami) – 710; and Malachi Fields (Virginia) – 654.
  • Three of the top 26 leaders in receiving yards per game in all of FBS this season are in the ACC.
    • Ja’Corey Brooks (Louisville) – 99.9; Xavier Restrepo (Miami) – 88.8; and Malachi Fields (Virginia) – 81.8.

Defensive Standouts

  • The ACC has the FBS leader in interceptions – Nohl Williams (Cal) leads the nation with six interceptions on the season.
  • The ACC has five of the top 25 ranked players in all of FBS in total sacks this year, including three in the top 10.
    • Antwaun Powell-Ryland (Virginia Tech) ranks second nationally with 11.0 sacks.
    • Donovan Ezeiruaku (Boston College) ranks third nationally with 9.0 sacks.
    • Xavier Carlton (Cal) is tied for eighth national with 7.0 sacks.
  • Five of the top 25 NCAA leaders in sacks per game this season are in the ACC, including two in the top five.
    • Antwaun Powell-Ryland (Virginia Tech) ranks second nationally with an average of 1.38 sacks per game.
    • Donovan Ezeiruaku (Boston College) ranks fifth nationally with an average of 1.13 sacks per game.
  • The ACC has five of the top 25 ranked players in all of FBS in total tackles-for-loss this season.
    • Donovan Ezeiruaku (Boston College) – 12.0; Antwaun Powell-Ryland (Virginia Tech) – 11.5; Alex Howard (Duke) – 11.0; Davin Vann (NC State) – 10.0; and Rasheem Biles (Pitt) – 9.0.
  • The ACC has five of the top 25 ranked players in all of FBS in total tackles-for-loss per game this season.
    • Rasheem Biles (Pitt) – 1.5; Donovan Ezeiruaku (Boston College) – 1.5; Antwaun Powell-Ryland (Virginia Tech) – 1.4; Alex Howard (Duke) – 1.4; and Davin Vann (NC State) – 1.3.
  • The ACC has four of the top 30 ranked players in tackles per game this season in all of FBS, including two in the top 10.
    • Nick Anderson (Wake Forest) ranks eighth nationally with an average of 10.3 tackles per game.
    • Teddye Buchanan (Cal) is tied for 10th nationally with an average of 9.6 tackles per game.

Special Teams Specialist

  • The ACC has the FBS leader in punt average – Alex Mastromanno (Florida State) leads the nation with a punt average of 49.6 yards per punt.
  • Nine of the top 35 FBS punters in yards per punt average are in the ACC.
    • Alex Mastromanno (Florida State) – 49.6; Peter Moore (Virginia Tech) – 45.8; Lachlan Wilson (Cal) – 45.8; Caden Noonkester (NC State) – 44.5; Kade Reynoldson (Duke) – 44.5; Ivan Mora (Wake Forest) – 44.4; Daniel Sparks (Virginia); David Shanahan (Georgia Tech); and Aidan Flintoft (Stanford) – 43.2.
  • Six field goal kickers in the ACC have made 12 or more field goals this season.
    • Will Bettridge (Virginia) – 16; Collin Rogers (SMU) – 14; Matthew Dennis (Wake Forest) – 14; Noah Burnette (North Carolina) – 13; Ben Sauls (Pitt) – 12; and Nolan Hauser (Clemson) – 12.
  • The ACC has five players that rank in the top 30 in all of FBS in all-purpose yards per game.
    • Desmond Reid (Pitt) – 160.17; Omarion Hampton (North Carolina) – 147.25; Brashard Smith (SMU) – 140.63; Bhayshul Tuten (Virginia Tech) – 134.75; and Isaac Brown (Louisville) – 122.88.
  • Five of the top 25 punt returners in yards per punt return in all of FBS this season are from the ACC.
    • Taylor Morin (Wake Forest) – 17.5; Jaylin Lane (Virginia Tech) – 12.5; Roderick Daniels, Jr. (SMU) – 10.5; Antonio Williams (Clemson) – 10.2; and Que’Sean Brown (Duke) – 9.6.
  • Eight different players from the ACC have returned a punt for a touchdown – the most of any conference.
  • Four of the top 30 kickoff returners in yards per kickoff return in all of FBS this season are from the ACC.
    • Chris Johnson Jr. (Miami) – 25.5; Nate McCollum (North Carolina) – 25.2; Peyton Jones (Duke) – 23.1; and Brashard Smith (SMU) – 21.3.
  • Three different players from the ACC have returned a kickoff for a touchdown – Caullin Lacy (Louisville), Nohl Williams (Cal) and Samuel Singleton Jr. (Florida State).

The ACC’s non-conference schedule continues to be the most challenging in the country:

  • 26 games against Power 4 opponents, including Notre Dame – the most of any conference.
  • Nine non-conference games against teams ranked in the final 2023 Associated Press Top 25 Poll – the most of any conference.
  • 10 non-conference games against teams in ESPN’s 2024 Way-Too-Early Top 25 – the most of any conference.

ACC Features Elite Coaching Leadership:

  • Four ACC head coaches were named to both the 2024 Dodd Trophy Midseason Watch List and the Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Watch List.
  • Two of the three active coaches in the country who won a national title reside in the ACC (Mack Brown and Dabo Swinney).
  • Four current ACC head coaches have recorded over 100 career wins at the collegiate level (only 30 active FBS coaches have reached this mark).
  • Among active FBS head coaches, the ACC has nine coaches that rank among the top 50 in the nation in career winning percentage.
  • Six ACC head coaches named to the 2024 Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List – no other conference had more.
  • Proven veterans and dynamic young coaches.

The 20th ACC Football Championship Game will kick off in primetime at 8 p.m. ET on ABC on Saturday, December 7, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Tickets for the 2024 Atlantic Coast Conference Football Championship Game are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com and through the ACC’s official website at theACC.com.

Latest update on kickoff for Clemson-Virginia Tech in crucial Week 11 game

The latest on Clemson vs. Virginia Tech in Week 11 on Nov. 9.

The Clemson Tigers will head to Blacksburg, Va., on Nov. 9 for a critical road game against the Virginia Tech Hokies.

On Monday, the ACC announced that kickoff time for Clemson-Virginia tech will not be announced until after the completion of Saturday’s Week 10 games. It’s the second week in a row that the ACC has used its six-day “flex” option for kickoff time and TV/broadcast information for the Tigers’ next game.

Clemson did not learn until late Saturday that their upcoming game against the Louisville Cardinals this week would be a prime time game under the lights of Death Valley (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).

RELATED: Clemson has a clear path to the 2024 College Football Playoff

Dabo Swinney’s team is 6-1 and ranked No. 8 in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll after a bye last week. Cade Klubnik and the Tigers defeated the Virginia Cavaliers in their last game, 48-31, on Oct. 19 at Clemson Memorial Stadium.

Kyron Jones and Virginia Tech (5-3) defeated Georgia Tech, 21-6, over the weekend at Lane Stadium for their third straight win in ACC play after falling just short of an upset against the Miami Hurricanes on Sept. 27.

Brent Pry and the Hokies are at Syracuse this Saturday for a noon ET kickoff at JMA Wireless Dome (formerly Carrier Dome).

Other Key Week 10 ACC Games

Aside from Clemson vs. Louisville this weekend, No. 5 Miami hosts former coach Manny Diaz and the Duke Blue Devils at Hard Rock Stadium Saturday at noon ET. The game can be seen on ABC.

The NC State Wolfpack will host the Stanford Cardinal at noon ET on ACC Network, followed by the North Carolina Tar Heels’ visit to Tallahassee to face the Florida State Seminoles at 3:30 p.m. ET on ACC Network.

In a game with huge implications in conference standings, the 17th-ranked Pitt Panthers head to Dallas for a Top 25 showdown against the No. 20 SMU Mustangs at 7 p.m. ET on ACC Network.

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