By: Izaiah Ortiz
(Photo/Yomar Marrero-The Mojo Network)
Virginia Tech rallied late for a 20-16 win over Clemson on Oct. 24, 2026, at Memorial Stadium, snapping a seven-game losing streak in the series and handing the Tigers their second ACC loss.
Clemson (4-3) controlled much of the statistical battle and built a 16-10 lead after three quarters, only to watch the Hokies (6-2) finish strong. Virginia Tech secured its first victory in Death Valley since 2007 and became bowl-eligible under first-year head coach James Franklin.
How it unfolded
Virginia Tech struck first with a 37-yard John Love field goal late in the first quarter. Clemson answered early in the second with a 34-yard Nolan Hauser kick to tie it at 3-3. The Hokies then marched 87 yards on 17 plays, capped by a 6-yard Ethan Grunkemeyer touchdown pass to tight end Luke Reynolds with 1:24 left in the half, for a 10-3 lead.
Clemson dominated the third quarter, outscoring Virginia Tech 13-0. Hauser hit from 49 yards, freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds scored on a 16-yard run (his first career rushing touchdown), and Hauser added a 36-yarder as time expired in the period to make it 16-10.
Love’s 47-yard field goal early in the fourth cut the deficit to 16-13. After an exchange of punts, Virginia Tech drove 69 yards in 11 plays, aided by three Clemson penalties. On fourth-and-1 from the 5, Grunkemeyer found Reynolds again for a 5-yard score with 1:44 remaining, putting the Hokies ahead 20-16.
Clemson’s final drive reached midfield. A apparent 26-yard completion to Bryant Wesco Jr. was overturned on review, and Mylachi Williams sacked Reynolds on fourth-and-9 to seal the win.
Clemson outgained Virginia Tech 288-234 and held the Hokies to a season-low yardage total while recording a season-high six sacks and 10 tackles for loss. The Tigers went just 3-of-14 on third downs and committed seven penalties for 65 yards. Neither team turned the ball over.
Takeaways
Clemson’s defense and special teams gave the team a real chance, but the offense struggled to finish drives against a Power conference foe—a recurring theme this season. Coach Dabo Swinney pointed to “missed opportunities on offense” as the story of the game. The loss drops Clemson further back in the ACC race, with Miami undefeated in conference play and several other teams ahead.
Next up for the Tigers is a road trip to Florida State on Oct. 31.