Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech football gears up for a pivotal late-season showdown as they welcome the No. 19 Clemson Tigers to Lane Stadium for the first time since 2020. With bowl eligibility still on the line, the Hokies look to leverage the energy of a sold-out home crowd in Blacksburg on Saturday, Nov. 9. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET, with national coverage on ESPN. In this week’s ‘Know the Foe,’ presented by AAA, we’ll dive into what to expect from the Tigers and how the Hokies match up against one of the conference’s toughest opponents.
Clemson enters this matchup with a 6-2 record, ranked 19th nationally and sitting third in the ACC, though they’re coming off a 33-21 loss to Louisville that brought their conference record to 5-1. Head coach Dabo Swinney leads the Tigers in his 16th season as Clemson’s all-time winningest coach. Swinney’s team benefits from a 15th-ranked recruiting class, according to 247Sports, and a versatile offense crafted with the help of offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, who’s in his second year. The Tigers’ offense currently ranks ninth nationally in scoring.
At the heart of Clemson’s attack is dual-threat quarterback Cade Klubnik, who has thrown for 2,064 yards and added 270 on the ground. Klubnik’s primary target, receiver Antonio Williams, leads with 418 receiving yards and six touchdowns, while tight end Jake Briningstool, freshmen T.J. Moore and Bryant Wesco Jr. bolster the receiving corps. Running back Phil Mafah adds another rushing threat with 853 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, rounding out the Tigers’ balanced approach.
Virginia Tech’s defense, however, stands ready for the challenge. The Hokies’ secondary, led by safety Mose Phillips III with 51 tackles and cornerback Mansoor Delane with three interceptions, will look to disrupt Clemson’s offensive rhythm. Defensive linemen Aeneas Peebles and Antwaun Powell-Ryland add pressure up front, with Powell-Ryland tallying his 12th sack last weekend. Notably, Klubnik recorded his third-lowest Pro Football Focus (PFF) passing grade (68.0) last week, offering opportunities for the Hokies’ defense to capitalize.
Clemson’s defense—expected to be one of the best this season—hasn’t fully met expectations. Despite ranking second in the NCAA’s national defensive grades last year, the Tigers remain outside of the top rankings this season. Linebacker Wade Woodaz leads the unit with 60 tackles, two sacks, an interception and two forced fumbles. Defensive end T.J. Parker, the team’s sack leader with five, will be a key player for the offensive line’s protection schemes. Clemson’s secondary, headlined by cornerback Avieon Terrell with 30 tackles and two interceptions, adds another layer of experience.
Tech’s offense heads into Saturday’s matchup with renewed depth showcased during the performance against Syracuse. Backup quarterback Colin Schlee stepped up, throwing for 204 yards with a 64% completion rate, adding a versatile option to an offense already bolstered by starter Kyron Drones. Both quarterbacks bring dual-threat potential, with Drones and Schlee able to extend plays with their legs.
With Clemson showing some vulnerabilities, the Hokies have a strong opportunity to capitalize on their versatility and home-field advantage, making this ACC clash one to watch. While this game is sold out, fans eager to secure their spot for this matchup can still explore single-game ticket options on SeatGeek, the official fan-to-fan ticket marketplace for Virginia Tech Athletics.