Virginia Tech goes for it on fourth down, beats Clemson 20-16 and becomes bowl eligible

With 1:44 left on Saturday night, James Franklin passed on a tying field goal. Ethan Grunkemeyer then threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Luke Reynolds on fourth down, and Virginia Tech left Memorial Stadium with a 20-16 win over Clemson. The Hokies are now 6-2 and 3-2 in the ACC, which makes them bowl eligible. Virginia Tech Athletics noted that this was the program's first win over Clemson, and its first in Death Valley, since 2007.

The Hokies spent most of the second half trying to hold on. Easy Sportz reported that Clemson outgained Virginia Tech 146-13 in the third quarter. Over that stretch the Tigers turned a 10-3 halftime deficit into a 16-10 lead. Freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds ran 16 yards for the go-ahead touchdown, and Nolan Hauser kicked field goals from 49 and 36 yards. John Love's 47-yard field goal with 11:52 to play cut the lead to 16-13, according to Clemson Athletics.

The winning drive went 11 plays and 69 yards. Clemson penalties helped it along: The Associated Press counted two pass interference calls and a late hit out of bounds, and each one gave the Hokies a first down. Dabo Swinney did not say whether he disagreed with any of the calls. He told the AP only that "the refs were very active tonight."

Clemson still had a chance to answer, and the Virginia Tech defense ended it. HEAVY reported that cornerback Jaquez White, who had a game-high 11 tackles, sacked Tait Reynolds to slow the drive. A deep completion to Bryant Wesco Jr. that would have reached the Virginia Tech 25 was overturned on replay. On fourth-and-9, defensive end Mylachi Williams sacked Reynolds for an 8-yard loss with 48 seconds left. Virginia Tech finished with 13 tackles for loss.

Grunkemeyer was sacked six times and finished 20 of 32 for 156 yards and two touchdowns, both to Luke Reynolds. Reynolds also caught a 6-yard touchdown just before halftime and completed an 8-yard pass on a fake punt. Clemson outgained Virginia Tech 288 to 235 but converted only 3 of 14 third downs and was penalized seven times for 65 yards. Tait Reynolds went 20 of 26 for 153 yards and led the Tigers with 63 rushing yards.

What it means for the next game

Virginia Tech has a bye before it travels to No. 23 SMU on Friday, November 6 (ESPN). The Hokies have won two straight and four of their last six, beating Georgia Tech 34-24 before this game. Both of their losses were close: 35-33 to Pittsburgh and 25-20 at California. Against a ranked opponent, they can count on staying in close games, which is how most of their season has gone. The offense is the bigger question. It has scored 21 or fewer points in three of its last five games, and it gave up six sacks at Clemson.

Clemson is 4-3 and 2-2 in the ACC and goes to Florida State on Saturday, October 31 (ACC Network). The Tigers have alternated wins and losses over their last four games, and their offense has stalled against stronger opponents. They scored 10 points at LSU, 13 against Miami and 16 against Virginia Tech. Clemson's defense held the Hokies to 235 yards, so the Tigers' chances in Tallahassee likely depend on improving their third-down rate and committing fewer penalties.