Hokies back in the win column ahead of trip to Death Valley

By Thomas Howlett

Patriot Publishing

The Hokies came away with a tough win against Georgia Tech 34-24 to snap their two game losing streak. The win is much needed for the Hokies as the next team on the schedule are the Clemson Tigers.

 

Ethan Grunkemeyer and the offense got back on track to claim the victory over Georgia Tech. As a team the Hokies had over 400 yards of offense.

 

Star tight end Luke Reynolds was shut down for the most part, but Que’Sean Brown picked up the slack while having a breakout performance. Brown finished with 182 receiving yards on just six receptions including a touchdown.

 

However, perhaps the best news of the night was John Love returning to his old automatic ways. Love had missed three consecutive field goals entering the game, but went a perfect 2-for-2 against the Yellow Jackets.

 

The defense played well in the first half, but after allowing two touchdowns in just five plays to start the second half, things were looking dim for a moment.

 

However after that stretch the defense made plays when it mattered the most. Georgia Tech QB Alberto Mendoza did pass for 335 yards, a sign that the secondary is still struggling.

 

Aceyn Stevens was a highlight as he had the best game of his career. He finished with two and a half sacks and a forced fumble.

 

All in all it was a solid performance for each unit, but a tougher test awaits tomorrow.

 

The Clemson Tigers are not quite the championship contenders they used to be. Dabo Swinney and his program have lost a few steps over the past few years in this new era of name, image, and likeness.

 

However, Swinney’s Tigers still play hard. Clemson will defend its 4-2 record on its home turf Saturday with a stout defense, and an offense that has been progressing.

 

Clemson’s two losses have been to top 25 teams in the country including the new top ranked Miami. The Tigers also took down Cal on the road, something James Franklin’s Hokies couldn’t manage.

 

The Tigers have moved the football mainly on the ground this season. Top rusher Gideon Davidson has put together a solid body of work thus far with 430 yards and five rushing touchdowns.

 

Jarvis Green and Chris Johnson Jr. are other running backs that could get a few carries in the contest.

 

Starting quarterback Tait Reynolds has come a long way since the beginning of the season. Reynolds didn’t start in the first game of the season against LSU, but after getting blown out Swinney gave him a look.

 

Since then Reynolds has been a solid quarterback, nothing more, but nothing less. Reynolds through five games has only thrown for 943 yards, but only one touchdown.

 

Reynolds has two talented receivers that can give this Hokie defense trouble, Bryant Westcoe and TJ Moore. While neither receiver has had the statistical year they wanted, their talent is undeniable and could put pressure on Virginia Tech early.

 

The defense still has the tough demeanor of classic Clemson teams, but this time they are led by linebacker Sammy Brown and defensive end Will Heldt.

 

Brown is second on the team in tackles behind safety Corey Myrick. Brown is the top NFL draft prospect on the Tigers.

 

Heldt is the second highest graded prospect and it shows with his 18 tackles and four sacks.

 

Clemson is incredibly talented in its secondary with some of the top tacklers coming from this room. Myrick, Jerome Carter III, and Ronan Hanafin are three of the top five tacklers on the team.

 

However, the most dangerous man in their midst is Elliot Washington II. Washington is the sixth best tackler, but he has also been on the receiving end of three interceptions, a team high. We will see how many times the Hokies test the skills of Washington.

 

Besides the matchup on paper between these two teams being unique, it is also an interesting matchup between coaches. Both Swinney and Franklin have spent years among the top coaches in college football.

 

Both coaches have similar styles, however Franklin has adapted better to where the game is today. This statement alone adds a different layer to this already important conference matchup.

 

The environment in Death Valley will be the most hostile the Hokies have seen this year, especially since the contest is a night game.

 

A win on the road against Clemson would establish exactly where the Hokie program under Franklin is at and where it can go from here.