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Clemson football's special teams is the worst in FBS, more overreactions vs Virginia Tech
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- Clemson football's special teams is the worst in FBS, more overreactions vs Virginia Tech
BLACKSBURG, Va. — Clemson football dominated Virginia Tech on Saturday, winning 24-14 at Lane Stadium.
The No. 17 Tigers (7-2, 6-1 ACC) struggled offensively to begin the game, failing to score points on two promising drives then punting on their final three drives of the first half. Yet, they responded in the second half to score three touchdowns.
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Defensively, Clemson contained the Hokies (4-4, 3-3), allowing 228 total yards and forcing three turnovers.
The Tigers also had another blocked field goal.
Here are three overreactions from the Tigers' road conference win:
Clemson football 's special teams is among the nation's worst
Saturday featured many head-scratching special-teams plays and decisions by Clemson.
Entering the Virginia Tech game, Clemson was tied with three other teams for the most blocked kicks allowed in the nation. It secured sole possession after the Hokies blocked a 46-yard field goal and returned it for a touchdown .
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Field-goal protection has been a point of emphasis for Clemson coach Dabo Swinney after two were blocked against Louisville last week. This caused Swinney to make personnel changes to improve the left side. These came after Clemson had two blocked kicks in their win vs. Florida State in October. Yet the Tigers gave up another blocked field goal Saturday.
On fourth-and-5 on Virginia Tech's 44-yard line, Clemson went for it, but quarterback Cade Klubnik punted it for 19 yards. It chose this option instead of opting to use veteran punter Aidan Swanson.
HOW THE GAME WENT: Clemson vs Virginia Tech score today: Live updates, highlights from Week 11 game in ACC
Clemson football's rush defense back to standard after last week's rough display
The Tigers faced questions after allowing 210 yards rushing and 7.8 yards per carry vs. Louisville last week. They faced a Virginia Tech team that averages 201.4 yards rushing, which ranked 26th in the nation entering Saturday.
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Despite not having defensive linemen Peter Woods and DeMonte Capehart , Clemson responded to hold the Hokies to 40 yards rushing on 21 carries. It was a strong response without two of its starters to dominate the line of scrimmage and leverage the ball to contain Virginia Tech and improve its outlook for the ACC championship.
Clemson football overcomes pass protection's up-and-down performance
Clemson's offensive line wasn't strong against Louisville, giving up two sacks. Swinney thought the unit played well despite the sacks. Yet, the unit underperformed again at Virginia Tech, allowing three sacks.
Entering Saturday, Clemson had allowed only eight sacks, and two sacks was its most given up in a game. It went up against defensive lineman Antwaun Powell-Ryland , the nation's leader in sacks, and he feasted to have two sacks. The unit did not give up any sacks in the second half, but Klubnik was under duress, having to extend plays with his legs or scramble to get away from pressure.
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The Tigers battled injuries on the offensive line with Harris Sewell replacing starting left guard Marcus Tate, who missed the game despite traveling, and Elyjah Thurmon, a freshman, taking over at left tackle Tristan Leigh's place after he suffered an injury on the game's first drive.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson football: Tigers overcome protection woes to beat Virginia Tech
