No. 23 Clemson looks to shore up defense at Virginia Tech
After allowing 210 rushing yards and almost eight yards per carry in last week's loss, No. 23 Clemson wants to stop Virginia Tech's rushing attack, even though it's not clear who the Hokies will use to carry the ball.
The Hokies (5-4, 3-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) host the Tigers (6-2, 5-1) at sold-out Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Va., on Saturday. Both teams are coming off disappointing losses last week and are looking up at league leaders Miami and SMU.
Clemson was not included in the first College Football Playoff rankings released Tuesday night. Clemson has played in the CFP six times, second only to Alabama with eight.
Virginia Tech lost to Syracuse 38-31 in overtime last week, playing without starting quarterback Kyron Drones and lead running back Bhayshul Tuten. Drones was ruled out with a "lower body" injury while Tuten has an ankle concern.
In his Tuesday afternoon press conference, Hokies coach Brent Pry didn't reveal much on their status for Clemson.
"They are both questionable right now," Pry said. "They are obviously better than they were. Kyron is better than he was this time last week; Bhayshul, we find out today. Hopefully, by the end of tomorrow we feel good about both guys."
Tuten ranks second in the ACC with 951 yards on the ground. Drones has thrown for 1,447 yards and 10 scores, and also run for 323 yards.
Collin Schlee made his first start at QB for the Hokies against Syracuse. The redshirt senior transfer from UCLA threw for 206 yards, while the Hokies ran for 249, even without Tuten.
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney expressed his concern about the Hokies' running game. Clemson's defense ranks 59th nationally against the run, allowing 140 yards a game.
"They run the ball. We gotta respond," Swinney said Tuesday. "They are a stretch team, but they will mix in some midline and stretch wham, we just have to do what it takes to stop the run. For the most part we have done a nice job of that, but we did not last week. That's pretty evident."
Clemson suffered its first conference loss last week after Louisville pounded the Tigers on the ground, rushing for 7.8 yards per carry in a 33-21 win. The Tigers trailed 26-7 after three quarters.
Swinney said that the Tigers' defense would be without defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart (15 total tackles) and nickelback Shelton Lewis most likely for the remainder of the season with injuries. He called defensive end Peter Woods "day to day." Woods ranks fifth on Clemson with 5.5 tackles for loss.
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik has thrown for 2,064 yards and 21 scores. Tigers running back Phil Mafah ranks fourth in the ACC with 853 yards on the ground.
These two programs first met in 1900. Clemson has won the past six meetings and leads the all-time series 23-12 with one tie. Virginia Tech's last win in the series came in 2007.
