Hokies Run Through Paper Tigers, Win 24-7
by Neal Turnage
October 26 , 2006

The Virginia Tech Hokies sent a message to the college football world Thursday night as they hosted the tenth ranked Clemson Tigers; “We’re Back!”  After dropping out of the polls two weeks ago, the Hokies beat up on the Tigers by a score of 24 to 7.

Tech beat Clemson at its own game by racking up the rushing yards and protecting the football.  For the second time in as many weeks, Tech’s gameplan revolved around getting the ball in Branden Ore’s hands.

The redshirt sophomore’s 207-yard performance on 37 carries is the first time a Tech running back carried for more than 200 yards in consecutive games.

“I had no idea I had 37 carries,” Ore said in the post-game interview. “Every time I got the ball I just tried to make the best of the situation.”

Tech continued its Thursday night dominance with the win.  The victory improves the Hokies’ record to 13-2 in ESPN Thursday night games while Clemson’s record on the night drops to 1-7.

The game looked to be a slugfest from the beginning, with neither team gaining a clear-cut edge.  After both teams traded three-and-outs, Clemson put the first points of the night on the board with a six-yard touchdown run by sophomore running back James Davis.

Virginia Tech fired back with a scoring drive of its own when QB Sean Glennon snuck the ball in from six-inches out.  The touchdown was set up by a 40-yard run by Branden Ore.  The 84-yard drive, which took, five minutes and six seconds off the clock, was the longest drive scoring drive given up by the Tigers all year in terms of yardage and time.

The Hokies forced the Tigers to punt on the next possession then drove to the 20-yd line before a couple of incomplete passes led to the field goal unit being brought onto the field.  Senior Brandon Pace drilled home a 37-yard field goal to put Tech ahead 10-7.

The Tigers could only muster 4 yards when they got the ball back and had to punt again after just three plays.  Tech would threaten again when senior wide receiver David Clowney took a short pass down the sideline to the Clemson 37-yard line.  That threat would disappear after back to back holding penalties put the Hokies in a second and 28.  The drive ended in a punt.

The Tigers would get their best starting field position of the half with 3:32 left when Sean Glennon tried to make something happen on scramble but ended up fumbling the ball in Tiger territory.  Clemson could not capitalize on the turnover, however, as Tech defensive tackle Barry Booker scooped up a mishandled snap by Clemson QB Will Proctor.

Tech used the recovery to eat up the clock then punt the ball back to Clemson with less than a minute left in the half.  Having used up all their time outs in the first quarter, the Tigers let the clock run out to end the half trailing 7-10.

At the half, Ore had already amassed 108 yards on 19 carries, while Clemson’s tandem of Davis and C.J. Spiller accounted for 41 yards on 13 combined carries.

Clemson coach Tommy Bowden felt his squad could have done a better job of containment on Ore. “I think we tackled poorly tonight…Their back is good but I think we’re better tacklers than that.”

In the second half, the Hokies continued executing the game plan by playing tough defense and pounding the ball on the ground.  Linebacker Xavier Adibi intercepted a Proctor pass on Clemson’s first possession of the third quarter.  Tech turned the takeaway into seven points after five straight running plays by Ore landed them in the endzone for the second time of the night.

Two drives later Tech got into the endzone again on a three-yard run by Ore.  This time Tech actually utilized the passing game to move the ball some.  Glennon connected on a 9-yard pass to Morgan and found his tight end Sam Wheeler near the sideline for a 41-yard gain.  Glennon finished 9 of 15 passing for 108 yards and one rushing touchdown.

Clemson never got much going offensively.  Spiller and Davis combined for 77 yards on 22 carries and Proctor went 11 of 28 for 86 yards and no touchdowns.  Tyler Grisham led the Tigers receiving with 3 catches for 34 yards.

The Hokies have won two straight since dropping back-to-back games against Georgia Tech and Boston College.  Next week they travel to Fla. to take on the University of Miami. The game will be televised at 8 p.m. on ABC.  Clemson takes on Maryland at home on Nov. 4.

“The last two wins have been special,” said Tech coach Frank Beamer, “and this one was really special.  I think the other side of it is that we have to continue to get better.  I say that and I mean that.  We’ve got to go down to the Orange Bowl and take on that (Miami) crowd next.  It doesn’t get any easier.”

* Mike Trelease also contributed to this article.

Quick Notes

• 37 carries is a career high for Branden Ore.
• Starting LG Ryan Shuman suffered a sprained left knee in the first quarter and did not return.
• Ore's 40-yard run in the first quarter was the longest run given up by the Clemson defense all year
• This was the 10th Annual Hokies for the Hungry campaign, sponsored by the Marching Virginians. Fans were asked to bring a canned food donation for the Montgomery County Christmas Store.

Hokie AP Photo Wire

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