Virginia Tech defeated Clemson 20-16 in a Homecoming primetime clash on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Memorial Stadium. The road victory handed the Hokies bowl eligibility under first-year coach James Franklin while snapping Clemson’s seven-game winning streak in the series.
The decisive blow came with 1:44 remaining in the fourth quarter when Virginia Tech capped a late march with a go-ahead score in Memorial Stadium. Clemson attempted a final response, but the drive stalled when a potential conversion on third-and-9 down to the Hokie 25-yard line was overturned upon review. The defense then sealed the upset by forcing a turnover on downs, pushing Virginia Tech to a 6-2 overall record and a 3-2 mark in Atlantic Coast Conference play.
4TH DOWN STOP‼️Today’s Key Play, brought to you by @cmgleasing 🤝#LetsGoHokies | @kwoseley35 pic.twitter.com/AtNNL1wHU2
Luke Reynolds Catches Game-Winning Touchdown for Virginia Tech
Trailing 16-13 with just over seven minutes left on the clock, Virginia Tech engineered a 17-play, 87-yard possession that consumed seven minutes of game time. Twice during the march, the visitors faced long yardage situations due to penalties, yet managed to convert. On fourth-and-1 from the Clemson 5-yard line, quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer located tight end Luke Reynolds wide open in the back of the end zone for the game-winning score with 1:46 left.
Tight end Luke Reynolds posed matchup nightmares on offense. While he was limited to 44 yards, he scored both Virginia Tech touchdowns–the last giving Virginia Tech the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter with under two minutes to play.
WSLS reporting staff
Kicker John Love added the extra point to establish the final four-point margin. For Clemson, the defeat dropped the team to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in conference action. The contest marked Clemson’s fifth night game of the 2026 season, matching campaigns from 1949 and 2022 for the most night games through the first seven contests of a year in school history. Team captains for the opening coin toss included linebacker Sammy Brown, wide receiver Tyler Brown, running back Gideon Davidson, and defensive end Will Heldt.
#Hokies have been outscored 41-10 in the third quarter in ACC play this season.
Dabo Swinney Points the Blame at Coaching After Sluggish First Half
Clemson labored through a dismal opening half, generating just 94 total yards and heading into the locker room trailing 3-10. Asked by an ESPN broadcaster about the offense and freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds, head coach Dabo Swinney offered a blunt assessment of the team’s performance before the break.
“Oh, it’s all coaching. That’s 100% coaching.” “Pitiful. Pitiful. 100% coaching. That ain’t the players. That’s us. We’re fixin’ to fix it.”
Dabo Swinney, Clemson Head Coach
The Tigers briefly found life in the third quarter. Nolan Hauser converted a 49-yard field goal to narrow the deficit to 10-6, and true freshman Tait Reynolds punctuated a six-play, 65-yard drive with a 16-yard rushing touchdown that put Clemson ahead 13-10. Hauser later added a 36-yard field goal with three seconds remaining in the third period to stretch the lead to 16-10. Reynolds recorded a career-long streak of 13 consecutive completions in the contest and added a career-long-tying 20-yard run at the conclusion of the first quarter, while LCA graduate Gideon Davidson chipped in 62 rushing yards on 14 carries.
Defensive Units Trade Sacks in Close Contest
Both defensive units controlled large stretches of the contest. Clemson’s front line harassed Grunkemeyer into six sacks, led by defensive end Will Heldt with two sacks and safety Corey Myrick with nine total tackles. Yet Virginia Tech’s defense countered with four sacks of its own, including a pivotal fourth-down stop by Malachi Williams that ended Clemson’s final threat.
The outcome alters the historical series ledger between the two programs. It marked only the third visit for the Hokies to Death Valley since joining the ACC in 2004, and the first meeting between Swinney and new Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin, who became the 100th different opposing head coach Swinney has faced.
"100% coaching. Pitiful … That ain't the players that's us." 😳Dabo Swinney taking accountability for Clemson's first half struggles. pic.twitter.com/lGvQha6fi3
Clemson continues its schedule looking to regroup in conference play, while Virginia Tech advances to its next matchup against SMU.
More on Virginia Tech
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney says senior QB Christopher Vizzina was available and fully healthy tonight vs. Virginia Tech. Did he consider going to Vizzina at any point in the game over freshman QB Tait Reynolds? Dabo: "No, no"
Considering he was on the sidelines with a play sheet, did Clemson coach Dabo Swinney call plays during second half of Virginia Tech game? Dabo: "I always have a play sheet. Always have." Says he just doesn't always actively have it in his hands, but it's around/near him
All or nothing. Virginia Tech DELIVERS to take the lead late at Clemson🔥@HokiesFB | @hokiesports | #GoHokies pic.twitter.com/xHHbCcw4q5
VIRGINIA TECH HAS THE LEAD UNDER TWO MINUTES LEFT AGAINST CLEMSON 🔥Watch now on ESPN and the ESPN App pic.twitter.com/9jXyq0TZnS