Collegiate Times

Vince Hall (9) led the Hokies with 11 tackles on Saturday, but broke his wrist and will be out for 4-6 weeks.

It was a night in which records were broken and streaks continued as the Virginia Tech football team routed the Clemson Tigers on Saturday by a score of 41-23.

The win gives Tech a 5-1 overall record with a 2-0 conference record.

The Hokies showcased their classic "Beamerball" style of play as the team relied heavily on its special teams to attain the win. Punt returner Eddie Royal gave the Hokies great field position on the evening, averaging 39 yards per return. Royal was also able to pick up several key blocks on one return and take the ball all the way for an 82-yard touchdown late in the first quarter.

Not to be outdone, kick returner Victor Harris also found the end zone on a second-quarter kickoff, taking the ball 100 yards for the score. Harris' run tied the longest return in school history which, coincidentally, was also scored against Clemson in Death Valley by Larry Fallen in 1978.

In addition to the returns for touchdowns, kicker Jud Dunlevy continued his perfection, connecting on field goals from 32 and 47 yards. He has yet to miss an attempt this season, going 7 for 7. Punter Brent Bowden also pinned the Tigers back for much of the night, placing two of his eight punts inside the Tigers' 20 yard-line and giving Clemson tough starting field position.

Even though the specialists stole the show on Saturday in Death Valley, the defense and offense also did their parts.

The defense wasted no time setting the tone of the game. Just over a minute into the game, senior safety D.J. Parker intercepted a bobbled pass and ran it 32 yards into the end zone for a quick score.

The secondary, including Parker, left their mark on the Clemson offense, laying several huge hits on the Clemson offense. The game was delayed several minutes on one occasion when Harris hit Clemson receiver Jacoby Ford. Ford suffered an injured sternum from the hit.

Linebackers Vince Hall and Xavier Adibi combined for 21 total tackles, three of which were for a loss. The pair helped the Tech defense stifle the acclaimed run game of C.J. Spiller and James Davis for the second straight year, holding Davis to 9 yards and Spiller to only 3 yards rushing.

On Sunday, it was announced that Hall had broken his wrist during the game and would be out for 4-6 weeks. His replacement in the starting lineup has yet to be named.

Tyrod Taylor completed 50 percent of his attempted passes, finishing with 65 yards passing on a 7-14 effort. Taylor, who was only sacked twice, found an uncovered Justin Harper for a touchdown late in the second quarter.

The touchdown was the first caught by a Tech wide receiver all season. The catch was channeled into optimism by Harper and the entire Tech offense.

"The offense is coming (together)," Harper said. "Slowly but surely, it's coming."

Clemson quarterback Cullen Harper attempted a school record 66 passes on his way to 372 yards passing and two touchdowns, but was intercepted twice as well.

Taylor also led all Tech rushers with 118 yards on the ground, including a 52-yard breakaway run that put the Hokies in their red zone right as Clemson was gaining momentum and was within 16 points of Tech in the middle of the fourth quarter.

"That's what a playmaker does," Adibi said. "He steps up his game and makes plays when we need them."

Recently maligned running back Branden Ore saw his season's troubles continue. Despite scoring a touchdown late in the fourth quarter, Ore finished with only 42 yards on 23 carries.

Halfway through the season, head coach Frank Beamer said he sees room for improvement but can also make out signs of a BCS-caliber football team.

"I credit our players with finding a way to win," said Beamer. "You can see flashes here and there but we just have to get more consistent. But we will. I think we'll keep finding ways to get the ball down the field. Our next goal is getting the ball down the field more often."

No. 12 Tech will next travel down to Durham, N.C. to face its ACC opponent, the Duke Blue Devils, who are searching for their second win of the season. Kickoff is slated for 12:10 p.m. on Saturday.