Auburn and Florida State have tried to slow Clemson and speedy freshman Sammy Watkins.
They failed.
Now it’s Virginia Tech’s turn.
The Hokies are second in the country against the run (43 yards), fourth in total defense (231.2 yards), and sixth in pass efficiency (88.5) and scoring defense (10 points), but they haven’t faced a player such as Watkins or an offense like such as Clemson so far this season.
“They may be as skilled, or more skilled, than any [team] we’ve ever played,” said Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer, whose team hosts Clemson on Saturday. “They’re hitting on all cylinders. This is a real, real challenge this week.”
Virginia Tech has compiled its lofty numbers by stifling Appalachian State, East Carolina, Arkansas State and Marshall. Appalachian State ran for 117 against the Hokies, but they held East Carolina to minus-15 on the ground and Marshall to 6.
Meanwhile, Clemson is second in the ACC in scoring (37.8 points) and total offense (502.8 yards) and third in rushing (187.2) and in passing (315.5), playing its first four games at home.
“I’m anxious to take these guys on the road and see where we are,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “We’ve been a good home team, but we have to be able to win on the road. We’re starting at the top, and it’s going to be a big test for us.”
The Tigers had 443 yards in their victory over Florida State on Saturday, with Watkins catching seven passes for 141 yards and two scores. He leads Clemson with 28 catches for 433 yards, six touchdowns and 668 all-purpose yards, and is the first Tiger to score in each of his first four games.
“I think it will be different in Blacksburg, but I’m ready,” Watkins said. “Our fans yell, but obviously it will be a different kind of yelling on the road, but I’ll get used to it.”
Burning question
Can Miami turn its season around?
Yes, but the Hurricanes must be more efficient on offense and more physical than they were against Kansas State. As impressive as they appeared in their win over Ohio State on Sept. 17, they looked dreadful at times in the 28-24 loss to the Wildcats on Saturday.
The Hurricanes couldn’t punch the ball into the end zone in four chances from 2-yard line to end the game and has a chance to work on some areas against Bethune-Cookman on Saturday, but have no more breaks as the ACC schedule looms ahead.
“For all the things we didn’t do well, we had a chance to win that game,” coach Al Golden said. “That’s ultimately on my shoulders, and that’s something I’ve got to get fixed. Our kids are fighting back. They’re competing. They’re giving themselves an opportunity to win, and we’ve got to make sure we do that.’’
The Hurricanes will then play at Virginia Tech and North Carolina, before returning home to face Georgia Tech on Oct. 22. They also have road games at Florida State (Nov. 12) and South Florida (Nov. 19), which is ranked 16th this week.
In focus
Juwan Thompson didn’t think he would see this much action, even though he entered the season as Duke’s No. 1 running back.
But injuries have sidelined fellow backs Desmond Scott (knee) and Josh Snead (foot), giving Thompson, who played at Woodward Academy, plenty of carries.
Thompson, a sophomore, leads Duke with 252 yards on 48 attempts and scored his first two collegiate touchdowns in Saturday’s 48-27 victory over Tulane.
“I love to get down hill and hunt contact,” Thompson told the Raleigh News & Observer this week. “Get upfield. Just not worry about cuts, because sometimes trying to make that guy miss, it doesn’t necessarily work all the time. And even when it does work, there’s always someone else to come pursue the tackle.”
Thompson opened the season with 86 yards in a loss to Richmond, splitting time with Scott, who was injured in the game. Thompson had with 43 against Stanford, 54 in a victory at Boston College and 69 yards on 14 carries against Tulane.
He hasn’t been tackled for a loss this year.
“He’s just tough,” Duke coach David Cutcliffe said.
Etc.
Injuries on N.C. State’s defensive line have given an opportunity to freshman tackle T.Y. McGill (Wayne County) and redshirt freshman end Theo Rich (Portal). McGill has five tackles, including one for loss, and Rich has three tackles. ... Clemson punter Dawson Zimmerman (Brookwood) said this week he’s optimistic he’ll play against Virginia Tech. His right knee was injured when he was hit while punting in the win over Florida State. ... Wake Forest backup defensive end Kris Redding (Whitefield Academy) has two tackles in three games.
Quotable
“There is no need to sugarcoat things. We got our butts kicked.” — Maryland coach Randy Edsall after Temple’s 38-7 victory over the Terrapins.
“I think we’re a pretty good football team. ... I wouldn’t say in any way that we’ve arrived right now, but we’re better than we were last year, and we’ve got the talent to win some football games. We haven’t shown maturity with the lead in a couple of our games, so I think we’ve got to grow up mentally, but I think physically we’re capable of going and winning some football games.” — Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe on the Demon Deacons, who are 2-1.
By the numbers
9 Passes defended by Duke safety Matt Daniels (Fayette County), which leads the country.
24 Scoring plays of 60 or more yards by ACC teams this season, the most of any conference in the country. Of those, 15 have been completions, six have been runs, two have been defensive returns and one has come on special teams.
Saturday’s schedule
Wake Forest at Boston College, 12:30 p.m. (WUPA)
Georgia Tech at North Carolina State, 3:30 p.m. (ABC)
Towson at Maryland, 3:30 p.m. (SPSO)
Bethune-Cookman at Miami, 3:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
Idaho at Virginia, 3:30 p.m.
Clemson at Virginia Tech, 6 p.m. (ESPN2)
Duke at Florida International, 7 p.m. (ESPNU)
North Carolina at East Carolina, 8 p.m.
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