Wahoo Wire

Before the game’s kickoff, both Virginia and Clemson knew how their regular season would end. After a loss to Boston College last week, Virginia (3-8, 2-5) secured its second straight bowless season. After Boston College’s loss earlier Saturday, Clemson (8-3, 6-2) clinched the ACC’s Atlantic Division.

The Cavalier/Tiger matchup featured the Atlantic Division’s top team against the Coastal Division’s worst one. For the game’s first thirty minutes, however, Virginia held its own despite a critical early blunder.

Virginia fumbled on the game’s first snap, a mistake that likely surprised no one. The Cavalier’s offense came to Death Valley ranking 118^th of 120 FBS teams.

Virginia’s more competent defense forced a turnover on downs when Clemson failed to convert a 4^th & 2 at their goal line. That stop seemed to just delay the inevitable when Clemson quarterback Kyle Parker later connected with Dwayne Allen for a 16 yard touchdown pass. However, less than three minutes later, Cavalier quarterback Jameel Sewell trotted into the Cavalier’s end zone.

To start the second quarter, Clemson’s Heisman hopeful C.J. Spiller rushed for a 4-yard touchdown. The senior tailback has returned this season to put up one of the greatest all-purpose campaigns in conference history. However, this was Spiller’s only visit to the end zone during the game, and the Cavalier’s held him to a relatively miniscule 58 rushing yards.

Cavalier Coach Al Groh’s offense has been frustratingly stagnant all season. However, on Virginia’s ensuing drive Groh acted as if he was calling from an Arena Football playbook. Groh played upon wide receiver’s Vic Hall’s versatility, letting him throw a 30 yard pass to Sewell after receiving a lateral from the quarterback. Hall followed that play by turning a reverse flip into a five-yard touchdown pass to tight end Joe Torchia.

Clemson tacked on a 21-yard field goal, and lightening-fast wide receiver Jacoby Ford added a 24-yard touchdown reception with 1:52 left in the quarter. Groh was content to run down the clock with a 10-point deficit. However, Mickell Simpson forced a more aggressive strategy when he broke for a 22-yard rush into Clemson territory. With 8 seconds left in the half, Simpson came down with a 23-yard miracle catch in the end zone.

Virginia went into halftime high on momentum and hope. After a highlight reel first half, however, the Cavalier offense limped around the field for the game’s final thirty minutes. The team could not find any more points, or even author a serious scoring threat.

Clemson’s Andre Ellington extended the Tiger’s lead back to 10 points with a five-yard rushing touchdown. Clemson ended the third quarter with a 24-yard field goal, and then coasted to finish the game 34-21.

Clemson’s sixth-straight win was mere icing on a division championship cake. Virginia’s fifth-straight loss leaves a bitter taste in their mouth. Next week, Clemson will take on in-state rivals South Carolina, before battling Georgia Tech for the ACC Championship. Virginia will take on in-state rivals Virginia Tech, before studying for final exams.

The Tigers have visions of ending their year with a BCS bowl win. Virginia will likely end their year by firing their head coach.