The Clemson Tigers overcame an ugly first-half performance to score 24 straight points in a 24-14 victory over the Virginia Tech Hokies Saturday at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg.

With the win, Clemson (7-2 overall, 6-1 ACC) kept its College Football Playoff hopes alive. Earlier in the day, the Miami Hurricanes (9-1, 5-1) fell 28-23 in an upset loss to Georgia Tech in Atlanta.

Here's what went right for the Tigers in the second half of their comeback win over the Hokies.

Cade Klubnik shakes off rust, delivers MVP performance

Cade Klubnik is the leader of the Clemson offense. That's true of any team's starting quarterback, and the junior from Austin, Texas, is certainly no different. Klubnik stepped up in the game's final 30 minutes to help deliver a must-win victory for his team.

On the Tigers' first drive of the half, Klubnik avoided a sack and ran for 13 yards and a first down to midfield. From there, he took it another 13 yards on a read-option to the Hokies' 37-yard line.

Two plays later, Cole Turner came down with a 29-yard touchdown catch in one-on-one coverage. Turner was flagged for taunting and drew a 15-yard penalty, earning an earful on the sideline from Clemson coach Dabo Swinney. But it was a statement drive (eight plays, 75 yards, 3:35) for Klubnik and the Tigers' offense -- and one that would set the tone for the rest of the half.

After a three-and-out that took Virginia Tech all the way back to its own 8-yard line before a punt, Clemson took over with excellent field position at the Hokies' 44 on its next series.

Three plays later, Klubnik made a highlight-reel play by avoiding a sure-fire sack off a cornerback blitz when he escaped and fired a strike to a wide-open T.J. Moore inside the 10-yard line. It was a 41-yard touchdown for a 14-7 Tigers lead after the extra point with 7:34 left.

That drive took 1:32 off the clock and gave Clemson its first lead of the afternoon.

Clemson's defense shuts down hobbled Hokies offense

Virginia Tech was never going to present an explosive offense to challenge Clemson on Saturday. But the Tigers' switch to a 4-3 scheme with five-star freshman Sammy Brown at linebacker paid off in a big way for Wes Goodwin's unit.

Brown picked up a huge sack of Hokies quarterback Kyron Drones on 3rd and 10 from the Virginia Tech 36-yard line to force a third-quarter punt and give Clemson the ball at its own 25s.

On the Hokies' next series, Drones hit Da'Quan Felton for a 30-yard gain to the Clemson 37. But Ashton Hampton made a sensational play on a one-handed interception while falling to his knees around the 10-yard line. The Tigers took over at their own 7-yard line.

Tigers show a bit of killer instinct in clutch situation

After Hampton's interception, Klubnik led Clemson down the field on one of its most impressive drives of the year. The Tigers marched 93 yards on 10 plays in 5:45 to take a commanding 21-7 lead on a 12-yard Jake Briningstool touchdown catch. The tight end had just hauled in a 19-yard grab to the Virginia Tech 12 two plays earlier.

Late in the game, with Virginia Tech having turned to backup quarterback Collin Schlee, R.J. Mickens picked off a pass deep in Hokies territory at the 20 yard line.

Schlee would lead Virginia Tech on an ultimately meaningless touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter, but Clemson's defense finished the day by allowing only 228 yards -- 75 of which came with the score (for all intents and purposes) out of reach.

Clemson finished with a modest 378 yards of total offense. Klubnik was 16-of-34 for 211 yards and three touchdowns. Phil Mafah rushed for 128 yards on 26 carries, giving him four 100-yard games in his last five starts -- and six total this season.

Clemson football 2024 schedule: Who's up next?

Clemson will head to Pittsburgh to take on the No. 23 Pitt Panthers next Saturday at Acrisure Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon ET. The game will be televised on ESPN.

This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: How Clemson overcame early struggles to beat Virginia Tech, keep CFP hopes alive