The 4^th ranked Clemson Tigers of coach Danny Ford opened the 1988 season with a strong returning core of talent led by All-American CB Donnell Woolford & All-ACC performers OT Jeff Nunamacher, RB Terry Allen, & NG Mark Drag while the Virginia Tech Hokies of coach Frank Beamer were led by freshman QB Will Furrer.  The Tigers scored the last 5 times they had the ball in the 1^st half on their way to a 40-7 rout of the Hokies.  Clemson's RB Joe Henderson scored the only points of the 1^st quarter when he broke loose for a 41-yard touchdown run giving the Tigers a 7-0 lead.  Allen scored on a 15-yard run as Clemson pushed the lead to 14-0.  Virginia Tech’s only points came on a 5-yard touchdown run by RB Rich Fox before Clemson got a 4-yard touchdown run from QB Rodney Williams leaving the score Clemson 21 Virginia Tech 7.  A 15-yard touchdown run by RB Tracy Johnson & a 38-yard field goal by PK Chris Gardocki finished the 1^st half scoring for the Tigers as they took a 31-7 lead to the locker room.  Henderson’s 19-yard touchdown run accounted for the only points of the 3^rd quarter & Gardocki hit a 43-yard field goal in the 4^th quarter to close the scoring.  Williams finished with 72 yards passing while Furrer threw for 116 yards with 2 interceptions in the loss.  Clemson finished the season 10-2; ACC Champions, ranked 9^th nationally while the Hokies finished 3-8.  Virginia Tech would play for The Belt again in 10 weeks.