BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) -- In less than a minute, Virginia Tech's top-ranked defense turned a night of frustration into one for the books.

Ike Charlton and Corey Moore scored defensive touchdowns 38 seconds apart in the final minutes, giving the eighth-ranked Hokies a 31-11 victory over Clemson Thursday night in a game that was ever so much closer.

	Virginia Tech QB Michael Vick returned to the Hokies lineup Thursday but couldn't match his strong performance in the season opener.

With Virginia Tech (3-0) leading only 17-11, Clemson (1-2) faced second-and-14 when Brandon Streeter threw for Rod Gardner over the middle. Gardner had already caught eight passes, but this one landed instead in Charlton's hands, and the veteran defensive back streaked into the left corner of the end zone to give the Hokies some room.

"I just threw it out in front of Rod a little too far," Streeter said. "I should have let him clear that linebacker a little more before I threw it."

Four plays later, on first-and-10 from the Clemson 47, Streeter dropped back to throw. Moore, however, was on him, slapping the ball free, scooping it up and taking it 32 yards.

Those two plays helped save Virginia Tech after Streeter had kept Clemson in the game for the first 57 minutes.

The Hokies have scored 34 defensive touchdowns since Frank Beamer became coach in 1987, but Moore said the game score was deceptively lopsided.

"We helped them out a lot tonight by committing a lot of penalties," Moore said.

Streeter was 27-of-43 for 195 yards, Gardner caught nine passes for 94 yards, and Brian Wooford had seven for 41.

"There's no satisfaction when you lose," Streeter said.

Beamer, though, was thrilled with the ending and the way his team responded after the Tigers cut it to 14-11 with 11:31 left.

"That was the making of a football team at 14-11," Beamer said. "I'm really, really proud of the way we took the game over in the fourth quarter."

Until then, Streeter had the Hokies' top-ranked defense on its heels.

First-year coach Tommy Bowden said his team had a chance to win with five minutes left, and that was another step forward.

"We didn't do it, but the next time we're in the position, I think we'll react more favorably," he said.

Shyrone Stith rushed for 162 yards and a touchdown for Virginia Tech, including 34 yards and a key third-down conversion after the Tigers drew to 14-11.

The Hokies drove 62 yards in 13 plays on the march, finally settling for Shayne Graham's 47-yard field goal that made it 17-11 with five minutes remaining.

From there, it was the defense's turn to finally get the best of Streeter.

The game marked the return of freshman sensation Michael Vick to the Hokies' lineup. Unlike the first game, when he was spectacular, Vick showed his inexperience by throwing three interceptions and trying to force the action.

"I just tried to make too many things happen tonight," the redshirt freshman said after going 7-for-17 for 88 yards. He also rushed for 41 yards, including a 31-yarder to set up a TD. "I have to realize that I can't do it all myself."

The Hokies led 14-3 entering the fourth quarter and appeared to have turned Streeter away again after forcing a fourth-and-4 from the Virginia Tech 9.

Clemson lined up for a field goal, but placekicker Tony Lazarra took the snap and passed to running back Vince Ciurciu alone in the end zone. Streeter's 2-point conversion pass to Jason LeMay made it 14-11 with plenty of time left.

Stith had 111 yards by halftime, and scored the first touchdown on a 3-yard run with 1:12 left in the opening quarter, capping an 11-play, 80-yard drive.

After the Hokies pinned Clemson at its 4, Virginia Tech took over on its 45 and needed just two plays. Vick ran 31 yards on the first, running left on the option and cutting back, and Andre Kendrick went the last 24 to make it 14-0.

The Hokies' short drive was largely set up by Moore, who threw Wofford for an 11-yard loss on first down from the Tigers 18, then met tailback Travis Zachery in the backfield, throwing him for a 2-yard loss on third-and-21 from the 7.

Clemson made it 14-3 when Chris Campbell capped a 13-play drive with a 27-yard field goal. It was the first of his career. He missed earlier from 37.