Ohio State Shows Why They are No. 1

08 Sep, 2015

Braxton Miller has clearly found a new home at wide receiver, and No. 1 Ohio State has found another dangerous weapon.

Not what the rest of the college football world wanted to hear.

Miller scored two touchdowns – one on a 54-yard catch-and-run where he had to tip-toe down the sideline, the other on an electrifying 53-yard run – and the star-studded Buckeyes began their title defense with a 42-24 victory over Virginia Tech on Monday night.

“I really would have preferred that third quarterback be over competing for a quarterback job rather than out there as an athlete,” Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said as the Hokies fell to 0-9 against teams ranked No. 1. “I thought he was pretty special.”

Miller made a diving 24-yard reception for his first catch since moving to wide receiver, and he only got better as the night wore on. His touchdowns came after the Hokies had taken a 17-14 lead into halftime, the long run including a spin move that left defenders falling down.

Wide receiver Michael Thomas watched it happen, and said he thought: “There he goes. That’s Braxton.”

And Miller wasn’t alone in turning heads. Cardale Jones picked up where he left off last season by throwing for two touchdowns and running for a third, and tailback Ezekiel Elliott was virtually untouched in breaking off an 80-yard run and gained 122 yards on just 11 carries.

But it was Miller who stood out most. The Big Ten offensive player of the year as a quarterback in 2012 and 2013, Miller missed last season with an injury to his right throwing shoulder. When he was slow to heal, he removed himself from the three-way quarterback battle.

“”This kid’s all about the right stuff and I’m honored to coach him again for a fourth year. I love this guy,” coach Urban Meyer said.

The Buckeyes avenged a 35-21 home loss to Virginia Tech last season and earned their 14th straight win overall. The Hokies, meanwhile, lost more than the game, with quarterback Michael Brewer shelved by a broken left collarbone that stalled any hope of a comeback.

The Buckeyes got off to a fast start, but the Hokies battled back.

Curtis Samuel made a great adjustment to haul in a 24-yard touchdown reception from Jones, and Elliott’s run made it 14-0.

Virginia Tech responded with 17 straight points. Sam Rogers took a short pass from Brewer 51 yards for the Hokies’ first touchdown. Virginia Tech then used an interception to set up a field goal and a fumbled punt to set up a go-ahead touchdown 15 seconds before halftime on Brewer’s second touchdown pass.

AP

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