Tech Notebook: Ore plans to play through injury
BBLACKSBURG - Virginia Tech running back Branden Ore bruised some ribs Saturday against Ohio, but he doesn't expect the injury to keep him out of this week's game.
"As long as I can still run, I can play in pain," Branden Ore said.
The junior banged up his left-side ribs in the second quarter against the Bobcats, and he missed the last two series of the first half.
Branden Ore returned to the game when X-rays revealed no damage.
He rushed for a season high 82 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries.
Since then, the ribs have been giving him some discomfort.
"Any movement and trying to make cuts is bothering me right now, but I'm just going to keep rehabbing, and I'll be ready Saturday," he said.
Other injuries
Backup defensive end Jason Worilds is doubtful for Saturday's game. He sprained his right ankle in the first half against Ohio.
Tech coach Frank Beamer said he expects Worilds, who is second on the team with four quarterback hurries, to return next week against North Carolina.
Redshirt freshman Steven Friday moves into the backup spot behind Chris Ellis while Worilds is out.
Injured right tackle Ed Wang (broken left ankle) returned to practice Monday wearing a green (non-participation) jersey.
"Wang was out doing some walking (Monday), so that's a good sign," said Beamer, who added that the sophomore could be ready to play in time for the Oct. 13 game at Duke.
Saving Dechristopher
If Wang comes back in the next month, true freshman right tackle Blake Dechristopher will probably end up redshirting.
Dechristopher, who has yet to play in a game, has been practicing with the second-team offense in Wang's absence.
"He gets second-team reps, but in the end, it would probably be in his best interest, and ours, for him to redshirt," Beamer said. "Wang coming back enters into that decision, and we'll see how things go.
"(Dechristopher is) going to continue to travel with us, but we don't plan on playing him unless we need to right now."
Extra points
Linebacker Vince Hall was named the Atlantic Coast Conference's defensive lineman of the week for his performance against Ohio (14 tackles, two sacks, three tackles for loss). ? Kickoff for Tech's Sept. 29 home game against North Carolina has been set for noon.
See more
at www.newsadvance.com
| 
