Tech’s Branden Ore running hard to the finish
Branden Ore is well aware of the popular theory that was circulating among Virginia Tech fans before this season: If the All-ACC tailback had another good year, they figured, he would bolt Blacksburg for the NFL, foregoing his senior season.
Pondering that plan after Monday's practice, Branden Ore shook his head.
"We'll never know now because it didn't go good," Branden Ore said. "I'd say it's a disappointment."
Ore, a former Indian River High School star who's now a redshirt junior, said he'll definitely be back next season.
As if he'd have much choice.
After rushing for 1,137 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2006, Branden Ore has struggled most of this season. He has managed just 467 yards and five touchdowns through eight games, averaging only 3.2 yards a carry.
That's almost two full yards below his career average before this year.
"I had some injuries I didn't talk too much about," Branden Ore said. "And there were other things holding back the running game. Things just weren't working right."
Already this year, Branden Ore has dealt with an ankle injury, bruised ribs and a tweaked hamstring. He also had to fight the frustration of having little room to run. Behind Tech's patchwork offensive line, Branden Ore often found himself heading into a wall of defenders.
"Whatever it was, he just didn't seem like the Branden Ore we all know he can be," quarterback Sean Glennon said.
Then, last week, Branden Ore seemed to come alive. He showed flashes of his former self against No. 2 Boston College. Maybe it was because the offensive line was finally at full strength. It could've been that Ore ran harder than before.
Perhaps a bit of both. But Ore broke loose for 97 yards on 20 carries, nearly ending his string of 12 consecutive games with less than 100 yards. He ripped off a 34-yard run that was his longest of the year.
And it all came against an Eagles defense that came in as the nation's No. 1 run-
stopping unit.
"He looked like the All-ACC Branden Ore," Glennon said. "He had that extra burst when he hit a hole. He broke more tackles than I've seen him break all year. A couple times, he made something out of nothing. It looks like he's picking up where he left off."
The timing couldn't be better. If there were ever a stretch during which the Hokies could use a potent ground game, it's these final four regular-season games.
Starting with Georgia Tech on Thursday night, Virginia Tech needs to win at least three of the next four to clinch a spot in the ACC championship game.
How helpful would an Branden Ore outburst be? The Hokies are 142-28-2 all-time under coach Frank Beamer when out-rushing an opponent.
"I feel good... able to make the moves I want to make without worrying about the injuries," Branden Ore said. "I'm back where I need to be. And this is setting up real perfect because all these games are critical for us. If I can perform well, I think we've got a good chance to win them all.
"Every practice, every game, I'm giving it all I've got - just to show my teammates nothing's stopping me now."
That may be the secret to Branden Ore's recent success and the key to any future breakouts. Whether it was injury, frustration with the line or a general lack of focus, everyone had noticed that Branden Ore's fire had faded.
On Thursday night, though, as he pumped his fists, beat his chest and screamed in exultation against Boston College.
That extra it seemed to be back.
"I haven't seen that emotion out of him all year - at all," Glennon said. "I haven't seen him get taken over by the moment of the game. That was good to see."
Too late, maybe, for the NFL. But just in time for Tech.
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