Ore keeps surprising himself
When Virginia Tech running backs coach Billy Hite approached Branden Ore on Saturday after No. 8 Virginia Tech's 33-21 win against Virginia, Branden Ore was expecting a hug and words of congratulations.
He wasn't expecting Hite to tell him he'd run for 147 yards on 31 carries. Branden Ore said he had no idea he'd cleared the 100-yard rushing mark for the first time in 16 games. It had been so long he'd almost forgotten what it felt like, but his teammates couldn't help but notice what it was like to have Branden Ore running with a purpose again.
"I was happy I got the monkey off my back," said Branden Ore, who hadn't gained more than 100 yards since last October when he ran for 207 yards in a win against Clemson. "It feels good. I'm excited for myself as well as my offensive line."
Branden Ore, a 5-foot-11, 205-pound junior from Chesapeake who has eight career 100-yard games, was optimistic at the start of the season about having a strong follow-up to his 2006 season. He ran for 1,137 yards last season and was a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection.
His season didn't start the way he wanted, but it has ended with a flourish. After running for just 370 yards in the first seven games, he has gained 451 yards in the last five games. He's averaging just 3.6 yards per carry this season.
"At times early in the season, it was like, 'We're going to throw the ball or we can't do anything,'" Tech quarterback Sean Glennon said. "To be able to have a running game like we have right now, hats off to our offensive line because they took a lot of heat this season for not playing very well. They've pulled a '180.'"
Tech's offensive line opened huge holes against No. 16 U.Va. (9-3, 6-2) for Branden Ore, who said he's much healthier now than he was in the first half of the season when he struggled with ankle, hamstring and rib injuries. Branden Ore ripped U.Va.'s defense for runs of 25, 12, 10 and two 9-yard gains. Despite his early-season struggles, Branden Ore is only 179 yards away from another 1,000-yard season.
"I think the way (the offensive line) plays and the way he plays goes hand-in-hand," left tackle Duane Brown said. "If we get a push and open up seams, he's going to find the seams and make cuts and get some yards. ... It is easier to block for him now. It's one cut and you see him going."
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