Ore: Rushing emergence is better late than never
It had been so long since Branden Ore last rushed for at least 100 yards in a game, Virginia Tech's junior tailback almost forgot how it felt.
Branden Ore came up huge Saturday in the Hokies' 33-21 victory over Virginia. He carried the ball a season-high 31 times and finished with 147 yards--his first 100-yard effort in more than a year, dating back to last October against Clemson.
But Branden Ore was in such a zone, he didn't know about his yardage total until Virginia Tech running backs coach Billy Hite told him in the locker room after the game.
"I wasn't really thinking about the yards. I was more concerned with contributing and helping my team get the win," Branden Ore said. "I was just really concentrating on gaining positive yardage and holding on to the ball."
This season has mostly been a struggle for Branden Ore, who was an all-ACC first-team selection in 2006 when he rushed for 1,137 yards and scoring 17 touchdowns.
First, he reported for Virginia Tech's preseason camp out of shape after skipping part of the summer conditioning program to help a close friend in Chesapeake deal with the death of his grandmother.
He's also dealt with a variety of injuries--a strained quad muscle, a sprained ankle and bruised ribs, all of which robbed him of the elusiveness and explosive burst that had been his trademarks.
Throw in an offensive line that struggled to open holes, and Branden Ore rarely resembled his old self through the Hokies' first seven games. But after producing 97 yards on 20 carries against Boston College's top-ranked rush defense, Branden Ore and his line have made great strides.
He's gained fewer than 81 yards only once over the last five games, and his re-emergence has provided valuable balance for Virginia Tech's suddenly red-hot offense.
"I think the way we play and the way he plays go hand in hand," left tackle Duane Brown said. "When we get push and can open up seams, he's going to find the seams and make cuts and get yards. Before, we weren't able to do that, so he wasn't able to do what he normally does.
"It is easy to block for him now. One cut and you see him going."
Heading into Saturday's ACC championship, Branden Ore has 821 yards and nine touchdowns. The numbers aren't spectacular by his standards, but at least he doesn't have to field questions about when he's finally going to crack the 100-yard barrier again--at least for a while.
"I'm happy I got that monkey off my back. It feels good. I'm excited for myself and my offensive line," he said. "Any time we can establish the line of scrimmage and move the ball on the ground, that's good for us."
HAND IT TO MORGAN
Josh Morgan knew the steel pin in his right ring finger was due to be removed at some point this week. The pin, however, had other ideas.
After Morgan caught a 26-yard pass late in the first half Saturday, Virginia safety Byron Glaspy drilled Morgan's right hand with his helmet. When Morgan came out of the game and removed his gloves, he noticed blood on his hand and the pin protruding more than a half-inch out of the top of his finger.
So Virginia Tech's training staff took Morgan into a back room at halftime, gave him a shot to numb the finger and removed the pin entirely.
"I didn't really see what they did. I wasn't trying to look," Morgan said yesterday. "I had to hold back some cuss words and some tears, so it was pretty excruciating."
Morgan had the pin inserted to stabilize his finger, which was broken during Virginia Tech's September game at LSU, but hasn't missed a game this season.
The senior from Washington, D.C., showed his toughness by returning to the U.Va. game with a bandage and small cast on his finger. He finished with four catches for 75 yards, including one for 25 in the second half.
DIVIDED LOYALTIES
When junior quarterback Sean Glennon tries to lead Virginia Tech to the ACC championship Saturday in Jacksonville, Fla., his parents will be there in spirit only.
John and Nancy Glennon opted to stay home in Virginia so they could attend younger son Mike's Group AAA, Division 6 state semifinal football game. The Glennons will record Sean and the Hokies on national television while driving to Chesapeake for Westfield's 3 p.m. game against Oscar Smith.
"It was tough for them. They're torn," Sean Glennon said. "They've been asking me, 'Are you OK with this? One of us will go if you want us to.' It's OK. They've supported me so well, I can't get mad at them for not coming."
Mike Glennon, the starting quarterback for his older brother's alma mater, already has committed to play for N.C. State next season.
Virginia Tech and N.C. State aren't scheduled to play each other during the 2008 regular season, but could meet if both teams reach the ACC championship game.
"That would be interesting to see my parents, what side they'd sit on or whose jersey they'd wear," Glennon said.
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