Factory Of Sadness
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Ohio State, Behind Braxton Miller’s Big Night Defeats VT

By Joe Russo

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The 2015 Ohio State football season kicked off in Blacksburg, VA. With a surprise under center, a scary first half, and the glorious return of Braxton Miller, Factory of Sadness has everything you need to know about Monday night’s game, from the highlights, standout players, and numbers behind the Buckeye’s big win.

The lone blemish from last season’s incredible run was Bud Foster’s Bear defense taking advantage of J.T. Barrett. This season? Things went very differently for the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Virginia Tech Hokies as Ohio State began their 2015 campaign with a 42-24 victory in Blacksburg, VA.

One major headline before the very first play was the unveiling of Cardale Jones as the starting quarterback. Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer had successfully kept the starter a secret all offseason and a decision was not even announce as part of the lead up to kickoff.

When Jones jogged onto the field for the team’s first possession, it was news to Buckeye fans everywhere. But despite my own pleas to start Barrett, it looks like Meyer got it right.

Sep 7, 2015; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver

Braxton Miller

(1) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass during the third quarter against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

Jones finished his night early with 186 yards passing and two passing touchdowns, to go along with 99 yards rushing and a running score. He did throw an interception in the second quarter. The INT was the only miscue of the night from last year’s postseason hero.

Even more impressive than Jones was former quarterback, now wide receiver Braxton Miller. Miller has a new number, new position, and was absolutely electric in his first game action in two years.

He became the first Buckeye with a 50 yard receiving touchdown and a 50 yard rushing touchdown since Ted Ginn Jr. in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl. But his night can be summed up his 54 yard scoring run in the third quarter.

Miller lined up as a Wildcat quarterback five times throughout the game. His most impressive highlight was bursting to the left side, leading to a video game spin move he used on a Hokie defender to break loose for the score.

In case you forgot what made Miller a two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, that run served as a reminder that Miller will be a deadly weapon in Meyer’s offense.

However, don’t let the success of Jones and Miller fool you. Virginia Tech’s head coach Frank Beamer out-coached Meyer through the second quarter and had Virginia Tech leading this game 17-14 at the half thanks to a 17-0 second quarter. Really, the Hokies rally started much sooner than that, asserting themselves midway through the first quarter.

Beamer and quarterback Michael Brewer made every adjustment needed at the time, with Brewer exploiting the Silver Bullet’s over aggressive zone coverage on the backside of the play twice for scores. On the first, fullback Sam Rogers was uncovered on a wheel route that he took 51 yards for a score.

Shortly after that, Ryan Malleck leaked to the left on a play-action roll-out right for a touchdown of his own. Malleck’s touchdown came shortly after an Ezekiel Elliott fumble on a punt. At the half, it certainly looked like Beamer and the Hokies were going to take it to the wire.

The real turning point of the game came early in the third quarter. Brewer took a huge hit from OSU’s Adolphus Washington and immediately ran to the sideline holding his shoulder. It didn’t take long for confirmation to come out that Brewer broke the collarbone on his non-throwing side.

Despite Beamer’s adjustments and Bud Foster’s front line playing well, the Hokies’ offense grounded to a halt with backup Brenden Motley. Motley led Virginia Tech at one point to a 11 play stretch for a total of 20 yards immediately following Brewer’s injury. When you give an offense like the Buckeyes that much time to operate, you end up with a 42-24 final score.

Brewer’s injury is easily the biggest turning point in the game. Credit is needed for Ohio State as the team minimized the impact of Virginia Tech’s two highest regarded players, tight end Bucky Hodges and corner back Kyle Fuller.

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Hodges, who torched Ohio State in the 2014 upset, was held without a single catch. Fuller will be on plenty of highlight reels on Tuesday, but mostly as the defender on Michael Thomas‘ beautiful stop and go for a 26 yard touchdown in the fourth quarter that left Fuller at least ten yards away from the Ohio State receiver.

Monday Night’s Superlatives

Game MVP: Braxton Miller

Down Jalin Marshall and Dontre Wilson, Cardale Jones and company needed a play-maker on the perimeter to stretch the defense. Enter in Miller, who finished his night with 6 carries for 62 yards and the aforementioned rushing score to go along with 2 catches for a game high 78 yards and a sideline hugging receiving touchdown. He was exactly what this offense needed and delivered big time.

Play of the Night: Braxton Miller’s touchdown run

Just watch it. You’ll see why.

Under the Radar Player of the Night: Tommy Schutt

Joey Bosa was also out for the night and the defense needed someone to step up along the front line. Adolphus Washington will get the high praise for the hit on Michael Brewer, but Schutt’s motor was firing on all cylinders all night long.

He wasn’t the flashiest guy on the field, but the former 5-star recruit, who had the “bust” label tossed around quite a bit the last few seasons, looked sharp and ready to make an impact in 2015.

The Win by the Numbers:

– Time of Possession, first downs, and turnovers are strong indicators of winning teams. Win those stats and you typically win games. Right?

Virginia Tech actually won the time of possession battle 32:53 to 27:07 and almost equaled Ohio State’s 20 first downs with 18 of their own, but don’t let those numbers mislead you. Ohio State struck fast by hitting the big play averaging 10.2 yards per play.

In fact their average scoring play went for just over 41 yards. That’s explosive. Despite two second quarter turnovers and a third interception later in the game best the two turnover Ohio State forced, the Hokies still found themselves on the losing end.

– Lost in the big plays elsewhere is Ezekiel Elliott’s big night. He carried the ball 11 time for 122 yards, keeping his streak of 100 yard games alive at six.

– How important was Brewer? Virginia Tech averaged 5.7 yards per play when he was on the field. When he was forced out of the game and replaced by Motley, the Hokies averaged a dismal 2.8 yards per play. The drives by Motely immediately after Brewer’s injury were ugly:

1st drive: 3 plays, -1 yard, punt

2nd drive: 4 plays, 29 yards (15 of which was a pass interference penalty), fumble

3rd drive: 5 plays, 13 yards, interception

4th drive: 3 plays, 5 yards, punt

5th drive: 4 plays, 5 yards, punt

Over those five drives, where Ohio State outscored Virginia Tech 21-0, the offense had 19 plays, 36 yards, 3 punts, and 2 turnovers.

It was a great win to start the season down a handful of impact players. With a favorable upcoming schedule without a real test until the Michigan State Spartans close out the home slate in November, this is going to be another great year for Meyer and company in Columbus.

Next: Ohio State Again Is Not Mark May's Pick To Win

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