Hokies reminisce about Ohio State, look forward to rematch
Perhaps it should come as no surprise the first question posed to Virginia Tech cornerback Kendall Fuller at ACC Football Media Days was not about Virginia Tech per se but rather the Hokies' season-opening opponent: Ohio State.
"It's definitely a much-anticipated game," Fuller told reporters in Pinehurst, N.C. It being the season opener, definitely something to look forward to. But, you know, we can't look at it too much. We got to look at it as it being the next game, the next biggest game, just because it's the next game. Definitely we've been training for it, been working for it. It's almost here."
Before it arrives, though, one can bet the Hokies' 35-21 upset of the Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium will be brought up more than a few times, as was the case when quarterback quarterback Michael Brewer was asked about his memories of the rematch scheduled for Labor Day in Blacksburg.
“Things kind of clicked,” Brewer said, per the team's official web site. “We made plays when they presented themselves."
Brewer, a transfer from Texas Tech who threw for 199 yards and two touchdowns in Columbus, acknowledged VT might have benefitted from Ohio State having only one game film to go by as the Hokies transitioned to a new offense. He directed more of a spread-based attack than the offense had utilized under previous starter Logan Thomas.
"It was more power run game and running the quarterback a lot," Brewer said. "We came in and were more spread attack. We were able to make enough plays to get it done.”
This time around he is well aware the Hokies will play host to an Ohio State team that returns a large number of starters and is going to be out for revenge in Blacksburg.
“We know what we’re up against,” Brewer said. “They’re a lot better than when we played them last year, but we’re a lot better than when we played them. We’re excited about it. We think we that we’ve got a defense that can keep us in the game against anyone. As long as we can protect the football and make plays when they present themselves, we think we’ve got a chance against anybody."
(H/T HokieSports.com)