Wrapping up the action from Virginia Tech's 42-24 loss to Ohio State on Monday night.

In-Game Observations

Early on in the game, QB Michael Brewer was slightly off the mark and threw behind some of his targets, namely to WR Isaiah Ford, TE Ryan Malleck (who bailed him out), TE Bucky Hodges and RB Travon McMillian on a screen pass.

OSU's Cardale Jones is one strong player. He was pressured and hit squarely during the game by Hokies' DEs Dadi Nicolas and Ken Ekanem for would-be sacks, but refused to go down, and kept plays alive. There were also opportunities for backer Deon Clarke and mike Andrew Motuapuaka to make plays on Jones in the backfield, but he eluded them as well on specific occasions. Jones was treating defenders like rag dolls.

On a positive note, when Jones did get lose, CBs Kendall Fuller and Brandon Facyson were able to make open-field tackles.

A few people in the press box questioned the health of Fuller's knee (which he had wrapped during the team's second scrimmage). He gave up and uncharacteristic pass interference and got beat on a stop-and-go by OSU WR Michael Thomas.

You must give credit to offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler for some of his play designs and calls which fooled OSU's defense. Most notably, his scheme effectively slipped FB Sam Rogers and Ryan Malleck away from the defense and wide open for touchdowns.

You might also want to question some of his play-calling, it appeared from press level that he called many identical run plays on first and second down, whether they worked or not.

Speaking of Rogers, if there was an award for Hokies' offensive MVP, he would certainly put up a case for it. He had some very tough runs, was solid pass protection and did most of the work on a 51-yd TD pass early in the second quarter when he juked a would-be tackler to find the end zone.

The injury to Brewer is extremely unfortunate and almost seemed bound to happen with some of the shots he was taking in the pocket. That being said, QB Brenden Motley certainly looks capable of taking the team under his wing. While he made some mistakes (which are inevitable when thrown into a situation like he was), he proved to be a capable runner and a guy who can make some tough throws (the 17-yard TD pass to WR Isaiah Ford was a beauty as he threaded the needle between two defenders in the end zone).

Tidbits from head coach Frank Beamer, offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler and defensive coordinator Bud Foster

Frank Beamer

Beamer referred to H-Back Braxton Miller as "really special," and added that Ohio State has a lot of special guys on the team.

He emphasized there's a lot of work to do on the team's lack of execution.

He has a lot of confidence in QB Brendan Motley and feels he handled himself well in a tough situation. "He's a good player, a heady player."

Beamer added that QB Chris Durkin will get reps this week.

Scot Loeffler

Loeffler was very emotional (seemingly holding back tears) when discussing QB Michael Brewer and his injury.

On Brewer: "I put that kid through hell and he played his tail off today."

He noted the team had its best preparation from a mental aspect, practice and effort he had ever seen.

He said the team will rally around Motley and the team will find a way to win, adding the team has the character and tenacity to overcome the injury to Brewer.

Loeffler said FB Sam Rogers is "one of the top five leaders I've ever been around. He's a five-star guy.

Bud Foster

Foster thought the defense came out tight early on in the game, pointing out that Ohio State did a good job of out scheming the defense.

He noted the team worked extensively on defending option plays and double-moves in practice, but it didn't translate to the game. "We gave up a couple cheap plays at the end."

Foster said Ohio State did a terrific job with their protection with the Buckeyes dedicating a blocker to the mike linebacker.

On the lack of defensive pressure: "We were probably overly concerned on them slip-screening and draws. We didn't bring as much pressure and we folded our guys. We probably outsmarted ourselves a little bit with not getting some edge pressure."

He was very surprised by how little slide protection the Buckeyes used on their offensive line.

Player Quotes

FB Sam Rogers

ON LOSING QB MICHAEL BREWER TO INJURY:

"Well first of all, Michael (Brewer) is one of my better friends on the team. I love this guy. It's just tough to see how much work he's put in and to have him go down. I feel for him from a friend standpoint. Obviously, it hurts the team, but I just hate to see that happen to him. But, I love QB (Brendan) Motley too and Motley's going to be great for us and we're going to rally around him. He's going to be a great leader for us."

ON WHAT IT'S LIKE TO GO FROM A WALK-ON TO SCORING A TD AGAINST THE DEFENDING NATIONAL CHAMPS:

"Uh, it's a team game. At the end of the day it's a team game. It's not about me at all, but they gave me an opportunity to make a play and it was my job to make a play. (QB) Michael (Brewer) had a great pass and there was great protection up front, but at the end of the day it's a team game."

DT Corey Marshall

ON OHIO STATE'S OFFENSIVE LINE:

"They actually didn't do as much slide protection as we thought they would. They kind of moved the pocket around and got those guys comfortable. I think when they did go man, we were comfortable in our situations and we actually did get pressure, but they've got some playmakers back there. The scoreboard says it all, it was a tough loss and it's going to take a little bit to get over it."

ON BOUNCING BACK QUICKLY WITH A SHORT WEEK BEFORE FACING FURMAN:

"Just use this as motivation. The whole world saw this and this is just something you've got to use as motivation and move forward and rally around each other. The signal caller goes down, but nobody's going to feel sorry for us. Nobody in the ACC is crying tears for us tonight. We just have to focus and come together as a team."

ON HOW DEFLATING IT IS TO LOSE QB MICHAEL BREWER:

"It's really difficult to take. I think the work he was putting in, he was going to show a lot of people and get that monkey off his back where I think a lot of people were doubting him. That's (injury) just terrible. There are a lot of injuries going around. We've just got to make sure we do the best we can to prepare every week with the next guy up mentality, but it's going to be a blow."

DT Luther Maddy

ON WHAT WAS DIFFERENT ABOUT THE BUCKEYES OFFENSE COMPARED TO LAST YEAR'S GAME:

"We were pretty sure they were going to change it up. I'm sure they were preparing for the 'Bear' (defense) and they did. They schemed us for a little bit in the first quarter into the second quarter. We adjusted, but we didn't execute. Coach Foster had a good plan for us, he adjusted and we didn't execute. That's what it came down to. They got the better of us."

ON THE FINAL OUTCOME:

"The score really means nothing to me. They have a great team and a lot of good players. We're going to look at the film and come out to practice and try to get better and get ready for Furman."