BLACKSBURG, Va. — In the bowels of Lane Stadium late Monday, Urban Meyer provided insight into how he ultimately tapped Cardale Jones as the starting quarterback for the 2015 Ohio State Buckeyes among a loaded roster that has every intention of winning it all again.
Jones wasn't exactly spectacular in just his fourth collegiate start, at least statistically. It ultimately didn't matter, however, because with a splash of an old friend in Braxton Miller, an opportunistic defense and frankly too much talent offensively, the Buckeyes kicked aside Frank Beamer's Hokies in a 42-24 victory to avenge their lone loss from one year ago.
What's scary, though, is with four key players — including All-American defensive end Joey Bosa — sitting at home due to suspension, the Buckeyes could be even better, and Meyer knows it.
"They played really hard, both teams. Little disappointed in our point of attack, both offensive and defensive line, but overall we'll take that win against a very good team in a tough environment."
Jones finished just 9-of-18 passing for a pair of touchdowns and one interception, initially leading a fluid offense that burst out to a 14-0 lead. The Hokies bounced back, though, hanging around due to that miscue by Jones, who tried to force a pass to Nick Vannett as he rolled to his left. It left his coach to yearn for more from the redshirt junior, because he's seen it before.
"I thought OK. I'd expect more. Turnover, you just don't do that. When you throw late across and start scrambling around, but once again that's a good team we played against and we'll take it and get better."
A muffed punt by Ezekiel Elliott — the man many believed to be Ohio State's best chance to win the Heisman Trophy this season — set the Hokies up well again. They capitalized, too, when Michael Brewer completed his second throwback screen for a scoring play to push Virginia Tech out front, 17-14.
Unfortunately for the Hokies, a broken collarbone after a vicious hit by Adolphus Washington ended Brewer's night and made the odds of a Virginia Tech win slim.
"He killed us last year," Meyer said of Brewer. "He was a guy that made a couple great throws and got a lot of respect for him as a player. I think someone says he broke his collarbone and that's horrible."
The Hokies were doomed when Brewer went down, with all due respect to his replacement in Brenden Motley. It also didn't help that Miller re-announced his status as college football's most electric athlete with two touchdowns in the second half to put the Buckeyes ahead of Beamer's squad for good.
"He's one tremendous athlete. He went down that sideline and a couple guys missed him, but he was doing stuff to make you miss him, too. I'd rather see him over there battling those other two quarterbacks for playing time. We'd have been better off."
Wishful thinking for Beamer, who roamed the sidelines at times looking forlorn after Miller, Jones and even later, J.T. Barrett, made big play after big play. The highest praise from Meyer went to Miller, who finished with 140 total yards and a highlight spin cycle on a 53-yard touchdown run.
"I love that kid, man. Obviously, I love when he does a spin move ... ridiculous athletic ability but he broke down in there, got real emotional ... Honored to coach him again for the fourth year and I love this guy. I know a bunch of other guys played well, but I just wanted to make sure everyone knows, and I say I, I'm talking about our team. The guy got the third most votes on our team as far as being a captain. That tells you how much our guys think of him."
Miller spoke of how his emotions overtook him in the locker room after the game, mainly because of the success he had in his first actual playing time at Ohio State in more than 20 months due to a pair of major shoulder surgeries.
"I was just emotional, man. Tears running down my eyes, I couldn’t really talk. Eyes got super red and I was just thanking God. I love my teammates, man. They believed in me and they raised me up since I was injured so I was just happy to be out there."
In a season opener that brimmed with storylines and an extra two days to what felt like an endless offseason, it was Miller's performance that perhaps overshadowed Jones earning the nod at quarterback instead of Barrett.
"Wow. It was a blessing to see him do that and come back. It was hard for him, first off," said Michael Thomas. "Sitting out a whole year, I remember I had to do it, but his was even harder. To switch a position, I just love to see him happy, see him smiling again and having fun."
Jones ultimately gave the Buckeyes the best chance to win, Meyer and offensive coordinator Ed Warinner said. But when the game ended and the dust settled, some felt empty — as if the defending national champions had left something out on the field.
After all, Elliott only touched the ball 13 times, Dontre Wilson, Jalin Marshall and Corey Smith took in this game from their homes and the Buckeyes turned it over three times and committed six penalties.
"I think it's kind of scary, honestly," said Elliott. "We're missing guys, like I said, and we still had so many weapons on the field today. We get some guys back next week and we all can improve on our play and we're just very raw right now but first game of the season that's what you can expect. First game of the season you can improve. I think that's just a scary thing, because we can be very dominant."
Meanwhile, Beamer didn't shy away from crediting Ohio State, fully realizing how different his opponent was Monday night compared to last fall, complete with Miller's quick strike on the first play after a Hokie turnover.
"I think their whole football team is a lot better and that goes without saying. That's a credit to them. They really improved as the year went on last year, player-wise and coaching-wise, and they're a really tough team right now. I give them credit. They're a really great football team."
Beamer's defensive coordinator Bud Foster, the highest paid assistant in college football last season, was more blunt.
"That was probably one of the best football teams we've played in a long time. Credit goes to those guys. Defending national champions. They have most of their team back. They played that way."
At the forefront of it all was Jones, throwing darts off his back foot to Curtis Samuel for a touchdown and then Johnnie Dixon when four Hokies were in his face. A mere 29 yards later, and another play only Jones could make was added to his résumé.
Jones said he and Barrett — who also ran for 40 yards and threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Thomas on his only throw of the night — didn't know who would start until they were told right before the team's first series. It didn't matter on this night and it might not on any night this fall, because if healthy, this team's potential rises higher than most in the realm of college football.
"We had two turnovers which led to touchdowns or in my opinion the score or game could have got out of hand quicker than it did. Just clean up on them turnovers and mental mistakes and I’m pretty sure you’ll see more next week.”
