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Taylor shines in first start as Virginia Tech rolls in second half

Sep 15, 2007 - 10:44 PM BLACKSBURG, Virginia (Ticker) -- It took a little while, but Tyrod Taylor eventually gave Virginia Tech's sputtering offense the spark it desperately needed.

Taylor passed for 287 yards and ran for the go-ahead touchdown in his first collegiate start as the 18th-ranked Hokies rebounded from a lackluster first half to post a 28-7 victory over Ohio on Saturday.

A true freshman, Taylor was called upon to energize a Virginia Tech (2-1) team reeling from last weekend's embarrassing 48-7 loss at second-ranked Louisiana State.

Junior Sean Glennon started the Hokies' first two games but was ineffective, passing for just 261 yards and two interceptions.

Enter the 18-year-old Taylor, a highly touted recruit who showed flashes of promise against LSU. The speedy freshman completed 18-of-31 passes Saturday and orchestrated three touchdown drives in the second half.

"I know they weren't asking me to be Superman or anything," Taylor said.

"I thought (Taylor) did super," said Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer, who recorded his 200th career win. "The game makes sense for him. He understands it and he has the ability to make plays."

A preseason favorite to win the Atlantic Coast Conference and possibly contend for the national title, Virginia Tech appeared emotionally overwhelmed in its season opener two weeks ago.

Despite picking up a 17-7 win over East Carolina, the Hokies were awful offensively and seemed overcome by the pressure of trying to rally a community still healing from the tragic campus shootings this past April 16.

A week later, Virginia Tech just looked plain lost in Baton Rouge, suffering the program's worst loss since dropping a 45-0 decision to Vanderbilt on November 13, 1982.

"I don't think this football team is as good as it's going to be," Beamer said. "I think we have the potential to be a very good team. I think it's a matter of continuing to work and ironing some things out."

It was much of the same early on in this one, as the Hokies fell behind, 7-0, early in the second quarter on Kalvin McRae's four-yard TD run.

But Kenny Lewis Jr. rushed for a 13-yard score with 5:42 left in the first half to forge a 7-7 tie and jumpstart the Hokies, who scored 28 unanswered points to close out this contest.

Taylor gave Virginia Tech the lead for good with 3:38 remaining in the third quarter, scampering in for a six-yard TD run to make it 14-7.

"(Taylor) had a couple of throws that we probably need to have back, but he made some great throws and got out of some trouble," Beamer said. "He got us in the end zone when it was critical - on a third-down run.

"He gives you that ability, and I think we'll continue to get better."

The Hokies doubled their lead with 8:49 left in the contest on Branden Ore's one-yard scoring plunge, and Lewis reeled off a 44-yard TD run 2 1/2 minutes later to make it 28-7.

Ore ran for 82 yards on 18 carries while Josh Morgan finished with 119 yards receiving on six catches for the Hokies, who improved to 4-0 all-time against the Bobcats.

"Branden was nicked up for a while in the second quarter, but he got back in there in the end," Beamer said. "(Lewis) is a better player right now than he was last year at this time. We have a lot of confidence in him."

While Virginia Tech's offense was efficient, the Hokies' star-studded defense was brilliant a week after getting thrashed by LSU.

Vince Hall recorded 14 tackles - including two sacks - and fellow senior linebacker Xavier Adibi chipped in 11 tackles - one sack - for the Hokies, who yielded just 38 yards on the ground and 114 yards of total offense.

"(Playing well) is important to those seniors on defense, and it's important to a lot of guys on our football team," Beamer said. "Vince stepped it up and Xavier Adibi was noticeable out there. I don't think those seniors will let us not be good."

Brad Bower completed 9-of-16 attempts for 70 yards while McRae rushed for just 55 yards on 22 carries for Ohio (2-1), which forced a pair of first-half fumbles to stay within striking distance before the break.