• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Virginia Tech hammers Miami, looks ahead to Virginia

Nov 18, 2007 - 3:18 AM BLACKSBURG, Virginia (Ticker) -- By the end of the third quarter, Virginia Tech could afford to start looking ahead.

Branden Ore rushed for 81 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries Saturday as the 10th-ranked Hokies drubbed Miami, 44-14, in an Atlantic Coast Conference contest.

Virginia Tech never was seriously threatened as it prepared for next week's showdown at Virginia that will decide the ACC Coastal Division title.

The Cavaliers were idle this week after drubbing Miami, 48-0, last week in the final game at the Orange Bowl.

"It's a big game for us coming up," Virginia Tech linebacker Vince Hall said. "It's like a championship game. Virginia is playing really well right now, and they beat Miami, 48-0, so you know what they're capable of."

The Hokies (9-2, 6-1 ACC Coastal) posted their third straight victory since their collapse against Boston College, holding the offensively challenged Hurricanes to minus-two yards rushing.

"It was a great win for our program," Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said. "In all the years we have played Miami, we have a lot of respect for them and we know what kind of game it is. I was proud of the way our football team hung in there."

Virginia Tech took control early, scoring on its first three possessions and grabbing a 17-0 lead on Jud Dunleavy's 40-yard field less than a minute into the second period.

After Dunleavy's field goal, Virginia Tech had outgained Miami by a margin of 150-6.

Miami finally woke up and scored its first touchdown in eight quarters on Kyle Wright's four-yard run with 21 seconds left in the first half.

The Hurricanes (5-6, 2-5 ACC Coastal) tried to rally, pulling within 20-14 on Wright's 1-yard TD pass to Leonard Hankerson with 5:41 left in the third period.

But Virginia Tech answered quickly, extending its lead to 27-14 on Ore's 7-yard TD run less less than three minutes later.

"I was just feeling good," Ore said. "I've got to give credit to the offensive line, for those guys coming out and playing the way they did."

With Virginia Tech's offensive line intact for the first time this season due to injuries, the Hokies rushed for 182 yards on 43 carries.

"That was the first time that we had the line that we were planning on for the year," Ore said. "It was good to see those guys working together and to see us have success running the football."

The Hokies' defense took control by forcing three turnovers in the second half, including an interception by Victor Harris just two plays after Ore's touchdown that essentially ended the Hurricanes' hopes.

Sean Glennon completed 13-of-24 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown for Virginia Tech.

Wright finished 21-of-36 passes for 215 yards but faced constant pressure, especially in the second half, when the Hokies' aggressive defense unloaded. He was sacked five times.

The reeling Hurricanes, who have dropped three straight, need to win at Boston College next week to avoid their first losing season since 1997, when they finished 5-6 under Butch Davis.

For Virginia Tech, meanwhile, it was time think about next week, when a berth in the ACC championship game will be on the line.

"Next week will be the biggest game we've ever played against Virginia, without question," Beamer added. "Usually, we're playing for a bowl. But now we're playing for the right to go to the ACC championship."