Virginia Tech's Defense Dominates Wake Forest

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Nov. 18 -- Branden Ore immediately rolled onto his back and twirled the ball out of his hand, not with the bravado he typically displays after a run, but with the frustration and desperation that comes with knowing something horribly wrong has happened.

He had run the ball so well so many times in becoming the top rusher in the ACC, the one player No. 19 Virginia Tech could least afford to be without. And after each carry he had rose to his feet and returned to the huddle. But this run, about seven minutes into Saturday night's game against No. 14 Wake Forest, was grotesquely different. His leg caught and twisted in the turf, and he did not rise to his feet until two trainers had run on the field, lifted him from the ground and carried him off.

Life without Ore seemed unfathomable for the Hokies' offense, the most nightmarish scenario it could envision. But whether Ore is a bystander or a star matters not to their defense, which authored another in a string of dominating performances in a 27-6 victory over Wake Forest at Groves Stadium, Virginia Tech's fifth straight in what is becoming one of Coach Frank Beamer's best seasons.

"We've been talking about that all year," wide receiver Josh Morgan said. "If we win these last two games, it will be a real special season for us. We've been through a lot of adversity, and nobody really expected us to do anything."

Ore's future was still unknown Saturday night, as he did not receive X-rays. He suffered a high left ankle sprain, and the way Ore's leg contorted and the expression of his face as he sat on Virginia Tech's bench, a towel draped over his head, offered little reason to be optimistic. Ore was replaced by George Bell and Kenny Lewis.

"High ankle sprain, that don't sound good to me," Beamer said. "But we'll see. "

Whether Ore can play against Virginia or not, two factors Saturday night -- Bud Foster's No. 1-ranked defense and quarterback Sean Glennon -- made that prospect, previously unthinkable, seem suddenly palatable.

The deciding play came late in the third quarter, when Wake Forest quarterback Riley Skinner tossed the ball to running back Kevin Harris in the right flat. Aaron Rouse charged from his safety position and rammed his helmet into Harris's, sending Harris crumpling to the ground. The hit knocked Harris out and the ball loose. Xavier Adibi scooped up the ball and scampered 35 yards untouched up the sideline for a touchdown, giving the Hokies (9-2, 5-2) a 24-6 lead.

The Hokies' defense allowed 247 yards Saturday, the most it has given up since it began its five-game winning streak. The defense has held teams to 5.8 points and 210 yards per game over that stretch, allowing 29 points while scoring 16 itself.

Wake Forest (9-2, 5-2) moved the ball more than any team has recently against Virginia Tech, but the Hokies always held when they had to. The Demon Deacons threatened on their next possession after Adibi's score, driving to the 5-yard line and facing a fourth and inches. Rich Belton plunged into Virginia Tech's line, and it didn't budge. Barry Booker led the charge, and Virginia Tech preserved its 24-6 edge.

"One of our main players went down, so we knew our defense was going to have to really step up," Adibi said. "Just do our part even more."

As Ore hobbled off, Glennon changed his mind-set, too. The quarterback, maligned by fans and defended by Beamer, threw for 252 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions, completing 14 of 21 passes. He fired the ball hard and accurately all night, behind an improved line that allowed just one sack.

"I've had three or four games this year where people tell me, 'Oh, you answered your critics,' " Glennon said. "If I have a game or two that isn't as strong in between, I've got to answer them again. Early in the season I did, but now I don't look as it as answering critics. I'm just trying to win."

Two plays, both on the first drive of each half, defined Glennon's night. Eddie Royal caught a 49-yard post corner for a touchdown on Virginia Tech's third play off play-action. Morgan struck on the fifth play of the second half, when he made a leaping catch, shook off two Wake Forest defensive backs and sprinted in for a 53-yard touchdown that gave Virginia Tech a 14-3 lead.

"I feel great," Beamer said. "I think it's been a tremendous job by this coaching staff, by these players. We lost a great player in Branden Ore, but these guys found a way to win. I'm proud of them."