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Grades for Virginia Tech-Ohio State

Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones drops back during the first half of the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Oregon Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Here are the top takeaways and highest-graded players from the Virginia Tech-Ohio State game:

Virginia Tech

— An upset was on the cards when the Hokies rolled up 17 unanswered points in the second quarter and it was sparked by a 51 yard score from FB Sam Rogers (+0.8). Rogers displayed his versatility with three carries and three catches as a ball carrier while also lining up in five different offensive positions throughout the course of the night.

— The wind came out of the Hokies’ sails on the strength of Braxton Miller’s first touchdown but also when they lost their starting QB Michael Brewer (+0.6) to injury after a breakdown in pass protection. In the first half Brewer had been steady, not wowing with any exceptional throws but finding the open receiver and taking what the Buckeye defense gave him — which on two second-quarter plays were big plays deep into Ohio State territory.

— Kendall Fuller (-2.7) is one of the most highly touted corners coming into this college season but he got his year off to a rough start last night. Fuller surrendered two catches for 46 yards including a touchdown to WR Michael Thomas (+1.3) on a stop-and-go from QB J.T. Barrett (+0.9). Fuller added to his woes with a pass interference penalty and a missed tackle; a far cry from his +1.2 grade performance against Ohio State a year ago.

Top performers:

LB Deon Clarke (+3.0)

DT Corey Marshall (+2.9)

LG Wyatt Teller (+1.7)

S Der’Woun Greene (+1.2)

FB Sam Rogers (+0.8)

Ohio State

— After a drawn out battle the Ohio State Buckeyes stayed with their national championship winning quarterback Cardale Jones (+1.8) for the season opener and Jones rewarded them with another productive performance. Jones’ pass placement was not always on point as was the case last season, but his receivers made good adjustments to pick up big plays and with four missed tackles on the ground the Hokies struggled to contain Jones’ all-round threat for extended periods.

— Now Ohio State’s top defensive tackle after Michael Bennett’s graduation, Adolphus Washington (+5.4) got his season off to a fast start, but it could have been even better if not for three missed tackles in the first quarter. In the last two seasons Washington’s two most productive games as a pass rusher (four pressures last night, five pressures last season) and his highest overall grades (+5.0 last season) have come against the Hokies who will surely be glad that they’ve seen the last of him.

— Taking advantage of both of his competitors at the H-back spot in Urban Meyer’s offense being suspended WR Braxton Miller (+1.9) produced what might have been the most memorable play of the opening weekend of college football. Miller collected a pair of 50+ yard touchdowns, the second keyed by video-game style spin move on a pursuing defensive lineman that put him into acres of space for an untouched score.

Top performers:

DT Adolphus Washington (+5.4)

DE Jalyn Holmes (+4.8)

LB Darron Lee (+4.5)

RB Ezekiel Elliot (+3.3)

LT Taylor Decker (+3.1)

 

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