Ohio State football

Buckeyes open 2015 season with 42-24 win over Virginia Tech Hokies -- Instant recap

BLACKSBURG, Va. -- After all of the speculation about who would be Ohio State's starting quarterback in Monday's season opener against Virginia Tech, it turned out Braxton Miller was the most important player on the field.

Cardale Jones got the nod over J.T. Barrett, and Miller was a big weapon on a night when Jones didn't necessarily look sharp, but Ohio State won 42-24 at Lane Stadium to wipe away last year's loss to the Hokies.

Miller finished with six carries for 62 yards, two receptions for 78 yards and two total touchdowns.

He was the shot of life Ohio State's offense needed after the Buckeyes jumped out to a 14-0 lead on their first two possessions, then couldn't move the ball. The Hokies led 17-14 at the half after quarterback Michael Brewer threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Ryan Malleck late in the second quarter.

But any momentum the Hokies had at the half was sucked away when the Buckeyes scored on their opening drive on a 54-yard pass from Jones to Miller.

Brewer was then knocked out of the game with a collarbone injury on a big hit from Adolphus Washington on the next series, and the Hokies couldn't move the ball with backup Brenden Motley in the game.

When it was over

After going down 28-17 in the third quarter, Motley was intercepted by Buckeyes safety Tyvis Powell on a deep ball to Isaiah Ford.

What it means

Ohio State didn't look the like the world-beater many expected it to be coming off of its national championship, at least for much of the first half, but the Buckeyes did get what could end up being a quality road win over a good opponent.

Play of the game

When Miller took a direct snap, hit a spin move at the 30-yard line, and ran in for a 54-yard score that put Ohio State up 28-17 with 2:05 left in the third quarter.

Braxton miller spin move plus replay https://t.co/4VSzwgsLq3

— The Cauldron (@TheCauldron) September 8, 2015

GIF: Meanwhile, Cardale Jones is pulling spin moves on Buckeye sidelinespic.twitter.com/N2dE8ii1hn

— The Cauldron (@TheCauldron) September 8, 2015

Quarterbacks

Jones got the start, and finished 9-of-18 for 186 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also had 13 carries for 99 yards and a touchdown.

With the game in hand in the fourth quarter, Barrett came in and ran 40 yards on his first carry, then threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Michael Thomas to put the Buckeyes up 42-17.

Hokies lose Brewer

Washington laid a big hit on Brewer early in the third quarter on a third-down play. Brewer suffered an unspecified injury to his left shoulder and didn't return. He took another shot earlier in the game when he was hit low by Tyquan Lewis, and high by Washington, but still delivered a pass downfield to Ford.

Brewer finished 11-for-16 for 156 yards and two touchdowns.

Missing the shrug

The expectation was that Joey Bosa's suspension was the one that might hurt Ohio State the most. You can make the argument that it was. Before Brewer got injured, the Buckeyes struggled to bring consistent pressure.

Sam Hubbard had a sack in the fist half on play where Virginia Tech's right tackle whiffed on a low block.

Elliott's night

Ezekiel Elliott's first touch of the 2015 season went for an 80-yard touchdown, but it didn't equate to a lot of carries for Ohio State's Heisman Trophy candidate. He only got three carries in the second half as the Buckeyes' offense went stagnant after jumping out to a 14-0 lead.

Elliott also worked as the punt returner. His third attempt was the first one he tried to return, he fumbled it and Virginia Tech recovered at the Ohio State 38. The Hokies scored four plays later on the 1-yard pass from Brewer to tight end Malleck to go up 17-14 just before the half.

Elliott finished with 11 carries for 122 yards and one touchdown.

Offense slows down

After jumping out to a quick 14-0 lead, Ohio State's offense sputtered the rest of the first half. There wasn't the same methodical scoring drives we saw last year. Instead it was about the big play.

At times, it was reminiscent of some of the stagnant offense the Buckeyes fell victim to in the middle of games last year.

After scoring on its first two possessions, Ohio State went: missed field goal, interception, punt and the a one-play drive before the half to finish out the first half.

What's next

Ohio State hosts Hawaii in its home opener next Saturday in Ohio Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.