BLACKSBURG, Va. - There was so much talk from the outside all offseason. Talk about the quarterbacks, talk about the returning talent, even talk about Ronda Rousey. The only thing the Ohio State players were talking about though was beating Virginia Tech.

On Monday night, all those months spent in thought paid off for the Buckeyes, who, despite all the drama in the offseason, took revenge on the Hokies on the road, winning their season opener 42-24.

The biggest question of the college football offseason was answered when, despite both joining the opening huddle, redshirt-junior quarterback Cardale Jones took the first snap as J.T. Barrett watched from the sideline.

Barrett, who had been picked by a number of experts as the player likely to take the majority of the snaps this season, did not see the field against the Hokies despite coach Urban Meyer's claims of a possible two-quarterback system.

"We met twice along the journey in training camp and he (Jones) was ahead," Meyer said. "J.T. really closed it and almost nudged back, but the way I looked at it...Statistically it was almost identical and Cardale finished the season as a starter and to not take the first snap he had to get beat out. He wasn't beat out, it was close."

The Hokies quarterback, Michael Brewer, unlike his counterparts for Ohio State, was the starter all offseason, but couldn't finish the game after a huge hit from Adolphus Washington in the third quarter ruled him out for the game.

A quick three-and-out by the Hokies on the opening drive of the night gave the Buckeyes the ball for the first time and Jones did not take long to pick up where he left off during the title run.

Following a drop of a sure-touchdown by Parris Campbell, Jones found Curtis Samuel for a 24-yard score, despite being interfered with on the play, to make the score 7-0.

Another poor offensive unit from the Hokies gave the Buckeyes the ball back and preseason Heisman favorite Ezekiel Elliott didn't take long to double the lead. On his first carry of the season, the junior running back went 80 yards, giving Ohio State a 14-0 lead.

The teams swapped missed field goals after long drives - including a long touchdown run by Jones that was called back for holding - but it would be the Hokies who fired back with a screen pass to fullback Sam Rogers going for a 51-yard score. A Jones interception on the next Buckeye drive set up the Hokies for a 46-yard field goal, which they converted to cut the lead to 14-10.

Elliott, who was tapped as the team's starting punt returner in place of the suspended Jalin Marshall, would give Virginia Tech fans even more to cheer about after muffing a punt and giving the Hokies great field position.

"I think I played alright," Elliott said after the game. "A little rusty getting back on the field since I missed spring ball...Overall I can get better."

One big play later and a goal line pass later and the Hokies were on top for the first time, taking a 17-14 lead into the halftime locker room with memories of the 2014 loss swirling.

"Ed Warinner did a good job, and Tim Beck and the whole offensive staff of coming up with some things to hurt them a little bit," Meyer said of the halftime adjustments.

Needing a score coming out of the locker room, the Buckeyes turned to their two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, wide receiver convert Braxton Miller, who tight-roped up the sideline for a 54-yard receiving touchdown, putting Ohio State up 21-17.

It was Miller's first touchdown since the 2014 Orange Bowl against Clemson, after the former-starting quarterback was sidelined last season with an injury to his shoulder.

The injury to Brewer in the third quarter saw Brenden Motley enter the game for the Hokies. A fumble recovery by Eli Apple on what looked to be a promising drive for Virginia Tech set up a 53-yard run for Miller, highlighted by a video game spin to beat the defenders and give Ohio State a 28-17 lead.

Brewer's exit shortly afterward put the ball in the hands of young quarterback Brenden Motley for the Hokies, but the second half was all Buckeyes.

A 10-yard rushing touchdown for Jones was the dagger, with Barrett adding an exclamation point of his own with a 26-yard pass to a wide open Michael Thomas.

Motley's touchdown to Isaiah Ford was purely academic though, as the Buckeyes used a huge second half to secure their first win of the season.

"This means a lot that we were able to get back on the field and get the W," Elliott said. "Our focus is getting better week in and week out, it doesn't really matter who we play, just getting better."

The Buckeyes return home after a shortened week, hosting Hawaii at 3:30 p.m. in Ohio Stadium next Saturday for their second game of the season.

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