BLACKSBURG -- Perhaps no player on Virginia Tech's football roster is looking forward to Saturday's season opener more than third-year sophomore tailback Branden Ore.

Proclaiming he's back at full speed physically and more mentally confident than ever, Ore can hardly wait for the 17th-ranked Hokies' assignment against I-AA Northeastern in Lane Stadium.

"I'm just focused, man," Ore said Tuesday. "I can't even put into words how much I'm looking forward to this."

Ore, whose performance in the second half of last season had many instantly ticketing him as Tech's next great tailback, will make his first college start. Although he ran for 100-plus yards three times in the Hokies' final six regular-season games and finished with 647 rushing yards -- second-best on the club -- Ore says now he didn't feel worthy of all the grandiose attention suddenly thrown his way.

"I knew I wasn't taking care of the stuff off the field like I was supposed to," Ore said. "And with that situation right there, honestly, I didn't feel like I deserved to be talking to the press. I didn't feel like I had accomplished enough."

A five-month sabbatical from college life and football did wonders for Ore. In addition to giving him time to rehab from early January shoulder surgery, the stint back to his family's home in Chesepeake allowed Ore to finally see the big picture. Suddenly, he understood why he shouldn't be skipping classes or being late to team meetings. A couple months of hard work in a 7-Eleven warehouse also showed he him how sweet he had it being in college on scholarship and playing football for one of the nation's top programs.

His house is totally in order now, Ore said.

"It was never an issue of me being ineligible to play," said Ore, conceding he was stricken by immaturity. "The coaches just knew I could do better than what I was doing [in class], and they just wanted to get that out of me. They knew I was a smart kid and I could do the work. I was doing enough just to stay eligible just so I could play football.

"It was a growing up issue and we're behind that right now. I'm a changed man."

As the No. 1 horse in Tech's tailback stable, Ore is ready to rumble. Particularly Saturday, when he'll have a host of family in the Lane seats for his first college start. Last year, he started the season No. 3 behind seniors Cedric Humes and Mike Imoh.

"It's definitely going to be different as the starter," he said. "Knowing that as soon as that first whistle blows, I'm going to be on the field instead of sitting around for two quarters and getting in the game."

Bring it, boys

Behind Ore in the tailback rotation is third-year sophomore George Bell and redshirt freshman Elan Lewis. Neither was particularly impressive in preseason drills.

"I don't think we're OK right now from what we've seen," Tech coach Frank Beamer said. "I'm hoping that when we get in a game that Bell goes and Elan Lewis goes ... I think they had so-so preseasons. And part of it was injuries. But [running backs] Coach [Billy] Hite and I've talked and said, 'let's get to the game and see what happens.' I think both of 'em will show out a little bit."

Tech tidbits

A fourth tailback, freshman Kenny Lewis Jr., is looking at a redshirt year. Lewis, 21, spent a couple of years in pro baseball in the Cincinnati Reds' organization before deciding to return to college and pursue football again. "He's been out there trying to hit a curveball and he's just behind," Beamer said. ... Fifth-year senior Aaron Rouse showed up at Tuesday's first regular-season media gathering looking spiffy in a shirt and tie. Who is Rouse's fashion designer? "Wal-Mart," replied Rouse. ... Northeastern will receive $375,000 from Tech for making the trip to Blacksburg, Hokies athletic director Jim Weaver confirmed.