Tuberville facing one of his ex-Texas Tech QBs in bowl
Tom Groeschen, tgroeschen@enquirer.com 11:36 a.m. EST December 25, 2014


Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Brewer (Photo: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports)

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Not only will Tommy Tuberville see his former athletic director at the Military Bowl, but the University of Cincinnati football coach also will be facing one of his former quarterbacks.

Virginia Tech athletic director Whit Babcock is the man who hired Tuberville at UC in December 2012, and the two men hope to exchange pleasantries before the Bearcats-Virginia Tech game in the Military Bowl on Saturday in Annapolis, Maryland. Both teams have headquartered in nearby Washington D.C. this week.

Virginia Tech starting quarterback Michael Brewer, a redshirt junior, appeared in nine games at Texas Tech under Tuberville in 2012. After Tuberville then left for UC, Brewer was injured in 2013 and mostly watched from the bench at Texas Tech.

Shortly after the 2013 season, Brewer decided to transfer. The Texas native (Lake Travis) hoped to join Texas or TCU, but Texas Tech blocked his request to include both Big 12 schools on his list of potential destinations.

Brewer wound up transferring to Virginia Tech. He was eligible to play this fall after graduating from Texas Tech last spring.

Brewer, like many, was caught off-guard when Tuberville left Texas Tech for UC.

"I don't think anybody saw it coming," Brewer said, in a telephone interview with The Enquirer. "It was kind of disappointing. I haven't talked to him or seen him since, but I'm looking forward to seeing him again."

Brewer helped engineer Virginia Tech's 35-21 upset of Ohio State on Sept. 6, with 199 yards passing and two touchdown passes.

Overall, the 6-foot, 200-pound Brewer and his team have been up and down. Directing an offense of multiple looks, Brewer has hit 59.5 percent of his passes for 2,598 yards with 17 touchdowns, but also has thrown 14 interceptions.

"He's been beat up a little bit this year," Tuberville said. "I noticed he's taken a lot of licks, but he's a tough kid. He had a very good game against Ohio State. I texted him and said congratulations.

"Mike's got a very accurate arm, and he understands the passing game. Virginia Tech was very fortunate to get him to come there and play in the type of offense that they're running."

Brewer recalled that Tuberville lived up to his nickname as "The Riverboat Gambler" - a coach unafraid to take chances.

"We've definitely got to prepare for an onside kick or a fake punt, or going for it on fourth down in his own territory," Brewer said. "I've obviously got a lot of respect for coach Tuberville."

Brewer said he is impressed with how the UC defense turned its season around. The Bearcats stumbled to a 2-3 record and once ranked No. 125 (last) nationally in total defense. Since then, UC is 7-0 and the defense has risen to No. 101.

"The first thing I noticed when I turned the film on is how hard they've played," Brewer said. "There's a tremendous amount of effort, and they run well. They've been able to get pressure on the quarterback. We definitely have our hands full."

Quote:MILITARY BOWL

Cincinnati vs. Virginia Tech

Saturday, 1 p.m. at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (34,000), Annapolis, Maryland

TV: ESPN (Beth Mowins, Joey Galloway, Paul Carcaterra)

Radio: 700 WLW-AM (Dan Hoard, Jim Kelly Jr., Tom Gelehrter)

Records: UC 9-3, Virginia Tech 6-6

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../20858669/