April 11, 2009
Norfolk, Va. - The Old Dominion University football team wrapped up its spring practice session on Saturday with the Blue-White scrimmage at Powhatan Field in Norfolk. The offense used a 6-yard touchdown run by Desmond Williams on the final play of the game to escape with a 27-21 victory over the Monarch defense.
Utilizing a scoring system that awarded the defense three points for forcing the offense to punt, the Monarch defense amassed 21 points by putting a stop to seven offensive drives. Led by John Sparagna, Chad King, Ed McClam and Mateus Porter, who each had four tackles on the day, the defense limited the ODU offense to 211 total yards on 63 plays for an average of 3.3 yards per play. King (2 TFL) and McClam helped hold the offense to just 54 yards rushing on 29 attempts by dominating in the trenches, while the junior college transfer Porter made several plays from his linebacker spot. On one play in particular he showed great range by tracking down speedy receiver Nick Mayers on a sweep and bringing him down behind the line of scrimmage.
Offensively, the Monarchs did manage three touchdowns and two field goals, with all but one of those scores coming during a drive that began with the ball placed in the defense's territory.
Bobby Cooper showed that he is still in the battle for the top spot at quarterback by leading the Monarchs on two-touchdown scoring drives. He finished the day 10-of-16 for 90 yards including a 19-yard completion to Carlos Davis on a crucial third and long, as well as having a 9-yard touchdown pass to Alex Arain.
Arain led all Monarch receivers with four catches for 37 yards, while Chris Lovitt and Nick Mayers hauled in three passes apiece for 29 and 16 yards respectively.
Kicker Drew Hareza made both of his field goal attempts from 37 and 32 yards, and punter Jonathan Plisco averaged 37 yards on five punts, placing two inside of the 20-yard line.