Aug. 29, 2009
NORFOLK, Va. -- The ODU Football Monarchs got in their fourth and final scrimmage of the preseason on Saturday in front of approximately 400 fans who signed up for the Big Blue Kick-Off Party and got their first look at the team from the vantage point of the Ainslie Complex in the end zone.
The Monarchs ran a handful of 1 vs. 1 and 2 vs. 2 drills and spent time on special teams, including working on the onsides kick.
One of the highlights of the afternoon was a score for the defense as Drew Hareza's (McDonald, Pa.) field goal attempt by blocked by redshirt freshman Erik Saylor (Ijamsville, Md.). Junior Michael McJunkins (Kansas City, Mo.) picked up the ball and tossed a lateral to redshirt freshman Devon Simmons (Newport News, Va.) who then ran 56 yards into the end zone.
"Saylor actually blocked the kick with his face," admitted head coach Bobby Wilder. "That was such a big moment for us, because we've been trying to get that (blocked field goal attempt) accomplished. That was my favorite play of the day. That's one of those things we'll grow off of."
Saylor finished the day with three tackles, two for a loss and 13 yards, including a seven-yard sack.
Wide receiver Nick Mayers (Va. Beach, Va.) caught a 12-yard pass from quarterback Dan Pitts (Va. Beach, Va.) and running back Alex McLaughlin (Burnsville, Minn.) rushed for eight yards in other Monarch scoring drives.
Monarch Moments: Oh Captain, My Captain: The Monarchs have named their 2009 captains - Redshirt sophomore defensive linemen Chad King (Springfield, Va.), redshirt freshman kicker Drew Hareza (McDonald, Pa.), junior offensive lineman Tobin Cameron (Healdsburg, Calif.), and redshirt freshman defensive back Craig Wilkins (Washington, D.C.).
A Word of Advice: What will head coach Bobby Wilder be telling his team on September 5th? "Take a deep breath, try to enjoy the moment, and play," Wilder said. "If we can take care Old Dominion, we'll be okay."
Getting Better All The Time: Anyone who knows head coach Bobby Wilder knows that he is a competitive person and would love nothing more than to win every game. When asked if there was a magic number he was looking for that the Monarchs should have in the win column he said, "The main thing we have to do with this program is show improvement week to week. That's what I'll be most disappointed in is if we are not showing improvement every week."
Weekly Press Conference: Head coach Bobby Wilder will hold the first of his weekly press conferences on Monday. Media interested in attending, please notify the Sports Information Office. Archived video of the press conference will be available on ODUSports.com via the Monarch All-Access package on Monday afternoon.