Oct. 28, 2009
Game Nine
Saturday, October 31st - 6:00 p.m. (EST)
Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium - Norfolk, Va.
Old Dominion Monarchs (6-2) vs.
Georgetown Hoyas (0-7)
TV: None
Radio: ESPN RADIO - 94.1 FM, WGAI-560 AM
(Ted Alexander - Play-by-Play; Andy Mashaw - Color Analyst; Demetrius Mean - Sideline)
Video: Monarch All-Access
Livestats: Gametracker
Weekly Press Conference Video: Monarch All-Access (Subscription Required)
Coors Light Bobby Wilder Radio Show: 94.1 FM from Buffalo Wild Wings, Greenbrier Location -1308 Greenbrier Parkway, Chesapeake
Coach's Show Audio: Monarch All-Access (Subscription Required)
Breakfast With Bobby: Episode Nine
Note: Make sure to install the newest version of Microsoft Silverlight for All-Access content.
STAY CONNECTED:
Follow ODU Football on TWITTER.
Become a FAN of ODU Athletics on FACEBOOK.
SATURDAY, OCT. 31st - What's Going On:
2 p.m. - Parking lots open for football game
3 p.m. - Kaufman Mall opens for activities including alumni tent, student tent, athletic promotions tent, live music, food and beverages for sale
3:40 p.m. - Monarch March - ODU football team walks through Kaufman Mall en route to stadium
4 p.m. - Monarch Maniacs admitted to stadium
4:30 p.m. - Stadium gates open
5:15 p.m. - Marching Monarchs, cheerleaders, dance team and Big Blue perform on Kaufman Mall and then march into stadium
5:40 p.m. - Marching Monarchs pre-game performance in stadium
6:00 p.m. - Kick-off - Old Dominion vs. Georgetown
Post Game - "5th quarter" - Marching Monarchs performance in stadium Parking lots close 90 minutes after the game
HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
Football fans are being asked to bring a canned good to benefit the Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia to the "Monarchs for Meals" day at their next home game Saturday, Oct. 31, when they take on the Georgetown Hoyas. Monarchs Head Coach Bobby Wilder is serving as honorary chairman of the drive, which ODU officials are hoping to make an annual event during the football season. According to the Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia, the bad economy and high unemployment rates make food bank services in higher demand than ever. The top items that are especially needed include peanut butter, chunky soups, canned meats, canned tuna, canned vegetables, juice, cereal, macaroni and cheese, pasta and pasta sauces. Collection bins manned by volunteers will be located throughout the campus at tailgating areas and at the entrances to Foreman Field.
HALLOWEEN TAILGATE:
There will be a tailgating contest on Oct. 31 called "Fancy, Frightful or Friendly?" ODUBlitz and ODUSports will hold a joint contest, with judging in the tailgating lots ending at 5 p.m. The winner will be announced in The Pilot the week of Nov. 2, as well as on ODUBlitz.com and ODUSports.com.
RULES:
1. Participating tailgates must indicate their desire to be judged in the contest by posting a sign saying "Halloween Tailgate Participant".
2. Decorations and props must be in place by 3:45 p.m. Judging will take place between 4 and 5 p.m.
3. Decorations and props must not extend beyond the individual designated tailgate parking slots.
4. Participants must adhere to University tailgate policies, found at www.odusports.com/tickets.
CAN I GET YOUR AUTOGRAPH COACH?:
Still don't have your 12th Monarch t-shirt? Drop by the University Book Store on the corner of Monarch Way and 45th street on Friday, October 30th between 1 - 1:30 p.m. to meet ODU head coach Bobby Wilder and get your 12th Monarch shirt signed.
HOMECOMING CENTRAL:
Homecoming will be next weekend when the Monarchs host N.C. Central it their final home contest of the 2009 season. Click here for all the latest info on activities surrounding ODU's first ever Homecoming with football!
ABOUT GEORGETOWN:
The Hoyas are coming off their bye week and enter Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium looking for their first win of the 2009 season. Georgetown is 0-7 on the year.
The Georgetown ground attack is led by junior Charlie Houghton, who averaged 2.2 yards per game, followed by junior Philip Oladeji at 21.3 yards per carry. The Hoyas have scores only one rushing touchdown this season.
Rookie quarterback Isaiah Kempf is throwing for 173.0 yards per game having completed 110 of his 213 attempts along with nine interceptions.
Senior Robert Lane leads the receivers with 47.7 per game, while sophomore Dishon Hughes averages 41.6 yards per game and 15.3 yards per catch.
On the defense, junior linebacker Nick Parrish has racked up a team-leading 73 tackles, including 31 solo stops. Sophomore defensive end Andre Schaetzke has made 8.5 tackles for a loss of 50 yards, along with 4.5 quarterback sacks pushing back opponent signal callers for 42 yards.
WE'RE NUMBER ONE:
Old Dominion is currently ranked first in the nation in turnover margin. The Monarchs have created a nation-leading 27 turnovers through its eight games of the season, while committing only 11 themselves. Their 2.00 turnover margin is number one followed by Gardner-Webb, New Hampshire, and Southern tied at No. 2 (1.86), followed by Cal Poly at No. 5 (1.71). "Turnovers tell you who is going to win the game," notes head coach Bobby Wilder. "They control momentum. They control field position. We are taking advantage of turnovers and we are creating turnovers. To me that has been the biggest difference."
Jonathan Plisco (Newport News, Va.), meanwhile, ranked number one in the nation in punting. Plisco is kicking for an average of 45.85 per punt, racking up 2201 yards on the year. Six of his punts have been touchbacks, 23 have been inside the opponent 20, and 16 have been 50 yards or more.
START-UPS WINNING WAYS:Old Dominion's victory over Savannah State last weekend ensured the Monarchs a winning season. Of the schools that have started up football the last few years, only Coastal Carolina and Robert Morris have a winning record at the end of their inaugural seasons. Coastal Carolina earned a 6-5 record in its first season in 2003, while Robert Morris ended its first year in 1994 with a 7-1-1 mark.
NOT THE USUAL SUSPECTS:
It wasn't the usual suspects for the ODU Monarchs in its 38-17 victory over Savannah State last Saturday night. Receivers Chris Lovitt (Stafford, Va.) and Michael E. Williams (Manassas, Va.) each had their first career touchdowns, while linebacker A.T. Aoelua (Pago, Pago, American Samoa) picked off a fake field goal attempt for a 77-yard interception return for a touchdown. Additionally, Mario Crawford (Detroit, Mich.), who returned to the field following a shoulder injury, made his return to the field to post 102 rushing yards, it first 100+ yard game of the season.
YOU SHALL NOT PASS:Last Saturday, linebacker Mateus Porter captured the 12th Monarch interception of the season, setting up Chris Lovitt for his 25-yard touchdown reception to close out the second quarter. Porter's interception was his second of the year. Fellow linebacker A.T. Aoelua's first interception, and the Monarchs' 13th of the year, made him the first defender to reach the end zone this season with his 77-yard interception return.
EACH QUARTER COUNTS:
Old Dominion scored in each quarter against the Savannah State Tigers, the second time in its eight games thus far, and the first against an FCS squad. The last time the Monarchs registered a score in each of the four quarters was against Virginia Union back on September 12th.
SO MANY MONARCHS, SO MANY DIFFERENT OPTIONS:
Six different Monarchs scored in Saturday's victory over Savannah State bringing the Monarchs' total to 16 different Monarchs who have put points onto the scoreboard. "It's not necessarily one or two guys who are forcing the defense to defend multiple personnel and different personnel groupings," said head coach Bobby Wilder. "It's making us a team that's able to do different things. We're not an easy team to defend on offense right now."
BACK ON TRACK THROUGH THE UPRIGHTS:
Kicker Drew Hareza (McDonald, Pa.) gave ODU at 10-0 lead with 5:28 remaining in the opening half as his 29-yard field goal broke his drought. After making five against Chowan in the season opener, Hareza missed his last six attempts before sailing the ball through the uprights against the Tigers. Hareza improved to 6-12 on field goals.
2010 SLATE FINALIZE:
The Old Dominion football team has completed its 2010 schedule with the addition of Cal-Poly to its 11-game slate for next season. The Mustangs are one of seven teams to enter Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium next season. The Mustangs are ranked 19th in this week's FCS Coaches' Poll and have ranked as high as 13th in the national polls. Cal Poly is currently 3-3 overall and is coming off a 24-23 victory over Southern Utah last Saturday. In 2008, Cal Poly finished at 8-3 and 3-0 in the Great West to earn a berth to the FCS playoffs. In 2005, the Mustangs reached the FCS playoff quarterfinals. In addition to Cal Poly on Oct. 9, home games for the Monarchs will include a return with Jacksonville (Sept. 4) for their 2010 opener, future Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) rival William & Mary (Sept. 18), Gardner-Webb (Oct. 2) on Parent's Weekend, start-up and future conference rival Georgia State (Oct. 23) on Homecoming, as well as return dates with Savannah State (Nov. 6) and VMI (Nov. 13) in the regular season home finale.The Monarchs will have four road games next season traveling to Campbell (Sept. 11), Monmouth (Sept. 25), Georgetown (Oct. 25), and Presbyterian (Nov. 20). Old Dominion will have a bye-week in mid-season in 2010 with that date falling on Oct. 16.
SPECIAL TEAM PRIDE:
One area of note that the coaching staff is very pleased with is special teams. "We have some players that emerging on special teams, including a lot of guys that don't start on offense or defense or that aren't playing 60 or 70 snaps a game," noted head coach Bobby Wilder. "They are taking pride on what they are doing on special teams . We recognize them each week for what we call `Dirty Jobs'." Dirty Jobs are defined as the jobs that the fans might not see during the game or the media might recognize. Examples include blocking for the punt and kick returners and guys that have to run down field on the kick and sacrifice themselves to bust up the wedge. "Its making a big difference for this football team," said Wilder.
WE'RE ON THE ONE:
Punter Jonathan Plisco (Newport News, Va.) had a 76-yard punt midway through the third quarter for his longest punt of the year against Campbell back on October 17th. That punt caused the Camels to start their drive all the way from their own one-yard line. Having helped the Camels stay downfield, it helped swing momentum ODU's way and set up the Monarchs' first touchdown drive of the second half. Plisco's previous long was 61.
D.D. DOWN FIELD:
Desmond Williams (Windsor, N.C.) ran for 145 yards against Campbell in the October 17th victory, the most rushing yardage for a Monarch this season. He surpasses the previous high of 136 captured by Thomas DeMarco at Jacksonville. Williams, also known as D.D. to teammates, on his touchdown against the Camels owned the drive, accounting for 70 of the 94 yards on Monarch possession.
HALF STOPS:
After the Camels gained 137 yards on the ground in the first half, the ODU defense only allowed Campbell to gain 59 rushing yards in second half action. Conversley, the following weekend, the Monarch defense only allowed Savannah State 66 yards on 22 plays in that first half of action.
CASTING CALL:
Chris Burnette (Randallstown, Md.) suffered a broken hand in the second play of the game in the October 10th game against Presbyterian, but that certainly didn't stop him. Burnette reached up with his broken hand that had been casted and blocked a Blue Hose extra point - the Monarch's seventh blocked kick of the year and Burrnette's second of the season.
RUN THOMAS, RUN:
Quarterback Thomas DeMarco (Palm Desert, Calif.) led the Monarchs in rushing yardage for the second time this season and also gained over 100 yards on the ground for the second time this season in the victory over Presbyterian. DeMarco recorded 108 yards against the Blue Hoes and had run for 136 yards against Jacksonville back on September 19th in ODU's first road game and first FCS contest. DeMarco capped off the ODU second-half scoring barrage against the Blue Hose taking the Monarchs all the way down field on all five plays of the drive. The redshirt sophomore carried the ball all 49 yards of the drive capped by a 27-yard dash into the end zone. DeMarco currently leads the team in carries with 540 total yards averaging 59.4 yards per game on the ground. Additionally, seven of his 24 touchdowns has come from his ground attack.
THANKS FOR THE BALL:
The Monarchs had four interceptions against Presbyterian back on October 10th - Devon Simmons (Va. Beach, Va.), Mychael McJunkins (Kansas City, Kan.), Markell Wilkins (Hampton, Va.), and Craig Wilkins (Va. Beach, Va.) - the most interceptions ODU has recorded to date. On the year, Wilkins and Simmons lead the Monarchs with three interceptions apiece.
WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING?:
Junior linebacker Mychael McJunkins (Kansas City, Kan.) has led the Monarchs in tackles in five of ODU's seven game so far. Against Presbyterian, all nine of his stops were solo tackles, the most solo tackles by a Monarch to date.
POINT AFTER:
Kicker Drew Hareza's (McDonald, Pa.) PAT streak stopped on October 10th versus Presbyterian. After making his first 24 extra points, the Blue Hose blocked Hareza's PAT attempt following Desmond Williams' nine yard TD run. Hareza has converted 34 of his 35 attempts on the year.
OPENING WITH A BANG:
And no, we're not talking about the howitzer you hear being shot off before the Monarchs run onto Foreman Field. Old Dominion has scored on the first drive in six of its games thus far - and almost added another in the October 10th contest with Presbyterian. After receiving the opening kickoff, the Monarchs took the ball down to the Presbyterian four-yard line and nearly punched through for the touchdown. Unfortunately, the Monarchs fumbled the ball and the Blue Hose recovered making it the only home game ODU has not on its opening drive.
OOPS...I DID IT AGAIN:
Edmon McClam (Cowart, S.C.) blocked his fifth PAT of the season in the October 3rd contest at Fordham. The block became a new FCS record for blocked PATs in a season replacing the previous mark of four set by both Tim Hauck of Montana in 1988 and Ed Groszewski of Cornell in 1991. The record for blocked PATs in a career is seven held by the Grizzlies' Hauck. McClam also holds the FCS record for blocked PATs in a game having thwarted three Chowan extra point attempts in the season opener back on September 5th.
IF YOU DROP IT, I GOT IT:
The Monarchs made the most of Ram fumbles back on October 3rd. Mychael McJunkins (Kansas City, Kan.) recovered a fumble that led to a Monarch touchdown by Nick Mayers (Va. Beach, Va.) in the third quarter. A.T. Aoeula (Pago, Pago, American Samoa) forced a fumble that was recovered by T.J. Cowart (Va. Beach, Va.) later in the quarter that almost lead to another score when the Monarchs returned to the field on offense. Unfortunately, the ball slipped out of the hands of intended receiver Reid Evans, who looked like he was off and running to cross the endline. Marquis Johnson (San Diego, Calif.) posted the third fumble recovery of the day and the second leading to a touchdown as he recovered in the endzone for the score. Ten different members of the ODU defense have posted fumble recoveries this season.
GREAT CATCH:
Nick Mayers (Va. Beach, Va.) became the first Monarch to have more than one touchdown reception in a game this season in ODU's game at Fordham on October 3rd. The redshirt freshman made a 25-yard catch in the first minute and a half against the Rams, the second straight game he made a touchdown catch in the opening minutes of a contest. Mayers also recorded a 29-yard reception midway through the third quarter helping ODU spark its third straight come-from-behind contest. The wide receiver then caught the two-point conversion from quarterback Thomas DeMarco to kick-off the fourth quarter scoring for the Monarchs. Three weeks ago, Mayers earned a spot in the starting line-up against Monmouth, starting in place of the injured Marquell Thomas (Va. Beach, Va.). Mayers had a 55-yard catch on ODU's first drive of the game against the Hawks to give Old Dominion a 7-0 lead in the first two minutes of the game.
RUN FAR, RUN FAST:
Mario Crawford's (Detroit, Mich.) 52-yard run against Fordham on October 3rd, one of his six carries on the afternoon, is ODU's longest offensive run of the season. Crawford was leading the ground crew before suffering a shoulder injury. He is currently second on the stat sheet in rushing running the ball an average of 53.0 yards per game
GETTING THE NOD:
Freshman wide receiver Nick Mayers (Va. Beach, Va.) started September 26th's Monmouth contest in place of the injured Marquell Thomas (Va. Beach, Va.). Mayers ran 55 yards on ODU's first drive of the game to give Old Dominion a 7-0 lead over the Hawks the first two minutes into the game.
COMEBACK KIDS:
The Monarchs are 1-2 in making the fourth quarter comeback this season.
COMEBACK KIDS - PART ONE:
Old Dominion trailed for a majority of Sept. 19th's contest at Jacksonville until its last drive. The Monarchs used a 91-yard, 10-play drive starting from its own nine-yard line with 2:08 remaining in the game. Freshman wide receiver Reid Evans (Hampton, Va.) accounted for four of ODU's first downs getting the Monarchs to the Jacksonville 32. Then quarterback Thomas DeMarco (Palm Desert, Calif.) threw a 32-yard touchdown to Dorian Jackson (Colonial Heights, Va.) to tie the game at 27 all. Drew Hareza (Davidsonville, Md.) connected on his 14th straight PAT to give Old Dominion the lead 28-27 with 45 seconds left. Jacksonville got the ball down to the ODU 35, but a 52-yard field goal attempt went wide to give the Monarchs their third straight win.
COMEBACK KIDS - PART TWO:
The Monarchs, who trailed at one point 31-21 on September 26th to Monmouth, almost made its second straight come-from-behind victory. ODU made it a three-point game with just under seven minutes left. Monmouth's Kenny Amsel fumbled a punt return as Marquis Johnson (San Diego, Calif.) recovered at the Hawk's 15. On the next play, Desmond Williams (Windsor, N.C.) took off for 15 yards and Hareza's PAT had the Monarchs trailing just 31-28. Monmouth controlled possession the rest of the way however not allowing the ODU offense to return to the field and garner another scoring opportunity.
COMEBACK KIDS - PART THREE:
The Monarchs for the third straight game made a fourth quarter comeback, but fell just short. Old Dominion trailed 25-7 at the tail end of the third quarter Nick Mayers (Va. Beach, Va.) caught a 29-yard pass with 5:47 left in the quarter, the Monarchs' first points since Mayers first touchdown catch in the early moments of the game, to head into the fourth quarter trailing 25-14. The Monarchs dodged a bullet a Fordham field goal attempt went right on the second drive of the final quarter, but the Monarchs were unable to move further than their own 40 when they returned to the field on offense. Punter Jonathan Plisco (Newport News, Va.) punted the ball to the Fordham backfield where the Rams' Asa Lucas fumbled the ball. As the ball skipped further and further back, ODU's Marquis Johnson (San Diego, Calif.) recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown. The Monarchs then completed the two-point conversion to cut the Monarch deficit to a field goal, 25-22, with 10:45 remaining in the game. Although Fordham was able to hit a field goal on the next drive, it was Old Dominion going the distance when they got the ball back to regain the lead. Carlos Davis (Ft. Washington, Md.) caught a 17-yard pass from DeMarco and Drew Hareza (McDonald, Md.) upped his mark to 21-of-21 on PATs to give Old Dominion the 29-28 lead with 3:06 remaining. The lead, unfortunately, only lasted for a minute. The Rams quickly went down field on the ensuing drive. Although Fordham, who went for the two-point conversion and failed, reclaimed the lead with 1:50 left at 34-29. Old Dominion got to the Fordham 45 on its final drive, but a fumble gave possession back to the Rams with 51 seconds remaining to hold for the win.
BLOCK THAT KICK:
The Monarchs have blocked at least one kick in five of the seven games played so far this season - five blocked PAT attempts and a pair of blocked field goal attempt. Edmon McClam (Cowart, S.C.) set an NCAA record with three blocked PATs against Chowan and then had a block of the extra point on Jacksonville's first touchdown, which proved to be crucial as ODU left D.B. Milne field with a one-point victory, 28-27. McClam blocked his fifth PAT of the season at Fordham to set an FCS season record. (See OOPS...I DID IT AGAIN & RECORD SETTING DAY for more on McClam's blocked kicks). Chris Burnette (Randallstown, Md.) captured ODU's two other blocked kicks thwarting field goal attempt against Virginia Union and Presbyterian.
TEST TIME - MAKING THE GRADE:
While September 5th saw a lot of firsts for the Old Dominion football Monarchs, there was another first on Sept. 19 against Jacksonville. The 28-27 thrilling come from behind victory was not only the Monarchs' first road win, but the victory over the Dolphins was also the first ever Division I (FCS) win.
12th MONARCH:
There may be 11 defenders on the field, but the 12th one is in the stands. Head coach Bobby Wilder wants the ODU fans to be the 12th defender for the team by becoming the loudest when the opponent is on the offense. Thanks to the noise at the stadium the last two Saturdays, the crowd helped the opponent commit 30 penalties at Foreman Field this season.
12th Monarch Stats:
Chowan: Seven Penalties
Virginia Union: Eight Penalties
Monmouth: Three Penalties
Presbyterian: Four Penalties
Campbell: Eight Penalties
12th MONARCH T-SHIRTS NOW AVAILABLE:
Help the Monarchs further its home field advantage by washing Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium in blue with your very own 12th Monarch T-Shirt available at the ODU University Village Bookstore or at the ODUSports.com online store.
TDs FOR TD:
Thomas DeMarco (Palm Desert, Calif.) solidified his position at starting quarterback in the second game of the season as the redshirt sophomore captured five touchdowns and completed 13 of his 18 attempts for 198 yards. DeMarco carried the ball into the endzone three times against Virginia Union, including the game's first two scores. He ran the ball in for a touchdown in the third quarter, this time crossing the line backwards pushing against a pile of Panther defenders. To date, DeMarco has 21 touchdowns to his name, 14 from the air and another seven running the ball himself into the end zone.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT:
The defense put out a potentially momentum changing situation against Virginia Union. After a Monarch pass was intercepted, Virginia Union's return brought gave the Panthers first and goal at the ODU 5. The ODU defense held, however, forcing the Panthers to hit a field goal instead of a touchdown. Rookie defensive back T.J. Cowart (Va. Beach, Va.) broke up a pass in the endzone, classmate Craig Wilkins (Washington, D.C.) allowed Virginia Union to gain only a yard on the next play, and a miss fired pass kept the Panthers from the touchdown.
OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN:
Captain Craig Wilkins (Washington, D.C.), who was a member of the "fire department" that put out the fire by preventing Virginia Union from penetrating the endzone, finished the game with 10 tackles, including a nine-yard sack, along with a pair of pass break-ups and a 32-yard interception. Wilkins and the defense held the Panthers, who averaged 156 yards on the ground, to just 66 yards in the game. Additionally, the Monarch defenders had six tackles for loss pushing back Virginia Union for a total of 33 yards.
A RECORD SETTING DAY:
Not only was September 5th a record setting day with the Monarchs playing its first Division I-FCS football game, but it was also a record setting day for sophomore defender Edmon McClam (Coward, S.C.). The 6-6, 260 lbs. defensive lineman set an NCAA Division I record for most blocked PAT's by a single player in a game (FCS or FBS) with three against the Chowan Hawks. The previous FCS record was held by Everette Pedescleaux of Northern Iowa with a pair of blocked extra point attempts against the Delaware Blue Hens on December 1, 2007. Four FBS athletes have blocked two PAT's in a single game (Corey Nelson, Air Force vs. Colorado St., Nov. 11, 2000; Josh Buhl, Kansas St. vs. Syracuse, Dec, 29, 2001; Kareem Bland, Middle Tenn. vs. North Texas, Nov. 23, 2002; Linval Joseph, East Carolina vs. Kentucky, Jan. 2, 2009) but never three. McClam's blocking prowess also ties the FCS record for combined block kicks in a game (includes blocked punts, PATs, FGs). The last time an FCS student-athlete blocked three kicks of any type in one game was Brandon Tinson of Colgate vs. Towson on Sept. 30, 2000 (all three were punts).
IT'S ALL IN THE LEGS:
Redshirt freshman punter Jonathan Plisco (Newport News, Va.) led the nation in punting averaging 51.25 yards per punt after game number one. Plisco totaled 205 yards against the Hawks back on September 5th, with three of his four punts inside the 20. To date, Plisco ranks first in the nation in the category at 45.85 yards per punt.
Kicker Drew Hareza (McDonald, Pa.) totaled 18 of the Monarchs' 36 points against Chowan with five field goals and three extra points. His five field goals that went through the uprights in the first two quarters against the Hawks ties the FCS record for field goals in a half (Dean Biasucci, Western Caro. vs. Mars Hill, Sept. 18,1982 (1st); Tony Zendejas, Nevada vs. Northern Ariz., Oct. 16, 1982 (2nd); Ryan Weeks, Tennessee Tech vs. Chattanooga, Sept. 9, 1989 (2nd).)
TOP IN THE COUNTRY?:
Should the Monarchs sellout every game this season, Old Dominion could be top five in FCS attendance in the country in its first year of play. So far, the Monarchs have sold out their first four games at Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium.
Rank: - School: - Games: - Average:
1.- Appalachian State - 8 - 25,161
2. - Montana - 9 - 23,923
3. - Delaware - 6 - 21,609
4. - Jackson St. - 4 - 21,263
5. - Ga. Southern - 6 - 18,168
6. - N. Dakota St. - 6 - 18,032
7. - Harvard - 5 - 17,360
8. - Southern U. - 4 - 16,323
9. - Tennessee St. - 5 - 15,444
10. - James Madison - 9- 15,362
STARTING FOOTBALL:
Here is a look at schools that have started football programs over the last few years:
School:- FCS/FBS: - Year Started: - Record First Season:
Bryant - FCS - 1998 - 2-5
Campbell - FCS - 2008 - 1-10
Coastal Carolina - FCS- 2003 - 6-5
Jacksonville - FCS - 1998 - 4-5
Robert Morris - FCS - 1994 - 7-1
FIU - FBS - 2002 - 5-6
Florida Atlantic - FBS - 2001 - 4-6
South Florida - FBS - 1997 - 5-6
ADDING FOOTBALL:
The following schools are adding football in the next few years:
School: - FCS/FBS: - Conference: - Year Starting:
Georgia State - FCS - CAA - 2010
Lamar - FCS - Southland- 2010
UT-San Antonio- FCS - Southland - 2011
Charlotte - FCS- TBA - 2013
South Alabama - FCS - Independent - 2012
FBS - Sun Belt- 2013
MONARCH MOMENTS:
The Monarchs made history on September 5th when a three-year dream became a reality. On May 31, 2006, the ODU board of visitors voted to add football and 1,293 days later, the Monarchs kicked off its first season of Division I FCS play. ODU has an 11-game schedule, including seven home dates at the $24.8 million renovated Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium. The schedule is a mix of both D-II and D-I FCS opponents to help the Monarchs transition into not only its first year of football, but also to get ready for entering the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) in 2011.
69 YEARS IN THE MAKING:
Old Dominion last fielded a football team in 1940, back when the school was known as the Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary. Then known as the Braves, the Norfolk Division had its first football game on Sept. 26, 1930 and was then disbanded in 1940. On June 21, 2005 by a 14-0 vote, the ODU board of visitors approved a plan that would see NCAA Div. I-AA (now known as FCS) football played at a remodeled Foreman Field provided that:
A consultant's report indicating community support for a program.
The acquisition of land to meet practice and other athletic needs.
Pledges of at least $8 million for a football endowment.
All three criteria were met and Old Dominion kicks off today.
TOUGHEST TICKET IN TOWN:
Response for Monarch football has been overwhelming:
14,377 season tickets sold with season ticket applications made available in Feb. 2008.
The school had to unfortunately turn away 296 season ticket orders for a total of 1,065 season tickets due to demand.
The ODU student ticket allotment of just under 4,000 tickets were all distributed in three days. Over 1,200 ODU students were in line when distribution began on Monday, August 24th at 8 a.m. and over 2,500 student tickets were handed out on the first day. By Tuesday night, only approximately 100 student tickets were available.
UP NEXT:
The Monarchs close out the home portion of its inaugural season on Saturday, November 7th against North Carolina Central on Homecoming. Game time is 2:00 p.m., a change from previous kick times this season.