Oct. 6, 2009
Complete Game Notes in PDF Format
Game Six
Saturday, October 10th - 6:00 p.m. (EST)
Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium - Norfolk, Va.
Old Dominion Monarchs (3-2) vs.
Presbyterian Blue Hose (0-5)
TV: None
Radio: WXEZ - 94.1 FM, WGAI-560 AM
(Ted Alexander - Play-by-Play; Andy Mashaw - Color Analyst; Demetrius Means - Sideline)
Video: Monarch All-Access (Subscription Required)
Livestats: Gametracker
Weekly Press Conference Video: Monarch All-Access (Subscription Required)
Coors Light Bobby Wilder Radio Show: 94.1 FM from Buffalo Wild Wings, Edinburgh Commons Location - 216 Carmichael Way, Chesapeake, Va.
Coach's Show Audio: Monarch All-Access (Subscription Required)
Breakfast With Bobby: Episode Six
Note: Make sure to install the newest version of Microsoft Silverlight for All-Access content.
SATURDAY, OCT. 10th - 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. Presbyterian
Post Game - "5th quarter" - Marching Monarchs performance in stadium Parking lots close 90 minutes after the game.
ABOUT PRESBYTERIAN:
Roster
Schedule/Results
Stats
Presbyterian is still looking for its first victory of the 2009 season as they enter their final non-conference contest. The Blue Hose stand at 0-5 entering Saturday's game. They have returned 52 letterwinners and 11 starters from last year's 4-8 squad.
Presbyterian moved to Division I in 1997. Since making the transition, the Blue Hose hold a 3-15 away record.
The Blue Hose have begun their first year in conference play having joined the BIG SOUTH. Presbyterian is 0-1 in conference action having fallen 52-41 in their last game, the BIG SOUTH opener at Stony Brook up in Long Island, New York.
Head coach Harold Nichols is in his first season at Presbyterian. Should the Blue Hose prevail, it would be Nichols' first win as a head coach. Nichols previously coached the Blue Hose as an assistant overseeing the wide receivers and special teams from 1997--1999. He also previously an assistant at Georgia Southern, Rhode Island, and Bucknell.
What is a Blue Hose? A Blue Hose is a fierce Scotch-Irish warrior.
On the offense, redshirt sophomorequarterback Brandon Miley is averaging 159.2 passing yards per game with three touchdowns. Redshirt junior Trandon Dendy leads the ground attack having averaged 69.8 yards on 80 carries and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, sophomore Patrick McKoy leads the receiving corps with 57.8 yards per catch.
On the defense, redshirt freshman Stephon Thomas and sophomore Justin Bethel have made 30 tackles on the year. Redshirt junior Brian Leonardi leads the Blue Hose with five tackles for loss totaling 19 yards.
HALL OF FAME WEEKEND:
The 2009 Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will be held Friday, Oct. 9th at the Constant Center, at 7 p.m with the inductees honored during this weekend's ODU-Presbyterian match-up. This year's class includes Nick Hall (Wrestling), Christine Accettella (Sailing), Scott Thomson (Baseball), and Joe Law (Administration,) posthumously.
COACH TO CURE MD:
The ODU football coaching staff will be wearing "Coach to Cure MD" patches to help raise awareness of the fight against Muscular Dystrophy. Coach To Cure MD is a partnership between the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), a professional organization for over 10,000 college football coaches and staff, and Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD), the largest national charity devoted exclusively to Duchenne muscular dystrophy. For more information on how to either donate money or volunteer, log on to CoachToCureMD.org
OOPS...I DID IT AGAIN:
Edmon McClam (Cowart, S.C.) blocked his fifth PAT of the season in last week's 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 last weekend. 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 last Saturday. 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 running back then caught the two-point conversion from quarterback Thomas DeMarco to kick-off the fourth quarter scoring for the Monarchs. Two 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 ran 55 yards 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. Mayers has four rushing touchdowns, one shy of leader Thomas DeMarco who has run the ball into the end zone five times this season.
POINT TAKEN:
Kicker Drew Hareza (McDonald, Md.) continues his kicking success having gone 21-of-21 in extra point attempts this season. Hareza currently leads the Monarchs in scoring having registered 36 of the Monarchs' points this year.
RUN FAR, RUN FAST:
Mario Crawford's 52-yard run against Fordham last week, one of his six carries on the afternoon, is ODU's longest rush of the season. Crawford leads the ground crew averaging 63.6 yards per game netting 318 yards on the year.
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. Kicker 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 four of the five games played so far this season - five blocked PAT attempts and a 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 other blocked kick thwarting a Virginia Union field goal attempt.
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 18 penalties at Foreman Field this season.
12th Monarch Stats:
Chowan: Seven Penalties
Virginia Union: Eight Penalties
Monmouth: Three 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 Saturday's game, 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 two weeks ago 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.
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, who was a member of the "fire department" that prevented 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 43.8 yards per punt, ranking him third in the nation in the category at 45.6 yards per punt. P>
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).) Hareza is currently tied for 10th nationally in field goals.
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.
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 - 0-8
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 host Campbell in the second and final game of a two-game homestand. Kickoff is Saturday, October 17th at 6:00 p.m. at S.B. Ballard Stadium at Foreman Field.