Aug. 16, 2010
NORFOLK, Va. -- Monday's practice involved "sudden change", third down drills, and the naming of the Monarchs' 2010 captains.
Head Coach Bobby Wilder pulled out the "Sudden Change" for the first time this preseason instituting a two-minute drill early into Monday morning's workout. For those of you who remember "Sudden Change" from last year, its when the coaching staff throws the Monarchs into an unplanned drill and a different direction seeing how quickly and effectively the team can react.
Later in the practice, the Monarchs worked on third down drills at varying distances. The ODU defense came up with nine stops in the 12 reps run. Although the Monarch defense is not allowed to hit the quarterback in practice, they did come up with three stops that would have resulted in QB sacks in a normal game situation.
Defensive end Chad King (Springfield, Va.) also recovered a fumble for a touchdown. Wilder was happy with effort noting, "No whistle...you kept playing." Wilder and staff earlier in the preseason had noted one of the areas of focus in preseason works outs is that the defense be able to "scoop and score" capitalizing on a potential momentum turn from the defense scoring a touchdown.
Monday also saw the announcement of the 2010 captains. In a vote by their teammates, linebacker Craig Wilkins (Washington, D.C.), quarterback Thomas DeMarco (Palm Desert, Calif.), defensive end Deron Mayo (Hampton, Va.), and defensive tackle Ronnie Cameron (Westbury, N.Y.) were named captains.
Wilkins, who also served as a captain in the Monarchs' inaugural season in 2009, is ODU's returning leading defender having made 65 tackles, three interceptions, and seven pass break-ups a season ago. DeMarco, who is on the Walter Payton Award watch list, was the second leading FCS quarterback in rushing throwing for 21 touchdowns and running another 17 into the endzone. Mayo and Cameron both begin their first season on the Monarch roster after transferring from the disbanded Hofstra program and were among the Top FCS Transfers to Watch by The Sports Network.
MONARCH MOMENTS:
OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN:
Video of newly chosen ODU football captains is now streaming up on the Old Dominion Athletics facebook page. Click here to check out what they had to say. And again, if you haven't "liked" us, do so today.
VOTE BLUE AND SILVER:
The Monarchs are receiving votes in the preseason poll by The Sports Network released on Monday afternoon with 25 points from the voters. Monarch opponent William & Mary was ranked fourth while Cal Poly (239), Hampton (12), VMI (5), and Jacksonville (2) joined ODU in the receiving votes category. click here for the complete poll.
STILL NEED TICKETS?:
Here's your chance to join the ODU football frenzy and get into the Blue! A limited number of six game ticket packages are available that include six home dates featuring VMI, Cal Poly, and start-up Georgia State (does not include the William and Mary contest on Sept. 18.) Less than 500 tickets will go on sale Tuesday, Aug. 17 at 10 a.m., at www.coxtix.com , or by calling 1-888-3COXTIX. Six game packages are located in section 121 of the stadium and priced at $120 per person. Seat locations will be based on best available and filled based on purchase date and time. Click here for more information.