March 18, 2011
NORFOLK, Va. -- The ODU Football Monarchs are a week away from opening up spring camp. The Monarchs will hit the turf for 14 spring practices, beginning on Friday, March 25th, and culminating with the annual spring game on Saturday, April 23rd.
The Old Dominion football team finished its second season of football at 8-3 and over the last two seasons has combined for a 17-5 mark as the winningest FCS start-up program in the books. The squad joins the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) in 2011, the toughest FCS conference in the nation that featured four teams in this past season's playoffs including runner-up Delaware, as well as 2009 champion Villanova, William & Mary, and New Hampshire.
"Our number one focus for spring practice is for our players to have a mindset where they think fast and play fast," said head coach Bobby Wilder. "What we mean by that is the caliber of competition we are going to face in 2011 is much different than the competition we faced in either of the last two seasons. We will need for our players to understand our scheme in all three phases - offense, defense, & special teams - and be able to play at a much faster pace. That will define the success we will have as a football team - 'Can we think fast?' and 'Can we play fast?'."
The Football Monarchs will also have a pair of scrimmages prior to the spring game at Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium. Open to the public, the Monarchs will scrimmage on Saturday, April 9th and Saturday, April 16th, both at 1 p.m.
Note: All practice sessions are subject to change due to inclement weather and are closed unless otherwise noted to the public. Media members wishing to attend are asked contact the Sports Information Office.
ODU Spring Practice Schedule Day: Date: Time: Place:Practice #1 Friday March 25th 4 p.m. Powhatan Sports ComplexPractice #2Saturday March 26th 9 a.m. Powhatan Sports Complex Practice #3MondayMarch 28th4 p.m.Powhatan Sports ComplexPractice #4WednesdayMarch 30th4 p.m.Powhatan Sports ComplexPractice #5FridayApril 1st4 p.m.Powhatan Sports ComplexPractice #6MondayApril 4th4 p.m.Powhatan Sports ComplexPractice #7WednesdayApril 6th4 p.m.Powhatan Sports ComplexPractice #8 *SaturdayApril 9th1 p.m.Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard StadiumPractice #9MondayApril 11th4 p.m.Powhatan Sports ComplexPractice #10WednesdayApril 13th4 p.m.Powhatan Sports ComplexPractice #11 *SaturdayApril 16th1 p.m.Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard StadiumPractice #12MondayApril 18th4 p.m.Powhatan Sports ComplexPractice #13WednesdayApril 20th4 p.m.Powhatan Sports ComplexPractice #14FridayApril 22nd4 p.m.Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard StadiumSPRING GAME SaturdayApril 23rd1 p.m.Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium
* - Open to the public
MONARCH MOMENTS - FALL FACTS & SPRING NOTABLES:
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING:
A look at the numbers on the national level from last season and where the Monarchs ranked:
Fourth in Accumulated Attendance:
1. - Appalachian St. - 205719
2. - Delaware - 177526
3. - Montana - 152689
4. - Old Dominion - 138474
5. - Jackson St. - 120698
Fourth in Average Attendance:
1. - Appalachian St. - 25715
2. - Montana - 25448
3. - Jackson St. - 24140
4. - Old Dominion - 19782
5. - Delaware - 17753
Eighth in Scoring Offense:
1. - Jacksonville - 42.18
2. - Bethune-Cookman - 38.17
3. - Liberty - 36.45
4. - Stephen F. Austin - 36.25
5. - Murray St. - 36.09
6. - Dayton - 35.45
7. - Appalachian St. - 34.31
8. - Old Dominion - 33.55
9. - Jackson St. - 33.18
10. - Montana St. - 33.00
Fourth in Kick Returns:
1. - Yale - 25.43
2. - Stephen F. Austin - 25.22
3. - Penn - 24.93
4. - Old Dominion - 24.86
5. - Illinois St. - 24.82
Eighth in Sacks Allowed:
1. - Southeast Mo. St. - .50
2. - South Dakota St.- .55
3. - Coastal Carolina - .58
4. - Penn - .60
5. - Liberty - .64
6. - Appalachian St. - .69
7. - Darthmouth - .70
8t. - Old Dominion - .82
8t. - Colgate - .82
8t.- Austin Peay - .82
Eleventh in Tackles for Loss
1. - Texas Southern - 9.33
2. - Morehead St. - 8.55
3. - Murray St. - 8.45
4. - Stephen F. Austin - 8.33
5. - South Carolina St. - 8.29
6. - Southern U. - 8.27
7t. - Tenn.-Martin - 8.18
7t. - Central Arkansas - 8.18
7t. - Eastern Kentucky - 8.18
7t. - Jackson St. - 8.18
11t. - Old Dominion - 7.91
11t. - Rhode Island - 7.91
Total Offense:
o Thomas DeMarco - 7th
Punting:
o Jonathan Plisco - 2nd
Kickoff Returns:
o Colby Goodwyn - 3rd
Punt Returns:
o Monty Smalley - 13th
Tackles for Loss:
o Ronnie Cameron - T8th
BACK-TO-BACK SUCCESS:
Building upon the success of a 9-2 inaugural campaign as the winningest FCS start-up program, year two of Monarch football proved to be just as successful as ODU ended the 2010 season at 8-3. Many could argue with a slate full of FCS opponents and all three losses coming in winnable games against teams ranked among the Top 25, the Monarchs are the winningest start-up first year and second year program in the books.
The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers kicked off its first season of football with a 6-5 mark in 2003, while year number two in 2004 was a historic one, as the Chanticleers captured the Big South Conference title in just their second year of play, posting a perfect 4-0 mark in league play and 10-1 record overall.
A notable difference, however, from the Monarchs' year two schedule and the Chanticleers' second season schedule is that ODU played a Division I FCS program in all 11 contests, while Coastal Carolina's slate featured three Division II squads.
South Florida, whose second year mark of 8-3 is what the Monarchs matched, played as an independent in the FCS during year two in 1998. The South Florida schedule in 1998 featured wins over Liberty, Elon, Charleston Southern, Morehead State, the Citadel, as well as Slippery Rock and Valparaiso. Losses for the Bulls were to the national runner-up Georgia Southern, 20th-ranked Hofstra, and Western Kentucky. The Bulls would later transition to the FBS in 2000, the Bulls' fourth year of existence.
Robert Morris was one of the winningest start-ups over the last handful of years going 7-1-1 in their first season back in 1994. The second year of Colonial football had the squad going 6-4 playing a schedule similar to its first year with a mix of FCS, Division II, and Division III programs.
Next on the list of success in year two of football would be Bryant. Going just 3-6 in 1999, the Bulldogs improved to .500 in the second year, but played a schedule primarily filled with Division II & III programs.
NEW FACES:
Three new Monarchs are on the spring roster.
#77 David Born - OL - Fr-r. - 6-8 - 355 - Bakersfield, Calif./West/Bakersfield
AT BAKERSFIELD:
Helped the Renegades to an 8-3 record, a National Northern Conference co-championship, and an appearance in the So Cal playoffs...Played for Bakerfield College head coach Juff Chudy...
AT SACRAMENTO STATE:
Redshirted the 2009 season...
HIGH SCHOOL:
Played three seasons of varsity football...Blocked for current San Diego Charger Ryan Mathews his sophomore season... Named to the Division I All-State First Team by Cal-Hi Sports as a senior...Also garnered First Team All-Area honors from the Bakersfield Californian...Was a First Team All-Southwest Yosemite League selection...Also played on the defensive line for the Vikings where he tallied eight tackles and blocked a kick in four games...Played for Bakersfield High School head coach Chad Grider...
Other Schools Considered: UTEP, UTSA, Idaho, Idaho State, Portland State, Bethune Cookman, Missouri, UCLA and USC...
#78 D.J. Morrell - OL - So. - 6-6 - 285 - Norwalk, Conn./Norwalk/Dean JC
AT DEAN JC:
Spent two seasons at Dean Junior College in Massachusetts... Named First Team All-Northeast...Played for Dean Junior College head coach Todd Vasey...
HIGH SCHOOL:
An All-State and All-FCIAC selection his senior year at Norwalk High School...Played for former Norwalk High School head coach Pete Tucci...
Other Schools Considered: Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Stony Brook, Liberty, and Bowling Green...
#11 Nate Ong - QB - So-r. - 6-2 - 210 - Escondido, Calif/San Pasqual/Palomar
AT PALOMAR:
Registered 3,966 yards and 33 touchdowns for the Comets... Passed for 2,090 yards and 18 touchdowns his sophomore season... Completed 189 of his 305 attempts averaging 232.2 passing yards per game... As a redshirt freshman in 2009, became Palomar's starting signal caller the third week of the season...Helped the Comets to the Southern California Football Association championship game...Ended the year connecting on 167 of his 279 passes totaling 1876 years and 15 touchdowns....Played for Palomar College head coach Joe Early...
HIGH SCHOOL:
Completed 62 of his 129 passing attempts for 847 yards and five touchdowns as a senior in 2006... Played for coach Mike Dolan at San Pasqual High...
ON THE MEND:
In addition to three transfers, the Monarchs will also welcome back several Monarchs from the injury list. Running back Angus Harper and cornerback Markell Wilkins missed the year with knee injuries suffered in the summer. Harper is listed at full go, while Wilkins is still in the rehab phase from his torn ACL, but still competing and has been doing well in off-season drills. ODU will also welcome back offensive lineman Jeremy Hensley who fractured his ankle against #14/16 Cal Poly and missed the final five games of 2010. Colby Goodwyn, who starred on the return unit for special teams, is also back after suffering an elbow injury at Hampton. The Monarchs will also welcome back linebacker Darryl Brown who had been sidelined with an ankle injury.
CENTURY MILESTONE:
Two Monarchs hit the 1,000 yard career rushing mark last season. Thomas DeMarco was the first Monarch to reach the milestone and currently has 1,320 rushing yards under his belt. Carrying the ball 291 times in the last two seasons, he averages 59.8 yards per game and 4.5 yards per carry. Running back Mario Crawford was the second Monarch to accumulate 1,000 or more rushing yards in a career in the blue & white. Crawford now has 1,150 career rushing yards in his two years as a Monarch, averaging 52.6 yards per game and 4.8 yards per carry.
PASSING LAST YEAR'S NUMBERS:
With 122 passing yards against the Pirates in week nine, redshirt junior quarterback Thomas DeMarco surpassed last year's total of 1921 yards. Ending the 2010 season, DeMarco collected 2,756 yards in the air and threw for 23 touchdowns, two more than the 2009 season.
BLOCK THAT KICK:
Special teams has 12 blocks to its credit in the last two seasons. Edmon McClam blocked his sixth career PAT against Savannah State. McClam already holds the FCS record for Blocked PATs in a Season (2009 - 5) and Blocked PATs in a Game (3 - Chowan). The FCS record for Blocked PATs in a Career is seven by Tim Hauck (Montana - 1987-89). Alex Arain (Va. Beach, Va.) blocked a punt, ODU's first blocked punt in history, at Monmouth during week four.
PICK SIX:
Redshirt sophomore linebacker Craig Wilkins was the lone Monarch last season and second overall to return an interception for a score with his 25-yard INT return in the 57-9 victory over Savannah State in week 10.
AND THE YOUTH SHALL LEAD YOU:
The Monarchs had several true freshmen make outstanding performances last season.A trio of rookies put in some notable performances against Savannah State back on November 6th. Aaron Evans stepped in for the injured Colby Goodwyn at kick returner, raced downfield 92-yards for the Monarchs' first ever kick return for a touchdown. Additionally, true freshman Rashad Manley served as the Monarchs' signal caller the entire second half, finishing the game completing eight of his 13 attempts for 89 yards. Defensively, freshman Rodney Hunter made a team-leading 10 tackles. Manley also stepped in for an injured Thomas DeMarco in the season finale at North Carolina Central. Manley played a majority of the third quarter and the entire fourth quarter in the Monarchs' 33-21 win.
NEW RECORD BOOK MATERIAL:
Jarod Brown tied the school record for longest field goal made in ODU's season finale. Brown's 48-yard attempt at N.C. Central tied the record. His previous high was 44 against Georgia State during week eight. Brown's longest attempt was a 50-yarder that went wide left in ODU's home finale vs. VMI.
Ronnie Cameron also put his name into the record book with 13 tackles against the Eagles, surpassing the previous record of 12 set by T.J. Cowart in the home finale win over VMI. Cameron's and Craig Wilkins' nine solo tackles in the win over the Eagles also tied for the most unassisted stops by a Monarch in a game.
OPENING WITH A BANG:
ODU scored on its opening drive six times last season and 13 times overall in the 22-game history of the program.
THERE'S A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING:
It took until week four before the offensive line allowed quarterback Thomas DeMarco to get sacked. The Monarchs ended the season ranked eighth nationally in sacks allowed.
MORE RECORD BOOK MATERIAL:Wide receiver Prentice Gill finished the week four game at Monmouth with 154 yards receiving, the most by a Monarch in a game and fifth time overall a Monarch receiver has recorded over 100 yards receiving. The junior transfer from LA Harbor College posted two touchdowns and also a two-point converstion on his six catches against the Hawks.
Quarterback Thomas DeMarco connected on 28 of his 47 attempts in the air, including four touchdowns, en-route to his first 400+ yard passing game of his career. The redshirt junior signal caller captured 407 yards in the air, surpassing his previous high of 334 yards registered in the season opener against Jacksonville.
MAKING THE BIG STOPS:
The 14-7 victory over Gardner-Webb in week five showcased one of the best defensive efforts by the Monarchs to-date. The Runnin' Bulldogs got to within nine yards of a touchdown, on third and goal T.J. Cowart knocked down a pass intended for GWU's Jamal Patmon in the end zone, setting Gardner-Webb up for a 27-yard field goal attempt. Former Monarch Deron Mayo swooped in and blocked the field goal attempt by the Bulldogs' Ryan Gates with Paul Morant returning the kick 11 yards to the 21. Another stellar play, included a 37-yard punt by Jonathan Plisco, that pinned Gardner-Webb back at their own one-yard line to start their drive. Freshman Paul Morant and linebacker J.J. Williams led a defense, which held the Bulldogs to 3 of 9 on third-down conversions and 24 yards of total offense in the second half. Both ended with a game-high 10 tackles.
12th MONARCH MOMENTS:
There may be 11 Monarchs on the field, but the 12th Monarch is in the stands. Thanks to all the noise of being "Loud and Proud" from the 12th Monarchs at Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium, the opposition was charged with 51 penalties last season and 41 in 2009.