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Post-Game Press Conference:
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VILLANOVA, Pa. -- The #21/22 Old Dominion Football Monarchs returned to its winning ways with its 37-14 win over the Villanova Wildcats Saturday in CAA Football action.
The win improved the Monarchs to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in the CAA football race. The Monarchs' victory drops Villanova to 1-7 overall and still looking for their first conference win at they drop to 0-5 in conference play.
On the opening Wildcat drive, B.J. McLaughlin forced the Wildcat fumble with Devon Simmons on the recovery to return possession back to the Monarchs. The on the next play, the Monarchs lit up the scoreboard as Antonio Vaughan raced the 42-yards downfield for the score. ODU tried for the two-point conversion, but Kai Blanco's run was just short of the goal line.
On the next possession, following the Wildcat punt into the end zone and the Monarchs starting at their own 20, Lorenzo Smith capped a seven-play, 80 yard drive by taking off for 54-yards for his first career score.
Joe Price got the Wildcats onto the scoreboard with a six-yard touchdown reception late in the opening quarter to cut the ODU lead to 13-7.
Two quick scores gave ODU a 23-7 edge midway through the second quarter. Jarod Brown connected on a 32-yard field goal and on Villanova's first play from scrimmage following the field goal, Devon Simmons stripped the ball while sacking signal caller Dustin Thomas. Linebacker Craig Wilkins recovered the ball for the Monarchs at the Wildcat three and three plays later Taylor Heinicke carried in the ball for a one-yard touchdown.
The Wildcats added their second touchdown of the afternoon using over five minutes to take the ball down field on an 11-play, 77-yard drive. Austin Medley broke through for a 23-yard touchdown.
The Monarchs however went up by another touchdown and had a 16-point advantage heading into the half. In the closing moments of the second quarter, Heinicke connected with Nick Mayers for 16-yard touchdown and a 30-14 edge heading into the locker rooms.
On the first ODU drive of the third quarter, the Monarchs used a fake punt by Jonathan Plisco to help move the chains into Wildcat territory but they were unable to move past the Villanova 45. Heinicke punted the ball 34-yards, but on the next play, Villanova quarterback Dustin Thomas got the ball into the hands of ODU's Craig Wilkins at the Wildcat 16. It was fourth and goal at the one before Angus Harper broke through to give ODU the 37-14 lead with 6:56 left in the third.
Heinicke finished the game passing for 204 yards and two touchdowns completing 23 of his 32 passes. For the receiving corps, Mayers had six catches for 51 yards, while Vaughan hauled in five catches for 75 yards. Smith led the run game with 76 yards on nine carries.
Defensively, 25 Monarchs got into the mix led by Aaron Evans and John Darr with four stops each. The ODU defense racked up five sacks and eight tackles for loss.
Dustin Thomas passed for 82 yards, connecting on 10 of his 17 passes for the Wildcats before Chris Polony came in late in the game passing for 61 yards. Polony also rushed for 52 yards.
The ODU Football Monarchs return for a two-game home stand starting with next Saturday's Oyster Bowl contest with James Madison. Kick-off is at noon and the game will be aired on Comcast (Ch. 35 - Hampton Roads).
MONARCH MOMENTS:
WITH THE WIN:
The Monarchs improved to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in the CAA and improved to 3-1 this season and 10-3 overall on the road.
UPDATING THE NUMBERS - POST VILLANOVA:
Antonio Vaughan's fourth touchdown and third TD reception of the season ...Lorenzo Smith's first career touchdown...Jarod Brown improved to 9-11 in field goals this season with his 32-yarder in the second quarter...Taylor Heinicke's second touchdown run of the season...Nick Mayers fifth TD reception of 2011 and 12th of his career...Craig Wilkins had his second interception of the year...Angus Harper had his fifth touchdown of the year...
MAKING HIS DEBUT:
Reggie Owens made his first appearance for the Monarchs this season. Owens appeared at corner in the 1st quarter making the 11th true freshman to play for the Monarchs this season.
RUN, LORENZO, RUN:
Smith's 54-yard touchdown rush was the Monarchs' second longest rush from scrimmage in ODU's three-year history. Last week against Towson, Angus Harper had a 64-yard down field for the longest rush from scrimmage in the Monarchs' history.
GETTING THE NODS:
Keenan Terry made his first start in the place of the injured Eriq Lewis at cornerback...Also Preston Smith made his first start as well in place of the injured Chad King at defensive end...
SCORING BY THE HALF:
The 30 points scored by the Monarchs by the half were the most by the squad at the intermission this season. The previous high was 28 in the season opener against Campbell. The all-time record is 50 vs. Savannah State last season.