Oct. 3, 2011
RICHMOND, Va. -- Freshman quarterback Taylor Heinicke (Atlanta, Ga.) was named CAA Football Rookie of the Week and freshman Jakwail Bailey (Haddonfield, N.J.) was named CAA Football's Special Teams Player of the Week it was announced Monday by the conference office.
Heinicke was inserted into the Monarch offense after signal caller Thomas DeMarco, who had started all 26 games to-date was sidelined with injury in the second half, to throw for 119 yards and two touchdowns in helping ODU to its first-ever CAA victory and first win over a ranked team in Saturday's 48-33 win over #20 UMass. Heinicke completed 8 of his 11 attempts, which included a school record 56-yard touchdown pass to Reid Evans. The true freshman also found Larry Pinkard on a 38-yard touchdown throw to kick off the first of three fourth quarter touchdowns. Heinicke also ran the ball five times for 24 yards in his Monarch debut.
Bailey blocked a UMass punt that led to a safety and returned the lead for good in ODU's 48-33 win over #20 UMass in the Monarchs' first ever CAA win and win over a ranked opponent. With the Minutemen at 4th and 12 and pinned back at their own 10-yard line, Bailey blocked the Monarchs' fourth punt this season. Having allowed the Minutemen to rattle off 26 unanswered points after the Monarchs had achieved a 25-0 lead, Bailey's blocked punt and safety gave ODU a 27-26 edge and a lead they would not relinquish.
The ODU Football Monarchs return to action on Saturday when they travel to Rhode Island for a 1:00 p.m. kick.