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Post-Game Press Conference:
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ATLANTA, Ga. - Old Dominion stormed out to a 32-0 halftime lead on the way to a 53-27 victory Saturday evening at the Georgia Dome.
ODU put up two touchdowns in the first quarter and two more in the second to go along with a Jarod Brown field goal to the half.
The Monarchs drove the opening kickoff down the field with ease, going 67 yards in nine plays capped by a Taylor Heinicke to Marquel Thomas nine-yard touchdown pass. Heinicke rolled to the right and found Thomas just across the goal line for the score. Nate Ong flipped a pass to Kai Blanco for the two-point conversion to put ODU on top 8-0.
After Alex Johnson forced and recovered a GSU fumble, Tyree Lee capped a 34 yard drive in just four plays on an 11-yard rush to give ODU a 15-0 lead.
ODU started the second quarter with a one-yard Angus Harper TD run, capping off a 69 yard drive in just five plays, as the drive was highlighted by a Heinicke to Larry Pinkard 34-yard pass play.
Pinkard increased ODU's lead to 29-0 at the five minute mark of the first half after Devon Simmons intercepted a Ben McLane pass at the GSU 29. Heinicke hit Pinkard from four-yards out with a lob pass over the defender.
The Monarchs ended the half with three more points as Craig Wilkins picked off a McLane pass at the 50 and returned it all the way to the GSU 16 to set up a Jarod Brown 28-yard field goal to give ODU its 32-0 halftime advantage.
Georgia State drove the opening kickoff of the second half 80 yards in 11 plays capped by a Rosevelt Watson score to get on the board but ODU responded with a Heinicke to Mayers score to increase the lead to 39-14.
Tyree Lee pushed ODU's lead to 46-14 but Albert Wilson returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards to make the score 46-21.
Angus Harper added a seven-yard TD run with two minutes to go for the final margin.
Heinicke was 28-of-42 in the air with three touchdowns while Marquel Thomas caught a career-high six passes for 72-yards and a TD while Larry Pinkard had six catches for 92-yards and a score.
Tyree Lee carried a career-high 25 times for 126 yards, just two yards shy of his career-high that he set just last week.
McLane was 13-of-32 for GSU for 226 yards and a TD.
John Darr had a team-best six tackles while Devon Simmons and Craig Wilkins recorded interceptions. Simmons' INT was his second-straight game with one and he is ODU's all-time leader with nine.
Old Dominion returns home next week to host William and Mary. The Monarchs will honor their 18 seniors in a pregame ceremony.
Notes -
Senior Fred Credle was the game captain for ODU.
Georgia State honored its 12 seniors along with head coach Bill Curry, who was coaching his final home game for Georgia State.
Marquel Thomas caught his second TD of the year on ODU's opening drive.
Tyree Lee scored his sixth rushing touchdown of the year.
Devon Simmons intercepted a pass for the second-straight game. He leads the Monarchs in career interceptions with nine.
Larry Pinkard caught his third TD pass of the season.
Dominique Guinn-Bailey sacked GSU quarterback Ben McLane on fourth and goal late in the second quarter.
The first half shutout was the first complete shutout of a half this season for ODU. The Monarchs shutout Hampton in the second half, but did not play the fourth quarter due to inclement weather.
With three TD passes, Heinicke has now tossed three or more TD's in a game 10 times in his career.
Tyree Lee recorded his second-straight and third 100-yard rushing game of the season with 126 yards against Georgia State.
The four turnovers forced by the ODU defense ties a season-high. ODU forced four turnovers in the 45-7 win at Hampton.
For the fourth time this season ODU scored 40 or more points in a game.
Taylor Heinicke moved into first place in several passing categories, passing Thomas DeMarco for career completions with 486, passing yards with 5895 and TD passes with 52.