NORFOLK, Va. – The Old Dominion University defense held Eastern Michigan to just 215 yards while Ray Lawry and Antonio Vaughan scored touchdowns to push the Monarchs past EMU 17-3.
The three points allowed by ODU is the lowest in school history and the 215-yards allowed is the fourth-lowest. D.J. Simon led the way with 11 tackles, while TJ Ricks added 10, both numbers are career-highs. Chris Smith, Terrell Reid and Poncho Barnwell also recorded sacks.
With just under eight minutes to play and holding a 10-3 lead, Antonio Vaughan took a punt and returned it 46-yards to put the Monarchs on top 17-3 and give the Monarchs some breathing room.
Eastern Michigan got the ball back with three minutes to play but Poncho Barnwell sacked Rob Bolden, forcing a fumble that Andrew Everett recovered to clinch the game.
ODU got on the board first as Ray Lawry ran up the middle for a 55-yard touchdown to finish a seven play, 80-yard drive. The run was the longest of Lawry’s career.
The Monarchs took the 7-0 lead into the break, as the ODU defense held EMU to just 113 first half yards.
Midway through the third quarter, the EMU defense forced another stop, Vaughan returned a punt 51-yards for a touchdown, however, a holding penalty gave ODU the ball on the Eagles 37. Gerard Johnson rushed four times for 16-yards and Heinicke completed a pass to Vincent Lowe for 12 to set up a 26-yard Ricky Segers field goal to put the Monarchs on top 10-0.
Eastern Michigan put in Rob Bolden at quarterback following the field goal, and he drove the Eagles to the Monarchs’ 22 yardline before settling for a 43-yard Dylan Mulder field goal.
The ODU defense continued to make stops, leading to Vaughan’s key punt return touchdown.
Heinicke finished 17-of-30 for 187-yards, while Gerard Johnson carried 19 times for 85-yards. Lawry rushed for times for 69-yards, and his 55-yard TD. David Washington had four receptions for 23-yards while Vaughan had two receptions for 54-yards.
Bronson Hill led EMU with 16 rushed for 78-yards while Bolden added 31-yards on 12 carries. Brogan Roback was 9-of-17 for 56-yards.
Notes: Safety Christian Byrum joined Vincent Lowe as the only two true freshmen to start for ODU so far this season … True freshman Ray Lawry’s 55-yard first quarter TD was the longest of his career, and fourth career touchdown run … Jonathan Duhart’s 45-yards catch in the first half was the longest of his career … D.J. Simon led ODU with a career-best 11 tackles … TJ Ricks notched a career-best 10 tackles … Poncho Barnwell recorded a sack in his third-straight game to begin his ODU career … Freshman Jarrett Cervi punted for the first time in his career, punting a 47-yarder and one inside the 20.