ODUSports.com takes a look back at Old Dominion's season-opening victory at Eastern Michigan.
- Sophomore running back Ray Lawry set career highs with 28 carries for 223 yards and tied his career high with four touchdowns. His 28 carries ties for the third most in school history and his 223 yards is the second most, just one yard shy of Thomas DeMarco's record of 224 set in 2009 against North Carolina Central. Lawry and DeMarco also share the touchdown record of four.
- Lawry's 54-yard touchdown to open the third quarter was the seventh longest run in school history. He scored on a 55-yard touchdown run against the Eagles last season.
- It was Lawry's second-straight game of rushing for more than 200 yards as he rushed for 213 in last year's finale at Florida Atlantic.
- Lawry's 223 rushing yards was the most recorded over the first weekend of games thus far. His four touchdowns tied East Carolina's Chris Hairston for the FBS lead.
- Junior punter Satchel Ziffer's 61-yard punt tied for the 10th longest in ODU history.
- Fellonte Misher's three pass breakups tied for the most in a single-game.
BIG MOMENTS
There were many big moments in Saturday's win but here are a few of the biggest
- Trailing 14-0 late in the first quarter, ODU put a drive together culminated with a Shuler Bentley to David Washington 14-yard touchdown pass. Washington leaped high over the defender to snag the pass and put the Monarchs on the board.
- On the following Eastern Michigan possession, Reginald Bell rolled to his right and did not see Aaron Young drop off and Young intercepted the first pass of his career. The turnover did not lead to ODU points but was a key stop for the ODU defense.
- In the middle of the second quarter the Eagles held the ball for a 17 play, 92 yard drive that ate up seven minutes of clock. However, the Eagles could not convert a first and goal at the six and were stuffed on third and goal at the one by Miles Fox that forced a 19-yard field goal. ODU kicked a field goal to end the half and make it only a 17-10 halftime deficit.
- A series of plays were key to begin the second half. EMU scored to open the second half but on the first play for ODU Lawry scored from 54 yards out. On the second play of the Eagles' next drive, Malique Johnson sacked Bell, forcing a fumble that Oshane Ximines recovered leading to an ODU touchdown and a tie game.
- Early in the fourth quarter EMU's Dylan Mulder kicked a 52-yard field goal to put the Eagles ahead 34-31.
- On ODU's next possession they went three and out, but punter Satchel Ziffer flipped the field with a 61-yard boot to force EMU to start from their own 14.
- The game-winning drive started at the ODU 24. On the first play, Bentley found Nick England open over the middle for a gain of 30 yards to the EMU 46. After a Lawry one-yard run and incomplete pass, Lawry burst up the middle for the game-winner.
- True freshman defensive end Tim Ward clinched the win with an interception on fourth and six. With quarterback Brogan Roback rolling to his right, Ward tipped the pass and then hauled it in for his first career interception.
ODU takes on Norfolk State in the home opener on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.