NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion University football scored 23-straight second half points to run away from Hampton 54-21 in the 2016 season opener for both schools.
Old Dominion (1-0) led 31-14 at halftime, but Hampton (0-1) received the opening kick of the second half and cut the lead to 31-21 on a two-yard run from Dwayne Garrett.
After an ODU punt, the Monarchs forced a three and out of Hampton, and on the attempted punt, the snap went through the Hampton’s punter Christian Faber-Kinney’s hands. Faber-Kinney recovered the ball and punted it out of the back of the end zone for a safety.
The Monarchs received the ensuing free kick and drove to the Hampton 48 before the drive stalled and Bailey Cate knocked a punt to the HU five-yard line. Three plays later Aaron Young intercepted a J.J. Williamson pass and returned it for a touchdown for a 40-21 ODU lead.
ODU added a 32-yard David Washington to Joey Verhaegh touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter, while Jeremy Cox capped the scoring with a 12-yard run to give the Monarchs a 54-21 victory.
The Monarchs scored on the first offensive play from scrimmage with a 59-yard touchdown pass from David Washington to Ray Lawry for a 7-0 lead.
Hampton came right back with a 71 yard drive capped by a two-yard run by Yahkee Johnson
ODU came right back with a three play, 59-yard drive as Lawry took an option pitch and ran for a 31-yard touchdown, his second of the day.
The Monarchs went up 21-7 early in the second quarter as David Washington found Zach Pascal for a 10-yard touchdown pass to cap a six play, 60-yard drive.
David Washington tossed third touchdown pass of the day, a 26-yarder to Jonathan Duhart to cap a 10 play, 53-yard drive to give ODU a 28-7 edge late in the second quarter.
Lawry led the way for ODU with 110 yards rushing and two receptions for 62 yards and two touchdowns. Washington finished the day 10-of-18 for 187 yards and tied his career-best with four touchdown passes and ran for another 36 yards.
Zach Pascal had five catches for 63 yards and a touchdown.
TJ Ricks led the ODU defense with nine tackles while Anthony Wilson had a career-high six tackles. Daniel Appouh registered the first two sacks of his career.
Game Notes: ODU captains were quarterback David Washington, wide receiver Zach Pascal, defensive tackle Rashaad Coward, and linebacker TJ Ricks … Today’s game was the 49th straight sellout since ODU restarted football in 2009 … Redshirt freshman Devin Hannan, Cullen Casey and Travis Fulgham made their first career starts … David Washington tossed a quick screen to Ray Lawry for a 59-yard touchdown on the first play of scrimmage for ODU … The TD reception was the second of Lawry’s career … Darrell Brown’s 36-yard punt return, the first play of his ODU career, was the sixth longest punt return in school history … Bunmi Rotimi’s forced fumble in the second quarter was the first of his career … The last time ODU scored at least 31 points in the first half was Sept. 28, 2013 against Albany … With 110 rushing yards, Ray Lawry recorded his 12th career 100-yard rushing game … Tight end Joey Verhaegh’s first career catch went for a 32-yard touchdown to give ODU a 47-21 … Hasaan Patterson recorded his first career catch, a 17-yarder, in the second half … Aaron Young’s third quarter interception was the second of his career and his first career pick six … It was ODU’s first interception return for a touchdown since Craig Wilkins had a 25-yard INT return and in 2010 against Savannah State … It is the third INT return in school history … Senior linebacker Anthony Wilson had a career-best six tackles … David Washington’s four touchdown passes tied his career high last season against Charlotte … True freshman punter Bailey Cate had four punts inside the 20 out of five punts … Daniel Appouh recorded the first two sacks of his career and had 3.5 tackles for loss ... ODU now moves to 5-0 all time against Hampton and 13-0 against schools from the MEAC … Marvin Branch’s two fumble recoveries ties Craig Wilkins and Isaiah Worthy with the most fumble recoveries in one game … Worthy recovered his two fumbles in 2014 against Hampton … Branch moves into third all-time in school history with four fumble recoveries … Monarchs that played for the first time: Blake Larussa, Brad Davis, Hasaan Patterson, Denzel Williams, Jamez Brickhouse, Kane Miskel, Akim Bundu-Fitz, Jelani Carter, Joey Verhaegh, Jamshyer McUmber, Jordan Glover, Josh Marriner (UConn transfer), Gemonta Jackson, Joe Tillman, Mufu Taiwo, Hunter Sosebee, Tony Barnett, Manny Matiarena, Darrell Brown, Nijee Cox, Adam Swann and Bailey Cate.