NORFOLK, Va. -- In just its eighth year of football and second full season playing at the FBS level, Old Dominion University became bowl eligible with a 38-14 win over Marshall Saturday night in Norfolk.
Ray Lawry ran for a season-high 209 yards and a touchdown and David Washington threw for 199 yards and three touchdowns, as Old Dominion (6-3, 4-1 C-USA) outgained Marshall (2-7, 1-4 C-USA), 461-214, on the evening. The Monarchs held the Thundering Herd to 144 total yards until the final drive of the game.
The Monarchs led 21-7 at halftime, and the defense held Marshall to a three and out on the first drive of the second half. ODU drove 68 yards in five plays as David Washington hit Travis Fulgham for a three-yard touchdown pass to make the score 28-7.
ODU worked a 13 play, 63-yard drive that finished with a 20-yard Brad Davis field goal to make the score 31-7 and finished the ODU scoring with a one yard touchdown run by Blake LaRussa to put the exclamation point on a 17 play, 63-yard drive to make the score 38-7.
Old Dominion took the lead on the opening drive of the game with a David Washington to Jonathan Duhart nine-yard touchdown pass to cap a nine play, 75-yard drive.
Ray Lawry made the score 14-0 as he completed a 79-yard drive with a 33-yard touchdown run around the left end. He began the drive with a 24-yard run.
Marshall made the score 14-7 with a 93-yard drive culminating in a five-yard Ryan Yurachek touchdown from Chase Litton.
The Monarchs came right back with a 75-yard drive on just five plays, as Washington connected with Zach Pascal for a 23-yard touchdown pass to make the score 21-7. Washington connected with Travis Fulgham and Isaiah Harper on third down conversions on the drive.
Washington finished his day 16-of-27 for 199 yards and three touchdowns, while Duhart added five catches for 68 yards and a touchdown. Brandon Addison set a single-game ODU record with five pass breakups and three tackles, while Oshane Ximines recorded two sacks.
Notes: Jonathan Duhart caught his fourth touchdown pass of the season, but first since the UTSA game … Ray Lawry scored for the 35th time in his ODU career and 32nd rushing touchdown … Lawry had 77 yards rushing in the first quarter … In the first quarter Bailey Cate pinned his two punts inside the 20 for 17 on the year … Zach Pascal caught his 27th career touchdown pass … With a second quarter tackle, TJ Ricks moved into second on ODU’s career tackle charts behind Craig Wilkins … Travis Fulgham caught a touchdown pass in his fifth straight game … David Washington’s three touchdown passes gives him 20 on the season … Brandon Addison’s five pass breakups set an ODU single-game record … Ray Lawry rushed for a season-high 209 yards, his fourth career 200-yard rushing game … Brad Davis’ 20-yard field goal was his seventh-straight made field goal … The 262 rushing yards is the eighth most in a game in school history … ODU is bowl eligible in its eighth year of play, tying Florida Atlantic for the second youngest program to be bowl eligible (South Alabama did it in year six) ... The ODU defense allowed 214 yards, the fewest it has allowed against an FBS team ... The 10 first downs given up is the second fewest and the fewest against an FBS team ... Redshirt freshman Terez Dickerson played for the first time in his career ... In three games against Marshall, Lawry has carried the ball 72 times for 500 yards and three touchdowns, for a 6.9 yards per carry ... The 14 points is the fewest allowed to a Conference USA opponent.