Defensive linemen do not get many opportunities to get in the end zone, and when they do they better take advantage of it. Old Dominion senior defensive lineman had that chance against Southern Miss. Bunmi Rotimi forced a fumble by Golden Eagles quarterback Keon Howard and Coward was there to pick up the loose ball for a touchdown. It is a perfect touch to a career that had some lows, but has been on a meteoric rise since growing into his own at Old Dominion.
Coward joined the Monarchs in 2013, the first year of ODU’s transition to FBS. As a true freshman, Coward was thrust into action, playing in 10 games and recording 11 tackles.
“That first year was rough. I was trying to be physical but guys are bigger than you, stronger and faster than you, it just motivated me in the off-season to know what I needed to do and what I needed to work on,” Coward said. “There were ups and downs that first year, but I’m not complaining.”
After a 2013 season that he wasn’t even sure he would play, Coward did not enter the 2014 season on a high note.
“I struggled that first year I came back for fall camp overweight, but I pushed myself and the coaches were pushing me, they told me if I want to be that guy I have to step up,” Coward said. “You need to be a leader and set an example in the weight room. I said that will never happen again, you live and learn and move on.”
Coward has since been a terror in the weight room and to opposing offensive lines. He has 93 tackles combined the last two seasons, and this season alone has more tackles for loss, 7.5, than he did entering the 2016 season. The defensive line as a whole has been a big part of the defensive turnaround, notching 34 sacks and 75 tackles for loss. The group, which now features a bunch of sophomores, juniors and one senior, Coward.
“We are experienced now. Coach Wilder gave us a challenge at the beginning of the season. We have to be the best defensive line ODU has ever had, and we’re trying to live up to that and even better,” Coward said. “Coach Comissiong believes in us winning our own games and has confidence in us to get the job done.
When Coward picked up that fumble against the Golden Eagles, he was not going to let the chance to score a touchdown slip by.
“It was amazing, during practice if we pick up a fumble coach usually blows the whistle, when I saw it I made sure I had to get in. My senior year at home to put the game away, it was perfect,” Coward said. “It was a once in a lifetime I’ll probably ever have I made sure I got across clear.”