Key Plays of the Game
There were many key plays to the game in ODU's 24-20 Popeyes Bahamas Bowl win over Eastern Michigan, but here are a few that stood out.
· Fake Punt on 4th and 2 – On the opening drive of the game, ODU faced a 4th and 2 at its own 46. ODU faked a punt with the direct snap to Jeremy Cox who rushed for three yards and a first down to keep the drive alive.
· Denzel Williams INT – Eastern Michigan had forced an interception of its own, and drove to the ODU 13 where they had a first and 10. Marvin Branch forced a hurried throw and Williams stepped in front of the receiver in the end zone for the interception.
· Points off Turnovers – Following the interception, ODU did what EMU couldn’t do and cashed in on the turnover. On first down from the Eagles 47, David Washington found Zach Pascal down the right sideline for a touchdown and 10-0 ODU lead.
· End of First Half: The college rule states that if there is less than three seconds left on the clock, only one play can be run. There were two seconds on the clock when Eastern Michigan tried to spike the ball at the end of the first half. ODU Head Coach Bobby Wilder knew the rule and so did the officials as the half ended without EMU getting a field goal try.
· Battle Back – Like they have all season when the opponent closed the gap, ODU kept surging. EMU tied the score at 17 with a field goal and Washington engineered a seven play, 72-yard drive capped with a five-yard pass to Jonathan Duhart for the eventual game-winning score.
· Defense Stiffens – Eastern Michigan drove inside the ODU 10 and had first and goal at the four. On third and goal at the two, nobody was open for EMU quarterback Brogan Roback and he was stopped short at the two by Bunmi Rotimi to force a field goal.
· Defense Stiffens (Part Two) – EMU took over again with 8:01 to play and drove to midfield, where the ODU pass rush, which did not have a sack but did have 10 QB hurries, had two hurries on the drive by Oshane Ximines and pressure on Roback’s two-yard run on 3rd and 10 to force the punt.
· The Final Drive – ODU got the ball back with 5:21 to play and was trying to melt the clock. On 2nd and 10, Washington found Melvin Vaughn for 14 yards as Vaughn broke a couple of tackles for a key first down. Three plays later on 3rd and 6, Lawry dragged tacklers for a seven-yard gain to ice the game and ODU’s 24-20 Popeyes Bowl win.