NORFOLK, Va. - Old Dominion University Football begin their second week of spring practice Tuesday morning at the L.R. Hill practice fields.
Sporting full pads, the Monarchs practice for the first time since Saturday, focusing on tempo and various situations. In team drills Blake LaRussa connected with Isaiah Harper and Jonathan Duhart for a pair of big gainers, while Jeremy Cox slashed through for a 25-yard gain. The workout ended when in the final minute, Joe Joe Headen intercepted a pass for the defense.
The annual spring game is scheduled for Saturday at 3 p.m. at Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium. The game is free and open to the public.
Opponent Outlook
ODUSports.com will take a look at each Monarch opponent for the 2017 season. Today we look at game five, the C-USA opener against Florida Atlantic.
The Quick Facts - Florida Atlantic
Location: Boca Raton, Fla.
Nickname: Owls
First Year of Football: 2001
Conference: Conference USA
Head Coach: Lane Kiffin
2016 Record: 3-9
The Game
ODU will host FAU for the fifth game of the season on Saturday, Oct. 7.
About the Owls
Lane Kiffin will be in his first year at FAU after leaving Alabama after three seasons as the Offensive Coordinator. Kiffin previously head coached USC from 2010-2013 and Tennessee for the 2009 season.
The Owls went 3-9 last season, collecting wins over Southern Illinois, Rice and UTEP.
FAU returns a solid group of offensive performers, led by quarterback Jason Driskel. Driskel completed 200-of-327 passes for 2,415 yards and nine touchdown passes.
Running back David Singletary rushed for 1,021 yards and 12 touchdowns to lead the ground game.
Kalib Woods and Henry Bussey combined for 92 receptions for 1,203 yards and three touchdown receptions.
Azeez Al-Shaair is the squads leading returning tackler, as he finished with 112 tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and one interception. Jalen Young was second on the team with 100 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and 2 interceptions.
Series History
ODU leads 2-1
The Monarchs defeated the Owls last season 42-24 as David Washington passed for a career-high 416 yards and five touchdowns. ODU won the first meeting in 2014, 31-28. The Monarchs Satchel Ziffer kicked a 27-yard field goal as time expired to win the game. In 2015, the Monarchs fell to FAU 33-31.