NORFOLK, Va. - Old Dominion University Football held their second practice of the spring on Tuesday morning.
The second practice featured helmets only, as the Monarchs can put on the shoulder pads on Wednesday.
Today's practice was similar to the opener, however, the first team drills of the spring were added to the practice.
Opponent Outlook
ODUSports.com will take a look at each Monarch opponent on the year. Today we look at game two against UMass.
The Quick Facts – UMass
Location: Amherst, Mass.
Nickname: Minutemen
First Year of Football: 1879
Conference: FBS Independent
Head Coach: Mark Whipple
2016 Record: 2-10
The Game
ODU travels to Massachusetts for the second game of the season on Saturday, Sept. 9.
About the Minutemen
Mark Whipple returns for his fourth season as head coach in his second stint as the head coach at UMass. Whipple won an FCS national championship at UMass in 1998, coaching the team for six seasons before taking a job with the Pittsburgh Steelers and helping the Steelers to a Super Bowl in 2006.
The Minutemen went 2-10 last season, collecting wins over FIU and Wagner.
UMass returns a solid group of offensive performers, led by quarterback Andrew Ford. Ford completed 222-of-365 passes for 2,665 yards and 26 touchdown passes.
Running back Marquis Young rushed for 898 yards and four touchdowns to lead the ground game.
Adam Breneman and Andy Isabella combined for 132 receptions for 1609 yards and 15 touchdown receptions.
Steve Casali is the squads leading returning tackler, as he finished with 105 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. Da’Sean Downey notched six sacks.
Series History
ODU leads 2-0
The Monarchs defeated the Minutemen last season 36-16 as Jeremy Cox rushed for a career-high 162 yards and two touchdowns. ODU won the first meeting in 2011, 48-33. The contest was the first appearance of Taylor Heinicke, as the current Minnesota Viking was 8-of-11 for 119 yards and two touchdown passes in the win.