LYNCHBURG, Va. - Old Dominion University opens the 2018 football season on the road for just the third time in its 10-year history, traveling to Liberty for a 6 p.m. contest on Saturday, Sept. 1. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3.
| Old Dominion (0-0, 0-0 C-USA) at Liberty (0-0, Ind.) | |||
| Date | Saturday, Sept. 1 • 6 p.m. • Lynchburg, Va. • Williams Stadium | ||
| Where to Watch | ESPN3 | ||
| Listen | ODU Sports Radio Network | ||
| Series | ODU leads, 1-0 | ||
| Game Notes | Old Dominion Liberty | ||
| Liberty Clear Bag Policy | Click Here | ||
> For the first time since 2015 and the third time in its 10 year
history, Old Dominion University football begins the season on the road, taking on Liberty.
> The Monarchs are 1-1 when opening the season on the road, losing to East Carolina (52-38) in 2013, and topping Eastern Michigan (38-34) in 2015.
> Old Dominion is coming off a 5-7 overall record in 2017 and 3-5 in Conference USA.
> Liberty went 6-5 and are now in their second transition season to FBS.
> Old Dominion Head Coach Bobby Wilder is 72-37 all-time.
> The Monarchs are 7-2 all-time in regular-season openers. Last season, ODU beat Albany 31-17. ODU’s last setback in the season-opener was in 2013 at East Carolina.
> ODU returns a program high 22 seniors, including first-team
All-Conference USA performers in Oshane Ximines and Isaiah Harper. Harper was also named the C-USA Special Teams Player of the Year.
> The Monarchs return nine starters on offense, including quarterback Steven Williams, Harper, running back Jeremy Cox, as well as all five offensive linemen.
> The defense returns seven starters, including leading returning tacklers Marvin Branch and Jordan Young.
Not Just Seniors Returning
Old Dominion returns has a program high 22 seniors, but also ranks high in FBS in returning starters, returning 18 starters.
Overall (including specialists: PK, P, LS)
1. Baylor: 22 (9 offense, 9 defense, 4 specialists [2 snappers])
Michigan State: 22 (10 offense, 9 defense, 3 specialists)
3. Florida: 20 (10 offense, 9 defense, 1 specialist)
Michigan: 20 (8 offense, 9 defense, 3 specialists)
UAB: 20 (10 offense, 7 defense, 3 specialists)
Utah State: 20 (9 offense, 9 defense, 2 specialists)
7. Arizona: 19 (7 offense, 9 defense, 3 specialists)
Ball State: 19 (9 offense, 7 defense, 3 specialists)
Kansas: 19 (8 offense, 9 defense, 2 specialists)
North Texas: 19 (9 offense, 8 defense, 2 specialists)
11. Old Dominion: 18 (9 offense, 7 defense, 2 specialists)
Boise State: 18 (6 offense, 10 defense, 2 specialists)
Kentucky: 18 (7 offense, 9 defense, 2 specialists)
Mississippi State: 18 (9 offense, 8 defense, 1 specialist)
Position Starters (Offense and Defense)
1. Florida: 19 (10 offense, 9 defense)
Michigan State: 19 (10 offense, 9 defense)
3. Utah State: 18 (9 offense, 9 defense)
4. Kansas: 17 (8 offense, 9 defense)
Michigan: 17 (8 offense, 9 defense)
Mississippi State: 17 (9 offense, 8 defense)
North Texas: 17 (9 offense, 8 defense)
UAB: 17 (10 offense, 7 defense)
9. Old Dominion: 16 (9 offense, 7 defense)
Arizona: 16 (7 offense, 9 defense)
Boise State: 16 (6 offense, 10 defense)
Ball State: 16 (9 offense, 7 defense)
Kentucky: 16 (7 offense, 9 defense)
Offense
1. Florida: 10
Michigan State: 10
UAB: 10
4. Old Dominion: 9
Ball State: 9
Baylor: 9
Northern Illinois: 9
Mississippi State: 9
Missouri: 9
North Texas: 9
Purdue: 9
Utah State: 9
Wisconsin: 9