NORFOLK, Va. -- In the final game at Foreman Field, Old Dominion dominated VMI, 77-14, setting a new program record for points, on Saturday afternoon at S.B. Ballard Stadium.
Old Dominion (4-7) led 49-0 at the half and outgained VMI (1-10) in total yards, 509-288. The Monarchs also tied a program record with seven rushing touchdowns, including three from Matt Geiger and two from both Jeremy Cox, the Oyster Bowl MVP, and Kesean Strong.
Justin Noye had a 37-yard interception return touchdown and Isaiah Harper had a 74-yard punt return TD.
The 77 points also tied a Conference USA record and is tied for the second-highest total by an FBS team this season.
ODU drove 61-yards in 10 plays to take a 7-0 lead on a one-yard touchdown run from Jeremy Cox. Blake LaRussa completed a 10-yard pass to Kesean Strong on third and 10 and LaRussa hit Cox for 13-yards to convert a fourth and three to set up the touchdown.
Cox added a two-yard touchdown run to push the Monarch lead to 14-0 to cap a 12 play, 72-yard drive. Matt Geiger carried to the two before Cox finished the drive for his second score of the game.
Justin Noye returned an interception 37-yards to push the lead to 21-0 late in the first quarter.
Kesean Strong added to the lead early in the second quarter with a four-yard touchdown run for a 28-0 lead. Strong set up the score with a 40-yard run after an Oshane Ximines sack, forced fumble.
Blake LaRussa hit Jonathan Duhart with a 10-yard touchdown pass with 11 minutes left in the second quarter for a 35-0 ODU lead.
ODU’s Demetrius Stitmon recovered the ensuing kickoff and LaRussa followed by hitting Travis Fulgham for a 23-yard touchdown on the next play. Matt Geiger added an 11 –yard run for a 49-0 ODU halftime lead.
Matt Geiger had 17 carries for 91-yards and three touchdowns, the first three of his career. Strong had six carries for 62-yards and two touchdowns.
Blake LaRussa was 15-for-20 for 128-yards and two touchdowns. Duhart had three catches for 23-yards and a score while Fulgham had two catches for 34-yards and a touchdown.
ODU ends the season on Saturday, Nov. 24 at 1 p.m. ET at Rice.
Notes: Jonathan Duhart and Travis Fulgham were game captains along with Oshane Ximines and Isaiah Harper … … Juwan Ross recorded his first career sack in the first quarter … Jonathan Duhart caught a pass in his 39-straight game with a first quarter catch … Matt Geiger recorded his first career catch in the first quarter … Justin Noye notched his second career interception and returned it for the first touchdown of his career … Noye’s interception return for a touchdown is ODU’s first pick six since A.T. Aeloua in 2009 … Oshane Ximines recorded his 12th sack of the season and 33nd of his career … Both sacks he forced fumbles giving him 11 on the year … Jeremy Cox moved into fourth all-time in career rushing touchdowns with 23 … Blake LaRussa tossed two touchdown passes to give him a TD pass in nine-straight games … Geronda Hall recorded his second interception of the season … Travis Fulgham scored a touchdown in his eighth-straight game … Seven rushing touchdowns tied ODU’s single-game record … Isaiah Harper’s 74-yard punt return touchdown was his first punt return TD of his career … Aaron Moore, Austin Wood, Ty-Kee McCullers, Robert Mayo, A.C. White and Darius Savedge saw their first career action … ODU rushed for 339-yards, second most in program history … ODU tied a school record with seven rushing touchdowns … Jeremy Cox was the Oytser Bowl MVP after rushing for 98-yards and two touchdowns.
Renovation on S.B. Ballard Stadium will begin immediately with the new stadium opening for the 2019 season.