NORFOLK, Va. - Old Dominion University football travels to UTEP for the Conference USA opener on Saturday, Oct. 2 in El Paso, Texas.
| Old Dominion (1-3, 0-0 C-USA) at UTEP (3-1, 0-0 C-USA) | |
| Date | Saturday, Oct. 2 • 9 p.m. ET • El Paso, Texas • Sun Bowl |
| Where to Watch | ESPN+ |
| Listen | ODU Sports Radio Network |
| Series | ODU leads 2-1 |
| Game Notes | Old Dominion UTEP |
• ODU lost a 35-34 heartbreaker to Buffalo last Saturday, while UTEP scored 17 second half points to knock off New Mexico 20-13 in El Paso.
• Like UTEP, the Monarchs also dealt a second half shutout, holding Buffalo to 40 yards on 20 plays in the second half. ODU outgained the Bulls 319-40 in the second half.
• ODU was down 35-7 at the break and outscored Buffalo 27-0 in the second half. Quarterback D.J. Mack ran for a pair of scores, Jon-Luke Peaker rushed for one and Mack tossed a 19-yarder to Zack Kuntz.
• ODU had five pass-catchers record a career-high in receptions against Buffalo. Ali Jennings led the way with seven, Kuntz had six, Javon Harvey had four, while Isiah Paige and Isaiah Spencer each had three.
• Senior safety Harrell Blackmon had a career-best nine tackles, while freshman defensive tackle Alonzo Ford had a career-high seven tackles and a fumble recovery. Fellow freshman Jason Henderson tied his career-high with seven tackles and a forced fumble.
• Linebacker Jordan Young had five tackles. He is fourth in school history with 273 career tackles. He is 68 stops away from tying Craig Wilkins' school record of 340 career tackles.
Block Party
With the two blocked punts on Saturday against Buffalo, ODU now has three blocked punts on the year. Terry Jones blocked a punt in the opener at Wake Forest, while Steven Williams and Deeve Harris each blocked a punt against Buffalo. ODU is tied for the nation's lead in blocked kicks with three.
Blocked Kick Leaders
| Rank | School | Blocked Kicks |
| 1. | Old Dominion | 3 |
| Coastal Carolina | 3 | |
| Army West Point | 3 | |
| Auburn | 3 | |
| San Diego State | 3 |
Mack Attack
Quarterback D.J. Mack passed for 224 yards and rushed for 84 and two touchdowns on Saturday against Buffalo. The 308 total yards of offense was the most by Mack this season. It was the second time this year Mack has rushed for multiple touchdowns. He rushed for three scores in the win over Hampton.
The 84 rushing yards by Mack is the fifth most by an ODU quarterback, and the most since Thomas DeMarco's record-setting 224 yard game against NC Central on Nov. 7, 2009.
ODU Single-Game QB Rushing Yards
| Rank | Player | Rush Yards |
| 1. | Thomas DeMarco | 224 |
| 2. | Thomas DeMarco | 136 |
| 3. | Thomas DeMarco | 113 |
| 4. | Thomas DeMarco | 108 |
| 5. | D.J. Mack Jr. | 84 |