ODU Football Loses a Heartbreaker as Virginia Rallies to Win, 16-14, on a Last-Second Field Goal

By Harry Minium

CHARLOTTESVILLE – Old Dominion was 61 seconds away from what would have been one of its most storied football victories ever.

The Monarchs silenced a Scott Stadium crowd of 40,556 with an 11-play, 80-yard drive, capped by Hayden Wolff's 18-yard touchdown pass to Zack Kuntz, that gave the Monarchs a 14-13 lead over Virginia with 1:01 left.

For a few moments, the 2,000 or so Monarch fans in attendance held court, as their shouts of "ODU" reverberated around the stadium while Virginia's fans watched in stunned silence.

But led by standout quarterback Brennan Armstrong, the Cavaliers drove 56 yards in the final minute to set up a 26-yard field goal from Brendan Farrell that gave Virginia a 16-14 victory.

Kuntz, who is 6-foot-8, lined up on the extra-point block team and the kick sailed a foot or two above his outstretched hands.

A victory would have given ODU (1-2) a clean sweep of the state's two ACC schools. The Monarchs upset Virginia Tech, 20-17, in their season opener two weeks ago.

It was a heartbreaking way to lose, but coach Ricky Rahne said in the end, every loss hurts.

"I mean, they all hurt," said Rahne, ODU's Thurmond Family Head Coach. "It doesn't matter how they end.

"Our defense made plays all day. But a veteran quarterback made a couple of plays at the end that gave his team a chance to win.



"It was a good football game with two teams really battling it out. Ultimately, we didn't do enough to win the game."

Armstrong (20 of 37 passes for 284 yards) became Virginia's all-time leading passer.

Wolff played perhaps his best game of 2022, completing 23 of 37 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns

But the Monarchs were unable to mount sustained drives and the running game, while more productive than it was last week at East Carolina, produced just 89 net yards.

ODU's other touchdown came on a 32-second, 64-yard drive at the end of the first half, in which Wolff completed a 28-yard TD pass to Ali Jennings III.

"We had chances to make plays all day," Rahne said. "We were moving the ball but then we would do something stupid.

"We have to score more points."

ODU surrendered 513 yards, but its defense kept the Monarchs in the game by forcing and recovering fumbles on three Virginia drives into the red zone.

"This one really hurts," Wolff said. "Our defense played against a top NFL draft quarterback, and they played lights out. They forced turnovers, they gave us opportunities.

"As an offense, we just left too much on the field.

"This one hurts, knowing it was there for us and we didn't get it done."



The game's final two drives had fans from both teams on their feet.

ODU began its last drive on the Virginia 20 and twice converted on fourth down. The first came on a 22-yard pass to Kuntz that gave ODU a first down at its 44.

Then, on fourth and 15 at the Virginia 33, Wolff passed to an open Jennings, who was dragged down by a Cavaliers' defender before he could haul in the pass. A pass interference penalty gave ODU a first down at the 18.

Two plays later, Wolff connected with Kuntz for the touchdown.

Virginia's Nick Jackson caught the ensuing kickoff deep in the end zone and generally, players settle for a touchback when they are that deep.

But he returned the kick and found a seam that gave Virginia a first down at the 37.

"I'll bet if I go back and look at the tape, there are some (ODU) guys who slowed down because their off returner put his hands up like he they were going to let the thing go," Rahne said.

"I'm pretty sure most of the guys on their team thought they were going let the thing go."

Armstrong then threw a 30-yard pass to Lavel Davis Jr. and the Cavaliers were in business.



ODU hosts Arkansas State Saturday at 6 p.m. in its first Sun Belt Conference game ever. The Monarchs must quickly put aside Saturday's loss, Rahne said.

"Our team invested a lot this week to get ready for this game," Rahne said. "The hard part is that sometimes you invest so much, and you don't get the return.

"But that doesn't mean you quit investing. We have to go back Sunday and start investing again. When you do that, it shows the true character of a team.

"And I know the true character this team has."

NOTES: Redshirt freshman Chris Adams made his first career start at offensive right tackle … Nick Saldiveri made his 27th career start, but first at offensive right guard … Blake Watson had six carries for 40 yards on the first drive of the game after having five carries last week at ECU … ODU's opponent has scored first in the first three games this season … The defense forced three turnovers, the second time this season they forced three or more turnovers this season … In the opener against Virginia Tech ODU had four interceptions and fumble recovery. The Monarchs forced three fumbles … For the sixth time in his career, Blake Watson had 20+ carries. He finished with 21 carries for 70 yards … Ali Jennings III just missed his third-straight 100-yard receiving game, catching seven passes for 97 yards and a TD … Zack Kuntz had his best game receiving of the season, catching six passes for 83 yards and a score. Kuntz is the first receiver other than Jennings to score a touchdown … Tariq Sims carried for career-best five times for 17 yards … Linebacker Jason Henderson notched his third double-digit tackle game of the season, totaling a game-high 12 stops and a tackle for a loss … Virginia tried to test cornerback Tobias Harris and he finished with four pass breakups, the second most in a game in ODU history … Denzel Lowry had a career-high five tackles, one sack, a forced fumble and fumble recovery … Ryan Henry had seven stops, a sack and forced fumble.