NORFOLK, Va. - Old Dominion University Football returns home for the first time in October when the Monarchs host App State on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the NFL Network.
| Old Dominion (3-3, 2-1 Sun Belt) vs. App State (3-3, 1-1 Sun Belt) | |
| Date | Saturday, Oct. 21 • 7 p.m. • Norfolk, Va. • Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium |
| Where to Watch | NFL Network |
| Listen | ODU Sports Radio Network |
| Series | App leads 3-0 |
| Game Notes | Old Dominion App State |
• Following its bye, Old Dominion hosts App State on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. on NFL Network.
• Prior to the bye week ODU won at Southern Miss 17-13. App State played last Tuesday and hosted Coastal Carolina, falling 27-24.
Today's game marks the 73rd addition of the Oyster Bowl and the12th time it's been played since ODU restarted football in 2009.
• Quarterback Grant Wilson entered the game in the second quarter and led ODU to three scoring drives, and the final drive that had two first downs to seal the win. Wilson was 8-of-18 for 194 yards and did not have a turnover.
• Running backs Kadarius Calloway and Keshawn Wicks combined for 147 yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns. Calloway started his first game of the year two hours from his hometown, and rushed for a game-high 93 yards. Wicks rushed for 54 yards and two touchdowns.
• Linebacker Jason Henderson had a game-high 17 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. He broke Jordan Young's career ODU record for tackles.
• The 276 yards of offense allowed by the defense was the fewest ODU has allowed to an FBS team this season.
This Date in History
This is the first time in ODU history playing on the date October 21.
How About a Break
ODU is 2-0 after its bye week under head coach Ricky Rahne.
2021 – Louisiana Tech W, 23-20
2022 – at Coastal Carolina W, 49-21
Calling in the Righty
Quarterback Grant Wilson replaced Jack Shields to begin the second quarter and helped lead the Monarchs to the come-from-behind victory.
Wilson completed 8-of-18 passes for 194 yards in the win.
Wilson started the first four games of the year but Shields took over in the win over Texas A&M Commerce and started last week at Marshall.
1-2 Punch
Kadarius Calloway started his first career game against Southern Miss and ran for a game-high 93 yards, while Keshawn Wicks rushed 10 times for 54 yards and two touchdowns.
The pair combined for 147 yards on 22 carries.
Returning All-American Jason Henderson
Junior linebacker recorded a game-high 17 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack in the win at Southern Miss.
The 17 tackles gave him his 21st double-digit tackle game of his career and sixth of the season.
2023 FBS Tackles Per Game Leaders
| Player | School | Tackles Per Game |
| Jason Henderson | Old Dominion | 15.3 |
| Jay Higgins | Iowa | 12.4 |
| Tyrice Knight | UTEP | 11.7 |
| Joe Sparacio | Eastern Michigan | 11.7 |
| Payton Wilson | NC State | 11.6 |
| Chase Kline | Eastern Michigan | 11.5 |
| Jett Johnson | Mississippi State | 11.0 |
| Terry Jones | Old Dominion | 10.5 |
| Donovan Manuel | FIU | 10.3 |
Active Career Double-Digit Tackle Leaders
| Player | School | Position | Games | Number |
| Nick Jackson | Iowa | LB | 50 | 22 |
| Jason Henderson | Old Dominion | LB | 30 | 21 |
| Darius Muasau | UCLA | LB | 54 | 18 |
| Jackson Mitchell | UConn | LB | 39 | 15 |
73rd Oyster Bowl
Today's game marks the 73rd addition of the Oyster Bowl and the
12th time it's been played since ODU restarted football in 2009.
ODU is 8-3 in the Oyster Bowl, while Taylor Heinicke is the only player to win the MVP award multiple times, winning it three times.
Oyster Bowl Results
| Year | Opponent | Result | MVP |
| 2011 | James Madison | W, 23-20 | Taylor Heinicke |
| 2012 | Delaware | W, 31-26 | Taylor Heinicke |
| 2013 | Albany | W,66-10 | Taylor Heinicke |
| 2014 | Louisiana Tech | W, 30-27 OT | David Washington |
| 2015 | Florida Atlantic | L, 33-31 | Jay Warren (FAU) |
| 2016 | FIU | W, 42-28 | Ray Lawry |
| 2017 | Rice | W, 24-21 | Steven Williams |
| 2018 | VMI | W, 77-14 | Jeremy Cox |
| 2019 | Charlotte | L, 38-22 | Alex Highsmith (Charlotte) |
| 2021 | Charlotte | W, 56-34 | Ali Jennings |
| 2022 | James Madison | L, 37-3 | Todd Centeio (JMU) |
| 2023 | App State |
Port Day
Saturday's game against App State is also Port Day.
Port Day Facts:
• By 2024, The Port of Virginia will be the deepest port on the US East Coast
• This port and its related activity is responsible for about 1 out of every 10 jobs across the Commonwealth
• On average, one out of every five students who intern with The Port of Virginia end-up with full-time jobs at the port.
• The port's total annual economic impact through Virginia is more than $100 million
• On a national level, the cargo moving through The Port of Virginia helps support nearly 1.3 million full-time and part-time jobs
• A 2021 report from the World Bank said The Port of Virginia was the most efficient port in the United States
• The Port of Virginia prides itself on hiring a diverse workforce. From our VPA Police Chief to Senior Leadership Officers to Operations Managers, women hold a wide variety of powerful, integral positions at The Port of Virginia.
• Our U.S. Navy is kept operational by our region's ship building & repair industrial base, the largest in the nation.
• Your port is a becoming a hub for offshore wind, which is already creating new jobs
• Your port is one of the busiest in the nation, receiving over 2,200 commercial ships last year.
• Virginia grown agricultural products are exported through your port to feed people throughout the world
• Throughout the pandemic your port kept supply chains moving and people working.