| Old Dominion (0-1, 0-0 Sun Belt) vs. East Carolina (1-0, 0-0 American) | |
| Date | Saturday, Sept. 7 • 6 p.m. • Norfolk, Va. • Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium |
| Where to Watch | ESPN+ |
| Listen | ODU Sports Radio Network |
| Series | ECU Leads 4-0 |
| Game Notes | Old Dominion East Carolina |
NORFOLK, Va. - Old Dominion University Football hosts East Carolina in the 2024 home opener on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 6 p.m.
The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Chip Tarkenton and Andy Mashaw on the call, while Ted Alexander and James Witham have the action on ESPN Radio 94.1
• Old Dominion took its first lead of the game with 9:54 left in the fourth quarter on an Ethan Sanchez field goal but South Carolina scored a touchdown with just over six minutes remaining to escape with a 23-19 win.
• The game was both the hottest, 94 degrees, and the largest crowd, a sellout of 78,496, in ODU history.
• ODU played a Division I record 11 one-score games in 2023, going 6-5 in those games. Of the 11 one-score games, six came down to the final play of the game. ODU went 3-3 in those games.
• The one-score game continues for ODU as 13-of-its-last 15 games have been decided by one score.
• Senior wide receiver Isiah Paige caught eight passes for a career-high 115 yards and a touchdown at South Carolina. Paige’s 72-yard touchdown grab was his longest career reception.
TD Streak Continues
With his 72-yard touchdown pass to Isiah Paige, Grant Wilson has thrown at least one touchdown pass in eight-straight games. The streak began in last year’s Week seven win over App State.
Wilson completed 22-of-38 passes against South Carolina for 197 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. He also rushed for a 36-yard score.
Wilson Runs
Grant Wilson came into the game as ODU’s leading returner rusher. He showed off his wheels again with a 36-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter.
It was his fifth career rushing score and the longest of his career. He had a 79-yard scamper in the Famous Toastery Bowl against WKU but was taken down at the two.
Block Party
With Markus Knight’s blocked punt at South Carolina, ODU now has 13 blocked kicks since Ricky Rahne’s first season in 2021.
ODU blocked six kicks in 2021, four in 2022 and two in 2023.
Blocked Kicks Last Three Years
| School | Blocked Kicks |
| Old Dominion | 13 |
| Bowling Green | 13 |
| Texas | 12 |
| Middle Tennessee | 11 |
| Louisiana | 9 |
Punt Block Specialist
For the second time in four games, safety Markus Knight blocked a punt for the Monarchs. He blocked his first career punt last season in the win at Georgia Southern.
Still Tackling
ODU transfer Patrick Smith-Young led the Monarchs with nine tackles in the opener at South Carolina. Smith-Young was second on the North Texas squad last season with 77 tackles.
He also had 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack.
Smith-Young also recovered a fumble and returned it 37-yards to setup ODU inside South Carolina’s 10.
Hall of Fame
Saturday's game is ODU's Hall of Fame Game, as the newest inductees into the ODU Sports Hall of Fame will take place Friday night at Chartway Arena. Marty Bradley (Athletics Training), Trey Freeman (Men's Basketball), Christy Longacre Banks (Field Hockey), Evan Newton (Men's Soccer) and Jonathan Plisco (Football) will be honored Friday night and also during the game with an on-field ceremony during the first quarter.