Game Seven Preview: Old Dominion vs. Texas State

NORFOLK, Va. - Old Dominion University Football returns home for the first time in a month to host Texas State on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 3:30 p.m. in the annual Homecoming game.

• Old Dominion capped off a three-game road trip with a 2-1 record after a 21-14 win at Georgia State.

• Colton Joseph made his third career start, completing 14-of-23 passes for 141 yards, one touchdown and interception. He also had 11 carries for 98 yards.

• ODU rushed 45 times for 202 yards and two touchdowns in the win at Georgia State. Joseph led the way with 98 yards, while Tariq Sims recorded career highs for 14 carries for 55 yards and a touchdown. Devin Roche made his first start of the season and had 11 attempts for 38 yards and a touchdown.

• Safety Mario Easterly recorded his first career start and had a game-high seven tackles and a pass breakup.

• Linebacker Mario Thompson had five tackles, a sack, pass breakup and recovered a fumble to clinch the win.

• Texas State defeated Arkansas State last week 41-9 in San Marcos. Quarterback Jordan McCloud leads the Sun Belt in total offense with 319 yards per game and running back Ismail Mahdi leads the league in rushing with 84.5 yards per game.

• This will be the first meeting between ODU and Texas State. This is the third and final time this season ODU will play an opponent for the first time in the regular season. ODU lost at South Carolina in the opener and defeated Bowling Green in the first game between each school.

Patience Pays Off
Running back Tariq Sims is in his fourth year in Norfolk and coming into last week’s game at Georgia State had 36 career carries for 111 yards and a touchdown. In the win over the Panthers, Sims had 14 attempts for 55 yards and a touchdown. Both career highs in carries and yards. His previous career highs were nine carries for 36 yards, which he did in last year’s win over Georgia State.

Sims Career Totals

Roche Lets Loose
Running back Devin Roche was banged up early in the season but back-to-back weeks has had double-digit carries and has scored a touchdown in consecutive games. 

Roche By the Numbers

Offense Gaining Steam
Old Dominion had 343 yards of total offense in the win at Georgia State. The Monarchs had 202 rushing and 141 through the year. The last two weeks have produced the two highest totals in yards for ODU this season.

Total Yards

Homecoming Festivities
Tailgate lots will open at 10 a.m. to allow extra time for entry prior to the ODU Homecoming Parade. From 11 a.m.-noon, entry will be temporarily restricted and lots will re-open at noon.