| Old Dominion (0-1) vs. North Carolina Central (1-1) | |
| Date | Saturday, Sept. 6 • 6 p.m. • Norfolk, Va.. • S.B. Ballard Stadium |
| Where to Watch | ESPN+ |
| Listen | ODU Sports Network |
| Series | ODU Leads 2-0 |
| Game Notes | Old Dominion NCCU |
NORFOLK, Va. - Old Dominion Football hosts North Carolina Central on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 6 p.m. in the 2025 home opener.
The game will be on ESPN+ and on the ODU Sports Network.
• The Monarchs fell at No. 20 Indiana, 27-14, in the season opener last Saturday.
• North Carolina Central lost to New Hampshire 27-10 last Saturday. The Eagles opened the season with a Week 0 win over Southern, 31-14.
• On the first play of the game, Colton Joseph rushed up the middle for a 75-yard touchdown to give ODU a 7-0 lead over the Hoosiers. It was the longest career run for Joseph, until the fourth quarter. In the fourth, Joseph ran around the left end for a 78-yard touchdown run. He became the first Monarch to record two 75+ yard touchdown runs in the same game. His 179 yards rushing were a career-high and second most by an ODU quarterback. The 179 yards are the second most in a game this season.
• ODU scored a touchdown on its first play of the game for the second-straight game. In last year’s season finale, Quinn Henicle went 92 yards for a touchdown on ODU’s first offensive play of the game. Last Saturday in the opener at Indiana, Colton Joseph went 75 yards on ODU’s first snap of the game.
• Safety Mario Easterly led the Monarchs and recorded a career high 13 tackles against the Hoosiers. Jerome Carter, notched a career best 11 tackles in his first career start.
• Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding caught a career high four passes for 35 yards. Tre’ Brown, Ja’Cory Thomas and Trequan Jones caught their first career passes.
Quick Strike Times Two
ODU scored on its first offensive snap for the second straight game when Colton Joseph ran for a 75 yard touchdown at Indiana. In the 2024 finale at Arkansas State, Quinn Henicle rushed for a 92-yard touchdown on the first snap.
ODU is the eighth team to do that and one game short of tying Georgia Tech for the record.
Consecutive Games Scoring on First Offensive Play
| Team | Year | Games with 1st Play Score | Opponents |
| Georgia Tech | 2011 | 3 | WCU, MTSU, Kansas |
| Old Dominion | 2024-25 | 2 | Arkansas St., Indiana |
| Ball State | 2021 | 2 | Army, Western Michigan |
| Michigan State | 2021 | 2 | Northwestern, Youngstown St. |
| App State | 2014 | 2 | Liberty, Troy |
| Rice | 2014 | 2 | North Texas, FIU |
| Kansas State | 2008 | 2 | North Texas, MTSU |
| Louisville | 2007 | 2 | Murray St., MTSU |
| Alabama | 2007 | 2 | WCU, Vanderbilt |
Colton Clicks
In his first season-opening start at quarterback, Colton Joseph ran for a 75-yard touchdown run on the first play of the game against Indiana. Later in the fourth quarter, Joseph pushed for a 78-yard score.
For the game he rushed for a career high 179 yards on 10 carries and the two touchdowns.
It was his third career 100-yard rushing game.
Joseph completed 11-of-22 passes for 96 yards and three interceptions.
Joseph Runs Big
Colton Joseph had two touchdown runs of 75+ yards at Indiana, and they are two of the four longest runs in FBS so far this season. His 78-yard TD run in the fourth quarter is the second longest run on the year. It is the second-straight game an ODU quarterback ran for a 75+yard touchdown, as Quinn Henicle had a 92-yard touchdown run in last year’s finale at Arkansas State.
Longest FBS Runs this Season
| Player | Pos. | School | Gain | Opponent |
| Dante Dowdell | RB | Kentucky | 79 | Toledo |
| Colton Joseph | QB | ODU | 78 | Indiana |
| Colton Joseph | QB | ODU | 75 | Indiana |
| Robert Henry | RB | UTSA | 75 | Texas A&M |
| King Miller | RB | USC | 75 | Missouri St. |
Easterly Packs the Punch
Safety Mario Easterly led the defense against Indiana with a career high 13 tackles, surpassing his career high of eight in the first half. Along with Easterly, Jerome Carter had a career high 11 stops in his first career start.
Mack Attack
A linebacker/safety hybrid, Jeremy Mack had three sacks in 2024 and picked up his first sack of the season at Indiana. He also had six tackles.
Drive Smart
Before we pack Ballard Stadium with cheers and touchdowns, don’t forget the most important play of the night—a safe ride home. Drunk driving is never worth the risk. Call a cab, grab a rideshare, or have a designated driver ready to go. Visit WhatsYourGamePlan.org to take the pledge to drive safe. Let’s keep this game day a win on all fronts! This message is brought to you by DRIVE SMART Virginia and the Virginia DMV’s Highway Safety Office.
Up Next
ODU hits the road to take on its second Power Four opponent of the season as the Monarchs take on Virginia Tech on Saturday, Sept. 13 in Blacksburg.