| Old Dominion (1-1) vs. East Carolina (0-2) | |
| Date | Saturday, Sept. 19 • 6 p.m. • Norfolk, Va. • S.B. Ballard Stadium |
| Where to Watch | ESPN+ |
| Listen | ODU Sports Network |
| Series | ECU Leads 5-0 |
| Game Notes | Old Dominion ECU |
NORFOLK, Va. - Old Dominion University Football hosts East Carolina on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m.
The game will be streamed on ESPN+ and broadcast on ESPN Radio 94.1
• ODU fell at Virginia Tech last Saturday in Blacksburg, 44-21.
• East Carolina dopped a 27-24 decision to App State.
• Quarterback Quinn Henicle accounted for 270 yards of total offense, threw for one touchdown and passed for another in the loss to Virginia Tech. His 76-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter is his fourth career touchdown run of 50+ yards in his career and second against Virginia Tech. In 2024 against the Hokies, he rushed for a 65-yard touchdown.
• Wide receiver Josh Rodriguez had the best game of his young career, catching three passes for 89 yards at Tech. All three went for 20+ yards, including a 34-yarder that set up ODU’s first touchdown.
• Mario Thompson had a game-high 11 tackles and half a tackle for loss for ODU against the Hokies.
Eichner From Deep
Kicker Nathanial Eichner drilled a career long 51-yard field goal to close the first half at Virginia Tech. It was ODU’s longest field goal since Ethan Sanchez make a 53-yarder at Bowling Green in 2024. Jarod Brown holds the school record, a 54-yarder in 2013 at Pitt. Brown’s field goal was at the time the longest field goal in Heinz Field History.
ODU Longest field goal made
| Rank | Field Goal Distance | Player | Opponent | Date |
| 1. | 54 | Jarod Brown | at Pitt | 10/19/2013 |
| 2. | 53 | Ethan Sanchez | at Bowling Green | 9/28/2024 |
| 3. | 52 | Jarod Brown | The Citadel | 9/21/2013 |
| 4. | 51 | Nathanial Eichner | at Virginia Tech | 9/12/2026 |
| 51 | Jarod Brown | Duquesne | 9/1/2012 | |
| 51 | Jarod Brown | at Georgia State | 9/10/2011 |
Close Foe
Following Saturday’s game against East Carolina, ODU will have played its closest FCS and FBS foes this season.
ODU opened the season with Norfolk State, which is just five miles away.
ECU is the closest FBS foe at 125 miles away in Greenville, North Carolina.
Closest FBS Schools to ODU (Played at least one game against)
| School | Distance in Miles |
| East Carolina | 125 |
| Virginia | 165 |
| NC State | 191 |
| Liberty | 194 |
| North Carolina | 203 |
| Maryland | 216 |
| James Madison | 219 |
| Wake Forest | 267 |
First Time Starters
ODU had eight first time NCAA starters in the win over Norfolk State. The Monarchs had the same 22 starters against Virginia Tech.
First Time Starters
Norfolk State (8)
| Player | Position |
| JJ Harrell | Wide Receiver |
| Josh Rodriguez | Wide Receiver |
| Logan Cox | Right Guard |
| Kendrick Hall | Left Tackle |
| Leon Haughton | Tight End |
| Daevon Iles | Safety |
| Javen Gibson | Defensive End |
| Lucas Struck | Safety |
Welcome to College Football
ODU played a pair of first year players in the season opener against Norfolk State. Talan Babin had two tackles and a tackle for loss, while Shaq Leaks played primarily on special teams.
First Year Players Making College Debut
Norfolk State (2)
Talan Babin
Shaq Leaks
Virginia Tech (1)
Malachi Harris
Up Next
ODU hosts James Madison on Saturday, Sept. 26 in the TowneBank Royal Rivalry. The Contest will be the Sun Belt Conference opener for both teams.
Jeff & Billye Chernitzer Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony
The 2026 Jeff and Billye Athletics and Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony is set for Friday, Sept. 25 at Chartway Arena. Quarterback Taylor Heinicke will be honored along with four other inductees. Heinicke won the prestigious Walter Payton Award and earned First Team All-American honors after leading the nation in nearly every major passing category in 2012.
The event begins at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour with programming beginning at 7 p.m. Click here to purchase tickets.