| Old Dominion (0-0) vs. Norfolk State (1-0) | |
| Date | Saturday, Sept. 5 • 6 p.m. • Norfolk, Va. • S.B. Ballard Stadium |
| Where to Watch | ESPN+ |
| Listen | ODU Sports Network |
| Series | ODU Leads 4-0 |
| Game Notes | Old Dominion Norfolk State |
NORFOLK, Va. - Old Dominion University Football hosts crosstown foe Norfolk State in the season opener on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 6 p.m. at Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium.
The game is on ESPN+ and the radio broadcast will be on the ODU Sports Network.
• It is the first meeting between ODU and the Spartans since 2019. ODU opened Kornblau Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium agianst NSU with a 24-21 win in the season opener.
• ODU is coming off a 10-3 campaign in 2025 and a victory over South Florida in the StaffDNA Cure Bowl.
• The Monarchs finished the season on a six-game winning streak. The streak is tied for the third longest active win streak in the country, behind Indiana and Notre Dame.
• ODU returns eight starters from the 2025 season, including one on offense, five on defense and two specialists.
• Norfolk State went 1-11 in Mike Vick's first season as head coach last season but opened the season last week with a 56-0 thrashing over Winston-Salem State.
• Deljay Bailey threw for 119 yards and three touchdowns for the Spartans, while Jalyn Daniels rushed for 104 yards and a score. Elyjah Mitchell caught five passes for 50 yards and two touchdowns.
Captains
Head Coach Ricky Rahne named four captains for the 2026 season.
Quinn Henicle: Won the starting quarterback job not only for his ability but also for the leadership he provides. Henicle is 2-0 as a starting quarterback, earning Sun Belt Player of the Week honors in his first career start and Cure Bowl MVP honors in his second start.
Brayden Walker: The first transfer to be named captain without playing a down for ODU since Seamus Hall in 2024, Walker brings a toughness to a new offensive line group.
Mario Easterly: Primarily a wide receiver in high school that also played safety, Easterly has blossomed into one of the top safeties in the Sun Belt Conference. He led ODU in tackles last season with 80.
Koa Naotala: Former walk-on earned a scholarship in 2023. Earned second-team All-Sun Belt honors in 2024 after leading team in tackles. Third-straight season as a captain. Played in only one game last season.
Random Notes About Captains
Linebacker Koa Naotala is the first player under head coach Ricky Rahne to be a three-time team captain at Old Dominion. He becomes the first three-time team captain since Taylor Heinicke (2012-14), and the third ever, joining Craig Wilkins, who was a four-time team captain (2009-12).
Fifth and Final
Old Dominion has two players in their fifth season that have played at ODU their entire careers. Safety Mario Easterly and Koa Naotala.
Easterly led ODU in tackles last season with 80 and earned Sun Belt honorable mention honors. He has made 20 career starts at safety.
A former walk-on, Naotala missed all but one game last season but let ODU in tackles in 2024 with 88 and earned second team All-SBC.
Fifth Year Players that Played All Five Years at ODU
Mario Easterly
Koa Naotala
Six-Straight
Old Dominion ended the 2025 season on a six-game winning streak, currently the third longest active winning streak in the country and tied for the longest in program history.
Indiana has the longest streak at 16, with Notre Dame second at 10. The Monarchs are tied with Utah and Western Michigan with six-straight wins.
Longest Active Winning Streaks
| Team | Streak | 2025 Record |
| Indiana | 16 | 16-0 |
| Notre Dame | 10 | 10-2 |
| Old Dominion | 6 | 10-3 |
| Utah | 6 | 11-2 |
| Western Michigan | 6 | 10-4 |
One of Two and One of One
Old Dominion and Illinois are the only two programs in the country to return their leading tacklers from both the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
Koa Naotala led ODU in tackles in 2024 with 88 and Mario Easterly led the Monarchs with 80 stops in 2025. They both return for their fifth years.
Defensive back Matthew Bailey led Illinois in tackles in 2024 and 2025 and returns to the Fighting Illini’ in 2026.
Leading Returning Tacklers Last Two Seasons Still on Team
| School | 2024 Player | Tackles | 2025 Player | Tackles |
| Old Dominion | Koa Naotala | 88 | Mario Easterly | 80 |
| Illinois | Matthew Bailey | 94 | Matthew Bailey | 76 |
ODU to Wear Camo
The Monarchs will take the field in special Under Armour camouflage jerseys created specifically for the season opener. In a tribute that puts the focus squarely on Lt. Col. Shah, every jersey will feature “LTC Shah” on the back in place of individual player names.
These game worn uniforms will be made available for purchase during the game for $300, with all proceeds benefiting the family of LTC Shah. The link to purchase will be made available on Saturday.
Up Next
ODU travels to Virginia Tech to take on the Hokies on Saturday, Sept. 12 for a noon kick.