BOONE, N.C. – Old Dominion running back Maurki James scored the game’s only touchdown from two yards out and the Monarch defense allowed just 158 yards as ODU won for the first time in Boone, defeating App State 10-3 on a rainy Saturday afternoon.
James’ touchdown was the deciding score, but the ODU defense was the story. App’s 158 yards of total offense was the second fewest allowed by an ODU defense. App had 60 yards in the first half, including just nine yards in the second quarter. The Mountaineers didn’t get any better as they had just four yards in the third quarter, before gaining 52 yards in the final frame.
“I thought our offense was able to run the football and our defense stopped the run,” ODU Head Coach Ricky Rahne said. “They tried to take some shots down the field, we played with great eye discipline, and guys were making plays over and over again. I’m just so proud of the entire team. I’m really proud of the whole game, guys were just having fun. It was awesome to see that. For a lot of people in those conditions, it isn’t fun, and our guys had fun that entire game. That was pretty special.”
Old Dominion (2-4, 1-2 Sun Belt) outgained App, 304-158 but trailed 3-2 early in the fourth quarter. The defense forced its seventh punt of the day, and the Monarchs took over at their own 35. ODU started the drive with a penalty but on third and six Quinn Henicle hit Kendall Harris for a gain of 17 yards to the App 44. ODU converted another third down, this one a third and three, as Devin Roche busted around the right side for a 32-yard gain to the App five. After gains of two and one by Roche and Henicle, James pushed in from two yards to put ODU on top, 8-3. Henicle found Josh Rodriguez in the end zone for the two-point conversion to give ODU a 10-3 advantage.
App State’s (3-2, 0-1 Sun Belt) final chance came with 1:51 to go in the game. The Mountaineers gathered one first down but on fourth and six, North Carolina native Brandon Crutchfield intercepted Henry Hasselbeck to seal the victory.
App State drove 59 yards in nine plays to open the third quarter, and James London hit a 34-yard field goal to give the Mountaineers a 3-0 lead.
On ODU’s next possession the Monarchs drove to the App 30 before Henicle was intercepted by Juan Berchal at the App six-yard line. The next play, App’s shotgun snap was low and the Mountaineers recovered in the end zone, for an ODU safety making the score 3-2 Mountaineers.
ODU went three and out on its first possession and Ian Brandt’s punt was blocked but the ODU defense forced a turnover on down by the Mountaineers.
On its second possession, ODU drove to the App 23, as Henicle rushed for 31-yards on the drive, but a 41-yard Nathanial Eicher field goal attempt was no good.
The Monarchs put together a 12 play, 62-yard drive that traveled to the App 21, but a 39-yard field goal attempt by Eichner was wide left.
Roche rushed a career high 23 times for 101 yards, while Henicle also toted a career best 26 times, for 88 yards. Kendall Harris caught three passes for 50 yards.
Lucas Struck had a team-high five tackles, while Javen Gibson delivered four tackles, all for loss, including a pair of sacks. Mario Thompson had two tackles for loss and Crutchfield had three stops and a pair of pass breakups.
Notes: First year safety Shaq Leaks made his first career start … ODU held App State to 60 yards in the first half; 51 in the first quarter and nine in the second quarter … The Monarchs outgained App 179-60 in the first half … The 158 yards was the second fewest ODU has allowed in program history, second only to the 138 allowed to Troy last season … Roche rushed for 101 yards, his fifth career 100-yard game and second of the season … Gibson’s four tackles for loss tied Chad King for the second most in school history. King recorded his four TFL’s in 2009 at Jacksonville … ODU won for the first time in four tries in Boone.