NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion quarterback Ryan Huff hit TJ Johnson for a 71-yard touchdown to pull ODU to within one score, but Georgia Southern held off the Monarchs 23-15 on Thursday night in front of a nationally televised audience on ESPN2.
Trailing 23-7 and with Georgia Southern driving in the fourth quarter, safety Shaq Leaks intercepted Turner Helton at the four to give ODU the ball. Three plays later, Huff hit Johnson down the left sideline to close the gap to 23-13. Huff then hit Leon Haughton for the two-point conversion to cut the lead to 23-15.
The Monarchs got the ball back and drove to the GS 40, but Huff got sacked on third down to force a punt. The Monarchs got the ball back once more at their own five with 1:49 to play, but Huff was sacked and fumbled, and Georgia Southern’s MJ Stroud recovered the fumble.
“Credit to Georgia Southern. They took advantage of more of their opportunities more than we did. That’s the story of the game,” ODU Head Coach Ricky Rahne said.
ODU got the ball first and drove 75 yards in 11 plays to take a 7-0 lead on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Quinn Heinicle to Haughton. On third and 15 Henicle hit Josh Rodriguez for a gain of 15, and then Henicle picked up a first down with an 11-yard run. Later in the drive, Maurki James ripped off a 12-yard run to set up the touchdown pass.
Georgia Southern took advantage of an ODU roughing the punter penalty and drove 75-yards in 11 plays and tied the score at 7-7 on an 11-yard run by Terrance Gibbs.
The Eagles took the lead on a Tripp Bryant field goal, taking advantage of an ODU fumble. Bryant’s 33-yard field goal gave GS a 10-7 lead early in the second quarter.
After the Eagles stopped the Monarchs on a fourth down, GS drove 42 yards in 10 plays and took a 13-7 lead on a 43-yard field goal by Bryant.
Georgia Southern added a third Bryant field goal, this one from 31-yards out, to take a 16-7 halftime lead.
Huff came in relief of Henicle late in the first half and completed 9-of-14 passes for 115 yards and the touchdown. Henicle was 6-of-10 for 86 yards and a score.
Lucas Struck tied his career high with 11 tackles, while Daevon Iles registered a career best 10 stops, as did Ja’Mez Drummer.
Notes: Mario Easterly recorded his first career start to force a Georgia Southern field goal … Devin Roche passed Thomas DeMarco for sixth in ODU history, with 1,461 career rushing yards … Shaq Leaks registered his first career interception … TJ Johnson’s 71-yard touchdown reception from Ryan Huff was ODU’s longest pass play of the season.