The highly anticipated sixth meeting between ODU and Virginia Tech occurred on Saturday. Virginia Tech led the series 3-2, most recently defeating the Monarchs in 2023 with a decisive 35-17 win at Lane Stadium. The Hokies, however, had not secured a win in Norfolk, having been defeated in 2018 and 2022.
Regrettably for the Monarchs, the outcome of the contest did not align with their aspirations. While the home team remained competitive in the second quarter, they struggled to maintain their performance for the remaining 45 minutes, ultimately succumbing to a 20-point margin and a final score of 37-17.
In the opening of the game, ODU opted to defer possession to the second half, allowing the Hokies to start with the ball. The Hokies took advantage of this, with quarterback Kyron Drones connecting with wide receiver Jaylin Lane for a touchdown that capped a seven-play 76-yard drive, putting VT ahead 7-0.
ODU’s response saw RS Freshman Colton Joseph starting at quarterback, but the drive only resulted in one first down before a punt. After a fumble on the next drive, the coaching staff made a change, substituting true freshman Quin Henicle for the remainder of the game.
However, the Hokies extended their lead with another touchdown on fourth and goal as Drones snuck it into the end zone, putting ODU at a 14-0 deficit within the first ten minutes. Despite this, ODU’s defense prevented the Hokies from widening the gap further, with linebacker Koa Naotola making several pivotal plays.
In the second quarter, ODU rallied, scoring a touchdown and a field goal, narrowing the gap to 14-10. On first down, it was Henicle who deceived the Hokies defense with a read-option 65-yard scamper that made it a one-score game. Following the TD, ODU forced a missed-FG and drove the ball well into the red zone, but ultimately came away with three points. The team’s momentum was evident as their defense made solid tackles, and the home crowd remained hopeful going into halftime.
However, the second half saw the Hokies extend their lead, capitalizing on two field goals and further touchdowns, ultimately securing a 37-17 victory. Despite a late touchdown by ODU, the game concluded with the score exceeding the predicted spread of 16 points.
Overall, the game showcased moments of resilience and promise for ODU, particularly in the second quarter, but the Hokies ultimately secured a convincing win in the second half.
Joseph and Henickle managed only 6 of 14 completions, resulting in a modest 50-yard total passing. Despite an average of 6.2 yards per carry, and accumulating 243 yards on the ground, Tech’s 289 yards from 52 attempts, led to three touchdowns in the victory.
As Old Dominion approaches a crucial juncture in their season, Head Coach Ricky Rahne reflected on the team’s performance so far and the upcoming bye week. Rahne acknowledged the challenges faced thus far and emphasizes the need for improvement.
“I mean, listen, we gotta play better, and that’s the bottom line,” he said.
He views the bye week as a vital opportunity for the team to reassess their strategies and work on their health.
“But the bye week can give us an opportunity to re-evaluate some things that we’re doing to be able to play better football. The bye week can allow our guys to get healthier.”
Despite their efforts, Rahne is clear that the team has yet to reach its full potential and has been unable to deliver a complete game.
“I don’t think we’ve played our best football yet. And we haven’t played a complete game yet. And that’s been disappointing.”
Looking ahead at the schedule, the Monarchs will have a bye week before their upcoming game against Bowling Green in Ohio. Bowling Green, with a current standing of 1-1, is known for their robust out-of-conference schedule, having recently competed against Penn State (resulting in a loss with a score of 34-27) and with a future contest against Texas A&M scheduled for September 21st. The Monarchs will face the Falcons on Saturday, September 28th with kickoff at noon.
