Through unforgiving rain and steady wind, Old Dominion football persevered and held off Liberty in a hard fought 21-7 win at S.B. Ballard Stadium on Saturday night.
Old Dominion entered the game well rested following a bye week, though the team’s last game was against in-state P4 rival Virginia Tech, where the Monarchs came out victorious by a 45-26 score and improved their record to 2-1. Liberty, who traveled to Norfolk looking to break its three-game losing streak after beginning the season 1-3, fell to James Madison last weekend, 31-13.
Liberty chose to open the first half with the ball, though the end of their possession resulted in a wide left field goal. However, a fumble in the red zone from the Monarchs gave the Flames a second opportunity to roll down the field, but holding and false start penalties kept the game scoreless for both teams by the end of the first quarter.
It took eight minutes of the second quarter for the first touchdown of the game to be scored after ODU’s Colton Joseph connected with TJ Johnson for a 22-yard touchdown. The Monarchs carried this momentum with them, scoring four minutes later in courtesy of a 31-yard receiving touchdown from Ja’Cory Thomas. Jeremy Mack Jr. intercepted a pass from Liberty’s quarterback Ethan Houck shortly after to give Old Dominion the ball back, though an ODU fumble at the goal line would keep the score at 14-0 by halftime.
The Flames took charge to begin the third quarter with Julian Gray rushing four yards into the endzone. Old Dominion tried to regain their two-possession lead with a field goal at the two minute mark, though similarly to Liberty’s attempt earlier in the night, it was wide left.
Up 14-7, Joseph found Thomas once again for a 55-yard touchdown just under two minutes into the fourth quarter, marking the longest passing play this season. With under five minutes left of the game, Old Dominion attempted another field goal, though that too was unsuccessful. Nonetheless, Liberty was unable to respond to the Monarchs’ momentum, giving ODU its third win of the season by a 21-7 score.
ODU led the way in total yards with 489 to Liberty’s 203 while also having the only three passing touchdowns of the game. Liberty had the solo rushing touchdown and was 6-12 in completions. The Monarchs had a game-high three sacks, though both teams struggled with fumbles and interceptions.
Joseph ended the night 18-26 with 271 yards and three touchdowns, while Thomas led the way in touchdowns with two on top of 114 yards. Johnson had one touchdown and 22 yards while Tre Brown had the second-most yards with 81. Kris Trinidad and Fred Giles both ended the night with one sack each, Trinidad also accounting for two TFL.
Old Dominion remains home to host its first Sun Belt Conference game of the season against Coastal Carolina on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 6 p.m.. The Chanticleers are 2-2 and are coming off of a 38-20 road win over South Alabama in their SBC opener.
