ODU Athletics

Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding Extends for the Touchdown.

Old Dominion opened Sun Belt Conference play in front of a family-filled crowd with a 47-7 victory over Coastal Carolina last Saturday night, Oct. 4.

The Chanticleers arrived in Norfolk with an even 2-2 record following their first SBC win, 38-20, against South Alabama the previous week. The Monarchs, meanwhile, entered the game with a 3-1 record, running on a three-game win streak after downing Liberty 21-7 last weekend.

After a 49-yard pass to wide receiver Tre Brown, Monarch quarterback Colton Joseph opened the first quarter with a three-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding. ODU’s defense held strong, shutting down Coastal Carolina quarterback Tad Hudson before closing out the quarter with a 27-yard field goal, courtesy of Riley Callaghan.

Joseph continued on his hot streak, connecting with Ke’Trevion Hargrove for an 80-yard touchdown. ODU continued its momentum as Joseph found Abdul-Rahim Gladding twice in the quarter, once for a 13-yard touchdown and again for a 10-yard touchdown. Callaghan nailed another field goal, this time 34-yards to end the half, giving the Monarchs a 34-0 lead as they headed to the locker room.

Old Dominion didn’t plan on going easy into the second half, as Joseph rushed for a 50-yard touchdown just under three minutes into the third quarter. Callaghan followed suit with a 20-yard field goal over four minutes later, giving ODU the advantage of a 44-0 lead going into the final quarter.

Coastal Carolina kicked into gear and grabbed their first touchdown in the fourth quarter, as Husdon connected with Cameron Wright for a three-yard touchdown to put the Chanticleers on the board. However, Callaghan would once again end the quarter with a field goal from 26-yard away, giving the game to Old Dominion by a 47-7 score.

Old Dominion had 619 yards to Coastal Carolina’s 189 yards, along with 317 rushing yards to CCU’s 81 even though the Chants had an extra minute of possession. The Monarchs had four sacks and 11 TFL to end the night as well.

Joseph ended the night 17-30 with four touchdowns, including one rushing, with 315 total yards. Abdul-Rahim Gladding led the Monarchs with three touchdowns and 101 yards, while Brown followed suit with 85 yards, andHargrove had 82. Four different Monarchs had a sack, though Jarome Carter had a team-high of 12 tackles.

Old Dominion hits the road for another SBC challenge against Marshall on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 3:30 p.m. The Herd are 2-3 overall with an 0-1 SBC record after falling to Louisiana 54-51 in 2OT on Sep. 27.