ODU vs. VT Recap

By David Asbury

Tech still stuck in the elevator
ODU improved to 2-1 defeating the Virginia Tech Hokies 45-26.  But don't let the score fool you.  This game was dominated by the Monarchs, bulldozing the Hokies en route to a 31-0 lead in the third quarter.  All of Tech's points were scored in garbage time when the game was already decided and the stadium emptied. 

When Virginia Tech first scheduled the series with Old Dominion, they thought they would win pretty much every single game.  They never expected that ODU would be close to amounting to an even rivalry (yes, the ACC Network called it a rivalry that I'm dubbing the Elevator Brawl).  The Monarchs are now 3-4 against the Hokies since the first game played in 2017.  Comparatively, UVA has only won 3 games in their annual rivalry game with Virginia Tech between 1998 and 2024. This is ODU's first victory in Blacksburg, first victory against a P4 team on the road, and third victory against a P4 team with all three coming against the Hokies.

The Hokies were predicted to struggle against Colton Joseph and did they ever.  Joseph smoked them on the ground and in the air.  He threw for 276 yards and two touchdowns.  He ran for another 63 yards and another touchdown.  He seems to be getting into a groove with his receivers averaging 12.5 yards per attempt.  He carved up the P4 rival and, most importantly, he took care of the ball.  No interceptions, no fumbles.  Joseph said ever since ODU’s 37-17 home loss to the Hokies a year ago, “I’ve had this penciled on my schedule.”  Joseph is the man. 

Colton Joseph had this game circled on the calendar all year and put on a show. Photo courtesy of CB Sports Photography.

The offense overall did an amazing job gaining 527 total yards and scoring more points on Virginia Tech than either SEC team Tech has played this season. The 45 points scored were the most by ODU against a P4 school since the 49 ODU put on Virginia Tech in 2018  The offense moved the ball very well and consistently going on scoring drives of 93, 97, 88, and 77 yards.  Besides Joseph, Trequan Jones stood out on the ground gaining 101 yards and a touchdown.  It is safe to say that he is RB1 going forward.  But the other backs will have their carries with Devin Roche and Maurki James both scoring touchdowns of their own. The Monarchs ran for 251 rushing yards.  At this point, it is clear the Monarchs have the best rushing attack in the Sun Belt.   Running backs coach Tony Lucas and offensive line coach Alex Huetell deserve their flowers.  If this offensive production continues, then the Monarchs are Sun Belt contenders.

On paper, the defense had a below average game allowing 433 yards, and allowing Drones to score four touchdowns.  But sometimes statistics can be misleading.  The defense allowed a lot of yards but shut out the Hokies for the entire first half.  The four touchdowns were all scored in garbage time.  The bend-don't-break defense is working.  Especially when they generate turnovers.  The Monarchs recovered two fumbles and an interception in the first half to contribute to the shut out.  Safety Jerome Carter especially shined with his interception, four tackles, and pass deflection.  Safety/linebacker Jeremy Mack forced a fumble, had one TFL and led the teams in tackles with nine.  The Monarchs also sacked Drones four times which portends well for conference play.  Defensive coordinator Blake Seiler deserves his flowers.

Those who sacked Drones include Javen Gibson (1.5), Keshawn Thomas (1), Cole Daniels (1), and Kris Trinidad (.05). Photo courtesy of CB Sports Photography.

Virginia Tech is in shambles.   VT now has their first 0-3 start since 1987, Frank Beamer's first year as head coach.  The Hokies are not just losing but they are looking bad while doing it.  When they finally did score points in this game, it was the first time scoring in 70:08 minutes going back to last week against Vandy.  The VT offense is bad.  The VT defense is bad.  There is not much more to say really.  And that's why Brent Pry was relieved of his duties on Sunday. The Coach whose tenure was bookended by losses to Old Dominion is set to collect a nice buyout and gets a head-start on the rest of the college football coaches in finding what is next for him.

The other sideline looks good.  The Monarchs are looking like the best team in the Sun Belt and, for the first time, Rahne has won more than one game in non-conference play.  This is huge for him and the program.  In years past, the Monarchs would dig themselves into a hole with a 1-3 non-conference record they would have to dig out of in conference play.  Not this year.  By winning now, ODU gives itself a little more room for error in returning to bowl eligibility. They would only have to go 4-4 in conference play to go bowling, 3-5 if they defeat that team from Lynchburg in week 5.  But ODU has higher aspirations than that. All offseason the team has said the goal is a Sun Belt Championship and this looks good enough to do it.  With so many Sun Belt teams struggling (cough cough, all of them but JMU), the Monarchs should be the favorites going forward.  Ol' Dirty could have their first winning season since 2016 and bring a title game to Norfolk.  Ricky Rahne would likely get extended and deservedly so.  I believe! Do you?