Mark your calendars

   If you are on this blog, then you are one of those people itching to see some ODU football. You are not alone.

   So when can we see some legit football?

   Circle Sept. 27 on your calendar.

   ODU coach Bobby Wilder said today that he's targeted his three dates for full-blown scrimmages.

   The first will be Sept. 27 at 6 p.m. at Powhatan Field, where Maury and Granby play their high school games.

   The second is set for Oct. 25, also at 6 p.m.

   The last will be Nov. 22 at 1:30. Evidently, that one will be part of the homecoming action that weekend.

   "We know our fans need to practice their tailgating," Wilder said.

   Practice makes perfect, right?

   Speaking of practice, here's what the Monarchs will be doing in August.

   On Aug. 13, don't expect much. While it's the first day that the team can convene, there won't be any real practices. That will be a day for meetings and check-ins and such. Then there will be five straight days of one-a-day practices.

   On Aug. 19, the squad will start alternating two-a-days with one-a-days.

   On Aug. 21, there will be a major controlled scrimmage, but it won't be open to the public. Sorry everyone, but Powhatan Field isn't available that day. So the scrimmage will take place on the yet-to-be-finished practice field running along Powhatan Ave.

   That day's scrimmage will be open to media only.

   So what should fans expect from the three full-blown scrimmages? No score, a lot of variations of where the offense starts, a halftime -- "Hey, we've got to practice those too," Wilder said -- and about two hours of simulated football.

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