ODU football | There's a first time for everything ...

First game ball

The first game ball came from the sky. No, really. Two parachutists landed on top of the Old Dominion logo at midfield and presented the pigskin to athletic director Jim Jarrett and his wife, Sugie.

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First national anthem

The first rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" was performed by - who else? - the ODU marching band. There were no words. Just chords. And the first note was played at 5:59 p.m.

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First coin toss

The first coin toss didn't go in ODU's favor. Chowan won the flip, but like a nice guest deferred until the second half. The Monarchs elected to receive the ball.

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First kickoff

Guns N' Roses' "Welcome to the Jungle" blared from the loudspeaker before Chowan kicker Cory Cline's right foot smacked the ball. After the ball fell to the turf 64 yards downfield, T.J. Cowart scooped it up and returned it 45 yards to the Chowan 49-yard line.

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First play from scrimmage

The first play from scrimmage ended where it started - the Chowan 49-yard line. Old Dominion quarterback Thomas DeMarco was stopped by Hawks linebacker Richard Schott for no gain.

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First pass

When ODU quarterback Thomas DeMarco connected with Reid Evans on a bubble screen for a 25-yard gain, the Monarchs' air attack took flight. The play resulted in the Monarchs' first first down.

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First points

The first points of the game were produced by ODU kicker Drew Hareza, who converted a 39-yard field goal with 12:42 left in the first quarter to push the Monarchs ahead 3-0.

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First sack

ODU gang-tackled Chowan quarterback C.J. Westler 10 yards behind the line of scrimmage for the Monarchs' first sack. Defensive linemen Chris Burnette and Andrew Turner worked together to bring Westler down on Chowan's fourth offensive play.

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First touchdown

It was beautiful from start to finish. ODU's Thomas DeMarco lofted a pass to Marquel Thomas, who blew past the coverage along the right sideline before plucking the ball out of the air. Fifty yards from where the play originated, Thomas was in the end zone as ODU seized a 10-0 lead with 10:34 left in the first quarter.

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First turnover

The first mistake was committed by Chowan, when sophomore J.J. Spates fumbled the ball at the Hawks' 31-yard line. Nine yards downfield, ODU defensive back Devon Simmons picked it up with 9:38 left in the first quarter.