Monarchs are facing big challenge at VMI

Old Dominion's Monarchs didn't really practice this week as much as they tried to actually prepare for their season finale today at Virginia Military Institute.

Since VMI runs the triple-option, an offense ODU has yet to play against, the Monarchs scrapped their conventional practice approach.

Where they normally run their first-team offense against their first-team defense in some type of scrimmage situation every day, the Monarchs limited it to some red-zone work and two-minute drill work. And on Thursday, their last day of practice before leaving for Lexington, there was no conventional scrimmaging.

"This is just different than anything we've seen," ODU coach Bobby Wilder said. "VMI has shown a propensity for scoring on opponents early. It takes some time to get used to the rhythm of their offense."

Six players on ODU's scout team were wearing different numbers Thursday. Players like J.J. Williams, a linebacker who is red-shirting this season, wore No. 31 and simulated Howard Abeqesah, VMI's fullback.

The scout team players spent as much time studying film this week as they had all season, then attempted to portray what they saw on VMI's game film when they took to ODU's practice fields.

Defensive end Andrew Turner said the approach was necessary.

Pointing out that ODU is normally a zone read team defensively, Turner said that the Monarchs are "learning man-to-man defense and maintain our responsibilities this time out."

"We can't be greedy against these guys," Turner said. "This is a totally different monster. We have to sit back and hit our keys and our assignments.

"It was kind of weird, but we were practicing without a ball today."

The Monarchs (8-2) visit VMI (2-8) at 1:30 today at Alumni Stadium.

While the records of the teams are reversed, so are the schedules they have played.

ODU has played a softer, hand-picked schedule that was a good fit for the first-year program.

VMI, meanwhile, is coming off a 22-17 loss at Football Bowl Subdivision-member Army.

The two teams have one common opponent: VMI won at Presbyterian 31-20 on Oct. 24. Two weeks prior to that, ODU beat Presbyterian in Norfolk 34-16.

After taking a week off, Monarchs quarterback Thomas DeMarco said this game will serve in a sense as a playoff game for the Monarchs.

"We don't have anything to play for after this game," DeMarco said.

"This is it. We aren't going to get a call from the playoffs committee or a bowl committee. This is it. And we want to finish strong."

Notes: Wide receiver Alex Arain dislocated a finger catching a pass at practice on Wednesday and his playing time offensively could be limited. Arain, however, has been one of ODU's key special teams players and is expected to remain in the rotation there.