The Virginian-Pilot
©
Anybody for an encore?
With the euphoria of actual football at Old Dominion still fresh, the Monarchs head into Year 2 hoping to match the success of 2009.
At least this time around, everybody knows who will be at the controls.
Thomas DeMarco was one of the nation’s most proficient dual-threat quarterbacks in the Football Championship Subdivision a year ago, throwing for 21 touchdowns and rushing for 17.
“The one thing he struggled with at times last season was his accuracy,” Wilder said, pointing to DeMarco’s 53.7 completion percentage. “He’s been much more on mark this preseason.”
The receiving corps is essentially back, led by Nick Mayers and Reid Evans, with junior college transfer Prentice Gill bolstering the unit.
Running by committee appears to once again be ODU’s approach, with Mario Crawford, Desmond Williams, Jamar Parham and true freshman Colby Goodwyn all expected to contribute.
Shortly after going 9-2 in ’09, Wilder landed two established veterans for his defensive line, signing Hofstra defensive tackle Ronnie Cameron and end Deron Mayo when the Pride’s program was disbanded.
“I’d like to think our defensive front four is now a middle-of-the-road unit in the Colonial Athletic Association,” Wilder said.
That’s a good thing for the Monarchs because last year’s unit was not nearly ready to face CAA competition. With the CAA as the destination for the Monarchs in 2011, every step the squad takes in bringing itself to CAA talent is a big one.
ODU’s offensive line is not as well positioned, having been hit by bothersome injuries and defections. But left tackle Tobin Cameron and center Jeremy Hensley give what is there a solid foundation.
At linebacker, Wilder hopes a move from strong safety to outside linebacker by Craig Wilkins proves beneficial.
ODU’s secondary looks solid, with Devon Simmons and T.J. Cowart leading the way. Simmons led ODU in interceptions last season with four.
The Monarchs were already strong in special teams, led by All-American punter Jonathan Plisco and reliable placekicker Drew Hareza.
Rich Radford, 446-2463 rich.radford@pilotonline.com
____
Game-by-game
Sept. 4 | vs. Jacksonville, 6 p.m.
The skinny A year ago, the Monarchs pulled out a 28-27 victory at Jacksonville. It was ODU’s first win over a Division I opponent and trumpeted the program’s arrival. Josh McGregor returns at quarterback for the Dolphins and has had a solid preseason. Still, the Dolphins (7-4 a year ago) might not be ready for the atmosphere at Foreman Field. And Jacksonville lost six starters on defense.
____
Sept. 11 | at Campbell, 1 p.m.
The skinny The Camels, playing their second season of football existence in 2009, improved as the season wore on and finished 3-8. They fell 28-17 at ODU along the way. This time, the Monarchs return the trip, traveling to Buies Creek, N.C. ODU expects to take a lot of fans to Campbell.
Ticket info. www.campbell.first-sports.com
____
Don’t miss
Sept. 18 | vs. William and Mary, 7 p.m.
The skinny The Tribe will be ODU’s first taste of CAA football. W&M made the FCS semifinals last fall and finished 11-3. This game was originally contracted for the 2009 season, but the Tribe let the young Monarchs off the hook and pushed back the start of the series. While it still might be too soon for the Monarchs to tackle this established program, this will be a measuring stick game for ODU.
____
Sept. 25 | at Monmouth, 1 p.m.
The skinny The Hawks stuck ODU with the program’s first loss of 2009. The Monarchs will be looking for retribution, and ODU is better this season in one key area: the defensive front. The Hawks, 5-6 in '09, took advantage of the undersized Monarchs a year ago.
Ticket info. www.GoMUHawks.com
____
Oct. 2 | vs. Gardner-Webb | 6 p.m.
The skinny The Monarchs added this Big South member to beef up the schedule. Gardner-Webb is coming off a 6-5 campaign. This will be the second of three consecutive road games for the Bulldogs, who travel to Sam Houston State the previous week and could be road weary by the time they get to Norfolk.
____
Oct. 9 | vs. Cal Poly, 6 p.m.
The skinny This is a one-shot deal for the Mustangs, picked by many to win the Great West Conference. Cal Poly has 11 starters back on offense, 8 on defense. And last year’s 4-7 record was an aberration for a team that won 7 or more games the prior three seasons. The ODU game will be Cal Poly’s fourth game of a five-game road stretch ... and by far the Mustangs’ longest trip.
____
Oct. 23 | vs. Georgia State, 3:30 p.m.
The skinny Bill Curry’s start-up team has received a lot of publicity and will follow the Monarchs into the CAA in 2012. The Panthers were an August cover story on ESPN The Magazine. Curry has been the head coach at Georgia Tech, Alabama and Kentucky, where his overall record is 83-105-4.
____
Oct. 30 | at Hampton, 1 p.m.
The skinny It will take the Monarchs about 20 minutes to drive to this road game. Hampton, 5-6 a year ago, is expected to contend for a MEAC title this season. This game is sandwiched right in the middle of MEAC play for the Pirates, who host Bethune-Cookman the following week in a homecoming game.
Ticket info. (757) 728-6828
____
Nov. 6 | vs. Savannah State, 2 p.m.
The skinny This will be a dangerous game for the Monarchs, seeing how Savannah State will be coming off a bye week. The Tigers, 2-8 last season, return a lot of talent and will be ramping up to prepare for their entry to the MEAC. QB Kurvin Curry is very athletic and hard to pin down.
____
Nov. 13 | vs. VMI, 3:30 p.m.
The skinny One of ODU’s biggest wins came at VMI, when the Monarchs closed out their six-game win streak at season’s end. But while the Keydets – 2-9 last season – lost 42-35, they ran all over ODU in the game. The Monarchs hope their beefed up defensive line can make a better showing this time around.
____
Nov. 20 | at North Carolina Central, 2 p.m.
The skinny ODU beat the Eagles 42-28 in a see-saw homecoming game a year ago. N.C. Central’s 4-7 record was a little deceiving. The Eagles were on the road for seven games. This year, they are at home for seven, which could make them very dangerous, particularly come the end of the season.
Ticket info. www.eaglelandonline.com
____
About ODU home tickets
The Monarchs have sold out season ticket packages and have no single-game tickets available. In instances when the students or opposing team do not claim all of their allotments, single-game tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. the Thursday before game day. Call (888) 3-COXTIX or visit www.coxtix.com for updates.
____
Prediction: 8-3
An upgraded schedule will challenge the Monarchs. William and Mary will very likely come to Norfolk ranked in the Top 5 nationally and will want to make a statement against ODU in what should be the start of a competitive rivalry. Cal Poly has its sights set on the FCS playoffs. What the Monarchs have in their favor is confidence: They know how to win.
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Twitter
Google
Yahoo
Title IX??
WHERE IS ODU'S SOFTBALL TEAM? With the addition of mens Football, they agreed to add Softball as the womens sport. I haven't heard a peep since. Thre are a lot of talented softball players in this area, and if they want to play at the Division I leval, their only local choice is NSU. Why should JMU, GMU, and colleges from surrounding states get our best players? My daughter went all the way to Georgia State in Atlanta (who has a new startup Football team this year) to play D1 softball. It's a fine school, but it would have been nice to watch all the home games (at ODU).
When???
O-D-PHEEWW
Amen to the earlier posting. This God-forsaken newspaper thinks ODU is the ONLY team in the area. Can't wait til the tribe beat them senseless on 18 Sep. Stop scheduling cream puffs Wilder! If you can play Hampton then you can certainly schedule NSU. If you're scared, say you're scared! This town...and newspaper are pitiful!
ENOUGH !!
Why has this same article ran for several days in addition to other ODU headlines? I believe there are more football programs in the area including high schools that might be an interest to other readers and sport fans. We got the skinny on ODU; they are to be projected and appointed "THE COLLEGE TEAM" that represents Hampton Roads; that's all good, we get it; just listen to ESPN 94.1 from 3 to 6 pm; it's the ODU show when addressing local sports all other teams are ignored for the most part.