ODU Report: Big Blue takes lead in mascot contest

NORFOLK

Big Blue not only led the Old Dominion Monarchs onto the field Saturday, but he's also leading in the Capital One National Mascot of the Year Contest.

The contest pits college mascots against each other in a fan vote on the Internet each week. This week, Big Blue is paired against Mike the Tiger, LSU's mascot.

Big Blue led in voting 31,766 votes to 12,940 for Mike the Tiger at the time of kickoff Saturday night for the ODU-Jacksonville game.

Big Blue will take on "The Bird" from Air Force in next week's voting.

The Mascot of the Year contest runs through the season.

To vote, visit http://www.capitalonebowl.com/mascots.

Harper isn't ruling out return this season

Running back Angus Harper, who missed Saturday's opener with a lateral tear of the meniscus in his left knee, said he is not ruling out playing this season and is ahead of schedule in his recovery.

Harper injured the knee two weeks ago and had surgery to repair the tear just days after. Dr. John Schaffer, who performed the surgery, said Saturday he would not be surprised if Harper's knee was healthy enough to play against William and Mary in two weeks.

"I'm going to do whatever the coaches want me to do," said Harper, a 6-foot, 202-pounder who finished high school a semester early to enroll at ODU in January. "But yeah, I definitely want to play this year."

Game-ball perfection

Saturday's game ball came to Foreman Field via the 82nd Airborne Division's All-American Free Fall Team, 20 minutes before kickoff. A nd the landing was quite impressive.

Both paratroopers hit the school's emblem at midfield, and the second paratrooper who had the ball landed with his feet straddling the 50-yard line.

William and Mary game on Sept. 18 a 'white out'

ODU officials are promoting the Monarchs' home game against William and Mary in two weeks as a "white out" and are encouraging fans to wear white that night.

The game will be televised by Comcast SportsNet and is ODU's first legitimate night game, beginning at 7 p.m.

The Monarchs will also have a "blue out" game on Oct. 23 when they host Georgia State for homecoming.

The ODU Bookstore will be producing game-specific shirts for both games.

Quick kicks

Jonathan Plisco's first punt of the season following his All-American freshman season resulted in an 18-yard shank out of bounds.... ODU's Alumni Association has planned a pre-game gathering at Sagebrush Steakhouse in Buies Creek, N.C., at 11 a.m. prior to the Monarchs' game Saturday at Campbell. The game has a 1 p.m. kickoff.... Matt Carrillo, who is listed as ODU's No. 1 tight end on the team's depth chart, started at right tackle Saturday while James Edwards started at tight end. The Monarchs' offensive line has been decimated by injuries in the preseason.