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Hampton University football coach Donovan Rose understands the intricacies of today's FCS playoff rivals, Norfolk State and Old Dominion, as well as anybody. But he won't attend the festivities at Foreman Field.
If he's not going on an official NCAA invitation, Rose said, he's not going.
"You couldn't ask for more from this game; the only thing I could ask for is to be playing in it," said Rose, whose Pirates (7-4) were the only common opponent of the Spartans and Monarchs, both 9-2, this season.
"So I'm gonna let them have their fun. I'll turn on the radio and listen every now and then."
On Sept. 17, the Monarchs took a wild 45-42 decision from Hampton at Foreman Field. Each team led three times, but the game turned on Hampton's disastrous fourth quarter in which ODU returned a blocked punt for a touchdown and forced two fumbles.
A month later at Hampton in their traditional "Battle of the Bay," Norfolk State grabbed a 20-point first-half lead, turned back the Pirates' rally and won 34-24.
Today's foes shared something else besides a date with Hampton: Each handed out an offensive thrashing. The Monarchs posted the most points against Hampton this year, and the Spartans rang up the most yards, 473.
ODU's different now, though; Rose faced quarterback Thomas DeMarco before his ankle injury forced ODU to turn to phenom Taylor Heinicke. The freshman with 15 touchdowns and one interception has expertly directed the Monarchs' rapidly run spread attack that's ninth nationally in scoring (35.8 per game).
But Rose praised the cool efficiency of Norfolk State senior Chris Walley (17 TDs, 4 INTs), who passed for 265 yards and three touchdowns with one interception against Hampton.
"That offense is suited great for him," Rose said. "They have a lot of short, high-percentage passes, so it's kind of hard to get to him. Every now and then he'll play-action, but he's not gonna sit back and just wait all day. I don't think it'll be that kind of party. He'll get rid of it quick."
Rose said ODU's offensive depth, its "aggressive" offensive line and tandem running backs Angus Harper and Colby Goodwyn, who pounded the Pirates for 190 yards and three TDs, stood out in his mind.
Defensively, though, Rose said Hampton went in thinking it could put up numbers on ODU, and it did - 397 yards, at an average of 5.2 per play.
The Spartans, though - albeit in the weaker MEAC - boast the fourth-toughest defense to score on (15.5 per game) in the FCS. And because multiple MEAC teams run a no-huddle spread, Rose said the Spartans won't be taken back by ODU's scheme, although ODU has the potential to wear down NSU.
"They're a senior-type team," Rose said of the Spartans. "They've seen it and they're gonna come ready to play. But like I say, ODU is balanced and talented and has a lot of depth at each position.
"You know they're gonna come to the line and try to attack you where you're not ready. But I think Norfolk playing West Virginia at the beginning of the year (the Spartans led 12-10 at the half, but lost 55-12) gave them confidence. I think they're pretty much prepared."
Rose will at least lend an ear, if not an eye, to find out.
Tom Robinson, (757) 446-2518, tom.robinson@pilotonline.com
hamptonroads.com/robinson
Twitter @RobinsonVP
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Rose did not attend
Because Hampton is too cheap to afford the ticket!
Misleading link
This article is linked as the "analysis" of the game but fails to provide that. It would have been nice to read less about Hampton University and more about the strengths and weaknesses of the participants; particularly, NSU, who seem to be mentioned merely in passing as the team that ODU is expected to beat today.
CAA not what it used to be..at least this season.
One of the primary reasons why I feel like NSU will win this game is the fact that NSU destroyed Hampton. And ODU struggled to beat them. No disrespect to the Pirates, but they just haven't been the same since Joe Taylor left. They were never really in the NSU game. Spartans put them away early. I agree that the CAA is better than the MEAC but the CAA is not what it used to be. They got 5 teams in the playoffs off of there past accomplishments. 3 of the 5 have no business in this seasons FCS playoffs. I doubt a single one of them will survive the second round of this seasons playoffs.
Hmmmm...
How did that prediction work out Brian?