Old Dominion Scouting Report
Offense: Old Dominion lists itself as a “spread” offense, which could mean a variety of things. Some spread teams throw the ball all over the field, others are more balanced and some run exclusively out of it, like Colgate did in the first game. The Monarchs, who average 37.7 points per game, are a relatively balanced team, having run the ball 60% of the time this season, averaging 201.7 yards on the ground. They also throw the ball effectively, averaging 191.7 yards through the air per game this year. ODU is led by dual-threat QB Thomas DeMarco, who leads the team with 189 rushing yards and four TD’s, while also throwing for 496 yards and four more scores. The team’s RB’s, Mario Crawford and Jamar Parham, have been productive, rushing for 174 and 168 yards, respectively. The duo both average at least 5.2 yards per carry and have combined for six touchdowns this season. The Monarchs main receiving threats are Reid Evans and Dorian Jackson. Evans leads the team with 18 grabs for 236 yards while Jackson paces the squad with two touchdowns and 106 receiving threats.
Defense: The Monarchs list themselves as a 4-3 base defensive team on their two-deep. They have played well so far this season, surrendering 21.7 points per game this season. ODU gives up 341.3 total yards per game, including 271.3 passing yards per game. With as much trouble as Old Dominion has had defending the pass, they have been very good against the run, averaging 70 yards per game on the ground and only 2.2 yards per rush. The ODU defense has proven to be especially opportunistic in the season’s first three games, causing 13 turnovers (seven interceptions, six fumbles) for a +9 ratio. Safety Donald Smith and strong side linebacker Mych McJunkins each lead the team with 21 tackles apiece, while Smith has also added two interceptions. Strong safety Craig Wilkins and safety Devon Simmons have also each picked off two passes this season, while Andrew Turner leads the team with 1.5 sacks. The Monarchs as a team have nine sacks, compared to only two for their opponents. Defensive tackle Edmon McClam leads the team with an astounding four blocked kicks this year.
Special Teams: ODU kicker Drew Hareza has had an up and down season, going 5-for-10 on field goals this season. All 10 of his attempts have been from 30 yards and out, as he has gone 4-of-6 from 30-39 yards out and 1-4 from beyond 40 yards. Jonathan Plisco has averaged 43.9 yards per punt this season, pinning the opposition inside the 20-yard line eight times. Mario Crawford leads the team with a 28-yard kickoff return average, going for a long of 76, while TJ Cowart has returned four kickoffs for a 25.2 yard average. Reid Evans is the team’s punt returner, sporting a 3.0 average return per punt.
My take: This game is interesting because while Old Dominion is a first-year program, they have practiced for the last two years and will join the CAA next season. I see this game as very evenly matched, althought the Monarchs are 3-0, they have played two lesser division teams and Jacksonville, a PFL team.
I feel as though MU and ODU will have a back and forth contest, potentially in the rain in southern Virginia on Saturday, with field position and special teams playing a key role. I see ODU stacking the box against Monmouth and RB David Sinisi and forcing the two Hawks QB's, Andrew Mandeville and Kyle Frazier, to make plays in the passing game. If they can, MU will be successful. I think they will to the tune of a hard fought, low-scoring affair, with the Hawks winning 16-14 late.
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4 comments:
Good write up. Actually ODU joins the CAA in 2011 not next year.
Very good blog post. I'm an ODU alum and a huge fan of ODU football. I agree with almost all of this post. It will be a close game in my opinion. I think Monmouth will have to pass to win this game. As you stated, ODU has been very strong against the run this season and you guys will have to pass. Pass coverage has been our weakness by far. One factor that you didn't mention is our sold out 20,000 seat stadium. Foreman Field can be pretty loud. Monmouth has not played in a stadium that large since playing at Delaware in 2006. That could make a difference in a close game. This will easily be our toughest test yet this season. ODU enters the CAA in 2011. We actually have one more season after this year and Edmon McClam has set an NCAA record with 3 blocked PAT's in a game and has tied the NCAA record of 4 blocked PAT's in a season. Just a few other tidbits.
First off, thank you both for your input. ODU does join the CAA in 2011 as Patrick and Danny pointed out, and mark my words, will contend in that league sooner rather than later. You're 100% right about the crowd, Monmouth has not seen a group like this since the UDEL game a few years ago. Coastal Carolina presented a great atmosphere, but ODU seats double what they do. In doing my research for the today's radio broadcast, it def. worried me that McClam blocked so many kicks this year. Normally, the Hawks are very sound in the kicking game and on special teams, and they will have to be today against the Monarchs. It should be a very interesting game in a beautiful stadium tonight.
Nice call on the game Ed. Who would have thought the score would run up like that but the score wasn't really reflective of the game on the field, especially in the 2nd half where Monmouth just dominated- the 4th quarter was a masterpiece in time management/ball control. Just like my beloved Steelers tend to do. Now on to the meat of the NEC schedule. The Sinisi train will keep on chugging. GO MONMOUTH!
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