The Monarchists

Old Dominion has officially reached a difficult place.

ODU was shut out 26-0 at Louisiana Tech, fell to 2-6 and left Ruston with even more questions about an offense that has struggled to find answers all season.

So we finally ask the question:

Is the ODU offense broken?

Aaron, Mike and Justice break down another frustrating performance in which the Monarchs managed just 35 gross rushing yards, finished with negative rushing yardage after losses were factored in and crossed midfield only twice.

There were some signs of improvement in pass protection. But even with more time in the pocket, the passing game couldn’t consistently capitalize.

Drops. Overthrows. Underthrows. No explosive plays. Few reliable checkdowns or safety valves. And an offense that continues to make things much harder on its quarterbacks than it needs to.

Meanwhile, the defense once again played well enough to give ODU an opportunity.

Ja’Mez Drummer had a huge day, Koa Naotala continued making plays in the backfield, and after allowing 14 first-quarter points, the defense didn’t allow another touchdown.

But when the offense scores zero, none of that is enough.

We discuss whether anything can realistically be changed this late in the season, why the disappearance of the running game has completely changed this team and what ODU can still do to simplify things offensively.

Then we turn the page to Marshall.

The Thundering Herd comes to Norfolk for Homecoming with an eight-game winning streak over ODU, and for the Monarchs, the math is now brutally simple.

Win out and bowl eligibility is still alive.

Lose again, and that door closes.

So yes: Marshall is a must-win.

Can ODU finally end the streak, find something offensively and keep the season alive?

Drop your thoughts and your ODU vs. Marshall prediction in the comments.

👑 Go Monarchs.

Presented by Brandon Johnson State Farm

For your insurance and financial needs, call 757-264-6267 or visit:

https://brandonjohnsonagency.com

🧸 TOYS FOR TOTS — OCTOBER 31

Monarch Nation, bring a NEW, UNWRAPPED TOY to the Marshall game. Marines will be collecting toys and monetary donations around the stadium and at The Monarchists tailgate in the Blue Lot.

Last year, Monarch Nation donated more than 800 toys and $8,000. Let’s beat it this year.

🌐 odumonarchists.com

📱 Follow on all social media outlets: @ODUMonarchists

#ODUFootball #OldDominion #MarshallFootball #SunBeltFootball #CollegeFootball #TheMonarchists

Chapters

00:00 Monarch Nation Therapy Session

01:00 Louisiana Tech 26, ODU 0

02:00 The Running Game Hits Rock Bottom

03:30 Is the Offensive Line Improving?

04:30 Breaking Down Jaxon Potter

05:30 Where Are ODU’s Safety Valves?

08:00 The Play-Calling Questions Continue

10:00 The Defense Keeps Fighting

11:00 Ja’Mez Drummer Has a Huge Day

13:00 Is ODU’s Offense Broken?

16:00 38 Sacks Through Eight Games

18:00 ODU’s Scoring Problem

20:00 Can Anything Be Fixed Midseason?

23:00 Who Is ODU Supposed to Beat?

24:00 Brandon Johnson State Farm

25:00 Ricky Rahne: Monarch Nation Deserves More

25:30 Toys for Tots

28:30 Homecoming + Marshall Preview

31:00 Marshall Players to Watch

35:00 Breaking Down the Matchup

36:00 Can ODU Finally Run the Football?

39:00 Is Marshall a Must-Win?

41:00 What Happens If ODU Loses?

43:00 Fan Apathy Is the Real Danger

46:00 What Happens With the Program Next?

49:00 Support the Players

51:00 What Is ODU Still Playing For?

55:00 Can ODU Finally Beat Marshall?

57:00 One Last Shot at a Bowl

58:00 Bring Your Toys + Final Thoughts

Old Dominion’s defense keeps giving the Monarchs chances.

The offense keeps struggling to cash them in.

ODU fell 23-15 to Georgia Southern on a night that began with plenty of energy: Taylor Heinicke’s No. 14 jersey retirement, a military flyover and another Thursday night atmosphere in Norfolk, but ended with another frustratingly winnable game slipping away.

Aaron, Mike and Justice break down what went right, what went wrong and why the offensive questions are getting harder to ignore.

ODU opened the game with a beautiful 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. Later, Ryan Huff connected with TJ Johnson for the explosive play the Monarchs desperately needed.

In between?

Very little offensive consistency.

The running game never got going. ODU once again struggled attacking between the tackles despite having shown more success running outside. Penalties and turnovers continued to hurt drives, and the Monarchs finished another game asking why the offense doesn’t simply lean harder into the things that have actually worked.

Meanwhile, the defense did enough to give ODU a chance late.

So what changes now?

With Quinn Henicle’s status uncertain, Ryan Huff may get another opportunity at quarterback — and that could require a very different offensive approach.

Then we turn our attention to Louisiana Tech.

The Bulldogs are 4-2, unbeaten in Sun Belt play and dangerous on both sides of the football. Jalen Mickens leads a talented group of offensive weapons, Louisiana Tech has one of the league’s strongest linebacker groups, and its defense creates turnovers.

If Huff gets the start, can ODU simplify the passing game, get the ball out quickly and finally throw the football well enough to open running lanes?

Because continuing to do what hasn’t worked and hoping for different results isn’t an answer anymore.

**Can this ODU offense be fixed, and can it happen quickly enough to save the season?**

Drop your thoughts and your ODU vs. Louisiana Tech prediction in the comments.

👑 Go Monarchs.

**Presented by Brandon Johnson State Farm**

For your insurance and financial needs, call **757-264-6267** or visit:

https://brandonjohnsonagency.com

🧸 **Toys for Tots:** We’ll once again be collecting new, unwrapped toys at the October 31 ODU home game. Help Monarch Nation make this year’s drive our biggest yet.

🌐 odumonarchists.com

📱 Follow **@ODUMonarchists**

#ODUFootball #OldDominion #LouisianaTech #SunBeltFootball #CollegeFootball #TheMonarchists

**CHAPTERS**

00:00 Georgia Southern Recap Begins

01:30 ODU’s Military Flyover

03:00 Taylor Heinicke’s No. 14 Is Retired

04:00 Reviewing the Drone Show

06:00 Sun Belt Commissioner Stops By

08:00 Rick Lovato’s Super Bowl Rings

11:00 Isaac Weaver Returns to Norfolk

12:00 ODU’s Defense Did Enough to Win

14:00 Shaq Leaks Gets His First INT

15:00 The Roughing-the-Punter Momentum Killer

16:00 ODU’s Beautiful Opening Drive

18:00 The Offense Falls Apart

19:00 Why Didn’t ODU Run Outside?

21:00 The Offensive Play Calling Questions

22:00 What Georgia Southern Did Differently

24:00 ODU’s Offensive Numbers Are Ugly

27:00 The Run Game Has Completely Disappeared

28:00 Late-Game Decisions Under the Microscope

31:00 Why Every Game Still Feels Winnable

32:00 What Is ODU’s Offensive Identity?

34:00 Penalties, Turnovers & Officiating

38:00 Is Louisiana Tech a Must-Win?

39:00 Brandon Johnson State Farm

39:15 Toys for Tots

41:00 Louisiana Tech Preview

43:00 How Good Are the Bulldogs?

44:00 Louisiana Tech Players to Watch

48:00 Blake Baker & the Two-QB Look

50:00 Could Ryan Huff Start Again?

52:00 How Aggressive Should ODU Be?

54:00 The Best We’ve Seen Ryan Huff Look

56:00 Throw the Ball to Open the Run?

58:00 Can ODU Score Enough to Win?

1:00:00 Simplify the Offense

1:02:00 Stop Running Into the Wall

1:04:00 Afterglow + ODU Sports Saturday

1:05:00 Early Basketball Takeaways

1:08:00 Final Thoughts

Victory Sunday finally returned to Monarch Nation.

Old Dominion went into Boone, battled through miserable weather and came home with a 10-3 win over Appalachian State — ODU’s first-ever victory at App State.

It wasn’t pretty.

But after everything that has happened over the last several weeks, pretty wasn’t the point.

The ODU defense absolutely dominated, holding App State to just 158 total yards and 2.9 yards per play. Javen Gibson tied the program record with four tackles for loss, the Monarchs generated consistent pressure, and one of the Sun Belt’s most productive passing attacks never found a rhythm.

And for the first time in weeks, the ODU running game looked alive.

The Monarchs rushed for 207 yards, Devin Roche delivered another huge performance, and Quinn Henicle gutted through an injury while giving the offense another dimension with his legs.

So did ODU finally find its identity?

Aaron, Mike and Justice break down what changed in Boone, why running outside the tackles produced significantly better results, whether the offensive line actually took a step forward and how much of Saturday’s success can carry over when the Monarchs aren’t playing in tropical-storm conditions.

Then it’s a short turnaround.

Georgia Southern comes to Norfolk Thursday night with one of the Sun Belt’s most dangerous passing attacks. Max Johnson has thrown for more than 1,500 yards with 11 touchdowns, and the Eagles nearly knocked off JMU.

For ODU, this one feels enormous.

A win would move the Monarchs to 3-4, create some real momentum and keep the path toward bowl eligibility very much alive.

And it all happens on a special Thursday night as Old Dominion honors one of the greatest Monarchs ever, Taylor Heinicke, by retiring No. 14.

Was Boone simply one good Saturday?

Or did we just see the first signs of an ODU turnaround?

Drop your thoughts and your ODU vs. Georgia Southern prediction in the comments.

👑 Go Monarchs.

**This episode is sponsored by Brandon Johnson State Farm.**

For your insurance and financial needs, call **757-264-6267** or visit **brandonjohnsonagency.com**.

#ODUFootball #OldDominion #GeorgiaSouthern #AppState #SunBeltFootball #CollegeFootball #TheMonarchists

Chapters

00:00 Victory Sunday Returns!

01:00 Ricky Rahne Takes the Victory Slide

03:00 Javen Gibson’s Record-Setting Day

04:00 ODU Shuts Down Malachi Singleton

08:00 App State Couldn’t Convert on Third Down

12:00 ODU’s Running Game Comes Alive

14:00 Why Running Outside Worked

17:00 BJ Bedgood Shows His Speed

18:00 Quinn Henicle’s Gutsy Performance

22:00 Did ODU Need Quinn to Win?

23:00 Devin Roche Delivers Again

25:00 Did the Offensive Line Improve?

29:00 The Penalties Still Have to Stop

30:00 Did ODU Finally Find Its Identity?

34:00 A Historically Good Defensive Day

35:00 Brandon Johnson State Farm

36:00 Georgia Southern Preview

37:00 Thursday Night in Norfolk

39:00 Max Johnson Leads the Eagles

41:00 Georgia Southern Receivers to Watch

43:00 Breaking Down the Eagles Defense

47:00 ODU vs Georgia Southern Matchup

49:00 ODU Has to Pressure Max Johnson

50:00 Can ODU Win the Passing Matchup?

53:00 How Will Georgia Southern Defend ODU?

55:00 Taylor Heinicke’s No. 14 Gets Retired

58:00 Is Thursday Night a Must-Win?

59:00 Can ODU Get Back on Track?

1:02:00 A Huge Weekend for ODU Athletics

1:04:00 First-Ever Win in Boone

1:05:00 Pack the Stadium Thursday Night

Old Dominion is 8-3, but after three straight Sun Belt losses, Tennant McVea says the Monarchs need to remind themselves who they are.

Aaron and Mike sit down with Tennant to break down the loss at Kentucky, why ODU has gotten away from its identity, and what has changed defensively over the past few matches.

Tennant also explains why defending starts much higher up the field than most fans realize, how ODU uses GPS and analytics to evaluate defensive effort, and why simply running more doesn’t always mean a player is doing his job better.

Then we turn the page to Friday night.

West Virginia comes to The Den, ODU needs its first Sun Belt result, the band is coming back, and Tennant believes the crowd can help the Monarchs turn the corner.

Also on the show:

● Why ODU struggled defensively at Kentucky

● The importance of momentum after scoring

● Lewis Rourke’s return and what he changes offensively

● Where defending actually starts on a soccer field

● How ODU uses GPS, Wyscout and pressing data

● Why statistics can sometimes be misleading

● What 0-3 in the Sun Belt means for the postseason race

● How West Virginia creates overloads and attacks space

● Tennant McVea’s Phrase of the Day: “Catch yourself on”

● Why Friday night’s atmosphere could matter

● The return of the ODU band

● ODU Soccer gear and the spring golf tournament

The Monarchs have already shown what they’re capable of.

Now they have to find it again.

👑 In the Lion’s Den with Tennant McVea

🌐 odumonarchists.com

⚽ Get your ODU Soccer gear at https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/SoccerODU1

Subscribe to The Monarchists for more Old Dominion athletics coverage, interviews and podcasts.

#ODUSoccer #ODU #MonarchNation #CollegeSoccer #SunBelt

Chapters

0:00 In the Lion’s Den

0:40 Breaking Down the Kentucky Loss

2:20 “You Can’t Score Two and Get Nothing”

3:20 What Went Wrong Defensively?

4:40 Momentum After ODU’s Equalizer

6:30 27 Goals Early — What Changed?

7:30 ODU’s Crisis of Confidence

8:40 Lewis Rourke Is Back

9:40 Where Does Defending Actually Start?

12:00 How ODU Tracks Defensive Performance

14:20 When Soccer Analytics Become Misleading

16:20 Measuring ODU’s Press

17:10 8-3 Overall, 0-3 in the Sun Belt

18:30 Scouting West Virginia

20:10 Can ODU Make West Virginia Uncomfortable?

21:10 Phrase of the Day: “Catch Yourself On”

23:10 The ODU Band Is Coming Back

24:15 Why The Den Matters Friday

25:30 Club Soccer Night & Monarchs Give Back

27:00 ODU Soccer Gear

28:30 The ODU Soccer Golf Tournament

30:10 Tennant’s Message to Monarch Nation

Old Dominion is 1-4.

And after a 42-10 loss at Georgia State, there’s no sugarcoating where this season currently stands.

The Monarchs were overwhelmed offensively, repeatedly beaten over the top defensively and never seriously threatened a Georgia State team that controlled the game from start to finish.

So where does ODU go from here?

Aaron, Mike and Justice dig into a team that seems to have lost both its offensive identity and the confidence it showed earlier in the season.

The running game that once defined Old Dominion football has disappeared. The offensive line continues to struggle creating running lanes and protecting the quarterback. Defensively, players appear to be pressing and trying to make game-changing plays instead of simply executing their assignments.

And the losses are beginning to snowball.

We talk about whether this team is actually getting worse, the growing frustration around the offensive line, the leadership challenge inside the locker room and the increasingly uncomfortable comparisons some fans are making to 2019.

There are still players giving Monarch Nation plenty to appreciate. Devin Roche continues to compete on every snap, Mario Thompson is putting together an outstanding season, and there are veteran Monarchs who have invested years into this program and deserve the fan base’s support.

But something has to change.

Now ODU heads to Boone to face App State.

The Mountaineers have one of the Sun Belt’s most productive passing attacks, Malachi Singleton is completing more than 70% of his passes, and App State has weapons capable of attacking the exact areas where ODU has struggled.

The question is simple:

**Has this season gone off the rails — or can Old Dominion finally find something positive to build on?**

We’ll be watching together Saturday at Afterglow Brewing. Come hang out with The Monarchists and other ODU fans for the game.

Drop your thoughts below. What needs to change first for Old Dominion to turn this season around?

👑 Go Monarchs.

**This episode is sponsored by Brandon Johnson State Farm.**

For your insurance and financial needs, call **757-264-6267** or visit **brandonjohnsonagency.com**.

#ODUFootball #OldDominion #AppState #SunBeltFootball #CollegeFootball #TheMonarchists

Chapters

00:00 A Tough Monday for Monarch Nation

01:00 Georgia State Dominates ODU

02:00 Devin Roche Provides the Lone Spark

04:00 Has Everything Snowballed Since ECU?

06:00 Credit to Georgia State

08:00 Fan Question: Why Is ODU Getting Worse?

10:00 The Offense Is Affecting the Defense

13:00 ODU Has Lost Its Running Identity

14:00 What Happened to the Wide Splits?

16:00 Monarch Nation Is Frustrated

18:00 Can the Offense Even Be Fixed?

20:00 Are We Getting 2019 Vibes?

22:00 Leadership Becomes Critical

24:00 How Much Harder Is the Climb Now?

26:00 Breaking Down the Offensive Line

31:00 When Do You Change the Starting Five?

33:00 The Quarterback Conundrum

35:00 Brandon Johnson State Farm

36:00 App State Preview

38:00 App State’s Passing Attack

40:00 Malachi Singleton Is Dangerous

41:00 App State Players to Watch

43:00 Is This Season Off the Rails?

46:00 How Does ODU Beat the Pressure?

48:00 ODU Needs Explosive Plays

50:00 Why Fans Should Stay Engaged

53:00 Is There Still a Path Back?

55:00 Appreciating the Veteran Monarchs

57:00 Basketball & Soccer Updates

1:01:00 Final Thoughts

Old Dominion is 8-2, but after a difficult night at Georgia Southern, Tennant McVea says this group has reached an important point in the season.

The target is on their back.

Aaron sits down one-on-one with Tennant to break down what went wrong in Statesboro, why ODU didn't look like itself, and how the Monarchs avoid letting two conference losses erase everything they built through the first 10 matches.

The conversation goes beyond one result. Tennant explains why success can create entitlement, how discipline away from the field eventually shows up on it, and why character becomes even more important when things stop going your way.

Also on the show:

● Why Georgia Southern was able to disrupt ODU

● Handling momentum swings, VAR and adversity

● Why performance still matters more than chasing points

● The growing connection between ODU Soccer and its alumni

● Tennant McVea's Word of the Day: “Scundered”

● Why Kentucky's record is extremely misleading

● How grass, turf and even pitch dimensions change a match

● An early look at West Virginia's return to Norfolk

ODU has already shown what it can do when everything is rolling.

Now we find out how it responds.

👑 In the Lion's Den with Tennant McVea

🌐 odumonarchists.com

Buy your ODU Soccer gear at: https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/SoccerODU1

Subscribe to The Monarchists for more Old Dominion athletics coverage, interviews and podcasts.

#ODUSoccer #ODU #MonarchNation #CollegeSoccer #SunBelt

Chapters

0:00 In the Lion's Den

0:06 "We Were Second to Everything"

1:30 What Georgia Southern Did to ODU

2:45 ODU Didn't Look Like Itself

3:45 What Changed in the Second Half?

5:00 VAR, Momentum & Emotional Swings

7:30 Sometimes It's Just Not Your Night

8:10 8-2 Overall, 0-2 in the Sun Belt

9:30 The Target Is Now on ODU's Back

10:20 Performance Over Points

11:20 Avoiding Recency Bias

12:15 The Little Details Matter

14:00 ODU Soccer's Alumni Connection

18:00 Tim Hopkinson & the ODU Legacy

19:45 ODU Soccer Gear

20:30 Word of the Day: "Scundered"

22:20 Kentucky Is Better Than Its Record

24:10 What Kentucky Showed Against UCF

25:45 How Different Playing Surfaces Matter

27:20 Soccer Fields Aren't All the Same Size?!

29:20 ODU Is 8-2 — Keep Perspective

30:45 Finally Getting a Full Training Week

32:20 Early Look at West Virginia

34:00 Why West Virginia at ODU Will Be Special

35:00 Can We Get the Band Back?

35:25 Tennant's Message to Monarch Nation

Old Dominion is 1-3.

After a 46-20 loss to JMU — the Monarchs’ fifth straight loss to the Dukes — the question isn’t about preseason expectations anymore.

It’s simple:

**Now what?**

Jonathan Plisco and Jarod Brown join Aaron and Mike to break down a frustrating night against JMU and, more importantly, where ODU goes from here.

There was at least one major reason for optimism. Freshman quarterback Ryan Huff threw for 261 yards in his first career start and looked extremely comfortable when given a clean pocket. TJ Johnson topped 100 receiving yards, Leon Haughton made another big play in the passing game, and Nathaniel Eichner continues to look like a serious weapon.

But the problems are getting harder to ignore.

Nine sacks. Thirteen penalties. Continued struggles running the football. Missed assignments. Turnovers. And another game where self-inflicted mistakes made an already difficult matchup even harder.

We get into:

• What Ryan Huff showed in his first start

• Whether ODU needs to lean much harder into the passing game

• How the Monarchs clean up the penalties, protection issues and execution problems

• Why leadership inside the locker room becomes critical at 1-3

Then we turn the page to Georgia State.

The Panthers are 3-1 and playing with confidence, but ODU has won six of seven in the series and three straight. For the Monarchs, the difference between leaving Atlanta 2-3 and falling to 1-4 feels enormous.

This may be the biggest game of the season simply because ODU badly needs something positive to build on.

Can the Monarchs get right in Atlanta?

Drop your thoughts and your ODU vs. Georgia State score prediction below.

👑 Go Monarchs.

This episode is sponsored by Brandon Johnson State Farm. For your insurance and financial needs, call 757-264-6267 or visit brandonjohnsonagency.com.

#ODUFootball #OldDominion #GeorgiaState #SunBeltFootball #CollegeFootball #TheMonarchists

Chapters

00:00 Jonathan Plisco & Jarod Brown Join the Show

01:00 Five Straight Losses to JMU

02:00 What Went Wrong?

03:00 Ryan Huff’s Impressive First Start

05:00 Nine Sacks & ODU’s Protection Problems

06:00 Nathaniel Eichner Continues to Deliver

09:00 TJ Johnson, Leon Haughton & Passing Game Positives

10:00 Is the Play Calling Evolving?

11:00 Why Can’t ODU Run the Football?

13:00 18 Sacks Through Four Games

16:00 ODU Starts Fighting Back

17:00 The Illegal Substitution Backbreaker

22:00 What Happened to the Defense?

25:00 How Does ODU Fix the Penalties?

29:00 Shaq Leaks Steps Up

31:00 Can ODU Become a Good Football Team?

34:00 Fixing the Little Things

37:00 Is 1-3 Really a Surprise?

38:00 It’s HOW ODU Got to 1-3

39:00 Should ODU Just Air It Out?

40:00 Leadership Has to Take Over

48:00 ODU’s Fumbling Problem

50:00 Georgia State Preview Begins

51:00 The Difference Between 2-3 and 1-4

53:00 Is Georgia State a Must-Win?

55:00 Breaking Down the Panthers

59:00 Georgia State Players to Watch

1:01:00 Confidence vs. Confidence

1:03:00 Is Georgia State the Get-Right Game?

1:05:00 Justice Checks In

1:07:00 ODU vs Georgia State Predictions

1:11:00 More Nathaniel Eichner Love

1:16:00 ODU Hall of Fame Weekend

1:18:00 Final Thoughts

The undefeated streak is over. What happened next may tell us even more about this ODU team.

George Maire and David “Chapo” Chapman join Aaron and Mike to talk about the battle with now-#1 South Carolina, bouncing back after falling behind William & Mary, and why this group believes it has the mentality to handle adversity.

We also get to know George and Chapo away from the pitch — from Liverpool and Nottingham to British food, Scouse accents, locker-room personalities and another round of rapid-fire questions.

Then Tennant McVea joins the show to break down what ODU learned from its first loss, the incredible atmosphere against South Carolina, the gritty comeback over William & Mary and how player ownership has helped change the culture inside the program.

Plus, we preview Sunday’s Sun Belt road test at Georgia Southern and learn another Tennant McVea Phrase of the Day: “On a sixpence.”

The Monarchs are 8-1.

Now it’s time to take that mentality on the road.

👑 In the Lion’s Den with Tennant McVea

🌐 odumonarchists.com

Get all of your Old Dominion Soccer Team Apparel at: https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/SoccerODU1

Subscribe to The Monarchists for more Old Dominion athletics coverage, interviews and podcasts.

#ODUSoccer #ODU #MonarchNation #CollegeSoccer #SunBelt

Chapters

0:00 In the Lion's Den

0:20 George Maire & David Chapman Join Us

1:00 Liverpool, Nottingham & the Scouse Accent

2:40 What ODU Learned From Its First Loss

4:00 Chapo's Journey to College Soccer

5:00 A 6'4" Center Back Who Scores Goals

6:00 George Maire's Role in the Midfield

6:45 Why Arriving in the Spring Mattered

7:15 Building an International Locker Room

8:15 Responding After Falling Behind William & Mary

9:30 The Growing ODU Soccer Crowd

11:00 Who Has the Strongest Accent?

12:30 Why George & Chapo Chose ODU

14:00 Adjusting to Life in America

15:00 British Food We Need to Try

17:00 British Phrases Americans Don't Understand

18:20 The Story Behind "Chapo"

19:00 Locker Room Rapid Fire

22:00 Best Finisher on the Team

23:15 Who DON'T You Want Beside You on the Bus?

24:30 Georgia Southern Preview

25:30 What They Love About America

29:00 Tennant McVea Joins the Show

29:20 Lessons From #1 South Carolina

31:15 The Disallowed Goal & VAR

33:30 An Incredible Night at The Den

38:45 Bouncing Back Against William & Mary

41:15 ODU Has More Backbone

42:45 How the Culture Changed

45:45 Staying in the National Rankings

48:20 Reconnecting ODU Soccer's Legacy

52:20 Scouting Georgia Southern

54:00 Phrase of the Day: "On a Sixpence"

55:30 Life on the Road in the Sun Belt

58:30 Tennant's 20th Win

1:01:00 Perfect Football Weather

1:03:00 How a Wet Pitch Changes the Game

1:05:00 Hard Ground vs. Soft Ground Boots

1:07:00 Nike, Adidas & British Pronunciation

1:08:40 Tennant's Message to Monarch Nation

1:10:00 Supporting ODU Soccer

CB, Gary and Coach Finny talk about new ODU AD Tim House, stadium construction updates and new uniform combos. Catcher Macaddin Dye joins to give us the inside scoop on how the Monarchs' pitching staff is looking so far and his experience playing for the Pilots this summer.

Old Dominion had every opportunity to beat East Carolina.

Instead, the Monarchs let one get away.

ODU fell 20-17 to ECU, dropping to 1-2 after a frustrating second half filled with turnovers, penalties, missed opportunities and an offense still searching for consistency.

Now comes JMU.

The Dukes arrive in Norfolk at 3-0, winners of four straight against Old Dominion, and suddenly Saturday feels much bigger than just another game on the schedule.

Aaron, Mike and Justice break down what went wrong against ECU, why the offense continues to struggle finding an identity and whether the offensive line can finally put together four consistent quarters.

We also dig into Ricky Rahne’s revealing postgame comments about leadership, accountability and making sure everyone is pulling in the same direction. After back-to-back losses, how this locker room responds to adversity may become one of the defining stories of the season.

There were positives, too.

ODU’s defense once again played well enough to win. Mario Thompson, Jackson Forrest, Daevon Iles and the rest of the unit kept the Monarchs in the game while the offense struggled to capitalize.

But JMU presents an entirely different challenge.

The Dukes aren’t necessarily overwhelming opponents with star power — they’re 3-0 because they’re playing sound football, limiting mistakes and winning in the margins. That’s exactly where Old Dominion has struggled.

So what has to change Saturday?

• Protect the football

• Find some rhythm offensively

• Get more consistent play up front

• Win on third down

• Stop beating themselves

Conference play starts now. ODU has lost four straight to JMU. The Monarchs are coming off back-to-back losses. And falling to 1-3 is a place nobody in Monarch Nation wants to contemplate.

The talent is there. The defense is playing winning football. The offense has shown flashes.

But flashes aren’t enough anymore.

**How does Old Dominion respond?**

Drop your thoughts and your ODU vs. JMU prediction in the comments.

👑 Go Monarchs.

#ODUFootball #JMUFootball #OldDominion #JamesMadison #CollegeFootball #SunBeltFootball #TheMonarchists

Chapters

00:00 Tim House Makes His ODU Debut

02:45 ODU Soccer Deserves Its Flowers

06:00 The ECU Loss: Where Do We Start?

07:30 ODU’s Offense Owns This One

09:00 Offensive Line & Special Teams Problems

12:00 Devin Roche Provides a Spark

13:00 Is This Offense Still Searching for Its Identity?

16:00 Communication, Execution & Bad Decisions

20:00 Ricky Rahne’s Leadership Comments

23:00 How Serious Is the Buy-In Question?

25:00 ODU’s Defense Deserved Better

27:00 Did ODU Abandon the Pass?

28:00 ODU Gave This Game Away

30:00 Another Strong Defensive Performance

35:00 Nine Fumbles in Three Games

36:00 Why Does Quinn Keep Moving Left?

40:00 Fan Reaction: The Duke of Discipline

42:00 ODU Defenders Who Balled Out

46:00 Flush ECU — It’s JMU Week

47:00 Where JMU Can Be Beaten

49:00 What Makes JMU 3-0?

51:00 JMU Players to Watch

52:00 How Important Is This Game?

55:00 ODU Cannot Afford to Fall to 1-3

56:00 How Do the Monarchs Respond?

59:00 JMU’s Defensive Front

1:00:00 JMU’s Skill Players & Tight End Threat

1:02:00 Can ODU Establish the Run?

1:04:00 ODU Needs Balance

1:05:00 How Many Turnovers Can ODU Survive?

1:07:00 Win in the Margins

1:08:00 No Predictions — Just Play Better

1:10:00 What Happens If ODU Doesn’t Fix It?

1:12:00 Just Win the Damn Game