ODU bowl eligible with win over Marshall

In just its eighth year of football and second full season playing at the FBS level, Old Dominion University became bowl eligible with a 38-14 win over Marshall Saturday night in Norfolk.

Ray Lawry ran for a season-high 209 yards and a touchdown and David Washington threw for 199 yards and three touchdowns, as Old Dominion (6-3, 4-1 C-USA) outgained Marshall (2-7, 1-4 C-USA), 461-214, on the evening. The Monarchs held the Thundering Herd to 144 total yards until the final drive of the game.

The Monarchs led 21-7 at halftime, and the defense held Marshall to a three and out on the first drive of the second half. ODU drove 68 yards in five plays as David Washington hit Travis Fulgham for a three-yard touchdown pass to make the score 28-7.

ODU worked a 13 play, 63-yard drive that finished with a 20-yard Brad Davis field goal to make the score 31-7 and finished the ODU scoring with a one yard touchdown run by Blake LaRussa to put the exclamation point on a 17 play, 63-yard drive to make the score 38-7.

Old Dominion took the lead on the opening drive of the game with a David Washington to Jonathan Duhart nine-yard touchdown pass to cap a nine play, 75-yard drive.

Lawry made the score 14-0 as he completed a 79-yard drive with a 33-yard touchdown run around the left end. He began the drive with a 24-yard run.

Marshall made the score 14-7 with a 93-yard drive culminating in a five-yard Ryan Yurachek touchdown from Chase Litton.

The Monarchs came right back with a 75-yard drive on just five plays, as Washington connected with Zach Pascal for a 23-yard touchdown pass to make the score 21-7. Washington connected with Travis Fulgham and Isaiah Harper on third down conversions on the drive.

Washington finished his day 16-of-27 for 199 yards and three touchdowns, while Duhart added five catches for 68 yards and a touchdown. Brandon Addison set a single-game ODU record with five pass breakups and three tackles, while Oshane Ximines recorded two sacks.

Notes: Jonathan Duhart caught his fourth touchdown pass of the season, but first since the UTSA game … Ray Lawry scored for the 35^th time in his ODU career and 32^nd rushing touchdown … Lawry had 77 yards rushing in the first quarter … In the first quarter Bailey Cate pinned his two punts inside the 20 for 17 on the year … Zach Pascal caught his 27^th career touchdown pass … With a second quarter tackle, TJ Ricks moved into second on ODU’s career tackle charts behind Craig Wilkins … Travis Fulgham caught a touchdown pass in his fifth straight game … David Washington’s three touchdown passes gives him 20 on the season … Brandon Addison’s five pass breakups set an ODU single-game record … Ray Lawry rushed for a season-high 209 yards, his fourth career 200-yard rushing game … Brad Davis’ 20-yard field goal was his seventh-straight made field goal … The 262 rushing yards is the eighth most in a game in school history … ODU is bowl eligible in its eighth year of play, tying Florida Atlantic for the second youngest program to be bowl eligible (South Alabama did it in year six).