Game Preview: ODU vs. UMass

ODU football hosts Massachusetts in its final non-conference game of the season on Friday.

The Meeting
This will be the second meeting between ODU and UMass and first since 2011. ODU won that matchup, 48-33.  That game is when former Old Dominion quarterback Taylor Heinicke burst onto the scene. Old Dominion jumped out to a 25-0 lead, but UMass came back to take a 26-25 lead late in the third quarter. Heinicke, who replaced an injured Thomas DeMarco at halftime, threw two fourth quarter touchdown passes to lead ODU to the victory.

Heinicke finished the day 8-of-11 for 119 yards and two touchdowns.

• Old Dominion produced its largest win against an FBS opponent last week at Charlotte, defeating the 49ers 52-17 in Charlotte.
• The 52 points are the most ODU has scored against a Conference USA foe, topping the previous high of 51 at WKU in 2014. The Monarchs’ 17 points allowed is the fewest given up to a C-USA opponent. The previous low was 19 the week before against UTSA.
• Senior quarterback David Washington had his best game of the season yardage wise, passing for 256 yards on 14-of-25 and tossing three touchdown passes.
• Sophomore running back Jeremy Cox carried 10 times for just 36 yards, but scored three touchdowns. Cox has scored five times the last two weeks, and leads the Monarchs with seven touchdowns.
• Wide receiver Zach Pascal moved into second place on the all-time ODU receiving charts with 191 catches, as he recorded catch 191 on a 25-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
• ODU will form the Circle of Unity with UMass after the Monarchs come out of the tunnel on Saturday.

Surprise Tackle Leader
For the first time in his career, senior linebacker Richard Thomas led Old Dominion in tackles with 10. Half of Thomas’ 10 tackles came on special teams, giving him seven special teams tackles on the season.

Defensive Line Strong
Defensive end Tim Ward recorded seven tackles, including a sack, forced fumble and recovery, to give ODU the ball at the Charlotte seven setting up an ODU score.

Not to be outdone, Oshane Ximines added his own strip sack, also recovering the fumble and returning it 25 yards. He added four tackles and a pass breakup.

First Career Pick, Again
Two weeks ago against UTSA, cornerback Brandon Addison notched his first career interception. This past week at Charlotte, sophomore safety Sean Carter recorded the first of his career, setting up an ODU score.