ODU football announces future non-conference opponents

Old Dominion University football has reached schedule agreements with Hampton and VMI for single games and a home and home series with Buffalo, Athletic Director Dr. Wood Selig announced on Wednesday.

ODU will host Hampton in 2016 and VMI in 2018 and begin the series with the Bulls in 2019 in Norfolk and return to Buffalo in 2020.

“Our desire to continue to play FBS and FCS from within the Commonwealth makes both Hampton and VMI attractive and we know their strong fan base will be very supportive of their respective teams in Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard stadium which should further an already electric football environment,” Selig said.  “Buffalo and upstate New York has proven to be attractive recruiting grounds for ODU football student-athletes providing us a presence in this area as a reward for those who are on the team and an opportunity for further recruitment of this fertile area.”

ODU will open the 2016 season at Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium against Hampton on Saturday, Sept. 3.  ODU is 4-0 all-time against the Pirates after defeating HU 41-28 in the season-opener last season.  Hampton went 3-9 in 2014 under first-year head coach Connell Maynor.

ODU and VMI will meet in 2018 for the third time since the Monarchs began football in 2009.  In 2009, ODU won at VMI 42-35 while the Monarchs defeated the Keydets 45-28 a year later in Norfolk.

“We are excited to add these future games to our schedule. We continue to try and add as many of these home games for our fans as we possibly can,” Wilder said. “The home and home series with Buffalo will be good for our program as we continue to schedule quality non-conference opponents that will come to Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium.”

Buffalo recently hired head coach Lance Leipold, who takes over after going 106-6 and winning five national championships at Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater.  The Bulls went 5-6 in 2014 after going 8-5 and playing San Diego State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl the year before.

In the 2014 NFL Draft, the Bulls had defensive end Khalil Mack taken No. 5 overall by the Oakland Raiders.  James Starks was drafted in the sixth round of the 2010 draft and helped the Green Bay Packers win Super Bowl XLV.