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ODU football receives ESPY nomination for win over Virginia Tech

Chris Graham

The ODU football team’s win this year over No. 13 Virginia Tech has been nominated for an ESPY Award, ESPN announced on Wednesday. The historic win for ODU is listed under Best Upset.

The Monarchs beat the Hokies 49-35 on Saturday, Sept. 22 in Norfolk. Quarterback Blake LaRussa passed for 495-yards, the second most ever allowed by a Tech defense, and four touchdowns, while Jonathan Duhart and Travis Fulgham combined for 18 receptions for 330-yards and four touchdowns.

LaRussa earned multiple National Player of the Week honors, as well as Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week, while Oshane Ximines, who had seven tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and two sacks, was named the C-USA Defensive Player of the Week.

According to ESPN’s Football Power Index, ODU had a 1.8 percent chance of beating the Hokies prior to kickoff. This marked the biggest upset by an FBS team in the 14 years of ESPN’s Football Power Index predictions.

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Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to Substack or his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].