ODU Becoming A Complete Team (9-23-23)

By: Tyrone Montgomery Jr

Headline Photo Credit: Keith Lucas -Sideline Media

There is a thin line between life and sports. Often times, you can take life lessons and apply it to the game of football and vise versa. What we go through in life will only make us stronger. We learn from our mistakes and look to improve on them the next opportunity we get.

That is just what the ODU Monarchs have done! That loss to Wake Forest was one the Monarchs wish they could have back. They were in control for most of the game. However, the defense got a little lackadaisical in the second half and it cost them the game. 

ODU took a lot of mental notes from that game and learned from all of their mistakes as they turned things around this past weekend to get a thrilling 10-9 victory against Texas A&M Commerce. 

This was a game where the Monarchs had five turnovers. Three of them were from QB Grant Wilson as he threw three interceptions. Those turnovers led to his benching. When you turn the ball over, you give your opponent accommodating field position. However, ODU’s defense held up tight and only gave up 10 points with just 250 total yards. This was a convincing win for the Monarchs despite the benching of Grant Wilson. Jack Shields came in and played exceptionally well completing 14/20 passes with 258 passing yards and a touchdown. 

Offense isn’t the problem for ODU as Kelby Williams played well too catching 8 paases for nearly 200 receiving yards. If the defense can play well like this every week, ODU will be a tough matchup for anyone any given Saturday. The Monarchs will look to build on this win as they are now 2-2. They will take their show on the road to Marshall to play the Thundering Herd this Saturday at 3:30 PM.