The ODU Monarchs Traveled to Blacksburg to Take On James Franklin & The Virginia Tech Hokies (9-12-26)
By: Ty Tracy
Headline Photo Credit: Jason Wiley-LMS Network
Coming off a 31-10 victory last week against second-year Head Coach Mike Vick and the Norfolk State Spartans, the Monarchs knew they were coming into a hostile environment against first-year Head Coach James Franklin and the Virginia Tech Hokies. It would be a huge test up front, especially after the Hokies’ dominant home-opening performance against the VMI Keydets, winning 73-3 and holding VMI to -4 rushing yards on the ground.
As the opening kickoff of the game took place, the Hokies were looking to get points on the board first. The Monarchs’ defense held the Hokies to a field goal, making the score 3-0 within the first five minutes of the game. However, the Monarchs started having difficulties on the offensive side of the ball, committing two turnovers back-to-back along with a three-and-out. One of the turnovers was a lost fumble that resulted in a scoop-and-score for the Hokies’ defense. The Hokies took advantage of the opportunity as they increased their lead to 17-0.
ODU sophomore QB Quinn Henicle and the Monarchs were able to march down the field and put some points on the board by kicking a field goal, making the score 17-3 at the end of the first quarter.
Once the second quarter began, the Hokies’ defense was too much for the Monarchs’ offense to handle, while the Monarchs’ offense was still struggling to find a rhythm. The Monarchs’ defense didn’t have an answer for Hokies QB Ethan Grunkemeyer, who connected with Luke Reynolds on back-to-back drives, scoring 14 points and increasing the score to 34-3. The Monarchs were held to another field goal at the end of the first half, making the score 34-6. The Monarchs had only reached the end zone two times in the first half compared to the Hokies’ five trips to the end zone.
Midway through the second half, the Monarchs started to find a little spark on their side, holding the Hokies to a field goal and then finally scoring a touchdown. Quinn Henicle found Leon Haughton on a seven-yard pass after an 11-play, 75-yard drive, cutting the game down to 37-13. It was their best drive of the game.
However, the Hokies were still able to find the end zone at the beginning of the fourth quarter, making the lead 44-13 after Ethan Grunkemeyer’s QB sneak. The final score of the game was 44-21, giving the ODU Monarchs their first loss of the season.
ODU Head Coach Rick Rahne mentioned the team’s struggles, saying, “Putting ourselves behind the eight ball, obviously, it’s my job. We started that. We didn’t perform the way [we did] from the second half to the first half, and it starts with me. And we didn’t. It was disappointing, and we know that we’re a way better football team than that.”
The ODU Monarchs’ senior safety also mentioned the importance of getting off the field and executing on third downs: “At the end of the day, we have to get off the field on third down. We have to get off the field. Drives extending gets tiring on the guys.”
The ODU Monarchs will be back at home Saturday, hosting the East Carolina Pirates at 6 p.m. They are looking to bounce back and get back on track before they open conference play against first-year Head Coach Billy Napier and the JMU Dukes at home.
