Finding Beauty Within The Struggles Of ODU (9-7-24)

By: Tyrone Montgomery Jr

Headline Photo Credit: Travis Cheek-LMS Network

Another week of ODU Monarch Football action has came upon us! In week two of this early college football season, the Monarchs were finally able to return home with hopes of putting on a show for fans of their own!

With just under 22,000 fans in attendance, the Monarchs were faced with pressure to secure their first win of the season already. Coming into this game, there were questions offensively for this team. What kind of identity do the Monarchs have? Are they going to depend on the passing attack? Can they manage to fix the running game within the offense? How long can this defense last?

Hosting the East Carolina Pirates wasn’t an easy assignment for the Monarchs. The Pirates came into this game with a win last week against Norfolk State where they blew them out 42-3. Defense was needed in this game for ODU. The Monarchs shined defensively as they picked off Pirates QB Jake Garcia four times in this game. They only gave up 20 points as well. Still, it wasn’t quite enough as ODU lost 20-14. 

Despite the loss, you have to look at the positives in this game and find the beauty deep within. The running game was solid in this matchup for ODU. Running Back Aaron Young had 25 carries for 83 yards along with a touchdown. ODU committed to the run. Grant Wilson was solid as well as he passed for nearly 200 yards to go along with a touchdown. ODU was aggressive both offensively and defensively as they converted on all two of their fourth down conversions and won the turnover battle. It will be back to the drawing board for the Monarchs as they have a big game on their own field this weekend against Virginia Tech.