ODU-Delaware Game Thread

[Mr. C]

The Delaware band has performed the national anthem and is moving on to the Blue Hen fight song and the stands at the Tub are starting to fill as the fans finish their tailgating.

Game time is just a few minutes away. What does everyone think about this game?

[Mr. C]

Mr. C is in prime location to watch this one. In the plush Delaware press box, right next to the bath room.

[Mr. C]

I've been looking for Mr. Chicken in the crowd. Anyone seen Mr. Chicken?. Anyone seen anyone other than Youdee dressed in feathers?

[Mr. C]

The game is underway with ODU now facing a third and 10 at the Monarch 15. And a wrap-around draw is stopped a couple of yards short. The Monarchs will punt and Delaware should get great field position.

[Mr. C]

Delaware will start its first drive from its own 26 after a 51-yard punt from the All-American Joseph Plisko.

[Mr. C]

Old Dominion's highly-touted QB Thomas DeMarco didn't impress me on the first drive for ODU. Delaware's Tim Donnelly just completed a 26-yard pass to the ODU 49 for a first down.

[Mr. C]

Delaware is methodically moving down the field. Two more first downs, but then David Hayes fumbled (forced by safety Eriq Lewis) and ODU recovered at the 18. Carvin Powell recovered the fumble.

[Mr. C]

DeMarco missed badly on a bomb when his receiver had a step on a defender at around the Delaware 30. This guy is a Payton candidate?

[Mr. C]

ODU just missed converting a third and nine with a sweep to the ODU 47. The Monarchs are a yard short and Plisco is back on the field to punt.

[Mr. C]

Delay of game against ODU.

[Mr. C]

Plisco's booming 58-yard punt hit at the one and bounced into the end zone for a touchback. Now Plisco looks impressive, unlike DeMarco.

[Mr. C]

A bad snap by Delaware out of punt formation is returned for an ODU TD. Chris Lovitt returned the miscue 18 yards for the touchdown. 7-0 ODU with 6:39 left in the first period.

[Mr. C]

The snap hit up-back Michael Atunrase and never reached the punter.

[Mr. C]

Niha White took a bubble screen 36 yards down the sideline to the ODU 45.

[Mr. C]

Roughing the passer on ODU and the Blue Hens have a first down at the ODU 30.

[Mr. C]

I have the best of both worlds. Watching the game live and having the streaming video on my computer for replays. ODU broke up a pass in the end zone and a 48-yard field goal was blocked , with ODU recovering at the Delaware 38. But Thomas DeMarco continued his struggling play and had a pass tipped (Vaughn) and intercepted (Tim Breaker).

[Mr. C]

No doubt that Tim Donnelly, with his short passing game, has been the better of the QBs thus far. Blue Hens have a first down at the ODU 35 after another completion.

[Squealofthepig]

I have the best of both worlds. Watching the game live and having the streaming video on my computer for replays. ODU broke up a pass in the end zone and a 48-yard field goal was blocked , with ODU recovering at the Delaware 38. But Thomas DeMarco continued his struggling play and had a pass tipped (Vaughn) and intercepted (Tim Breaker).

Nice. Mr. Coulson, are you also blogging it over on tsn?

[Mr. C]

David Hayes of Delaware for a first down at the ODU 23

[yorkcountyUNHfan]

I was really looking forward to seeing this game on TV. No longer available in my area.
Thanks for these updates MrC

[Mr. C]

A Donnelly pass to Rob Jones in traffic was almost picked off

[Mr. C]

Delaware 7-1 in first downs, 108-0 in passing yards and 138-38 in total offense. Another FG from 40 upcoming and Sean Baner's kick is high and true. ODU 7, Delaware 3, 2:15 left in the first period.

[Mr. C]

DeMarco finally picked up the pace to get ODU moving and ran 54 yards on a scramble to the one, but the play was erased by an obvious hold on WR Reid Evans. Ouch. Evans is being a crybaby after the play to the officials.

[Mr. C]

ODU was successful on a third and one to the Delaware 43, breaking a string of 13 consecutive third-down stops by the Blue Hen defense in the past three games. End of first quarter: Old Dominion 7, Delaware 3.

[Mr. C]

A lof of people ask me about what is on the menu when I cover games in the various press boxes around the country. Here at Delaware, it is sandwiches, turkey, roast beef, ham and tuna. Washed them down with an ice-cold Coke and some bottled water.

[Mr. C]

Delaware nearly intercepted a pass on fourth down to stop DeMarco and the Monarchs at the UD 37 with 13:37 left in the half.

[Mr. C]

Andrew Pierce had a slow first period for Delaware with six carries for just seven yards.

[Mr. C]

Delaware's Tim Donnelly was 7-of-14 for 108 yards, ODU's Thomas DeMarco 5-of-8 for 29 yards and one interception in the first period.

[Mr. C]

David Hayes made up for his earlier fumble with a 17-yard catch and run to the ODU 30 for another Delaware first down.

[Mr. C]

39-yard field goal attempt by Baner is tucked just inside the right post. Old Dominion 7, Delaware 6, 9:13 left in the first half. Baner is now 4-of-7 for the season.

[Mr. C]

I was really looking forward to seeing this game on TV. No longer available in my area.
Thanks for these updates MrC
Glad to be of service. If you have computer access, try this streaming link for video:

http://pizzatv.yolasite.com/test.php

[Mr. C]

Nice. Mr. Coulson, are you also blogging it over on tsn?

No. That is a long story to be explained later. But you can keep up with things here for today. I'll also be at the Penn-Villanova game this evening.

[Mr. C]

If anyone has a question, please don't be shy in asking. I love dialoging with all FCS fans. Interaction makes things more fun.

[yorkcountyUNHfan]

Glad to be of service. If you have computer access, try this streaming link for video:

http://pizzatv.yolasite.com/test.php

I found it thanks

[Mr. C]

Another third down for ODU and Delaware's defense stops the Monarchs with a pass breakup on third and four. Plisco on again to punt.

[Mr. C]

A strategically placed punt goes 50 yards (and Plisco didn't even kick it hard). Delaware has a first and 10 at its own 21.

[Mr. C]

I found it thanks

Glad it worked for you. Enjoy. It is nice having it up here in the box to watch replays. Delaware's high-speed Internet has never been better for me than it is today.

[Mr. C]

A very bad series for Donnelly and Delaware. Three and out. No yards.

[Mr. C]

Illegal formation and offside penalties on the punt offset and the play comes back. Glad there haven't been as many penalties in this one as there were in that Hampton at Bethune-Cookman TV game on Thursday night (over 20 penalties and approximately 170-180 yards).

[Mr. C]

I have been impressed by the Delaware defense in this game. The Blue Hens just stopped another third down play to force another Plisco punt.

[realgsu]

Like Ive been saying, no way ODU is the 10th team in the CAA.

[Mr. C]

Plisco boomed another hanging punt. Rob Jones made a nice return to the UD 41, fumbled, but averted disaster by recovering it himself. Career-high 36-yard return for Jones.

[Mr. C]

I enjoyed meeting ODU coach Bobby Wilder at the CAA media day in July. You can tell by watching Wilder's team that he has a Maine background. The Monarchs have been largely outplayed (except for special teams), but are being gritty and hanging in this one, just like those old, Black Bear teams.

[Mr. C]

ODU stops Delaware again and will start a drive at the Monarch nine with 4:30 left in the half.

[Mr. C]

Good news, bad news for ODU. A DeMarco pass was intercepted out of bounds, but the Monarchs were called for holding to move the ball to the ODU six on second down.

[Mr. C]

ODU ran a draw play on third and 13 for six yards to the 13. Like that was going to work. Plisco on to punt again. Another big, left-footed kick. Delaware's Jones returns it to the UD 46, but the Blue Hens were flagged for illegal block. First and 10 at the 36.

[Mr. C]

A Delaware fan just made a crack about "this is not Eastern Washington. Quit trying to run out the clock." Ouch.

[Mr. C]

Funny how that brings back memories of a 2004 Delaware at William & Mary quarterfinal playoff game, where the Blue Hens were fuming that QB Sonny Riccio kept throwing the ball when the Blue Hens were in position to run out the clock. Defending national champion Delaware ended up losing in what I think was double overtime after a big lead.

[Mr. C]

Like Ive been saying, no way ODU is the 10th team in the CAA.

Still, I think Delaware would be cruising in this one, but for two turnovers and two bad special teams plays. ODU's offense has been pretty anemic (89 total yards with a minute left in the half).

[Mr. C]

In reality, I don't see many wins for ODU on the CAA schedule. There isn't a game I would make the Monarchs a favorite in the rest of the way, except maybe Villanova.

[yorkcountyUNHfan]

Very impressive drive by UD

[Mr. C]

Niha White with the Delaware touchdown on a pass from Donnelly with 42.1 seconds left in the half. Delaware 13, Old Dominion 7.

[Mr. C]

Very impressive drive by UD

Good hurry-up attack for the Blue Hens. They might want to consider that same pace when they get the ball again to start the third period.

[Mr. C]

In reality, I don't see many wins for ODU on the CAA schedule. There isn't a game I would make the Monarchs a favorite in the rest of the way, except maybe Villanova.

The Villanova game is a big maybe. Villanova is talented, particularly on defense. But the Cats are just so young (the youngest team ever for coach Andy Talley). I expect Villanova to be a much tougher foe by the middle of the season and it is never easy to win a road game on the Main Line (Monmouth and Lock Haven being the exceptions).

[Mr. C]

Thanks for all of the interchange in the first half. Answering questions and responding to comments makes it all the more interesting. Keep it up.

[Mr. C]

Since the one breakdown for 54 yards (called back for holding on ODU), the Delaware defense has done a great job of containing Thomas DeMarco. A sack of DeMarco ended the first half with the Blue Hens winning 13-7.

[Mr. C]

Some quick team stats:

Delaware leads 155-60 in total offense (24 rushing, 131 passing) and 9-3 in first downs. The Blue Hens have a 13 to 7 advantage in time of possession. ODU has 60 yards rushing and a poor 29 yards passing.

[tribe_pride]

Check out your stats again - Those can't be right and all seem lower than what they really are (no way 13-7 in TOP 30 minutes in a half and your ODU yardage doesn't add up)

Thanks for the commentary though.

[Squealofthepig]

No. That is a long story to be explained later. But you can keep up with things here for today. I'll also be at the Penn-Villanova game this evening.

A) Hope everything's OK; B) I'm jealous of your football travels today! Looking forward to Penn/Nova - curious to see if this is where the Wildcats turn a corner. And thanks for the live updates!

[Squealofthepig]

Check out your stats again - Those can't be right and all seem lower than what they really are (no way 13-7 in TOP 30 minutes in a half and your ODU yardage doesn't add up)

Thanks for the commentary though.

ESPN has the ToP as 11:35 Monarchs/18:25 Hens. Imagine what it would be without the TO's.

[yorkcountyUNHfan]

ESPN has the ToP as 11:35 Monarchs/18:25 Hens. Imagine what it would be without the TO's.

That and ODU's punter

[Mr. C]

And the second half is underway. And Delaware ruins a good return with another blocking penalty. First down for the Hens at their own 14.

[Mr. C]

Check out your stats again - Those can't be right and all seem lower than what they really are (no way 13-7 in TOP 30 minutes in a half and your ODU yardage doesn't add up)

Thanks for the commentary though.

Just going with what they had on the scoreboard. Blame Delaware for that.

[Mr. C]

A) Hope everything's OK; B) I'm jealous of your football travels today! Looking forward to Penn/Nova - curious to see if this is where the Wildcats turn a corner. And thanks for the live updates!

Glad to help. More on the other stuff later.

[Mr. C]

That and ODU's punter

Plisco is everything he was said to be. A true All-American. I like him and that punter down at Georgia Southern. Plisco has a better leg. the Eagle punter is good at the coffin corner stuff.

[Mr. C]

Delaware punter Rauley Zaragoza just drilled a 60-yard punt for Delaware. First and 10 for ODU at its own 11 after a chop-block penalty on the first play of the drive.

[Mr. C]

Thomas DeMarco continues to look terrible on his throws.

[Mr. C]

A good punt return for Delaware switches the field. 42-yard punt, 17-yard Rob Jones return. First down for the Blue Hens at the ODU 28

[yorkcountyUNHfan]

36 looks like a good back, but he's in for a long season unless ODU can get something out of their passing game

[Mr. C]

First down pass to tight end Colin Naugle to the ODU 15.

[Mr. C]

ODU's red zone defense comes up big again and Baner missed a right hash field goal attempt just wide right from the 25.

[Squealofthepig]

Good looking drive but nothing to show for it; Monmouth still very much alive despite looking horrible on the stats line (4 first down, 114 total yards, 57 yards of penalties, almost 1:2 in ToP after that drive).

[Mr. C]

JMU special teams coach Clayton Matthews told me last week at Liberty that "Every kicker in America struggles from the right hash." When JMU set up its winning 40-yard kick last week, the Dukes purposely ran a play to get the ball to the left hash to make for an easier kick.

[Mr. C]

Good looking drive but nothing to show for it; Monmouth still very much alive despite looking horrible on the stats line (4 first down, 114 total yards, 57 yards of penalties, almost 1:2 in ToP after that drive).

Maybe Monmouth is for real. Andy Talley thought the Hawks were pretty good when we had lunch on Wednesday.

[Mr. C]

36 looks like a good back, but he's in for a long season unless ODU can get something out of their passing game

DeMarco is suppose to be a Payton candidate (nice job on that, Craig Haley). But I haven't been impressed with the Monarch passer, or receivers.

[Mr. C]

Nick Mayers made some nice moves on a short pass to take the ball to the Delaware 24.

[Mr. C]

ODU goes for nine to the UD five. Second and one.

[Squealofthepig]

Maybe Monmouth is for real. Andy Talley thought the Hawks were pretty good when we had lunch on Wednesday.

*heh* Oops, typo on my part (should've read ODU, was watching the Central Conn. game). Still 17-10 Monmouth, start of the fourth, and the Hawks are 6-9 in third downs. Definitely a bit of a surprise (at least name recognition wise), but yes, they look to have a good team.

[Mr. C]

Third and one at the five.

[Mr. C]

The Monarchs barely got the first down at the four.

[Mr. C]

DeMarco totally screwed up a snap and dropped it at the four on second down. He recovered his own fumble, but his third-pass was incomplete. Fourth and goal.

[Mr. C]

Jared Brown is on for a 20-yard field goal attempt, just inside the right hash. Brown powered it through to cut Delaware's lead to 13-10. The drive went 14 plays for 76 yards in five minutes. 4:09 left in the third period. DeMarco was 6-of-8 on the drive, but most of the work was done on one long play by his receiver.

[Mr. C]

*heh* Oops, typo on my part (should've read ODU, was watching the Central Conn. game). Still 17-10 Monmouth, start of the fourth, and the Hawks are 6-9 in third downs. Definitely a bit of a surprise (at least name recognition wise), but yes, they look to have a good team.

Don't mind a little in-game interlude there.

[Mr. C]

Perfect pass from Donnelly to Niha White on the sideline for 30 yards. First down at the UD 48. White has 147 yards receiving in this one. Back-to-back 100-yard games for White. I like the way that K.C. Keeler and OC Jim Hofher are using their offensive personnel.

[yorkcountyUNHfan]

Jared Brown is on for a 20-yard field goal attempt, just inside the right hash. Brown powered it through to cut Delaware's lead to 13-10. The drive went 14 plays for 76 yards in five minutes. 4:09 left in the third period. DeMarco was 6-of-8 on the drive, but most of the work was done on one long play by his receiver.

That was a nice drive. Just as I questioned the passing game they came thru.

[Mr. C]

Punting time for the inconsistent Delaware attack.

[Mr. C]

The punt is downed at the ODU six with 2:14 left in the third period.

[Mr. C]

Surprise, surprise, ODU converts a third down at the UD 25.

[yorkcountyUNHfan]

Is the ODU deep guy not getting to balls he should fair catch or is it that rugby style that's causing the long rolls.
It seams like UD is getting 10-15 extra roll yards out of every punt.

[Mr. C]

After a sack on DeMarco and a third down pass that goes no where, it is time for the fourth quarter. But first, a fumble is ruled on the play and it is Delaware's ball on a Paul Worrilow recovery after a Leon Jackson hit.

[Mr. C]

Is the ODU deep guy not getting to balls he should fair catch or is it that rugby style that's causing the long rolls.
It seams like UD is getting 10-15 extra roll yards out of every punt.

Just well-placed punts from my perspective. I bet the Delaware special teams coach was pumping Zaragoza up this with about the matchup with the All-American Plisco.

[Mr. C]

Donnelly scrambled for nine yards to set up a third-down David Hayes rush for five to the ODU seven. First and goal.

[Mr. C]

Third and four for UD after two running plays.

[Mr. C]

A check-down pass to David Hayes is stopped at the three to set up another right-hash kick for Baner from 20 yards out. This one is thumped through to make it 16-10 for Delaware with 12:12 remaining in the game. Still light at the end of the tunnel for Old Dominion.

[Mr. C]

Andrew Pierce has an undisclosed knee injury for Delaware, but still might return. Pierce has 14 carries for 21 yards.

[Mr. C]

One loud (imagine that at Delaware Stadium) Blue Hen fan has been singing his displeasure for the play calling of Jim Hofher.

[Squealofthepig]

In other FCS news, Indiana State is now up 14-0 on Youngstown State. Stat of the game so far, total yards: Sycamores 153. Penguins, -1

[Mr. C]

Another poor throw out of bounds for DeMarco and it's Plisco time again with 11:19 left.

[Mr. C]

Plisco runs up the middle for a first down, after picking up two great lead blocks. Can you say Red Sea defense? First down at the ODU 38.

[Mr. C]

Best pass of the day from DeMarco, perfectly timed gives ODU a first down and another completion for 28 yards moves the ball to the UD 22. DeMarco then runs a fake and keeps the ball to the UD nine. First and goal.

[Mr. C]

TD ODU DeMarco to Antonio Vaughn. ODU 17, Delaware 16 with 9:50 remaining.

[Mr. C]

That was the best play-calling of the day for Old Dominion and the fake punt kept the drive alive. Plisco could be the Monarchs' player of the game.

[Mr. C]

16,781 is today's attendance at Delaware Stadium.

[Mr. C]

Travis Hawkins comes through with a huge kickoff return of 60 yards to give Delaware the ball at the ODU 32.

[Mr. C]

First-play post pattern Donnelly to Rob Jones is perfectly executed for the TD. Delaware is going for two.

[Mr. C]

Donnelly hits Niha White in the back of the end zone for two points and it is Delaware 24, Old Dominion 17 after an eight-second drive. 9:29 left.

[Mr. C]

I don't know how ODU did it, but after a fumble on the kickoff Delaware knocks itself out of a recovery and the Monarchs get it back at the UD 34. Aaron Evans fumbled the ball for ODU.

[Squealofthepig]

Just, wow. How's that for composure and fight for the Hens? How's ODU look after that insanely quick answer?

[Mr. C]

Another bad throw behind the receiver for DeMarco as Delaware is in its nickel package. And another bad pass on second down. Third and 10.

[Mr. C]

DeMarco is harassed and sacked on third down by Worrilow and Jackson. UD will be watching Plisco this time.

[Mr. C]

UD fair catch by Rob Jones at the UD 29 with 8:13 remaining.

[Mr. C]

Probably last chance time for ODU with a drive starting at the 11 and less than five minutes remaining.

[Mr. C]

Another awful DeMarco pass would have been intercepted if it hadn't been thrown so hard that no one could get a finger on it. Now third and three after a short DeMarco run

[Mr. C]

Third down from the ODU 31 and a hurried pass goes 10 yards over the head of the receiver. Nick Mayers saves the drive on fourth and three with a catch at the ODU 36.

[Mr. C]

You wonder on drives like this if Delaware fans will always think back to the Eastern Washington game?

[Mr. C]

Now third and seven for ODU. A short pass to the 42 to make it fourth and four.

[Mr. C]

And DeMarco did what he has done for much of the game, sailing a pass over the head of a receiver on the sidelines. It wasn't close to the target. Delaware takes over on downs with 2:25 left.

[Mr. C]

Delaware is running out the clock and ODU is calling time out in the final minute. With 48 seconds left, the Monarchs just burned their last one. It is fourth and five for the Blue Hens at the ODU 26.

[Mr. C]

43-yard field goal attempt by Baner is good with 42 seconds left. Delaware 27, OLd Dominion 17.

[Mr. C]

DeMarco even missed a pass out of kick return formation.

[Mr. C]

and the game is final, 27-17.

[Mr. C]

Just, wow. How's that for composure and fight for the Hens? How's ODU look after that insanely quick answer?
That was probably one of the two most impressive offensive possessions for Delaware during the game, the other being at the end of the first half. Championship know how to get it done at crunch time.

[blukeys]

Another awful DeMarco pass would have been intercepted if it hadn't been thrown so hard that no one could get a finger on it. Now third and three after a short DeMarco run

Lets be real. Demarco is not a real CAA QB.

He is at best Rodney Landers light. Jimmy Laycock at W&M would never have recruited this guy as a QB. Today the backup QB for Delaware totally outplayed the ODU QB.

I give credit to the ODU special teams but the ODU QB sucks. ODU will look like Towsan for the next few years.

[DJnva]

Lets be real. Demarco is not a real CAA QB.

He is at best Rodney Landers light. Jimmy Laycock at W&M would never have recruited this guy as a QB. Today the backup QB for Delaware totally outplayed the ODU QB.

I give credit to the ODU special teams but the ODU QB sucks. ODU will look like Towsan for the next few years.

Of course he's not a CAA QB--the kid was first recruited as a punter, but impressed the coaches with his toughness and leadership. Exactly what was needed at ODU when they are starting a program from scratch. It's kind of hard to recruit CAA when you were going to have to spend a year on campus not playing, then 2 years playing an Independent schedule before even hitting the CAA.

At the end of the day, DeMarco was 23-46, 207 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, and was holding penalty away from rushing for almost 100 yards. On the road against one of the top CAA teams. Maybe he ain't a CAA QB--I guess that means when ODU gets one, we can expect a different result...

Yeah, he didn't great, but that happens playing on the road in the toughest conference in the country.

And friend, ODU lost that game because Delaware averaged almost 30 yards an KO returns and 17+ on punt returns.

If you think ODU will look like "Towsan" (who? You mean Towson?) you're not paying close enough attention.

[phillies98]

You are right DeMarco did play bad, didn't look good at all, but guess what Del could have lost. ODU had more penalties and bad kick coverage as well. We have more to improve on and still pushed your 6th rank team to the end. All that matters is DEL won the game so congrats on that, but don't talk all cocky about your team, not very impressed from this side either.

[HenZoneNation]

Let me start out by saying I think what ODU has done (recruiting, facilitities, fan base) in such a short time is nothing short of remarkable. I thought their DL absolutely abused our OL...that's a big deal...we have a great OL...

That being said...this game was not as close as the score indicates. We are still learning how to use our Rugby style kicker. That first TD off the muffed snap was part of the learning curve. Our offense for the most part moved the ball well. I don't know if your special teams were that bad, or if we are starting to come into our own...I think it was a little bit of both.

Fact is, ODU is a legit CAA team, in a hot bed for recruiting and will be a force very soon, just not right now.