C-USA Football Preview Recap

#14 Charlotte 49ers
#13 Rice Owls
#12 UTEP Miners
#11 UTSA Roadrunners

Record: 5-7

Wins: Albany, Massachusetts, Charlotte, FIU, Rice

Losses: North Carolina, Virginia Tech, FAU, Marshall, WKU, North Texas, MTSU

By the end of the 2016 season, the Monarchs were C-USA East Division co-champions: sharing the spotlight with WKU. Due to their sole division loss to the Hilltoppers (59-24), the Monarchs did not qualify for the C-USA Championship game. Head coach Bobby Wilder and the Monarchs ended their season with an impressive 10-3 record and defeated Eastern Michigan 24-20 in the Bahamas Bowl.

By the end of the 2017 season, the Monarchs were 5-7 and ended with a loss to MTSU. From September 16 to October 28, ODU lost six consecutive games. This was not the same team as 2016. Injuries and some youth plagued an offense that, otherwise, would have likely done well. The Monarchs were not a bad team, they just endured a lot of unfortunate circumstances and setbacks.

Heading into the 2018 campaign, that "youth" is still a talking point, but with a sense of less trepidation and more promise.

Quarterback

Steven Williams was thrown into the fire early. The [then] 17-year-old freshman had to step up after the Monarchs' Jordan Hoy and Blake LaRussa were unable to move the team with much success during the North Carolina game. Bobby Wilder pulled the redshirt from Williams, and put the young quarterback in before halftime. Although ODU lost, Williams provided a spark against the Tarheels: throwing for 139 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Williams was no Jake Fromm [in terms of true freshman QB stats], but he was far from a liability to the depleted offense. He ended the season with 1,528 total passing yards, 55.9% completion rate, 5.81 yards per pass, 6 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. In addition, he rushed for 263 yards and 3 touchdowns.

The [now] sophomore quarterback will be better in 2018, but do not expect video game numbers. Williams is mobile, no doubt, but he must improve his passing game. In 2017, there were, simply, not enough explosive plays downfield.

Running Back

Ray Lawry's injury early last season was a big problem. Now Lawry is gone, which is a loss that is definitely felt by the offense. However, the Monarchs return veteran Jeremy Cox who can handle the workload and pressure. In 2017, Cox posted 621 rushing yards, averaged 4.2 yards per carry, and 4 touchdowns. He's a workhorse who, also, accumulated 176 receiving yards. His most impressive season was in 2016 with 732 rushing yards, 5.7 yards per carry, and 13 touchdowns.

Unfortunately, there are no other backs who even come close to Cox's stats. Brandon Sinclair had the next most yardage behind Cox [and QB Williams] with 86 yards, 4.1 yards per carry, and 0 touchdowns.

Sure, Cox is talented and reliable, but someone other than Cox and Williams will have to step up. Cox was either hot or not; there were 4 games in which he ran fewer than 50 yards and 2 in which he ran 100+.

Receivers

Again, there were not enough explosive plays downfield. Once Jonathan Duhart was out for the season with an injury, the Monarchs lost a real go-to guy.

Fortunately for the Monarchs, Williams gets four of last year's top five targets back, including Duhart and Cox.

-Slot man Isaiah Harper led the Monarchs in 2017 with 462 receiving yards and 11.8 yards per reception. He never scored as a receiver, and made more of an impact at kick returns.
-Travis Fulgham - although largely inefficient - is probably the most explosive receiver. He accumulated 394 receiving yards, 13.1 yards per reception, and hauled in a 71 yard touchdown pass.

I would expect one of the recruits to get some playing time, as well.

Offensive Line

The offensive line was not immune to the injuries and instability of 2017, specifically the right side of the line. ODU returns seven players that started games in 2017, for a combined 100 starts.

Key to the Offense in 2018

Score...?

Pretty obvious, I know. However, the Monarchs scored less than 20 points in five games. On the season, ODU averaged 20.6 points per game.

Secondary

ODU returns a veteran secondary in 2018. Should injury not rear its ugly head as it did in 2017, the secondary should be in good shape.

Last season, starting free safety Justice Davila, as well as contributor Kane Miskel, missed the entire year. Starting strong safety Denzel Williams missed four games. Additionally, five other contributors missed at least one game each.

Obviously, without their top contributors, the position group struggled along the way. By the end of the season, the defensive backs allowed opposing passers to make 66%+ of their throws in five out of the last six games. On the season, the secondary only came up with eight picks.

Linebackers

Leading tackler Marvin Branch returns at mike. In 2017, Branch accumulated 96 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 4 pass breakups and 1 fumble recovery. Second-leading tackler, Jordan Young, also, returns after 85 total tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 3 pass breakups, 2 quarterback hurries, and 1 forced fumble. Expect a bit more Lawrence Garner, as well.

Heading into 2017, Branch was the only linebacker with any collegiate tackles. All things considered, this group did well last season and should perform even better in 2018.

Defensive Line

The bulk and personnel is there, and the pass rush was good in 2017, but the rushing defense needs to turn up the heat.

In 2017, the Monarchs were in the top 50 for total sacks (31). However, the rushing defense ranked #103 in total rushing yards allowed, #84 in allowed yards per rush attempt, and #104 in allowed rushing yards per game.

Defensive ends - led by the likes of Oshane Ximines - are arguably the most experienced position on the team with a combined 81 starts. They return 3 starters from last fall. The tackles are led by four seniors: Miles Fox, Ryan Londree, Pat Toal and Brandon Tyson.

Key to the Defense in 2018

Better Rushing Defense

*See Defensive Line

Everyone returns on special teams in 2018.

-Kicker Nick Rice went 15-20 in FG and 27-27 in PATs. He missed 4 FGs from the 40-49 yard line.
-Punter Bailey Cate averaged 40.5 yards per punt and 17 landed inside of the 20 yard line.
-Kick returner Isaiah Harper accumulated 698 yards, 29.1 yards per return, and 3 kick return touchdowns.

Old Dominion is a hard team to peg down. They have never been the worst in the conference, and they have never been the best. The Monarchs have talent in each position: talent other teams in the league would love to possess. In so many words, Old Dominion is a program of raw, untapped potential; there is really no telling how good this team could be if they mature and hone the playbook.

September 1 @ Liberty
September 8 vs. FIU
September 15 @ Charlotte
September 22 vs. Virginia Tech
September 29 @ ECU
October 6 @ FAU
October 13 vs. Marshall
October 20 @ WKU
October 27 vs. MTSU
November 10 vs. North Texas
November 17 vs. VMI
November 24 @ Rice

Projected Record: 5-7 / 6-6 range
Wins: Liberty, FIU, Charlotte, VMI, Rice, and/or a possible win over ECU