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The Underdog Dynasty audience could feel it in their bones: a P5 team was going to lose against a G5 team this weekend. The first big upset in the G5’s favor came before Saturday even arrived.
Old Dominion defeated Virginia Tech on Friday night in Norfolk 20-17 in front of a sold out crown of nearly 22,000. This was ODU’s second win against a P5 program ever, the first being the time they beat Virginia Tech in 2018.
The Old Dominion faithful were ready for this one. And I’m sure they’ll be ready for the next nine years, all of which will contain another matchup with Virginia Tech. For now, let’s think about the moments that are going to stick in our brains as the Monarchs revel in their upset.
5. The Field Storming
Let’s start at the end. When the Monarchs took a knee to wrap this one up, S.B. Ballard Stadium erupted. Fans immediately stormed the field to begin celebrating with the team that continued for several minutes, during which the broadcast team couldn’t even find Ricky Rahne for a postgame interview.
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While storming the field is frowned upon by some of the less cool people in charge of college football, it’s the Hokies that might have some repercussions for this. Redshirt senior tight end Connor Blumrick plowed through an ODU fan that took part, in clear view of the ESPN broadcast.
The argument can be made it was an accidental, but you be the judge. Either way, it’s the way that great rivalries gain steam.
*Extremely Mr. Burns Voice* “Excellent...”
Connor Blumrick just laid out an ODU fan, that’s not good.
— Owen Kidd (@OKiddVT) September 3, 2022
With clear video of it happening I wouldn’t be surprised if we see him getting suspended. pic.twitter.com/4p5XMbnOCw
4. Elevator Malfunction Delay
After Old Dominion took a three-point lead into the half, Virginia Tech was hoping to reset the momentum in their favor. Instead, the members of their coaching staff who spend games in the booth above got stuck in ODU’s elevator. This resulted in a delay of about 15 minutes to the second half.
No word on what exactly caused the delay, but let’s pretend it was because they pushed all the buttons at once to see what would happen.
Virginia Tech at Old Dominion is delayed because coaches are stuck in an elevator. pic.twitter.com/MBWxcsdASb
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) September 3, 2022
3. All The Picks
Old Dominion intercepted Virginia Tech quarterback Grant Wells four times over the course of the evening. It could/should have been more. Lamareon James, Ryan Henry, Tobias Harris , and Terry Jones all had one a piece. The defense’s five forced turnovers were the program’s most since 2016.
Grants Wells overthrows by a hair
— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 2, 2022
OLD DOMINION INTERCEPTION
pic.twitter.com/onkf9NaNJy
Former West Texas A&M CB Tobias Harris with his first interception for Old Dominion. Registered 17 in four seasons for WTAM. Dude is a playmaker with physicality, fluidity, and the speed and ball skills to be a serious impact maker
— Oliver Hodgkinson (@ojhodgkinson) September 3, 2022
pic.twitter.com/QTtlXO2ORh
Ryan Henry with the interception for ODU. Looks like a penalty after the play on ODU. Monarchs will get the ball back with 2:58 left at their 26. They need a touchdown to win.
— Harry Minium Jr. (@Harry_MiniumODU) September 3, 2022
PICKED! OLD DOMINION WINS IT! pic.twitter.com/z7BHExnDAM
— EC (@EUGENEFORTNlTE) September 3, 2022
2. The Go-Ahead Touchdown
This was the moment that set up the victory. After a close call on an almost-fumble by Hayden Wolff, the redshirt sophomore quarterback led a nine play, 59-yard drive to set up a one-yard touchdown run by Blake Watson.
Watson finished the day with 19 carries for 56 yards and the one touchdown. Wolff finished with 14 completions on 35 attempts for 165 yards.
Old Dominion scores a touchdown and takes the lead over Virginia Tech. 0:33 to go in the contest and it is 20-17 ODU #Touchdown #OldDominion #ODU #Sports #CFB #Virginia #Football pic.twitter.com/KZ5lmiuZYW
— Win Big Sports (@WBSNsports) September 3, 2022
1. The Field Goal Scoop-And-Score/Choking Guy
For most of the first half, Virginia Tech was leading and looked relatively in control, despite some early mistakes by Wells. Then when they lined up for a 38-yard field goal to extend the lead, we got a taste of how the rest of the evening was going to go.
A bad snap when over the head of Virginia Tech’s holder and the Monarchs eventually chased it into their own territory. Here, they were able to pick it up and run it in for the touchdown.
At the end of the play, we also got the shot of the Old Dominion fan making the choking sign, which will sure be then subject of a million memes over the course of the next few weeks.
A BAD SNAP FROM VA TECH AND A HOUSE CALL FROM OLD DOMINIONpic.twitter.com/qM08OOtLur
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) September 3, 2022
Honorable Mention: Crocs Dog
Just a good boy doing good boy things.
some are saying Hudson is the best dog in college football. look at those crocs! pic.twitter.com/NsgOXNpC1E
— The Transfer Portal CFB (@TPortalCFB) September 3, 2022
Do you think anyone will notice if I take a quick nap? I don't normally stay up this late
— Hudson ODU (@HudsonODU) September 3, 2022
Go @ODUFootball #ReignOn pic.twitter.com/etX3sI9LNL
the producer who pivoted to “Hudson the ODU team dog” story while the VT coaches were stuck in an elevator delaying the start of the second half has my sword and my shield.
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) September 3, 2022
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