Behind Enemy Lines, Q&A With An ODU Fan and Blogger

Before we get to our game preview, we wanted to get an ODU fan’s perspective on the match-up and rivalry. Fortunately Joe Suhoski, an ODU alum who covers the CAA for CAAZone, was kind enough to do this Q&A with us. You can read his work on CAAZone here and follow him on twitter at @VABeachRep. Thanks Joe!

Most CAA fans thought ODU would become a competitive program, but I don’t think anyone believed the Monarchs would be this good this soon. What were your expectations for this team headed into this season? What are they now?

For the 2011 season I expected the team to win its three OOC games but only win two (at most three) conference games.  Being aware of how difficult the CAA is between its FCS championships coupled with wins over FBS teams (by JMU, Villanova, Richmond, UNH, W&M the two previous seasons), it’s difficult to have expected the team to compete immediately.  It’s not a matter of the talent and coaching ODU has organized; it’s a matter of the CAA’s level of talent.  My expectation now is to finish with eight wins.  This will require wins over two of James Madison, Richmond or W&M.  I’ve understimated how talented the team is to this point, but I’m beginning to believe because it’s clear that the players believe.

DeMarco has been great for us in that he has made the right decisions consistently with reading defenses, making the correct pre-snap decisions of where to throw the ball, and scrambling with the ball when it’s the offense’s best option.  His toughness and leadership have never been in question and he’ll always be a favorite among fans.  After suffering an ankle injury against UMass, Heinicke stepped in and brought a different dimension to the team.  What DeMarco brings in toughness and intelligence at the position, Heinicke enhances those aspects with better touch on deep passes.  When DeMarco scrambled, the receivers prepared for a scramble; when the pocket breaks down around Heinicke, though, receivers work more to get open.

As a Bills fan (#dontcrossthemoats), I liken DeMarco to Doug Flutie – he’s not the tallest QB but he makes great decisions, can make most throws and is quick to accelerate to top speed once he scrambles.  Heinicke doesn’t reach his top speed as quickly but he looks upfield more than DeMarco when he scrambles.

Assuming DeMarco remains out due to injury, the obvious answer is Heinicke.  He hasn’t accumulated ten touchdowns against only one interception as a true freshman by accident.  Look out for junior receiver Reid Evans – he was held without a reception in the game against Villanova for the first time in two dozen games; he’s too talented to go two games without a reception.  With injuries to three of ODU’s top four running backs coming into the game, expect any of ODU’s receivers to have a big game as the play-calling focuses on passing.  On defense look for out for Ronnie Cameron.  The transfer DT from Hofstra (RIP) has been the clear leader on ODU’s defense, and linebacker Craig Wilkins has also made his presence known in the conference.

James Madison did not increase its stadium size to remain at the FCS level.  Pictures I’ve seen (I’ve not been there in person) are amazing, and it’s clear where JMU’s administration is aiming to land.  For Old Dominion, it’s fair to state that our fans expect to move eventually beyond FCS.  By “eventually” I do mean upwards of at least ten years.  The clam shell design of Foreman Field presents logistical challenges for expansion.  Its current capacity is just under 20K fans, and it is a challenge to expand the seating behind either end zone (anyone who’s been to Foreman would agree).

But ODU has sold out its 14K season tickets three straight seasons, leaving 4K tickets for students and another thousand for the visitin team.  There’s a season-ticket-waiting-list of roughly 2K individuals so it’s not unreasonable to think Old Dominion could average 25K in attendance by increasing capacity.  None of this is lost on Monarch fans in terms of “moving up.”

The vast majority of ODU’s current fanbase, including myself, supported the program before football was announced in 2006. We love the Monarchs in general much like James Madison fans love the Dukes.  We’re not limited to college basketball like fans of other schools – we support basketball but have nationally-ranked programs in soccer and field hockey.  Fans of other schools look at a sport like field hockey and scoff but Monarch fans don’t care – we love our school for more than just basketball because it’s our school.  It’s not a matter of national recognition; it’s a matter of school pride.  I sense the same sentiment from JMU fans, who support their school regardless of wins and losses.  Because college football drives rivalries, I expect the added dimension of ODU’s football program will create something between JMU and ODU fans that fans of other schools couldn’t possibly experience without football.

I have kept my expectations low through two-plus years.  Most Old Dominion fans (save the vocal minority) will tell you that we’re still just ecstatic to have a football team.  It’s been a long time coming.  This season I expected at most six total wins, and we’re already 6-2 with three games to go.  The Dukes enter the game with the conference’s best rushing offense.  The Monarchs allow less than three yards per rush attempt.  Old Dominion’s QB is starting only his fourth career game with supreme efficiency.  The Dukes’ superior defense returns most personnel from a unit that beat ACC Champion Virginia Tech last season on the road.  ODU potentially won’t have starting DL Chad King, which is not good against a strong running team like the Dukes.  There’s a lot to assess.

I’m going conservative and will say James Madison wins 31-26.  I’ve discounted the Monarchs’ ability this season but in every conference game they’ve proven to be competitive, win or lose.  Against Delaware in their first-ever conference game, they had a lead in the fourth quarter before losing.  Against Towson they led most of the second half before losing on a 65-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-29, which simply doesn’t happen every game.  So in five conference games, the team that did not exist three years ago has been in position every game to win in the fourth quarter.

Besides quarterback play, if there’s one thing your fanbase must be mindful of, it is ODU’s special teams play.  The team has blocked four punts and a FG attempt this season, four of which led to touchdowns.  The Monarchs have a punter in Jonathan Plisco who leads the conference in punting; between shifts in field position from punting and blocked kicks, ODU’s coaching staff has demonstrated an ability to identify and exploit weaknesses in opposing teams.  But as ODU continues to prove me wrong when I expect them to lose, I’ll say JMU wins in a close game…thus ensuring a win for the Monarchs!

The key for your fans to remember is that it’s much more about just one game.  The two institutions are similar in many ways, including fan support for football.  Both athletic departments seem to support overall athletic teams rather than just one team (basketball).  No matter who wins in 2011, this has the potential to be a great rivalry for years to come.  I’m beyond excited for the game because I know it means more than just a win or loss in 2011; the matchup represents the potential each program has in expanding its rivalry and general athletic programs.