{"id":3128,"date":"2011-10-25T22:02:25","date_gmt":"2011-10-26T02:02:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=3128"},"modified":"2011-10-25T22:05:06","modified_gmt":"2011-10-26T02:05:06","slug":"behind-enemy-lines-qa-with-an-odu-fan-and-blogger","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=3128","title":{"rendered":"Behind Enemy Lines, Q&A With An ODU Fan and Blogger"},"content":{"rendered":"

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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<\/a> and follow him on twitter at @VABeachRep<\/a>. Thanks Joe!<\/em><\/p>\n

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?<\/strong><\/p>\n

For the 2011 season I expected the team to win its three OOC games but only win two (at most three) conference games.\u00a0 Being aware of how difficult the CAA is between its\u00a0FCS 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\u00a0compete immediately.\u00a0 It’s not a matter of the talent and coaching\u00a0ODU has organized; it’s a matter of the CAA’s level of talent.\u00a0 My expectation now is to finish with eight wins.\u00a0 This will require wins over two of James Madison, Richmond\u00a0or W&M.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

Like JMU, ODU has seen its backup QB forced into a starting role. How has the offense adjusted since Taylor Heinicke took over for Thomas DeMarco?<\/strong><\/div>\n

DeMarco\u00a0has been\u00a0great\u00a0for 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.\u00a0 His toughness and leadership have never been in question and he’ll always be a favorite among fans.\u00a0 After suffering an ankle injury against UMass, Heinicke stepped in and brought a different dimension to the team.\u00a0 What DeMarco brings in toughness and intelligence at the position, Heinicke\u00a0enhances those aspects with\u00a0better touch on deep passes.\u00a0 When DeMarco scrambled, the receivers prepared for a scramble; when the pocket breaks down around Heinicke, though, receivers work more to get open.<\/p>\n

As\u00a0a Bills fan (#dontcrossthemoats), I liken DeMarco to Doug Flutie – he’s not the tallest QB but he makes great decisions, can make most throws\u00a0and is quick to accelerate to top speed once he scrambles.\u00a0 Heinicke\u00a0doesn’t reach\u00a0his top speed as quickly\u00a0but he looks upfield more than DeMarco when he scrambles.<\/p>\n

Who are the key ODU players to watch for this weekend on offense? On defense?<\/strong><\/div>\n

Assuming DeMarco remains out due to injury, the obvious answer is Heinicke.\u00a0 He hasn’t accumulated ten touchdowns against only one interception as a true freshman by accident.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 With injuries to three of ODU’s top\u00a0four running backs coming into the game, expect any of ODU’s receivers to have a big game as the play-calling focuses on passing.\u00a0 On defense look for out for Ronnie Cameron.\u00a0 The transfer DT from Hofstra (RIP) has been the clear leader on ODU’s defense, and linebacker Craig Wilkins\u00a0has also made his presence known in the conference.<\/p>\n

Despite the fact that ODU is a new program, the administration has shown tremendous commitment of resources and appears determined to build a top notch program. Because of this, many JMU fans think the JMU and ODU programs are joined at the hip should there ever be a conference shake-up in FCS or an opportunity to move up to FBS. Do you think this view is shared by ODU fans?<\/strong><\/div>\n

James Madison did not increase its stadium size to remain at the FCS level.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 For Old Dominion, it’s fair to state that our fans expect to move eventually beyond FCS.\u00a0 By “eventually” I do mean upwards of at least ten years.\u00a0 The clam shell design of Foreman Field presents logistical challenges for expansion.\u00a0 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).<\/p>\n

But ODU has sold out its 14K season tickets three straight seasons, leaving 4K tickets for students and another thousand for the visitin team.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 None of this is lost on Monarch fans in terms of “moving up.”<\/p>\n

We’ve documented our excitement for this game and really believe JMU vs ODU is already a big time rivalry. How do you think ODU fans view this game? Any chance you see this rivalry overtaking the ODU – VCU hoops one?<\/strong><\/div>\n

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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Fans of other schools look at a sport like field hockey and scoff but Monarch fans don’t care – we love\u00a0our school\u00a0for more than just\u00a0basketball\u00a0because it’s our school<\/span>.\u00a0 It’s not a matter of national recognition; it’s a matter of school pride.\u00a0 I sense the same sentiment from JMU fans, who\u00a0support their school regardless of wins and losses.\u00a0\u00a0Because college football drives rivalries, I expect the added dimension of ODU’s football program\u00a0will\u00a0create something\u00a0betwee<\/var>n JMU and\u00a0ODU fans that fans of other schools couldn’t possibly\u00a0experience without football.<\/p>\n

Prediction for the game?<\/strong><\/div>\n

I have kept my expectations low through two-plus years.\u00a0 Most Old Dominion fans (save the vocal minority) will tell you that we’re still just ecstatic to have a football team.\u00a0 It’s been a long time coming.\u00a0 This season I expected at most six total wins, and we’re\u00a0already 6-2 with three games to go.\u00a0 The Dukes enter the game with the conference’s best rushing offense.\u00a0 The Monarchs allow less than three yards per rush attempt.\u00a0 Old Dominion’s\u00a0QB is starting only his fourth career game with supreme efficiency.\u00a0 The Dukes’ superior defense returns most personnel from\u00a0a unit\u00a0that beat ACC Champion Virginia Tech last season on the road.\u00a0\u00a0ODU potentially won’t have starting DL Chad King, which is not good against a strong running team like the Dukes.\u00a0 There’s a lot to assess.<\/p>\n

I’m going conservative and will say James Madison wins 31-26.\u00a0 I’ve discounted the Monarchs’ ability this season but in every conference game they’ve proven to be competitive, win or lose.\u00a0 Against Delaware\u00a0in their first-ever conference game, they had a lead in the fourth quarter before losing.\u00a0 Against Towson they led most of the second half before losing on a 65-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-29, which\u00a0simply doesn’t happen every game.\u00a0 So in five conference games,\u00a0the team that did not exist three years ago has been in position every game to win in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n

Besides quarterback play, if there’s one thing your fanbase must be mindful of, it is ODU’s special teams play.\u00a0\u00a0The team has\u00a0blocked\u00a0four punts and a FG attempt this season,\u00a0four\u00a0of which led to touchdowns.\u00a0 The Monarchs have a punter in Jonathan Plisco who leads the conference in punting; between shifts in field position from punting and blocked kicks,\u00a0ODU’s coaching staff has demonstrated an ability to identify and exploit weaknesses in opposing teams.\u00a0 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\u00a0a win for the Monarchs!<\/p>\n

The key for your fans to remember is that it’s much more about just one game.\u00a0 The two institutions are similar in many ways, including fan support for football.\u00a0 Both athletic departments seem to support overall athletic teams rather than just one team (basketball).\u00a0 No matter who wins in 2011, this has the potential to be a great rivalry for years to come.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n