Old Dominion Monarchs
Overall Rank: #13
#1 Independent
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Old Dominion will not have much to play for this season as they make their final go around in the FCS before heading to the FBS. The Monarchs schedule includes trips to East Carolina, Maryland, Pittsburgh, Idaho and North Carolina, so ODU is going to be well prepared for 2014. Because of the schedule Coach Bobby Wilder’s squad is not going to end up with a great record, but they are a very good FCS team.
2012 Record: 11-2, 7-1
2012 Postseason: FCS Playoffs
Coach: Bobby Wilder (49-12 at Old Dominion, 49-12 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Brian Scott
Defensive Coordinator: Rich Nagy
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Tyree Lee, RB, 864 yards
Passing: Taylor Heinicke, QB, 5,076 yards
Receiving: Antonio Vaughan, WR, 885 yards
Tackles: Caleb Taylor, LB, 87
Sacks: Alex Johnson, DE, 3.0; Preston Smith, DE, 3.0; Caleb Taylor, LB, 3.0
Interceptions: 5 tied with 1
Other Key Returnees: G David Born, LB John Darr, RB Colby Goodwyn, DT Dominique Guinn-Bailey, OT Jack Lowney, C Josh Mann, S Paul Morant, G D.J. Morrell, CB Reggie Owens, WR Larry Pinkard, WR Blair Roberts, S Andre Simmons
Key Losses: DT Chris Burnette, CB T.J. Cowart, WR Nick Mayers, S Carvin Powell, DT Erik Saylor, S Devon Simmons, LB Craig Wilkins
Strengths:
The Old Dominion offense will be able to score against FBS opponents right now. Junior quarterback Taylor Heinicke is the catalyst behind FCS footballs best offense. In 2012 he threw for an amazing 5,076 yards and 44 touchdowns. He even rushed for 470 yards and 11 scores. Do not expect Heinicke to put up numbers like that against the tougher competition the Monarchs will be facing this season, but it goes to show how potent this offense can be. Receiver Nick Mayers was Heinicke’s favorite target and has run out of eligibility, but there is still plenty of talent returning. Antion Vaughn, who caught 60 passes for 885 yards and seven scores, should emerge as the new top receiver. Larry Pinkard and Blair Roberts caught over 50 passes apiece in 2012 and accounted for 14 touchdown receptions. ODU will not look to the ground too often, but Tyree Lee is a capable back. Behind a strong and experienced line, there should be plenty of time for Heinicke to throw down field and even more room for Lee when they decide to go to the ground.
Weaknesses:
Playing a schedule that was only against FCS opponents, ODU allowed over 30 points per game. That is not going to cut it against Pitt or North Carolina. The defensive line has some holes to fill with Chris Burnette and Erik Saylor gone, but Coach Wilder has brought in some talented junior college transfers to help fill the void. Alex Johnson and Preston Smith are decent pass rushers and team will find a way to get into the backfield. The big loss on defense is linebacker Craig Wilkins, who led the squad with 90 tackles, 6.5 sacks and three interceptions. He did it all and it will take a group effort to replace him. Caleb Taylor is a good place to start. Coming off of a freshman campaign in which he totaled 87 tackles, 3.0 sacks and seven quarterback hurries, the expectations are rightfully high for Taylor. John Darr is a returning starter and D.J. Simon has experience at the junior college level. Perhaps it is the secondary that will face the biggest challenge. The unit was not all that strong to begin with and now they will go up against bigger and stronger wideouts. There is potential at corner with Reggie Owens, Jevon Neal and Eriq Lewis and some experience at safety with Paul Morant and Andre Simmons, yet that group will have some forgettable games.
The Bottom Line:
Like any team making the transition to college football’s top level, there is going to be some tough times. It is only going to get tougher after this year too, but the Monarchs are bringing in some FBS level talent and Heinicke is a superb quarterback. Depth through that grueling schedule will be a big, big problem and that is where transition teams usually falter. If ODU can avoid injuries, they can at least make things interesting during most of those games against FBS competition.
Projected Postseason: None – Not eligible
2012 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 154.38 (55th in nation, 6th in conference)
Passing Offense: 393.85 (1, 1)
Total Offense: 548.23 (1, 1)
Scoring Offense: 45.15 (1, 1)
Rushing Defense: 197.31 (100, 9)
Pass Defense: 222.69 (74, 6)
Total Defense: 420.00 (94, 8)
Scoring Defense: 30.46 (89, 9)
Turnover Margin: .15 (49, 5)
Sacks: 2.85 (15, 1)
Sacks Allowed: 2.08 (61, 7)
Madness 2013 FCS Football Recruit Rankings:
#11 Kanyia Anderson
#27 T.J. Armstrong
#36 Cullen Casey
#43 Daquin Moore
#47 Melvin Vaughn
#52 Kevin Privott
#53 Anthony Bonett Jr.
#56 Robert Thompson
#64 Shane McCarley
#67 Sandy Chapman
#70 Gerard Johnson
#71 Jaiyen Franklin
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