Gary's back from London and joins Mike and Aaron to breakdown the 28-21 victory over App State at The Castle. We rap about the run game's consistent excellence, the defense flexing its muscles, the emergence of the short/intermediate passing game, and cover a couple of fan question/comments. We then look ahead to next week's contest against JMU in Harrisonburg. This team took a step forward today, jump on the train before it leaves the station.

Our 4th Annual Toys 4 Tots drive is next home game on November 4th against Coastal Carolina. We'll be in the Blue Lot collecting toys and the Marines will be walking around tailgating lots collecting cash for fans who'd rather donate that way.

Please visit our website. We have lots of original Monarchists content for everyone to enjoy at http://www.odumonarchists.com

Please subscribe to our podcast on your favorite podcast app. We appreciate your five star ratings and reviews. It helps folks find the podcast and helps us to provide the quality and quantity of content you’ve come to know. And find us on your favorite social media app:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ODUMonarchists

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For more information on how to donate to Old Dominion Athletics please visit https://www.olddominionaf.com/

podcast

2

Mike: Monarchs

3

Monarch Nation, we are

back on a victory Sunday.

4

I am here with Aaron and Gary.

5

How we doing fellas?

6

Aaron: Man, it is a

beautiful Sunday morning.

7

That game last night has left

me on the most natural of highs.

8

It is awesome.

9

Gary: I am beyond pumped this morning.

10

I don't know how much voice I have

left, , but amazing win, gutty win,

11

ballsy win yesterday, , and really

sets us up well going forward.

12

So just a beautiful Sunday here

before the NFL games kickoff.

13

Mike: All right.

14

So, Ultimate in wins 28 21.

15

We are now four and three on the season.

16

Three and one in the Sun Belt East,

which is first place because JMU

17

is not eligible for the conference

championship this year, right?

18

,

Aaron: Yeah, that, that would be accurate.

19

Mike: Pretty good.

20

, Vegas had us at three and

a half wins this year.

21

We're already over.

22

Amazing

23

Gary: cat, cash that ticket last night.

24

I don't think MGM is going to pay

it out, but shout out to Chad for...

25

Throwing that in for me.

26

I was in Tennessee this summer.

27

I don't

28

Aaron: now, Gary, do you get

extra money for catching it in

29

so quickly and not having to

wait until the end of the season?

30

Gary: I don't think they're gonna

pay it out to like December 1st But

31

man, it's nice to just know that

that couple hundred bucks has come

32

in my way here right before Christmas

33

Mike: yeah, it's going to be a

nice holiday treat of success.

34

Old Dominion surpasses their

win mark of last season as well.

35

And we finally beat App State.

36

, if we're going to start anywhere, I

think, I love the running game last

37

night, but more importantly, I love the

short and intermediate passing and how

38

efficient Grant Wilson was last night.

39

So, I know Gary mentioned it.

40

This would be a good week to

cement who our quarterback is.

41

And I think we can all agree

that that happened last night.

42

Gary: Grant Wilson made big plays.

43

There's still room for improvement there

And I think he would tell you that too,

44

but he made some big time throws facing

some big time pressure in some situations

45

that fourth down and ten conversion in

the fourth quarter was, could be, I think

46

the biggest play in the Ronnie tenure.

47

, it definitely kind of changed

the momentum of, of this season.

48

We were able to convert

that and keep going.

49

, but he was poised, App

took away the deep ball.

50

We survived underneath, we survived

running the ball, and he was more like

51

the David Washington type that I was

talking about, of taking what the defense

52

gives you, , Being accurate, being

efficient, not turning the ball over.

53

He did all of that, and I think

it's pretty safe to say he is

54

solidified as our starting quarterback

after that performance yesterday.

55

Mike: Absolutely.

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18 to 25 on the night,

188 yards, one touchdown.

57

Ran the ball for 62 yards,

net 35 because of sacks.

58

But he was what we

needed to win that game.

59

And it was really fun to

watch that offense work.

60

It's what I've been waiting for.

61

All season and it was a lot of fun.

62

Gary: It's going to put some fear into

our future opponents as well because we've

63

finally shown that we can run, we can

throw short and intermediate, and we still

64

have that deep ball in our back pocket.

65

So I don't know if you're going to see

defenses do what Abt did last night

66

where they had safeties deep, they were

playing 10 to 15 yards off of all of

67

our wide receivers the entire night.

68

, We've shown now we can pick that

apart and win football games.

69

, so that's gonna, that's gonna cause

some headaches and heartburn for

70

defensive coordinators in the future

that we can, that the offenses come

71

together a bit and added that element

that was so desperately needed.

72

, Aaron: when you can take a snap.

73

And almost immediately throw

to a receiver out on the edge

74

and pick up six to eight yards.

75

, it's as good as having an

outstanding rushing game.

76

And when you can mix both of those

in, like they were last night, it

77

makes for a pretty difficult task.

78

And then, as a defense, you just...

79

, you can't cover everything.

80

At least most teams

can't cover everything.

81

And last night, , was a great example.

82

, Mike and I were in the , post

game presser with Ricky.

83

We asked him about it.

84

We also asked Grant , about the

short and intermediate game.

85

And it certainly was a focus this week.

86

And the defense played right into it.

87

And, , it worked out well for us.

88

Mike: Yeah, it's a pick your poison moving

forward for whoever we're playing against.

89

They know we can run the ball.

90

We they know we can take it over

the top on and now we can go on

91

the short intermediate throws.

92

What how do you defend us now?

93

It's going to be really interesting

to see how moving forward how that

94

works because this is the offense

that we we needed and It's working.

95

So now, if , they're stacking

the box, we know what to do.

96

If they're playing back,

we know what to do.

97

We can play with anybody if we're

playing this type of offense.

98

Gary: Yeah, I think Mike, you and I

were talking to each other last night

99

of like, this is what this offense is

supposed to look like, and then if they

100

give us the deep pass, we'll throw it.

101

They didn't.

102

They were scared to death of the deep

ball last night and we were able to

103

capitalize which I didn't know if we

had the ability to do that and it was

104

great to see it and I think it really

comes from better quarterback play.

105

, Grant, you know, hats off to him coming

back after being benched and looking

106

really good against an app state team

that is down, but they had a good

107

game plan and we were able to beat it.

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Mike: And our two headed monster in

the backfield, , we're fantastic again.

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Cadareus Callaway, 13 carries, 104

yards, 8 yards per, , 8 yard average.

110

, Sean Wicks, 82 yards, two toddies, 6.

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8 on the ground that you can't

ask for much more than that.

112

It was fantastic to watch

that running game last night.

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Aaron: Well, I mean, we can.

114

, Kadarius could run for, what, 20

yards a carry like he did that

115

one game, but , let's be real.

116

, phenomenal.

117

I mean, we talked last week

about what were some keys to

118

winning this game this week.

119

, I'm going back to my notes and Old

Dominion checked the boxes on everything.

120

The first one was being able

to rush the ball effectively.

121

We rushed the ball.

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39 times for a net of 221 yards.

123

, it was almost 250 yards,

but we did have 5 sacks.

124

5.

125

7 yards per carry.

126

, you're able to rush the ball

for almost 6 yards a carry.

127

You're going to win a

lot of football games.

128

, another was stopping the rush.

129

We held apt at 127 yards, average of 3.

130

5 yards per carry.

131

That's pretty darn good Other was

limiting really hurtful sacks.

132

Although we gave up five sacks

It was really only one of

133

those sacks that I would put in

that category of being hurtful

134

Unfortunately was on the last drive.

135

I think we were on the 33 yard line third

down and something 33 yard line Kind

136

of drive and be able to kick a field

goal for a potential win and I think

137

we took a sack that put us back on the

40 yard line, and that's where, , Ricky

138

had , an important decision that he

talks about in the press conference, and

139

shameless plug here, go to odumonarchist.

140

com, we'll have that up in the next

We'll Day or so, , and the, uh, last one

141

was limiting or eliminating turnovers.

142

We had zero fumbles, Grant

had zero interceptions.

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Check the boxes on all those things,

resulting in an Old Dominion victory.

144

Gary: It was, it was nice to

see those boxes get checked

145

and we've talked about it.

146

We're not doing one big thing wrong.

147

We're doing a lot of little things

wrong and it's kind of stacking.

148

We were able to eliminate over half

of those little things that we had not

149

been doing well throughout the season.

150

, one other thing I want to highlight

here too, is we had our longest

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touchdown drive of the season.

152

, it was the first touchdown

drive that we had.

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It was 12 plays, , which ties the second

longest drive, which was at tech in week

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one, but 12 plays, 87 yards, eight up five

minutes and 50 seconds off of the clock.

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That was really nice to see that sustained

methodical drive being able to go down the

156

field impose our will Good mix of run good

mix of pass and then putting a touchdown

157

up on the board after epic kind of driven

down the field and put it to us And then

158

we had a three and out on our first drive.

159

, so to come back bounce back and have

that drive was was great , this is also

160

I think our closest time of possession

game two App led 32 minutes, six seconds.

161

We had the ball for 27

minutes, 54 seconds.

162

, I think the time of possession is a little

screwy here because we had a really long

163

drive at the end where the clock stopped

a lot and didn't run a lot of time.

164

, but the play differential is so key.

165

App had 68 plays.

166

We had 64.

167

That's the closest that

has been all season.

168

, so just thinking about that

and the defense didn't have to

169

be out there the whole game.

170

They could have helped themselves

a lot more by getting some

171

stops on the fourth down.

172

We'll talk about that in a

minute, but, , much more balance

173

really on on that offensive side.

174

The ball has helped our defense

and let them be fresh at the end of

175

the game when we needed a big stop.

176

Mike: While we're talking about

the offense, , I think we need

177

to credit this offensive line.

178

, Santana Saunders gets hurt early in the

game and Chris Chernak comes in and.

179

He really next man up mentality.

180

We, the offensive line performed

well last night overall.

181

, obviously making some big holes for

those running backs to go through.

182

Aaron: hey Mike, yeah, I want

to go back just for a second.

183

Gary, you were talking about the

longest drive, , play wise, 12 plays.

184

, but we finished the

game with 11 play drive.

185

I said, , it was only 2 minutes

and 58 seconds because of the

186

end of game and clock stopping,

but it was an 11 play drive.

187

, the other thing, this is our...

188

Best time of possession game this year,

but what might get lost in the shuffle

189

there is in the fourth quarter We had

the ball for eight minutes 18 seconds.

190

So we finished this game with holding

the ball and I really Controlling

191

the game and not giving app a whole

heck of a lot of time to try to

192

tie the game up there at the end

193

Gary: I think you all may have asked it

in the postgame press conference about

194

Keyshawn Wicks going in the end zone.

195

I told Mike right before.

196

That snap that apps probably going

to try to let us score a touchdown

197

on this drive is the only way they

were going to get the ball back.

198

So flip a coin, whether or not you go for

the six and put it away, or you just try

199

and get close and depend on a field goal.

200

There's a lot of things

that can go wrong there.

201

I will say.

202

Converting the two point conversion

after that touchdown was huge,

203

beautiful pass, beautiful catch,

beautiful play design, and it was just

204

another big play in that drive that

was just huge like those were plays.

205

We were not definitely

weren't making last year.

206

I think earlier this season

we struggled to make those big

207

plays at the end of the game.

208

They overcame a lot of adversity

on that last drive to we had

209

some plays that didn't go well.

210

We had some penalties that took a big play

back, but they just Shook it off, like

211

being able to overcome that adversity,

like there was a gutty, gutty win.

212

It was a gutty drive and it was one

that, that I think sets a really

213

nice tone for the rest of the year of

we can find a way to win a football

214

game no matter what the defense is

215

throwing at us.

216

Aaron: Yeah, Gary that question it

was either Mark Davis or Brian

217

Parsons I can't remember who it was

off to the left, but they did ask

218

if that was Discussed beforehand.

219

Ricky said it was but I think it were of

the mindset of we'll score the touchdown

220

I have confidence in the defense we'll let

the fall where they they are We score the

221

touchdown then hey good on me if , they

come back and they beat us , it's gonna

222

be shame on me you know the coach taking

that call and his call was let's put the

223

points on the board and We'll hold him.

224

Mike: I clearly see why he trusts

that defensive the way they played

225

in the fourth quarter was fantastic.

226

, and we've seen it the last, we saw

it last week and we saw it Marshall.

227

, the defense in the fourth quarter

has been amazing for weeks now.

228

Gary: And we had some

different guys stepping up on

229

defense on Saturday as well.

230

I mean I I don't think we can go any

further in this podcast without talking

231

about Keandre Harris , they specifically

targeted him with the last two plays of

232

the game those fades to the corner of

the end zone He was in coverage there.

233

He had two pass breakups on two

consecutive Fades at the most

234

important part of the game.

235

, that, that is big.

236

, I know he's a juco transfer

that, that just came in.

237

, he's got a little bit of playing

time this year, but not a ton.

238

, but he stepped up in a big, big way.

239

, he also was the one that downed the

punt at the one yard line earlier in

240

the game, made a fantastic play to keep

that ball from going in the end zone.

241

So it could be down.

242

, Keandra Harris, just

fantastic, fantastic game.

243

Mike: Obviously, we have to mention

Jason Henderson because you always

244

have to mention Jason Henderson,

, another huge game from him.

245

I think it was what 17

tackles on the night.

246

Gary: He was everywhere.

247

Mike: Yeah,

248

Gary: I got to be on the sideline in the

second quarter and getting to see him at

249

field level making the plays that he does.

250

, there was a third down play where Aguilar

tried to roll out and Henderson stopped

251

him and Terry Jones cleaned up the tackle.

252

And Jason Henderson was on the

other side of the field when that

253

ball was snapped and I don't know

how he got over there but he does.

254

And it's, it's wild to watch him move on

255

the field at that

256

Aaron: 16 tackles.

257

Mike: Yeah.

258

, so we were in the suites in the end

zone on the top level of the suites.

259

That was almost like an

all 22 look at the game.

260

And being able to watch Jason

and how he slices through the

261

offense to get to the ball.

262

It was, it was a lot of fun to watch.

263

Aaron: Yeah, so Jason now 109

tackles on the season man.

264

He is , he is on a He's on a great pace.

265

, again.

266

Gary: Yeah, he's he's just

continuing what he did last year.

267

I like that.

268

They're more aggressive with him

sitting with blitzes and app state was

269

specifically trying to run the opposite

270

direction

271

of jason last night

272

Aaron: Yeah, I remember you,

you mentioned that to me,

273

like, right at the beginning of the game.

274

You're like, hey, check this out.

275

You see what APP is doing

here and they're rushing.

276

I was like, oh, I don't know, Jerry.

277

Tell me what they're doing.

278

And you're like, yeah, look,

they're running the exact opposite

279

direction of where Jason is.

280

That's side of the field.

281

But he's so damn fast, and he

reads the plays so well, and moves

282

sideline to sideline so well, that...

283

, that's only gonna work for so long.

284

Gary: yeah, and they were app state.

285

They were running some good like Guard

tackle pulls to run those stretch runs

286

and they got some some bigger gains off

of us doing it But they were specifically

287

putting one to two guys specifically

to block jason and get him out of the

288

play , that's where I think the guys in

our secondary really stepped up yesterday

289

We did give up a couple kind of gashing

runs, but we kind of locked that down

290

after a while And it's because guys

like terry jones come up with three solo

291

assists 11 for the day Rashid reason

had five solo tackles I mean, that's,

292

that's amazing for, for somebody in the

secondary to have five solo tackles.

293

Sean Asbury had four, , just solid

tackling from the guys in the secondary.

294

So that when Jason Henderson does

get double teamed and then they peel

295

off Wayne Matthews and they're able

to block down the line, secondary

296

is kind of coming in on blocked

and they are making those tackles.

297

And I don't know.

298

If you all want to go back to the,

uh, the, the days of, of pre Ricky

299

Ronnie, I don't know if their secondary

made a whole lot of tackles like

300

that, , especially , in the later years.

301

So it's nice to see them be able

to win those one on one battles

302

with a running back and take

some of the pressure off Jason.

303

Hey, you want to send three

guys to block Jason Henderson?

304

Cool.

305

We'll send two unblocked and go

shut down what you're trying to do.

306

And that's eventually what

they got to in the third and

307

fourth quarter of

308

that game.

309

, Aaron: every podcast, I mention this name.

310

And you know which name

that is, right, Gary?

311

I can see the look in your eyes.

312

Who?

313

Say his name.

314

Gary: let you take it.

315

you

316

Say

317

it.

318

Aaron: Say his name.

319

Say his name, Gary.

320

Gary: Nope, nope,

321

Aaron: Alright.

322

Ethan Sanchez, man.

323

Last night,

324

two really big field goals.

325

One, the end of the first

half, taking the lead.

326

47 yard boot.

327

Not only was he the most hype I think

I've ever seen a kicker, since maybe,

328

uh, Jonathan Plisko and Jared Brown.

329

Although last night when we saw...

330

Jonathan, he made sure to let

us know that he's not a kicker.

331

There's a difference between

a kicker and a punter.

332

I did not know this, but this must be

a, , special teamers kind of thing.

333

But, man, Ethan was so pumped, I thought

he was gonna knock some linemen over.

334

The coolest thing was watching,

like, the entire team, , embrace

335

him, run out, celebrate.

336

The entire way from like the 30

yard line of the opposite side of

337

the field by the north end zone all

the way Going into the locker room.

338

That was huge.

339

And then the other field goal the 46

yarder Neither were in question at all.

340

I mean they split the

uprights hit the balls.

341

Well as a matter of fact in the postgame

presser Another shameless plug, , go

342

to the website when that thing is up.

343

We asked Ricky About what was going

through his head on that fourth and

344

ten play at the end and the initial

the first thought was to kick a field

345

goal We were on the 40 yard line.

346

That would have been a 57 yard field goal.

347

He talked to Ethan about it.

348

, and Ethan was basically, I, I don't know

the exact words, , I can't, , my hearing

349

kind of sucks, and I don't know that Ricky

gave his exact, the exact words, but the

350

emotion that Ricky was coming through

was basically, Ethan was, hell yeah!

351

I'll nail that.

352

And, , during the middle of that

conversation, the wind kicked up a little

353

bit, and Ricky decided that we weren't

gonna kick it, we were gonna go for it.

354

But, two huge kicks, , I think they

changed the trajectory of the game.

355

If he doesn't make those kicks, I mean,

I know we won by 7, but we might not

356

win that game without those two kicks.

357

Gary: Changes the dynamic for sure.

358

And those kicks came in that critical

middle eight window that you hear Coach

359

Ronnie talk about a lot of the last

four minutes of the first half and the

360

first four minutes of the second half.

361

I think that's the best we've executed in

that middle eight since he's been here.

362

We were able to get a touchdown.

363

We were able to get a stop.

364

And then we got a field

goal to end the half.

365

Get the ball coming out of halftime.

366

Nice long drive.

367

Ends with another field goal.

368

That was a really, really

critical window for us.

369

And the last couple games we have

not done well in that window at all.

370

And I think that really kind of changed

the trajectory of the game there.

371

And you're right, Ethan Sanchez

nailing both of those field goals.

372

Having the confidence to,

yeah, run me out there for 57.

373

We know he has the leg.

374

We just got to watch

sometimes the accuracy on it.

375

But he was, he was great.

376

, also want to talk about the

other Ethan, Ethan Dwayne, , five

377

punts last night, average uh, 43.

378

8 yards, uh, had one inside the

20, one that was over 50 yards.

379

He got hit, , early in that game

with no flag and we're going to talk

380

all about the that I don't know.

381

We'll get on them in a minute, but

he got hit a couple of times last

382

night, so he was under pressure

and he's still making big kicks.

383

App State only started only

started one drive in Old Dominion

384

Territory in the entire game.

385

That's something we haven't done all

year, and that was When we were backed

386

up after that first three and now

Ethan Wayne punts it from his own end

387

zone, they take over at the ODU 46.

388

He was able to flip the field and

that was really important last night

389

because , every possession, every point

mattered and having a specialist come

390

in and do his thing and make some good

punts, especially get that one at the

391

one, , really great job by both Ethan's

392

. . Mike: All right.

393

So we asked Monarch fans to call us at

our number seven, five, seven, seven,

394

nine, seven, four, nine, three, five.

395

And we got one call from G Willing

on Twitter, and his overall marks

396

is he's feeling a little bit more

optimistic than he was before the game.

397

, but there's some issues

we need to clean up.

398

Obviously we're gonna talk about some of,

we've talked about some of those and we'll

399

talk about more of those moving forward.

400

But he's hopeful that we can

bring a big crew of people to

401

GMU for this big game next week.

402

Alright, so we're going

next week and we can't wait.

403

It's gonna be, ... Uh,

a very interesting game.

404

We know that James Madison's a pretty

fantastic defense, especially with what

405

they did against Marshall last week.

406

But I can't wait to get up there

and see how this environment is.

407

Gary: Yeah.

408

Aaron: I'm stoked about

it, heading up Saturday.

409

I know with you Mike, Gary, I think

you've got a different caravan going

410

up, but we're all gonna meet up.

411

, I personally am not a streamer guy,

so I'm not gonna bring blue streamers.

412

But I'm gonna bring my damn voice and,

depending on how that game goes, actually.

413

No matter how the game goes,

I think my voice will suck on

414

Sunday recording next week.

415

Gary: Yeah, I'm excited to get up there

as well I think there's gonna be a pretty

416

big contingent of ODU fans up there But

kind of get into some of the comments

417

on on the game that that he had You know

right about the holding penalty that was

418

that was brutal that could have killed

us But luckily we were able to make a

419

big play to cover it I think in general

like There's still a lot to clean up.

420

He's, he's right on the money with that.

421

Like we're, we're not a perfect

football team, but we're

422

trending the right direction.

423

And the biggest takeaway for me coming out

of this win is that we found a way to win.

424

And we've kind of found, found a

way to lose some games this season.

425

We've had some where

we found a way to win.

426

Uh, but you know, is

historically a good program.

427

We've never been competitive against

them, , to to find a way to just piece

428

it together and win the football game.

429

That was my biggest takeaway from it,

but there's still a lot of work to do.

430

And JMU is a good team.

431

They have a great defense.

432

, you look at it, I think they've only,

they only know if they've allowed 60 total

433

points this season, they're very good.

434

They're going to try to take away

what we want to do, but man, I would

435

love to be in JMU stands celebrating

a win after that late game on

436

Saturday with a lot of ODU fans.

437

Aaron: Yeah, I agree with almost

everything that, that he had to say.

438

, I feel differently about

Ethan Sanchez, though.

439

, last night, those two

kicks were big for him.

440

I think that's a big moment in this season

for him, and maybe in his career at ODU.

441

, he hit those balls both very confidently,

and you could tell, , afterwards, like,

442

, how into it he was, Ricky obviously trusts

him, , and I think the next time that a

443

big kick comes up, those are things that

he's going to flash back to, and , , I

444

really think that we've got a guy that

we can depend on when we need a big kick.

445

Mike: So Eric Bohannon's email that he

sends after the game noted that was the

446

first multi kick or multi field goal game.

447

for Ethan Sanchez and his career here.

448

So hopefully it is a big turning point

for him because we know he has the leg.

449

It's always just been the

inconsistencies with his kicking

450

that has kind of held him back.

451

So hopefully this is a big momentum

swing for him and because he's got

452

the talent, he should be one of

the best kickers in the league.

453

And I think maybe this is that turning

point, Aaron, just like you mentioned.

454

Gary: Confidence boost is, is nice.

455

And I think that confidence

boost is for the whole team.

456

, you look at where we're

at now, we have four wins.

457

There's a clear pathway

to becoming bowl eligible.

458

, if we would have lost

that game to App State.

459

It's really hard to see

how that would be possible.

460

And you get guys that lose confidence

and we may end up in that three and

461

nine boat that we did last year.

462

I'm getting the exact opposite vibes.

463

Now doesn't mean we're going to win out.

464

It doesn't necessarily mean we're

going to go up to Harrisonburg and

465

come out with a win, but there are.

466

Some three or four games that we're

going to have a clear opportunity

467

to win and become bowl eligible.

468

And the most important thing about

becoming bowl eligible, it's not whatever

469

game we go into against the Mac school

or conference USA or whoever it is.

470

It's the fact that we

have a super young roster.

471

We still have a new offense and becoming

bowl eligible gives you three more

472

weeks of practice three more weeks

to get those younger guys more reps

473

in practice, you can get them in.

474

You're going to have less guys

transfer because they're getting that

475

practice time and they're saying,

Hey, there's a pathway for me here.

476

Three more weeks of this great talent

that coach Ronnie and his staff have

477

brought in the last couple of years that

you're starting to see on the field now.

478

pop up in more than just

the wide receiver position.

479

Getting those guys that three extra weeks

of development is so big going for forward

480

for us for the health of the program.

481

Long term.

482

Don't think about it is a great.

483

We're gonna go back to Myrtle Beach and

484

It's that three weeks of practice.

485

That's so critical to help your program.

486

Aaron: we talking about practice?

487

We talking about practice?

488

Gary: You know what our

football team is doing today?

489

Practicing They're practicing.

490

They come back and they practice.

491

Yup.

492

Film study, practice, all that.

493

They watched the app state

wind down and then it's on to

494

JMU after the off day Monday.

495

Mike: So obviously you

guys know I'm active on the

496

boards, , And it's always funny.

497

Every single game we win, you go on the

boards and there's people saying, well,

498

that might be our last win of the season.

499

Our own fans don't believe yet.

500

And I still don't get it.

501

Gary: I don't totally blame them.

502

, we haven't had a really strong

winning season in a while and

503

there's going to be people that are a

little slow to get on the optimistic

504

train and they could be right.

505

If they keep saying it eventually,

they'll be right no matter what.

506

I think if you felt the energy from the

crowd and the team on Saturday, like the

507

crowd was good when they filed in there,

the students did a great job showing up.

508

Like, there's momentum building.

509

There were a lot of recruits at

that game last night, and you

510

could feel that momentum building.

511

This doesn't feel like last year.

512

At all at this point, and we've already

clips that when total we cast your bets.

513

I understand that people are hesitant

to get on the train, but I think by

514

the time you realize the trains in

motion, it, you're, you're going to be

515

wishing you hopped on a little sooner.

516

Mike: My thing is this.

517

If you can run the ball and

play good defense, you have

518

a chance to win every game.

519

And we have the pieces there.

520

Now that we're adding the, the passing

wrinkle into it, it just becomes even

521

more likely that we can win some games.

522

, I'm a believer and I have been since we

made this offensive coordinator hire, but

523

if you can run the ball like we, we do.

524

We have a shot.

525

Aaron: Oh, absolutely.

526

You run the ball farm with 6 hours of

carry, you're gonna win a lot of games.

527

But, to go back to your question about the

message boards, it's not just the message

528

boards, it's social media in general.

529

, if you were to take Every social

media post about sports from every

530

fan base, and you were to divide

them out into positive, we'll call it

531

middle, we'll just say realistic, and

then on the other side negative, like

532

always positive, in the middle kind

of realistic, and always negative.

533

You probably are gonna

have more always negatives.

534

It's like me with the commanders.

535

, you're always, as a, as a fan,

as a, you know, a fanatic, as a

536

diehard, you always want better for

your team, and you're always going

537

to be more critical of your team.

538

So, it's no different in basketball.

539

So we got this phenomenal

recruiting class, knock on

540

wood, , signing is in a few weeks.

541

, Even with that, with three guys,

three really, really highly rated

542

guys, you got folks that are

looking for the negative in it.

543

, you sign up 4 star, 6 11 big man,

who's got great film, and is very

544

highly regarded, and the first

thing that people want to go

545

is, well, what's wrong with him?

546

He's not that good.

547

Everybody backed off.

548

, otherwise we wouldn't get him.

549

As opposed to the positive stuff.

550

There is one message, I was

just looking, you brought up

551

the boards, , from DJ and VA.

552

And he said the options, quote, sign a

top 125 guy, have a top 25 recruiting

553

class, versus don't sign a top 125 guy,

don't have a top 25 recruiting class.

554

Why on earth would anyone be

anything other than happy?

555

So I'm not saying that people shouldn't

be realistic because we try to do that.

556

I mean, with the basketball show we

talk with Coach Jones and say we've

557

got to be honest and authentic.

558

So.

559

Coaches and players know when

shit's not going right, okay?

560

So do we.

561

But there's a way to talk about it, and

you don't have to be, , What's the word?

562

Not melodramatic, Mike.

563

, when everything's to the extreme.

564

, what word is that?

565

Hyperbole, where you take things,

things to the extremes there.

566

Yeah, and just going crazy.

567

It's very easy to do that online.

568

It's less likely that it happens

when we're having conversations

569

in person with people.

570

And that's why we try

to do that all the time.

571

It's just talking with people,

inviting them to the tailgate.

572

You know, people that are, , more, in the

more of the positive camp like we are.

573

People who are critical of the program.

574

we invite everybody to tailgate.

575

We, you know, the three of us

are in a more positive camp.

576

We know when shit stinks.

577

We know when players aren't playing well.

578

We know when, you know, the

teams aren't playing well.

579

We try to frame it in a positive

direction because the other doesn't.

580

It doesn't help.

581

It's not constructive, but we invite

everyone to the tailgate whether you're

582

more in our camp or you're critical

of what's going on because we can have

583

face to face discussions and have

good discussions and good debate and

584

understand where people are coming from

both sides and , I could be convinced

585

of stuff, but online, it's too easy

just to go hyperbolic and be that guy.

586

Because let's face it, we haven't

seen any gals doing that crazy shit.

587

, it's always us, as guys, because we're...

588

If we didn't love ODU and we weren't

crazy about the team, you wouldn't care.

589

And so none of it would exist.

590

To be honest, this team is

trending in a positive direction.

591

Anyone who was at that game or watched the

game on TV to say that we're not trending

592

in the right direction you're either so

jaded, or you're just not being honest.

593

Are we there yet?

594

Hell no, of course we're not!

595

But, we're moving in a good direction

and I'm really excited for what

596

the future is for this squad.

597

Mike: absolutely.

598

And while we're talking about

fans, we got to talk about last

599

night's environment at the stadium.

600

Wasn't, wasn't sold out.

601

Wasn't packed to the brim with fans, but

the crowd that was there was into it.

602

The student section was awesome.

603

It was a loud, fun environment to be in.

604

Obviously play on the field matters

and helps hugely in that, but.

605

Hats off to all of our fellow

fans for making that a tough

606

place to play last night.

607

Gary: I may be in the minority here.

608

But I think we should play all

of our home games at night.

609

That just had a different feel to it.

610

Like, and I don't know if it's just

because the light show actually looked

611

like a light show after halftime.

612

Uh, but it just had a

different vibe about it.

613

Like the, the energy felt a little

more chaotic, a little more hostile.

614

, there were definitely some App State

fans there who I, I know are getting

615

into it in the stands with some people.

616

, and having some fun.

617

But I think , that's what

being in the Sun Belt.

618

, you want that rivalry.

619

, you want to shit talk someone wearing

an App State shirt, not being a

620

jackass or anything, not getting into

fights, but trash talk back and forth.

621

, that's why we're here now, why we're

not playing Rice and UTEP and all these

622

teams that no one actually gives a shit

about unless you gamble like a degen.

623

Aaron: No, nobody on this

call fits that, , description.

624

Gary: Yeah, but it's fun like

being able to have that trash

625

talk and building that rivalry.

626

They're like, that's what it's about it.

627

I felt that in the crowd.

628

I also really enjoyed the

extra hour of tailgating.

629

, so I don't know for sure if that's an

ODU call and ODAF call a V Virginia,

630

ABC, it's a staffing, whatever.

631

But there were more butts in seats

at kickoff and into the first half,

632

we didn't feel rushed when we were

tailgating, like several of us are

633

able to actually go over to coffin ball

for the first time in several years.

634

, having that extra hour is It's pretty

nice to have in the tailgate and I

635

feel like it enhances our experience

a little bit, so I'll get off my

636

tailgating soapbox, but it'd be nice

to have that extra hour every year.

637

, Aaron: not to get off that tailgating

soapbox yet and the extra hour, , I might

638

be jumping ahead, but one thing that

extra hour allowed us to do is, , walk

639

around , The blue lot and pass out

flyers for the Toys for Tots drive,

640

which is coming up at the next home game.

641

So, , November 4th against coastal

Carolina, 4th annual Toys for Tots drive.

642

If you were in the stadium, you saw

the video promo for that last year.

643

We collected over a thousand

toys and more than 1, 500.

644

The goal this year.

645

We're actually not setting one.

646

The only goal is to smash

the record from last year.

647

So, let's, let's be, you know, way more

than a thousand and fifteen hundred.

648

Uh, Noah's Monarch fans, we can do that.

649

And every single dollar and every

single toy stays in the Hampton

650

Roads community to make, uh, our

little boys and little girls lives,

651

you know, a little bit better.

652

Some of them who wouldn't

have a Christmas otherwise.

653

Mike: So, last night's win was

pretty big in another moment.

654

Because now, we're being in

the Sunbelt, they do the game

655

assignments two weeks ahead.

656

, Monday or Tuesday this week we'll find out

what time the Coastal Carolina game is on.

657

With our record being what it is,

that game should be picked up.

658

, for somewhere on national television,

I, I would think, I don't know

659

if I'm off base there, but

660

Gary: No.

661

I am shocked by the number of

Sunbelt games that have been picked

662

up on linear broadcast this year.

663

you look around, I think we had...

664

At least four or five of our games

picked up for linear like remote of

665

these games are not even on ESPN plus

there They're actually on a network.

666

It's

667

Aaron: yeah, you know on the main

I think wasn't wasn't the JMU

668

Gary: yeah.

669

Aaron: ESPN 1, you know, we've seen

them on ESPN 2 the you it's I'm

670

Gary: Yeah, and we were snatched

up for NFL Network last night So,

671

I mean, it's it's really widespread

and it's not because we're playing

672

games on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

673

I know I think we've had A couple

of those in the Sun Belt, but we're

674

definitely not dedicating our entire

conference slate to Tuesday and

675

Wednesday night, Wednesday night action.

676

, but yeah, it's, I imagine

it gets picked up.

677

I hope it's a 7 o'clock kick.

678

And again, I may be in

the minority on that.

679

I don't have kids that

I'm bringing to the game.

680

I have a place where I can stay in

Norfolk after games if I need to.

681

But, the vibe and the game day

atmosphere is a lot of fun.

682

And, going back to your Toys for

Tots, no matter your feelings on the

683

team or what the direction is going.

684

You can do something positive for kids

in Hampton Roads by bringing a toy.

685

You can even walk up, drop it in, and

say whatever you want about the team.

686

We don't care.

687

, but , this is for a much

bigger cause , than football.

688

, but I would encourage everyone, we

have two home games left this year.

689

And I said at the end of last

year, we're gonna miss college

690

football when it's gone.

691

We're halfway through

our conference slate.

692

We got two home games left.

693

Come to the game and have

fun, like it's a good time.

694

Tailgate, no matter what happens

on the field, it's a fun time.

695

Interact with some people, touch

some grass even if it's artificial.

696

Uh, just try to, try to enjoy yourself

here because you're going to be sitting

697

there at the end of December going,

Damn, there's like three college

698

football games left and I didn't go

to a single one in Norfolk this year.

699

Don't let that happen.

700

Come to these last two games.

701

Mike: all right.

702

So I think that bridges nicely

to James Madison, obviously

703

next Saturday it is an 8 p.

704

m.

705

kick.

706

It'll be on ESPNU.

707

We were making the trip.

708

They're really good.

709

I haven't looked at the statistics

or anything for James Madison.

710

I just watched them a couple of times

and their front seven is pretty nasty.

711

, so we got a tough challenge ahead of us.

712

I'd love to hear your

initial thoughts on this one.

713

I will start with you, Gary.

714

Gary: Yeah, they're really strong

defensively, especially against the run.

715

, what makes James Madison, I think,

special is that they just find a way

716

to win the games that they're in.

717

They've won high scoring games.

718

They've won low scoring games.

719

They've run with good offense.

720

They've won with good offense.

721

They've won with good defense.

722

They just kind of have that mindset

that, Honestly, we used to have it Old

723

Dominion where it's a winning culture.

724

It's instilled.

725

We brought that from FCS to FBS and

we did well there at the beginning.

726

We've kind of lost that way.

727

We're hoping to get back to it.

728

, it's going to be difficult to run

the football on them, but one thing

729

they do in the run game that may be

beneficial to us is they stop the run

730

by putting more bodies in the box.

731

Which we're going to see that and

there's going to be opportunities

732

to throw the ball to the outside.

733

There's going to be opportunities

for deep shots and no matter what

734

they throw at us, our offense is

built on what is the defense showing?

735

Let's get the play call in and let's go.

736

, but they've, they've got some dudes.

737

I mean, we said it last year

coming into the game at JMU.

738

They don't look like an FCS team.

739

They have size like an FBS team.

740

That's only gotten better since last year.

741

And we were not competitive in any way,

shape or form against James Madison.

742

, so it's, it's going to be tough,

but I think our defense matches

743

up well to their offense.

744

So this could be an ugly, low scoring,

just fun rivalry game this year.

745

I'm hoping

746

Aaron: Yeah, I'm looking at their stats

on ESPN and I don't know if my eyes

747

are messed up Well, I know my eyes

are messed up right now But it says

748

they have 34 sacks and Jalen Green

and D lineman's got 13 on his own

749

Or a hundred yards of lost yardage.

750

We are going to have to

get the ball out fast.

751

The stuff that we did last night

with those, , that short game.

752

And being not hanging in the

pocket for a long period of time.

753

, we are going to have to

keep them off balance.

754

Because if we sit back

and try to sit back.

755

, regularly, it could be painful.

756

Mike: Yeah.

757

They're also only giving them 1.

758

2 yards per rush, which

is pretty damn good.

759

, I don't even know where they rank

overall nationwide, but it's got to

760

be a top 10 top 15 defense right now.

761

, but like you said, Gary, we

have the offense to adapt to

762

however they're defending us.

763

So if we can get that game out of grant

again, we're going to have a chance here.

764

Gary: Yeah, I think it's

similar mindset too.

765

I don't care if he throws for

another 188 yards and we win

766

the game like find a way to win.

767

, can't turn the ball over against

JMU, cannot afford to give

768

them additional opportunities.

769

, so protect the ball.

770

defensively, I would like

to see us cover better.

771

I thought there were some times that

we got exposed against App State.

772

It's something we've talked about

before, when guys are coming in motion

773

at the time of the snap, and also when

you have tight ends and slot receivers

774

drag across kind of a long slant

routes, things like that, we struggle

775

to hand off that coverage, and we saw

that last night with some touchdowns.

776

Uh, we're going to need to clean

that up because JMU will look to

777

exploit any weakness that we have.

778

Um, so we're cleaning up a little

bit on defense there as well.

779

I think if you can get McLeod on the run,

uh, And force him to throw on the run.

780

I think we have a much, much

better chance in that game.

781

But you know, he's, he's gotten, got

a lot of flack from his own coaching

782

staff about how he wasn't playing well

while they were undefeated, which I

783

thought was a little bit ridiculous,

but he seemed to have accepted that

784

challenge and step up because he played

really well against Georgia Southern.

785

I thought he played well against Marshall.

786

Um, that they're, they're going

to be a tough team to beat, like

787

plain and simple, like we're going

to need to play and execute on

788

all facets of the game in order to

789

and come out

790

the win.

791

Aaron: question here.

792

McLeod's carried the ball

45 times for 197 yards.

793

He had a really big one in this

last game, I think for 47 yards.

794

Does that change anything schematically on

defense that, you know, we've been doing?

795

Or, it's not really changed a

whole lot, , with kind of how

796

we've been playing the run and

playing , defense in general recently.

797

Gary: I don't know if we make

too many big changes in terms of

798

approaching a running quarterback.

799

I'm hoping that we have learned some

lessons from the Marshall game and how

800

we allowed Cam Fancher to move around

just way too freely and pick us apart.

801

, McCloud has the ability to do that

exact same thing that Cam Fancher

802

did and take advantage of the kind

of soft underbelly of our defensive

803

principals there in the middle of

the field, uh, in the passing game.

804

, so I don't know if there's

anything specific, but...

805

I think Jason Henderson may get a few

more tasks to go hit that quarterback

806

a couple times and see what he's made

out of if he hits the turf a few times.

807

Mike: I'm looking at FPI right now.

808

They're, I think they're 50th.

809

I'm, I don't really understand FPI right

now because we beat up state last night.

810

, and they're 90th still, and we're one 10.

811

Gary: Yeah, has that just not

updated or is that the fresh pull?

812

It seems like it.

813

Mike: Yeah,

814

Gary: don't remember.

815

I don't know what we were last week.

816

I don't look at it.

817

But

818

Mike: Yeah.

819

And the FPI is the one they

base their analytics on.

820

, so the prediction right now for

ESPN analytics gives them an 88

821

percent chance to win on Saturday.

822

Aaron: Okay.

823

Gary: that'll probably translate to what

14 to 17 point spread would be my guess.

824

Mike: Yeah, it could be a big number.

825

Gary: That's right.

826

We were six and a half

point dogs last night.

827

I mean, I, I think we got to be in this

game early if we want a chance to win it.

828

Because I think too many old

feelings start creeping into people's

829

heads if we get down two scores.

830

Then also, that's going to

naturally force us to become one

831

dimensional and pass too much.

832

And we don't want to be in that position.

833

We want to be like last night.

834

Good balance, make the big plays.

835

If we get stuck one dimensional

either way, I don't think

836

we're in a very good

position to win the game.

837

Aaron: Yeah, just like Mr.

838

Miyagi told Daniel san.

839

Balance is the key.

840

Gary: All things balance.

841

I just went with wax on,

842

Aaron: Is waxing on rushing and

waxing off passing, or what?

843

Gary: I don't know, but I hope

we're waxing it up and down the

844

field a few times on Saturday.

845

That's right.

846

We'll see.

847

I mean, we're...

848

It's weird that we're halfway through

conference play and we're 3 1.

849

Everything we want to accomplish is

still right in front of us from a team

850

standpoint, like whether JMU is eligible

or not for the conference championship

851

game is kind of irrelevant, right?

852

If we were to win out our conference

games, we would win the division by

853

tiebreaker if we go and beat JMU.

854

It's like we're in this position.

855

Halfway through conference play

that we haven't been in in a very

856

long time where we don't have to

depend on other teams to do stuff.

857

We don't need other teams to lose.

858

Nothing like that.

859

Like everything is right

there for the taking.

860

You just have to go and take it.

861

It's not easy.

862

Like there's, I doubt we're going

to win out the rest of the way.

863

I'm not saying that at all, but the

potential is there to where we control

864

everything we want to do moving forward.

865

Mike: Yeah, the way we've started in

conference play has kind of changed my

866

whole look on the rest of the season.

867

Now looking at it, and how other things

are shaking out, all of the teams

868

that have one loss in the conference

are remaining on our schedule.

869

We control our own destiny here.

870

And when was the last

time we could say that?

871

Aaron: God.

872

Mike: It's been a minute.

873

Gary: Yeah, it's, it's been a long time.

874

I think when we were 1 0 against

Arkansas State last year, we

875

were like, all right, we got it.

876

Then we went to Coastal and won

and then the wheels fell off

877

the entire wagon and we crashed.

878

but that was three games in, we're

halfway through now, we're three and one.

879

I feel like we've beaten some.

880

Some good teams like the app

state wins kind of like, all

881

right, we're, we're, we're legit.

882

We can, we can hang.

883

But I also feel like we peaked

week one last year against tech.

884

Like that was like our, we peaked

and we fired it up one more time for

885

coastal, but that was kind of it.

886

This, I feel like we

haven't even hit like.

887

60 percent of our peak yet, but

we're starting to trend in the up

888

direction with all the momentum and

things starting to click offensively

889

and the defense still being strong.

890

So it's like I wouldn't hate

going into our eighth game of

891

the season starting to peak.

892

That would be

893

good timing.

894

Aaron: That's interesting that you mention

that, Gary, because Ricky got asked a

895

question last night after the game, kind

of, if this win over App State was kind

896

of a program defining moment, if it was

a, , seminal point in our history in the

897

Sun Belt, and he said, look, , we're gonna

have to play these guys at home a lot.

898

So, no.

899

No win in conference is a game.

900

There is a team defining sort of thing.

901

,

he also said that he was asked if kind of this was the, , finally the team

902

coming together for a complete game.

903

And he also said no.

904

He goes, it was a great team

victory and it showed how gritty

905

the guys were, how hard they play

and it was a, , a really good team

906

victory but not a complete Victory.

907

We still have a long ways to go to

actually have that complete game.

908

I mean, I don't think we've really seen

a complete game, or the closest thing

909

would be that coastal game last year.

910

, that was, that was close

to being a complete game.

911

But, I too, hope within the next couple

games that we can see things continue to

912

come together and see a more, , complete

picture where both sides of the ball

913

are really, , firing on all cylinders.

914

Gary: Yeah, I think we've all said it

on this show, one game, our offense

915

and defense are going to show up

and play really well at the same

916

time and we don't, we almost got

to feel sorry for whoever that is.

917

I think we're closer to

that than we have been.

918

And maybe that's Saturday.

919

Mike: It would be, , I don't even know how

we can understate how huge that would be.

920

, they're the darlings of

college football right now.

921

Everyone's writing about them

and how they should be eligible.

922

They have, they're our best shot

at the New York six and so FBS run.

923

Us, on the other hand, were picked

to finish last in the conference.

924

No one expected us to win.

925

There were predictions that

had us winning one game.

926

, if we can manage to win this game,

it would be, , it would be humongous.

927

I don't think there's any way of

understating how big that would be.

928

Gary: There were a lot of people

in the Sunbelt that we saw that we

929

interact with that were like, You all

are gonna go 3 1 in non conference

930

play and then 0 8 in the Sunbelt?

931

And I laughed when I saw that.

932

I was like, yeah, that's not gonna happen.

933

but yeah, I mean, we've, I don't

know anybody outside of the ODU

934

fanbase who had us win in more

than three or four games this year.

935

And if we were able to cap off

this little run here with a win on

936

the road at JMU, I mean, that's...

937

Ricky may say there's no...

938

program defining win.

939

But I think that there are pivotal

points in a coach's tenure.

940

I think app was one of them.

941

That's the most pivotal so far

where if you lose, I think you

942

pivot down and you're done.

943

And if you win, you pivot and you

go up and you can build from that.

944

The J.

945

M.

946

U.

947

Game doesn't kill us if we lose it.

948

But man, it changes a lot

of conversations if we win.

949

Aaron: Well, maybe if we can go, , and

win this game, , maybe we make a deal

950

with our friends from JMU that if Old

Dominion wins this game that JMU grad

951

and current Virginia Attorney General

Jason Meares drops this whole, uh,

952

battle with the NCAA to let JMU play.

953

Mike: And still, they already

954

slammed the

955

book on that one, didn't they?

956

Aaron: Well, yeah, the initial

thing, but I think now there's talk

957

is, well, do we file a lawsuit?

958

Mike: We got bigger things to worry

about in the state of Virginia.

959

Aaron: Hell yeah!

960

Gary: There are bigger things in Virginia

to worry about that directly impact

961

both the Old Dominion and James Madison

football teams in terms of funding.

962

Maybe we should direct our efforts there.

963

Mike: Absolutely.

964

I don't know if we want to

go into that right now, but

965

Aaron: but soon, yeah.

966

Gary: Not yet.

967

Soon though.

968

Soon.

969

Mike: all right.

970

So I don't really want to do a

971

prediction this week.

972

Gary: We have to.

973

Aaron: I predict that we're gonna go to

Harrisonburg and just have a hell of a

974

time hanging out,

enjoying college football,

975

Gary: Do it.

976

Aaron: cheering on our Monarchs

as, you know, as loudly and as

977

Gary: Come on, Aaron.

978

Do it.

979

Aaron: Okay, I can be

980

the only one that makes

a prediction then, guys.

981

Because my predictions My predictions

are Educational in nature only not made

982

for financial advice, but This game is

gonna be closer than a lot of people think

983

we're trending in the right direction

Our defense is firing all cylinders

984

grants getting more confident JMU's held

people to, what you said, less than one

985

and a half yards per carry, I think.

986

And we are running, yeah, and

we're running the shit out of the

987

ball.

988

Something's gotta give there.

989

Either JMU is gonna get beat, or our

running game is gonna get stopped.

990

All of a sudden, Grant has found his

short game, so everything's just not long.

991

Ethan Sanchez, baby.

992

We win by three.

993

We don't bring streamers, because we

don't litter in other people's stadiums.

994

Monarchs win.

995

That bus ride back home

is gonna be awesome.

996

We're leaving the Sunbelt.

997

Let's go, baby!

998

Gary: there it is.

999

That's what I was trying

to get out of you Aaron.

00:53:34,291 --> 00:53:38,071

That's what we need right now And now let

me bring the whole room down here real

00:53:38,071 --> 00:53:43,741

quickly 20 to 17 JMU sneaks this one out.

00:53:44,201 --> 00:53:47,961

I think we play well but I think there's

just too many things for us to overcome,

00:53:48,281 --> 00:53:52,581

and yes, I am hoping for the reverse jinx,

which is why I'm staying on my 5 and 7

00:53:52,581 --> 00:53:58,121

prediction for the season, because if I

change it to 6 we're gonna go 5 and 7.

00:53:58,501 --> 00:54:02,531

I've had this pegged as, as about a 3

to 7 point loss for us all season long,

00:54:02,751 --> 00:54:05,811

I'm not gonna change it, but I'm gonna

be very happy to come on here next

00:54:05,811 --> 00:54:07,741

week and say that I was wrong and enjoy

00:54:07,751 --> 00:54:09,871

the win, but yeah, I

think, uh, I think JMU

00:54:09,871 --> 00:54:10,501

sneaks this one

00:54:11,111 --> 00:54:11,371

home.

00:54:13,211 --> 00:54:15,151

Aaron: Gary, it's only

weird if it doesn't work.

00:54:15,521 --> 00:54:17,091

So last night we were winning.

00:54:17,716 --> 00:54:21,816

And then, you know, Mike said,

Hey, there's a great spot to watch

00:54:21,816 --> 00:54:23,196

the game up here in the suite.

00:54:23,196 --> 00:54:24,566

Come sit next to me, you know.

00:54:24,986 --> 00:54:29,486

So I went up there, and then like,

shit started not going as well.

00:54:29,706 --> 00:54:32,126

And I'm like, oh my god,

this, , this is my fault.

00:54:32,476 --> 00:54:33,466

This is all my fault.

00:54:34,236 --> 00:54:37,106

So I peeked back out, and there

was a seat in the front row.

00:54:37,346 --> 00:54:38,906

And I said, I gotta go sit back down.

00:54:39,516 --> 00:54:45,186

And, lo and behold, good shit

happened and we won the game.

00:54:46,026 --> 00:54:49,206

Monarch Nation, I apologize for

almost costing us the game there,

00:54:49,616 --> 00:54:51,966

but, , hey man, if it works, it works.

00:54:52,086 --> 00:54:54,176

So, stick with 5 and 7, Gary.

00:54:55,496 --> 00:54:56,266

I'm on your side.

00:54:56,341 --> 00:55:02,181

Mike: Yeah, for me, one thing I didn't

mention about last night's game was

00:55:02,671 --> 00:55:10,871

actually had some dudes on that defense

and offense and it was kind of obvious

00:55:10,891 --> 00:55:16,311

to me that they had just they just had

some size to them and some speed and us

00:55:17,031 --> 00:55:23,226

fighting and winning that battle, I think

was huge because I don't know if I can say

00:55:23,226 --> 00:55:26,856

it, but I think I may have had more talent

than we did on the field last night.

00:55:27,726 --> 00:55:32,676

And it was good to see us overcome

that talent disparity and win a game.

00:55:33,586 --> 00:55:38,736

So for this week, I think it's

going to be a low scoring affair.

00:55:38,796 --> 00:55:43,336

, both defenses are pretty

good, , but we can run the ball.

00:55:44,906 --> 00:55:47,386

We can now throw the short

and intermediate throws.

00:55:47,826 --> 00:55:48,886

We can throw a deep.

00:55:49,856 --> 00:55:50,996

I like this matchup.

00:55:52,626 --> 00:55:57,796

And I can never pick JMU to win

a game, even though all of the

00:55:57,796 --> 00:55:59,846

analytics and stats say that I should.

00:56:01,646 --> 00:56:04,326

Old Dominion wins 21 17.

00:56:05,716 --> 00:56:05,956

Aaron: oomchika,

00:56:06,026 --> 00:56:07,976

Mike: Let's party in

in Harrisonburg, guys.

00:56:10,636 --> 00:56:11,606

Gary: Yes!

00:56:13,441 --> 00:56:16,011

I think I actually forgot to

bash the Sunbelt refs last night.

00:56:16,011 --> 00:56:17,581

Can we do that real quick

or we save it for another

00:56:17,581 --> 00:56:17,911

time?

00:56:18,061 --> 00:56:19,351

Aaron: close the book on it, Gary.

00:56:19,451 --> 00:56:21,211

Mike: Hey, this is as good a time as any.

00:56:22,491 --> 00:56:22,981

Gary: Yeah.

00:56:24,281 --> 00:56:26,571

Yeah, so coach Ronnie can't

say in the postgame press

00:56:26,571 --> 00:56:29,161

conference, but the officiating

last night was a dumpster fire.

00:56:29,501 --> 00:56:30,701

It was horrific.

00:56:31,201 --> 00:56:32,931

They missed PIs.

00:56:32,961 --> 00:56:34,261

They missed holds.

00:56:34,271 --> 00:56:35,791

They missed all kinds of things.

00:56:36,251 --> 00:56:40,771

They reviewed a play after like four or

five seconds after we snapped the ball.

00:56:41,391 --> 00:56:43,241

It was just, it was a disaster.

00:56:43,241 --> 00:56:45,251

I don't know what's going

on with Sunbelt officiating.

00:56:45,251 --> 00:56:46,541

Like I think it started off pretty good.

00:56:46,541 --> 00:56:47,811

It wasn't terrible last year.

00:56:48,181 --> 00:56:49,131

, But yeah, it was bad.

00:56:49,141 --> 00:56:53,151

And then, you know, we were the

beneficiary of a targeting call

00:56:53,201 --> 00:56:56,431

that was overturned at the end

of the game on that last drive.

00:56:56,721 --> 00:56:58,411

Like, it definitely looked

like targeting to me.

00:56:58,481 --> 00:56:59,521

, I think it's pretty clear.

00:57:00,091 --> 00:57:03,581

But I think the most glaring part

of that entire review process

00:57:04,001 --> 00:57:05,691

was it was an incomplete pass.

00:57:06,061 --> 00:57:07,381

It wasn't even completed.

00:57:07,861 --> 00:57:10,621

, no one even thought to look, , Hey,

maybe we should take a look and see

00:57:10,621 --> 00:57:13,691

if the receiver actually caught the

football before going out of bounds.

00:57:14,061 --> 00:57:17,911

So, they overturned targeting, but

they got the completion, which wasn't a

00:57:17,911 --> 00:57:19,521

completion, and put them in a position.

00:57:19,871 --> 00:57:23,551

, Ricky was hot on the sideline,

and I fully understand why.

00:57:23,561 --> 00:57:25,521

He won't call him out publicly

because he'll get fined.

00:57:25,911 --> 00:57:26,391

I don't.

00:57:26,411 --> 00:57:27,271

Send me an invoice.

00:57:27,311 --> 00:57:28,941

But, do better.

00:57:29,321 --> 00:57:30,231

Some belts officiating

00:57:30,491 --> 00:57:30,691

Aaron: what

00:57:31,321 --> 00:57:31,621

uh,

00:57:31,911 --> 00:57:33,181

Gary: than that trash we saw last

00:57:33,261 --> 00:57:34,881

Aaron: reversal of...

00:57:35,551 --> 00:57:41,641

Our reception, on the right hand sideline

there, that somehow had indisputable

00:57:42,151 --> 00:57:44,001

proof that it was not a catch.

00:57:44,991 --> 00:57:48,981

I mean, I re watched that play last

night when I got home and I can't

00:57:48,981 --> 00:57:53,861

figure out what it was that, uh, yeah,

00:57:56,101 --> 00:57:56,961

Mike: That was a catch.

00:57:57,301 --> 00:57:58,401

There was no bobble.

00:57:58,861 --> 00:57:59,901

He was inbounds.

00:58:01,411 --> 00:58:02,231

It was a catch.

00:58:04,231 --> 00:58:06,121

Gary: Yeah, that's a similar story.

00:58:06,121 --> 00:58:08,471

I got from some staff on the team.

00:58:08,961 --> 00:58:11,571

, they thought the only thing live

that it could have been is maybe he

00:58:11,581 --> 00:58:15,641

bobbled before he after he had his

feet down and bouncing bobbled it.

00:58:16,311 --> 00:58:19,996

But I didn't see any bobble, uh,

Ramella Murphy should have had

00:58:19,996 --> 00:58:24,326

that catch, that was a great throw,

great play, completely missed the P.

00:58:24,326 --> 00:58:24,606

I.

00:58:24,896 --> 00:58:27,756

that was on that play too, , so

it was kind of a double whammy.

00:58:30,781 --> 00:58:33,881

Mike: Alright, and I think

Gary will appreciate this.

00:58:33,911 --> 00:58:35,501

After the game, we...

00:58:36,261 --> 00:58:40,291

Quote tweeted big game Boomer

getting the game wrong.

00:58:40,841 --> 00:58:48,031

His prediction, he has since deleted

his whole, predictions for that tweet.

00:58:48,061 --> 00:58:49,871

We quote tweeted has been deleted.

00:58:51,741 --> 00:58:52,301

Yeah.

00:58:53,001 --> 00:58:54,851

Big game Boomer deleted

his prediction tweet.

00:58:57,346 --> 00:58:58,116

Gary: That's, that's

00:58:58,511 --> 00:59:02,081

Mike: He missed every single, he

got every single Sunday sunbelt

00:59:02,141 --> 00:59:03,871

game wrong last, uh, this week.

00:59:06,966 --> 00:59:10,166

Gary: I can't stand that guy, I hate

interacting, I hate engaging with him,

00:59:10,436 --> 00:59:15,601

and I say that as someone who, Was born

an oklahoma football fan and rooted

00:59:15,601 --> 00:59:21,841

for oklahoma until odu started football

00:59:21,841 --> 00:59:26,111

dude and I love him getting dunked

on and the sunbelt made him delete a

00:59:26,111 --> 00:59:27,291

tweet I'm, so proud to be

00:59:27,291 --> 00:59:28,291

part of this conference

00:59:30,691 --> 00:59:33,391

Aaron: Hey, Mike, we did have

one other question on Twitter.

00:59:33,501 --> 00:59:36,891

It is basketball recruiting related.

00:59:37,221 --> 00:59:40,121

Do we want to answer it or we just

want to point people towards the,

00:59:40,126 --> 00:59:41,576

Mike: What's, what's the question?

00:59:43,041 --> 00:59:46,741

Aaron: Okay, the question from William

Shepard Miller is, it's not football

00:59:46,741 --> 00:59:52,061

related, but how fire is Jeff Jones

recruiting class looking right now?

00:59:54,286 --> 00:59:55,506

Mike: damn fire.

00:59:55,586 --> 00:59:55,976

Uh,

00:59:56,041 --> 00:59:57,611

Aaron: Like mucho fuego!

00:59:59,026 --> 01:00:03,086

Mike: if you look at 247's top

25 recruiting classes, we are

01:00:03,196 --> 01:00:05,346

23rd in the country right now.

01:00:06,866 --> 01:00:07,636

23rd.

01:00:07,636 --> 01:00:14,326

And the teams that were ranked around

NC State, Syracuse, , these are teams

01:00:14,326 --> 01:00:19,376

that are blue bloods, or, well not

blue bloods, but they're legit programs

01:00:19,376 --> 01:00:20,976

that have won national championships.

01:00:21,326 --> 01:00:23,046

And Old Dominion is right

in the middle of it.

01:00:24,656 --> 01:00:25,316

It's amazing.

01:00:25,326 --> 01:00:29,916

And, , I think some credit should be

given to the portal because a lot of

01:00:29,966 --> 01:00:34,976

programs now are holding off signing high

school recruits because they want to keep

01:00:34,976 --> 01:00:37,066

those spots open for portal additions.

01:00:40,136 --> 01:00:41,246

We're reaping some benefits.

01:00:41,256 --> 01:00:44,176

We're doing stuff that other mid

major programs are not doing.

01:00:44,616 --> 01:00:48,726

So two, four stars in the

same class is ridiculous.

01:00:49,381 --> 01:00:52,531

And we shouldn't overlook how

good Dionne Ware could be.

01:00:53,231 --> 01:00:55,761

I mean, this guy added a whole

nother year of high school

01:00:56,561 --> 01:00:57,501

to get even better.

01:00:58,111 --> 01:00:58,581

So,

01:01:00,361 --> 01:01:01,351

yeah, I'm excited.

01:01:02,961 --> 01:01:03,871

Good things are happening.

01:01:03,901 --> 01:01:06,711

But we got until November

8th until they sign.

01:01:08,736 --> 01:01:09,826

Aaron: that is very true.

01:01:10,306 --> 01:01:12,356

And what happens before November 8th?

01:01:13,506 --> 01:01:15,086

Two basketball games.

01:01:15,861 --> 01:01:18,531

Mike: Yeah, I can't believe we get to

go to the Chartway this week, right?

01:01:20,176 --> 01:01:21,786

Aaron: Yeah, Wednesday night, folks!

01:01:21,881 --> 01:01:22,361

Mike: be there.

01:01:23,871 --> 01:01:27,401

Gary: And i'll i'll say this is kind

of an outsider's viewpoint of the

01:01:27,401 --> 01:01:30,441

basketball program Obviously I follow

it but I probably follow into that.

01:01:30,491 --> 01:01:34,011

Overly critical bucket that Aaron

was talking about earlier in the past

01:01:34,631 --> 01:01:38,521

what they're doing with recruiting is

Unbelievable, like I was here for the

01:01:38,521 --> 01:01:41,311

Blaine Taylor days like in the good

Blaine Taylor days And we were not getting

01:01:41,311 --> 01:01:44,511

dudes like that It was you come in you

develop for three years and you're good

01:01:44,511 --> 01:01:48,901

for like your last two They're doing

some special stuff I don't typically

01:01:48,901 --> 01:01:52,641

get excited for men's basketball season

because I am NOT optimistic for the most

01:01:52,641 --> 01:01:57,871

part I'm actually really excited for

this Season coming up and what could

01:01:57,871 --> 01:01:59,431

potentially be in store for us next

01:01:59,431 --> 01:02:00,991

year there.

01:02:00,991 --> 01:02:02,111

There's something special there.

01:02:02,451 --> 01:02:02,981

Signed Jordan

01:02:02,981 --> 01:02:03,211

Brooks

01:02:03,211 --> 01:02:03,631

forever

01:02:06,331 --> 01:02:06,501

Aaron: ha!

01:02:07,051 --> 01:02:10,521

Yeah, since this, uh, podcast is gonna

come out before that game, you know,

01:02:10,521 --> 01:02:12,061

folks, get out to Chartway Wednesday.

01:02:12,061 --> 01:02:15,471

Even if you're not a season ticket

holder, , you'll be able to walk up to

01:02:15,471 --> 01:02:17,641

the box office and, and, , get in there.

01:02:17,661 --> 01:02:19,751

But, um, obviously...

01:02:20,241 --> 01:02:25,171

Coach Jones is the, , the head of the

program and everything that good and bad

01:02:25,181 --> 01:02:32,291

happens ultimately falls, , in, , on top

of his desk, but along with that, he's

01:02:32,291 --> 01:02:38,401

made some really, really nice additions

to his coaching staff last year with

01:02:38,541 --> 01:02:40,791

with Jordan Brooks and Jamal Robinson.

01:02:40,791 --> 01:02:44,091

Of course, Coach Covey has

been with him for a long time.

01:02:44,521 --> 01:02:47,061

, Karen Donahue been with

him for a long time.

01:02:47,681 --> 01:02:48,151

Drew Lake.

01:02:48,151 --> 01:02:49,126

He's not been with the Coach Jones.

01:02:49,546 --> 01:02:53,046

The, the team for a, a, a

few, , They're doing great things.

01:02:53,046 --> 01:02:53,526

Come out.

01:02:53,746 --> 01:02:55,916

Show the team and the

coaching staff some support.

01:02:56,496 --> 01:02:58,666

, I think this year, this is

gonna be a year of growth.

01:02:59,376 --> 01:03:02,826

If, if you haven't been on the

train, jump on it now, because

01:03:03,286 --> 01:03:04,466

next year could be crazy.

01:03:04,746 --> 01:03:05,936

Mike: And we got talent this year.

01:03:06,166 --> 01:03:06,626

Aaron: Oh yeah,

01:03:07,236 --> 01:03:10,716

Mike: I'm interested to see how

it comes , I love watching just

01:03:10,906 --> 01:03:12,566

Danny Pounds really do anything.

01:03:13,121 --> 01:03:15,381

He is a super freak athlete.

01:03:15,741 --> 01:03:18,861

Um, he'll do something every

practice we've been to.

01:03:18,871 --> 01:03:22,251

He's done one thing that just

made everyone's jaw drop.

01:03:23,471 --> 01:03:26,231

And it's going to get to the point

where he's doing this in games.

01:03:26,911 --> 01:03:30,411

And then we won't be , dropping our jaw

anymore because we're just kind of going

01:03:30,411 --> 01:03:33,421

to expect it at some point in his career.

01:03:34,111 --> 01:03:39,141

, The guards, Chauncey's leap this

year, it should be pretty big.

01:03:39,241 --> 01:03:43,091

, I like the way they're going to use

him on defense, but offensively,

01:03:43,091 --> 01:03:45,041

he's going to be a killer.

01:03:45,241 --> 01:03:46,761

It's going to be a lot of fun to watch.

01:03:47,291 --> 01:03:49,181