Submitted by the Sun Belt Confrence
NEW ORLEANS — Old Dominion, which opened its 2022 campaign with a statement 20-17 win over in-state foe Virginia Tech, will again open the season against the Hokies. The road contest will kick off at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on Saturday, Sept. 2, on ACC Network.
The Monarchs are 2-2 all-time against Virginia Tech—with all four matchups coming since 2017. Old Dominion’s other victory was a 49-35 win in 2018.
Old Dominion’s non-conference schedule also includes home games against Wake Forest (Sept. 16) and Texas A&M-Commerce (Sept. 23) and a late-season road test at Liberty (Nov. 11). Alongside annual dates with its East Division foes, the Monarchs’ conference slate features a visit from Louisiana (Sept. 9) and a trip to Southern Miss (Oct. 7) out of the West Division.
Old Dominion was picked to finish seventh in the East Division in last month’s 2023 Sun Belt Conference Football Preseason Coaches Poll.
Head coach Ricky Rahne will guide a roster that returns two All-Sun Belt picks from 2022 and had two student-athletes listed on the 2023 Preseason All-Sun Belt teams, led by 2023 Sun Belt Preseason Defensive Player of the Year junior linebacker Jason Henderson.
The Monarchs started 3-3 in 2022, but finished 3-9 with a 2-6 record in conference action. Along with the statement victory over Virginia Tech—the first of a conference-record four wins over autonomy five opponents for the Sun Belt in 2022—Old Dominion was 1-of-2 Sun Belt programs to hand eventual Sun Belt East Division champion Coastal Carolina a loss during the regular season.
To listen to head coach Ricky Rahne, redshirt junior wide receiver Javon Harvey and junior linebacker Jason Henderson’s remarks from the 2023 Sun Belt Football Media Days, download the latest Around the Sun podcast episode on Apple Podcasts, Pandora or Spotify—among other platforms—or visit the Sun Belt Conference YouTube page.
2023 SCHEDULE
9/2 at Virginia Tech
9/9 Louisiana*
9/16 Wake Forest
9/23 Texas A&M-Commerce
9/30 at Marshall*
10/7 at Southern Miss*
10/21 App State*
10/28 at James Madison*
11/4 Coastal Carolina*
11/11 at Liberty
11/18 at Georgia Southern*
11/25 Georgia State*
2022 ALL-SUN BELT RETURNERS
First Team
LB – Jason Henderson, Old Dominion (Jr., LB – Dingmans Ferry, Pa.)
Honorable Mention
P – Ethan Duane (Jr., P – Melbourne, Australia)
2023 PRESEASON ALL-SUN BELT SELECTIONS
First Team
LB – Jason Henderson, Old Dominion (Jr., LB – Dingmans Ferry, Pa.)
Second Team
P – Ethan Duane, Old Dominion (Jr., P – Melbourne, Australia)
