ODU’s fourth-quarter touchdown and final interception finish off App State

Old Dominion’s defense kept Saturday’s game at App State within reach through a scoreless first half and a narrow third-quarter deficit. Maurki James finally supplied the touchdown the Monarchs needed, and Brandon Crutchfield intercepted App State’s final fourth-down pass to close a 10–3 win.

James scored on a two-yard run with 9:30 remaining, finishing a nine-play, 65-yard drive that used 4:37. Josh Rodriguez caught the two-point conversion, giving ODU a seven-point lead after its earlier safety.

App State had scored first on James London’s 34-yard field goal with 11:41 left in the third quarter. ODU’s safety at 7:18 reduced the deficit to 3–2; James’s touchdown became the afternoon’s only offensive touchdown.

The Mountaineers still had a last possession to seek a tie. Henry Hasselbeck moved them to their own 41 on a 14-yard run, but Javen Gibson’s sack pushed them back four yards. On fourth-and-six from the App State 45, Hasselbeck’s pass was intercepted by Crutchfield with 36 seconds left. Quinn Henicle then took three kneel-downs to end the game.

Gibson recorded four tackles for loss, including both ODU sacks. Crutchfield and Ja’Mez Drummer each intercepted a pass. App State finished with 158 total yards, only 66 through the air, and converted one of 13 third downs. Its two fourth-down attempts both failed.

ODU’s offense leaned on the ground game without escaping its own mistakes. Devin Roche carried 23 times for 101 yards, and Henicle added 88 rushing yards on 26 attempts. The Monarchs ran for 207 yards overall and possessed the ball for 38:50.

Henicle completed 10 of 20 passes for 97 yards with two interceptions. ODU also lost a fumble and missed both field-goal attempts, leaving its defense to keep a productive rushing afternoon from becoming a defeat.

The Monarchs improved to 2–4. Their defense allowed one scoring possession, and the fourth-quarter touchdown drive provided the points that separated the teams.