ODU’s late touchdown is not enough as Georgia Southern wins 23–15

Old Dominion cut a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit to one possession, but Georgia Southern held on for a 23–15 football victory Thursday, October 15, at S.B. Ballard Stadium in Norfolk.

Safety Shaq Leaks gave ODU an opportunity to recover when he intercepted Turner Helton at the Monarchs’ four-yard line with Georgia Southern leading 23–7. Three plays later, Ryan Huff connected with TJ Johnson for a 71-yard touchdown. Huff then completed a two-point conversion pass to Leon Haughton to make it 23–15.

ODU had two more possessions but could not produce the tying score. One drive reached the Georgia Southern 40 before a third-down sack forced a punt. The Monarchs regained the ball at their own five with 1:49 left, but Huff was sacked and fumbled. Georgia Southern’s MJ Stroud recovered to end that opportunity.

The Monarchs had opened the game with an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, finishing with a 20-yard scoring pass to Haughton. Georgia Southern answered with an 11-yard touchdown run by Terrance Gibbs after an ODU roughing-the-punter penalty extended the Eagles’ possession.

Tripp Bryant then made field goals from 33, 43 and 31 yards as Georgia Southern built a 16–7 halftime lead. The first followed an ODU fumble, and the second came after the Eagles stopped the Monarchs on fourth down.

Huff, who entered in relief late in the first half, finished 9-for-14 for 115 passing yards and a touchdown. Lucas Struck led ODU with 11 tackles, while Daevon Iles and Ja’Mez Drummer each recorded 10, according to the team’s official report.

The Monarchs’ next scheduled game is at Louisiana Tech on Saturday, October 24.