Old Dominion dominates their season opener against the Campbell Fighting Camels
Written By: Matthew McCracken, Sports Editor
Photo Credit to CBSsports.com
Experienced leadership mixed with freshmen standouts made for a dynamic duo in Old Dominion’s season opener win against the Campbell Fighting Camels. 19,818 Monarch fans piled into S.B. Ballard Stadium to witness the 41-14 dominance as Old Dominion brought ‘the hammer.’
Despite Campbell going nine plays for 59 yards and a touchdown to start the game, the Monarchs answered with their spread style offense, being able to get any position involved. Monarch’s redshirt junior Kai Blanco caught the first touchdown of the season for Old Dominion, receiving a 7-yard toss from star redshirt senior quarterback Thomas Demarco.
“He was very good running routes tonight. Kai was able to find the open window versus the blitz. If Kai continues to progress as a receiving tight end like that, that’s an extra weapon that we’ll have for this offense,” Monarch’s head coach Boddy Wilder said.
Redshirt freshman Angus Harper scored at the end of the first quarter off an 11-yard run. Harper wasn’t the only freshman to contribute in the Monarch’s victory as redshirt freshman Antonio Vaughn made his debut as not only a Monarch, but a wide receiver.
Playing quarterback in high school, Vaughn’s transition to wide receiver was an easy one as he finished his debut with six catches for 97 yards. Having the athletic capability to switch positions to better his team, Vaughn also contributed on special teams returning kicks for 48 yards, and punts for 16 yards.
“I’ve been waiting for this for a whole year. I am ready to explode this year,” Vaughn said.
Only scoring 14 points the entire game, the Fighting Camels biggest contributions came from their graduating senior wide receiver Preston Dodson, who caught seven passes for 70 yards and a touchdown. His partner in crime, redshirt junior quarterback Braden Smith, went 20 for 40 for 172 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
Due to the Monarchs speed and versatility on defense, the Fighting Camels were held scoreless in two of the four quarters of play while the Monarchs scored 38 unanswered points. Seeming hopeful to play a full season, recovered injured defensive end Chad King finished the game with six tackles and a sack for a loss of seven yards.
“I am trying to be Chad King with a Deron Mayo esque. I’m never going to be able to run 4.3 forty so there are some things that he can do that I’m just not going to do. I’m just taking things I learned from him last year, and throw my own flavor on it,” King said about replacing Monarch graduate Deron Mayo.
Other notables on defense for the Monarchs included Ronnie Cameron with nine tackles, two for a loss, Devon Simmons with seven tackles, and Craig Wilkins with six tackles.
Fighting Camels redshirt senior defensive end Jeremiah Robinson had 11 tackles and two sacks for a loss of 11 yards. In comparison to Robinson’s individual performance, Monarch’s freshman guard Josh Mann was forced into action due to an injury to Brandon Carr.
“If I don’t have anybody coming up and hitting me, I guess he did a good job. If I’m not on the floor, then he did a good job,” Demarco said of Mann.
Demarco threw for 312 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. A typical performance in the air from the face of the Monarch’s program, yet Demarco showed he is even more dynamic than before by blocking for Vaughn on a reverse-play that resulted in a touchdown.
“I am happy to say I made my first block ever. If it works, it works. I was just happy to spring him, but he’s fast enough to get in there without me,” Demarco said of Vaughn.
Joining the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) officially this year, the Monarchs look to play teams with just as much talent and more experience than them.
The Monarchs’ opponents have been around as a program much longer with a set system while the Monarchs are looking to establish their own. Stay tuned as Old Dominion brings the reign to the CAA for the remainder of the 2011-2012 season.
