Monarchs’ schedule finalized
Opener at Va. Tech, home game against Wake highlight slate
NORFOLK — Three home games will follow Old Dominion’s Sept. 2 football season opener at Virginia Tech, the Sun Belt Conference announced Friday.
The Monarchs will play at home against Louisiana, Wake Forest, Texas A&M-Commerce, Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina and Georgia State.
Additional road games include trips to Marshall, Southern Miss, James Madison, Liberty and Georgia Southern. All kickoff times will be announced at a later date.
“It is great to see new opponents in S.B. Ballard Stadium and to be able to travel to new conference locations,” ODU coach Ricky Rahne said in a statement.
The Monarchs’ home opener will be Sept. 9 against Louisiana, marking an early-season start to the Sun Belt schedule.
ODU twice has back-to-back road games, with an Oct. 14 bye week in the middle of the 12-game schedule.
The Oct. 28 game at JMU will be the Monarchs’ first appearance in Harrisonburg since a 38-28 win over the Dukes to clinch the Colonial Athletic Association championship in 2012.
The Monarchs’ Nov. 18 trip to Georgia Southern will be their first time in Statesboro since the FCS playoffs in 2011.
After reaching the Myrtle Beach Bowl in 2021, ODU went 3-9 overall and 2-6 in the Sun Belt last season.
“This, once again, is a regionally relevant schedule as we travel to three in-state opponents,” Rahne said. “These games offer our players an opportunity to gain national exposure and still maintain terrific academic-athletic balance.”
2023 SCHEDULE
(Times to be determined)
Sept. 2: at Virginia Tech
Sept. 9: Louisiana
Sept. 16:Wake Forest
Sept. 23: Texas A&M-Commerce Sept. 30: at Marshall
Oct. 7: at Southern Miss
Oct. 21: Appalachian State
Oct. 28: at James Madison
Nov. 4: Coastal Carolina
Nov. 11: at Liberty
Nov. 18: at Georgia Southern Nov. 25: Georgia State