ODU’s Joseph Shines in Dominant 31-6 Win Over ULM

**Monarchs Dominate Warhawks 31-6 Behind Joseph’s Heroics, Eye Bowl Bid**

**MONROE, La. – October 28, 2023** – Old Dominion’s redshirt sophomore quarterback Colton Joseph delivered a masterful performance on Saturday, leading the Monarchs to a dominant 31-6 victory over Louisiana-Monroe at Malone Stadium. Joseph was the undisputed catalyst for ODU, accounting for 303 total yards of offense and three rushing touchdowns, as the Monarchs improved their season record to 4-4 and 3-2 in Sun Belt Conference play.

Joseph’s dual-threat ability was on full display, as he shredded the ULM defense for 148 yards on the ground and another 155 yards through the air. He punctuated his stellar day with rushing scores of 1, 10, and 2 yards, each critical in building and maintaining Old Dominion’s commanding lead.

“Colton was phenomenal today,” said Old Dominion Head Coach Ricky Rahne after the game. “He made smart decisions with the ball, used his legs when he needed to, and really showed the growth we’ve been seeing from him all season. His leadership was evident from the first snap.”

Old Dominion wasted no time asserting control, jumping out to a quick 17-point lead in the first quarter. Joseph’s initial rushing touchdown opened the scoring, followed by a one-yard plunge from running back Devin Roche, and a successful field goal to cap off the early onslaught. The Monarchs’ offense clicked on all cylinders, showcasing efficiency and execution that the Warhawks struggled to counter.

On the other side of the ball, Louisiana-Monroe’s offense sputtered throughout the afternoon, managing only two field goals from kicker Michael O’Brien – one from 27 yards and another from 35 yards. Despite efforts from their offensive unit, including some tough runs from running back Hunter Smith who had 62 yards on 15 carries, the Warhawks could not find the end zone. Their struggles were compounded by three costly turnovers and an inability to convert in the red zone, halting potential scoring drives.

“We just couldn’t get out of our own way today,” commented ULM Head Coach Terry Bowden, whose team falls to 2-6 overall and remains winless in conference play at 0-5. “The turnovers killed us, and we have to be better in critical situations. Old Dominion played a very clean game and earned that victory.”

Old Dominion’s defensive unit also played a pivotal role in limiting ULM, holding the Warhawks to a mere 232 total yards of offense compared to the Monarchs’ robust 460. The ODU defense consistently pressured ULM’s quarterbacks and stifled their running game, allowing only 85 net rushing yards. Safety Terry Jones was credited with an interception for ODU in the second quarter, further highlighting the defensive dominance.

This victory is significant for Old Dominion as they push towards bowl eligibility. With four wins under their belt, they need two more victories in their remaining four games to qualify for a postseason berth, a goal they’ve been openly pursuing since joining the Sun Belt Conference in 2022.

Louisiana-Monroe, meanwhile, faces an uphill battle to salvage their season, as they continue to search for their first conference victory.

Looking ahead, Old Dominion will return home to S.B. Ballard Stadium in Norfolk, Virginia, next Saturday, November 4th, to host a formidable Coastal Carolina squad (5-3, 3-2 Sun Belt) in another crucial conference showdown. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 PM ET, with the game expected to be broadcast on ESPN+.

ULM will hit the road, traveling to Jonesboro, Arkansas, to face Arkansas State (3-5, 1-3 Sun Belt) on Saturday, November 4th. That contest is slated for a 2:00 PM CT start.