CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - This was not a game that Old Dominion was supposed to win, or even be competitive. But the Monarchs played with heart and went toe-to-toe with the University of Virginia physically. And for much of the game, the Monarchs appeared to be the better team.
But ODU committed critical mistakes, and simply could not move the ball in the second half, as the Cavaliers rallied from a 17-0 deficit to down the Monarchs, 28-17, in a game nationally televised on ESPN2.
The score was in itself a bit of an upset. ODU was a four-touchdown underdog and for much of the game, appeared to be on the way to its second victory in two years over a ranked in-state ACC opponent.