Virginia Football: 3 takeaways from win over Old Dominion in Week 4

2 of 4

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – SEPTEMBER 21: Stone Smartt #4 of the Old Dominion Monarchs rushes past Noah Taylor #14 of the Virginia Cavaliers in the first half during a game at Scott Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

3. Old Dominion is a tough out

Old Dominion has quickly emerged as one of the tougher Group of Five teams to play in college football. After making the jump to the FBS a few years ago, Old Dominion has been competitive in several games against Power Five opponents.

ODU upset Virginia Tech last year at home, played the Hokies tough once again this year on the road, and jumped ahead early against Virginia on Saturday night to put a scare into the Cavaliers.

Although ODU dropped to 1-2 on the season, the Monarchs have emerged as a player in recruiting the state of Virginia. The program now has close games to point to against in-state competition for proof of concept, and has a campus that sits in the state’s premier spot for recruiting in Virginia’s tidewater region.

ODU still has a long ways to go to become a prominent Group of Five mainstay like Boise or UCF, but the program has taken significant strides forward under head coach Bobby Wilder and looks to be a team that is on the rise to make more noise on the national stage sooner rather than later.

Home/Virginia Cavaliers