Old Dominion Football: Ricky Rahne takes reins in 2020, aiming for turnaround
By Dante Pryor
Old Dominion needs answers for C-USA’s worst offense
If there is one thing that can change the fortunes of a college football program rather quickly it’s improved quarterback play. Ricky Rahne takes over an offense that scored 20 points just three times against FBS opponents and barely survived FCS opponent Norfolk State.
Rahne has five quarterbacks to choose from between incumbent Stone Smartt, Hayden Wolff, incoming freshmen Dominique Anthony and Reese Poffenbarger and Michigan State transfer Messiah deWeaver. If the Monarchs want to compete, they need more efficient quarterback play. They only completed 56 percent of their passes last season.
Their success starts up front. If Old Dominion offensive line play does not improve, it’s not going to matter who starts at quarterback. The Monarchs were 130th in the country in sacks per game last season and 129th in sacks allowed giving up 4.3 per game and 52 overall.
The offensive line was not much better at run blocking either. No one is going to mistake their running attack for Navy’s. They ranked 124th in the nation averaging 97.3 yards per game and a meager 2.7 yards per rush.
If there is a glimmer of optimism this season for Old Dominion it is the receiving corps. They return Aaron Moore, a big explosive pass-catcher, and Virginia Tech transfer Eric Kumah to the receiver room. None of that matters if the offensive line does not improve.