football
NEW ORLEANS – After its second bowl appearance in the last three seasons, Old Dominion begins its 2024 season on Saturday, August 31, hosting South Carolina at 4:15 p.m. ET/3:15 p.m. CT on the SEC Network.
The encounter will be the first ever between the two programs.
Old Dominion’s non-conference schedule also includes home games against East Carolina (Sept. 7) and Virginia Tech (Sept. 14) and a road trip to Bowling Green (Sept. 28). In addition to the annual matchup with their East Division brethren, the Monarchs’ conference schedule includes a visit to Texas State (Oct. 19) and a trip to Arkansas State (Nov. 30) from the West Division.
Last month, the Monarchs were picked to finish sixth in the Sun Belt East Division in the 2024 Sun Belt Conference Football Preseason Coaches Poll.
Five-year head coach Ricky Rahne will lead a roster that features two 2023 All-Sun Belt selections and the same duo named to the 2024 preseason All-Sun Belt teams. Chief among the Monarchs returnees is senior linebacker Jason Henderson, who led the nation with 15.5 tackles per game and 186 total tackles as a sophomore in 2022 and led the nation with 14.2 tackles per game and ranked second in the country with 170 total tackles as a junior in 2023. Henderson was named the 2024 Sun Belt Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Old Dominion is coming off a 6-7 season in 2023 and was part of 12 Sun Belt teams that competed in bowl season, a new conference record.
The Monarchs have earned a bowl berth in two of three seasons under head coach Ricky Rahne after their 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
To listen to commentary from head coach Ricky Rahne, senior offensive lineman Santana Saunders and senior linebacker Jason Henderson from the 2024 Sun Belt Football Media Days, visit the Sun Belt Conference YouTube page.
TIMELINE 2024
| 31.8. | in South Carolina |
| 9/7 | East Carolina |
| 14 September | Virginia Tech |
| 28.9. | at Bowling Green |
| 10/5 | on the coast of Carolina* |
| 10/12 | at Georgia State* |
| 19.10. | State of Texas* |
| 24.10. | South Georgia* |
| 11/2 | in app status* |
| 11/16 | James Madison* |
| 23.11. | Marshal* |
| 30.11. | at Arkansas State* |
* Sun Belt Conference Game
2023 ALL-SUN BELT RETURN
Professionals
LB – Jason Henderson, Old Dominion (Sr., LB – Dingmans Ferry, Pa.)
Honorable Mention
DL – Denzel Lowry, Old Dominion (RS Jr., DL – Virginia Beach, Va.)
2024 PRESEASON ALL-SUN BELT SELECTION
Professionals
LB – Jason Henderson, Old Dominion (Sr., LB – Dingmans Ferry, Pa.)
Second team
DL – Denzel Lowry, Old Dominion (RS Jr., DL – Virginia Beach, Va.)
