Monarchs nearly blow it, but hold on for 24–21 win over Appalachian State

NORFOLK, Va. — Old Dominion almost let it slip away, but the Monarchs held on to beat Appalachian State 24–21 in their Homecoming matchup on Saturday.

It was a much-needed bounce back after two rough road games, as ODU returned home and reminded everyone what it looks like when they’re in rhythm.

ODU had things handled through three quarters before slowing down late, watching a 14-point lead start to fade. The Monarchs took a 10–7 lead into halftime, then stretched it to 24–7 in the third.

App State showed life here and there — like J.J. Kohl’s 16-yard touchdown to Jaden Barnes late in the first half to finally get the Mountaineers going — but Old Dominion had an answer. Colton Joseph hit Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding for the same 16-yard score, showing the Monarchs weren’t backing down and were ready to match every response on their home turf.

Strides for the Monarchs didn’t stop there in the third. With 26 seconds left in the quarter, Joseph found Ja’Cory Thomas for a 24-yard touchdown, setting the tone that ODU was in full control. The Mountaineers had little to answer with — managing just 35 offensive yards and one first down in the entire quarter.

CORY TO DA CRIB 6⃣#ReignOn | #BeTheReason pic.twitter.com/tWyNd5SeQW

— ODU Football (@ODUFootball) October 25, 2025

Head Coach Ricky Rahne said his team knew it wasn’t perfect, but a win in conference play still means something. “Obviously, we found a way to win the game — and that was critical,” Rahne said. “We definitely left some things out there, and it didn’t need to be quite that exciting — but I guess we figured we hadn’t given the fans one of those in a while.”

Old Dominion didn’t just lead on the scoreboard — they led statistically, too. The Monarchs outgained Appalachian State 459–374 in total yards, with 305 through the air and 154 on the ground. They held the ball for over 35 minutes, converted 8 of 17 third downs, and won the turnover battle 2–1. Kicker Riley Callaghan added a 33-yard field goal and went 3-for-3 on extra points to keep ODU ahead throughout.

Rahne credited both sides of the ball for that balance. “We did some good things in terms of protecting the football,” he said. “But even more importantly, our defense did a really nice job taking the ball away. We won the rushing battle, which was critical, and we won the turnover margin too.”

Then the Mountaineers started climbing — putting up 14 points in the fourth quarter to make it close. A.J. Swann found Kanen Hamlett for a 35-yard touchdown, and Dominic De Freitas hit the extra point to cut into the lead. Later in the quarter, with 1:35 remaining, Swann went deep again — this time to Davion Dozier for 34 yards — and another kick from De Freitas made it 24–21.

Deezy open downfield for six#GoApp pic.twitter.com/dFjfJGaY4Y

— App State Football (@AppState_FB) October 25, 2025

The Monarchs thought they had it wrapped up, but the same App State team that ran through Georgia State a week ago showed up late — forcing ODU to grind it out until the end.

Offensively, Old Dominion looked sharp early. Joseph spread the field, kept the tempo up, and took what App State’s defense gave him. The line gave him time, the run game chipped in when needed, and the offense found ways to finish drives.

Defensively, ODU kept the Mountaineers off balance for most of the night. They limited big plays, won third downs, and forced turnovers that flipped the field in key moments. After practice all week, the focus was on ball security — and it showed.

Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding said the team’s emphasis on protecting the football paid off. “We treat the football like everything — without it, we can’t do anything,” he said. “We’ve been practicing that every day, even slapping the ball out of coaches’ hands just to remind them too. It’s translating on the field.”

Jerome Carter said the difference this week came down to focus. “Conviction comes through trust — watching film, knowing your job, trusting it,” he said. “Everyone bought in this week, and it showed.”

Rahne echoed that same message about belief and consistency, saying his team learned how to respond after back-to-back losses. “You can’t only believe when things go right,” he said. “Belief has to come before the results.”

App State’s offense finally found life behind Swann, who led back-to-back touchdown drives, but it was too little, too late. Their defense couldn’t keep ODU off balance early, and that slow start ended up being the difference.

And even with bowl eligibility now one win away, Rahne said the focus stays simple. “No,” he said when asked if it eases any pressure. “This league is a battle every week. I’m not worried about numbers or totals — just the next game. It’s always about going 1–0. That’s who we are.”

Carter summed it up best: “We got grit,” he said.
Gladding added, laughing, “I’m that guy.”
On Saturday night, the Monarchs showed both.