By Jack Kutz

JMU football (3-0) faces Old Dominion (1-2) this weekend in Norfolk. Here’s what you need to know for the Dukes’ Sun Belt opener against a rival.

How to Watch

TV: ESPN+

Kickoff Time: 6 p.m.

Location: S.B. Ballard Stadium in Norfolk, Virginia

Weather: If you haven’t heard, there’s a Nor’easter hitting the east coast this weekend. While Norfolk should stay dry, it’ll be windy. Temperatures will be in the 60s, with 15 to 25 mph winds. That could affect the passing and kicking games.

Old Dominion Overview

Record: 1-2

ODU comes in after playing three “levels” of football. ODU began its season with a 31-10 win against Norfolk State, a local FCS foe. Then the Monarchs traveled to Blacksburg for a 44-21 beating from Virginia Tech. Then they played host to ECU, a perfect Group of Six test where they lost an ugly game 20-17. After an impressive 10-win season in 2025, the Monarchs have had a mostly unimpressive start to their 2026 campaign.

Coaching staff

Head coach: Ricky Rahne
Rahne has a 31-35 record during seven years with ODU. Rahne brings a lot of FBS experience, similar to Billy Napier. This should be an exciting coaching matchup.

Offensive coordinator: Kody Cook

Kody Cook is in his third year as a staff member with the Monarchs. He was the wide receivers coach for two seasons before this. After working with last season’s 10-win team, Kody Cook should continue to “cook” with the difficult to stop veer-and-shoot offense

Defensive coordinator: Blake Seiler

Blake Seiler is entering his seventh year as a defensive coordinator at ODU. Seiler has a background of developing very good linebackers. This includes Jason Henderson, an All-American who had to medically retire after a brutal leg injury in 2023. Coach Seiler brings valuable experience, especially after a 2025 season where ODU had the best defensive season in its FBS history. This season, ODU’s defense created havoc in the backfield with 10 TFLs and four sacks against Virginia Tech. The Monarchs’ offense hasn’t been good, but the defense is legitimate.

Key players to watch:

Quinn Henicle, QB: Henicle is a third-year player for the Monarchs. He had two rushes for nine yards against the Dukes last season, and he had a costly muffed punt in the Dukes’ win. With JMU leading 35-27 in the third quarter, the Monarchs decided the backup QB should field a punt. He dropped it and JMU recovered, and the Dukes then scored a touchdown to take command of the game. As a true freshman against Arkansas State in 2024, Henicle went 9-12 for 143 yards with two touchdowns. That’s not too crazy, but he had 19 carries for 206 yards in that game. Henicle has already taken nine sacks that have resulted in disastrous fumbles for ODU, particularly against Virginia Tech. He also has a fairly weak arm, particularly when pressure is close to him. He’s an elite athlete, however, who can punish JMU on the ground. This season, he has 424 passing yards and 224 yards on the ground. He has more rushing touchdowns (four) than passing (three). 

Devin Roche, RB: Devin Roche is an undersized back who stands at 5-foot-7 and 172 pounds. For reference, Wayne Knight weighs 190 pounds. Coming into his fourth year at ODU, Roche is another player who brings a ton of experience to his team. If JMU would like to avoid another 180+ yard performance from another back this season, stopping Roche at the line of scrimmage is necessary. Roche has 40 carries for 192 yards this year, and he’s yet to reach the end zone.

Josh Rodriguez, WR: ODU’s top receiver has made a few explosive plays this season. He has racked up eight receptions and 121 yards over three games. ODU’s pass game is not the strength of the offense, but Rodriguez has big-play abilities.

Jackson Forrest, LB: The true sophomore is starting his year right with three sacks, 19 tackles, and five tackles for loss. Standing at 6 feet tall and 225 pounds, Forrest is fast and able to cause havoc in the back field. The Dukes have to stop him to stay in front of the chains.

Mario Thompson, LB: Thompson is leading the Monarchs in tackles with 28 on the season. In each game this season, Thompson was involved with at least eight tackles, and he’s chipped in 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He will be all over the field against JMU and should play a huge role for the Monarch defense.

Javen Gibson, DL: As a JUCO product who joined the Monarchs last season, Gibson brings a a year of FBS experience. This season he’s starting off strong with 10 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. He brings pressure from that outside that DJ Fox and the other offensive tackles might struggle to contain.

Keys to the game

1. Stop the run

The Dukes gave up 188 rushing yards to Javon Kinnard last week on 33 attempts. If the Dukes can hold the Monarchs to under 150 rushing yards by plugging holes, tackling early and often in the secondary, and limiting 10+ yard rushes, they should be able to hold the Monarch offense down.

2. Get ahead early

JMU must put up touchdowns in its early drives so that ODU can’t rely heavily on its run game. In the first three games of the season, JMU has put up 38 points in the first quarter. Can the Dukes continue the trend? They’ve yet to trail in a game this season.

3. Don’t let Henicle get loose

If JMU’s defensive line can’t contain Henicle, he becomes dangerous. He doesn’t make a ton of impressive throws, so as long as Henicle has limited time in the pocket and the secondary does their job, JMU should be fine in that regard. When he scrambles or gets free on designed runs, he can gash a defense.

Score prediction

The Dukes need to play an aggressive yet clean game in Norfolk if they want to bring home a victory to Harrisonburg on Saturday. I think they will.

JMU 31, ODU 17

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications