Postgame Notes from App State vs. ODU

POSTGAME NOTES: Old Dominion 10, App State 3
 
After three straight wins to open the season, App State dropped its second straight contests.
 
The Mountaineers lost their Sun Belt opener for the third straight season.
 
App State leads the all-time series with Old Dominion 4-3. The Monarchs have won three of the last four contests after the Mountaineers won each of the first three from 2015-22.
 
The 0-0 halftime score marked the first time that had happened since the 2016 game vs. Georgia State (which App State won 17-3).
 
In a driving rain with gusty winds from Hurricane Isaias, there were six total turnovers in the game (three for each team), including three in a 25-second, four-play span to close the second quarter.
 
Ja'Cari Henderson made his first career start as a cornerback.
 
DEFENSE
 
App State's defense limited ODU to 304 total yards (97 passing), while compiling three sacks and a season-high 11 tackles for loss.
 
Aaron Clark and Caleb Sandstrom had the team's two solo sacks. It was Sandstrom's fifth of the season, which ranks among the Sun Belt and FBS leaders. Clark leads the team with three turnovers gained (two fumble recoveries, one interception) on the season.
 
Team captain linebacker Colton Phares tied a career high with 12 tackles, including 1.5 TFLs and 0.5 sack.
 
One of the game's signature plays came with ODU driving late in the second quarter. Aiden Benton forced a fumble at the sideline, where an athletic Devin Henderson tipped it in-bounds to be recovered by Clark. Three players later, following a Mountaineer turnover, Devin Henderson intercepted a last-second Hail Mary heave to close the half.
 
Juan Berchal snagged App State's second interception midway through the third quarter, again with the Monarchs driving into App State territory.
 
OFFENSE
 
In a tough day for the Mountaineers' offense, Jaquari Lewis rushed for a team-high 41 yards on 10 carries, and backup quarterback Henry Hasselbeck added 27 yards on five rushes.
 
Darrin Fugitt was the only App State receiver with multiple receptions, finishing with two catches for 20 yards.
 
SPECIAL TEAMS
 
James London made his only field-goal attempt (34 yards in the driving rain) for the Mountaineers' only score of the contest. He has converted eight of 10 field goals on the season. His only misses came from 59 and 42 yards.
 
Joe Reddish blocked an ODU punt for App State's first punt block since 2024 (Cahari Haynes vs. JMU).