Old Dominion wins Bahamas Bowl in school’s first bowl appearance

Eastern Michigan was in the postseason for the first time since the 1987 California Bowl, coming off of a (largely) unexpected season, which saw the Eagles go 7-5 (4-4 MAC) just a year after rumors swirled the program could be facing a shutdown. Collins Hill grad Miles Fox started on the defensive line for the victorious Monarchs.

– The Monarchs are 2-0 all-time against Eastern Michigan, with wins over the Eagles in each of the last two seasons.

“This is how far our defense has come”, Wilder said. Our football team was the one that other schools paid a lot of money to in order to crush us in their season openers. “What a way to end our season”.

Following a 4-1 start, the Eagles did struggle during the second half of the season before managing a 26-21 win over Central Michigan on Senior Day. Bowl games can be unpredictable, and Eastern Michigan are a talented team, but there’s more to like overall about Old Dominion to edge this one. This matchup is favourable to the Monarchs, who have totalled 34 sacks this season, led by Oshane Ximines and Bunmi Rotimi with 7.5 & 7 respectively. And Jeremy Cox will punch home a touchdown as well.

Quarterback David Washington led the way for the Monarchs with 188 yards and three touchdowns through the air on just 20 attempts.

WILDER LEADS: Wilder was hired to be Old Dominion’s coach in 2007 and was charged with resurrecting a program that had been dormant for almost seven decades.

Unlike Eastern Michigan, the Monarchs’ program has been accustomed to success since its rebirth. Eastern Michigan receiver Sergio Bailey caught two touchdown passes from quarterback Brogan Roback, and Eagles kicker Paul Fricano tied the score at 17-17 on a 24-yard third-quarter field goal.

Creighton has guided the abrupt turnaround in his third season after a 2-10 record in 2014 and 1-11 mark last season.

“We thought we’d be able to take it the fourth quarter and wear them out”, Creighton said. “To be eight years old, we’re basically in second grade”. Their logo is a lion which I don’t get but we’ll roll with it. “This is one of the best days of my life”. The key play came early in the second quarter when Denzel Williams intercepted a Roback pass in the end zone. Washington is battling a knee injury, but is expected to play in this game.

Eastern Michigan finished the season with a winning record for the first time since 1995. “It’s a really heartbroken locker room right now”.

Eastern Michigan had a first and goal at the 4, and appeared to be sailing toward a touchdown. The Eagles dropped a 17-3 decision two years ago, September 13, 2014, before falling, 38-34, in the 2015 season opener, September 5.