Old Dominion closed out its conference slate with a 27–10 win over Georgia State
Old Dominion closed out its conference slate with a 27–10 win over Georgia State Saturday afternoon, and it was the kind of performance that reflected something the program has relied on all season: preparation. On Monday before the game, Head Coach Ricky Rahne made it simple — “Every game’s important. You treat it like it’s the most important game of the season.” That approach was visible in how ODU settled in, adjusted, and took control after a slow start.
Georgia State opened with 10 early points and had ODU off balance in the first quarter and a half. But rather than force anything, the Monarchs leaned into what they trust — their run game, their physicality, and the same structure they practice throughout the week. The shift started with one of the biggest plays of the afternoon: Seth Naotala’s interception, a clean read that flipped momentum and allowed ODU to reset.
From there, ODU’s identity took over. The offensive line, one of the few units in the country to start every game together, controlled the line of scrimmage. Devin Roche — who finished with 137 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries — ran with confidence and patience, finding cutback lanes and trusting the blocking in front of him. His production wasn’t sudden; it was a reflection of how he prepares.
“I’m literally just studying the game,” Roche said. “Going over it with Coach Lucas… trusting my technique. We’re a very technique-oriented team, and that’s what I stick to.”
Roche’s journey this season added emotional weight to his performance.
“I took a big loss early in the season… losing my mom,” he shared. “It gave me motivation — a second will to keep pushing and do it for her.”
The steady climb in his play mirrors the steady climb of the offense itself.
Quarterback Colton Joseph passed for 92 yards but ran for more than 100, continuing his season-long impact as a second rushing threat. His biggest keeper of the day came in the third quarter on a designed run ODU has relied on in critical moments. The Monarchs scored 17 unanswered points in the third, including Roche’s second touchdown, a Joseph rushing score, and a seam completion to Ja’Cory Thomas that pushed Georgia State out of single-high coverage.
Key moments on defense steadied the game as well. After giving up yards early, ODU held Georgia State under 300 total yards, tightened its run fits, and forced the Panthers into difficult downs. Right before halftime, the defense forced a field-goal attempt that Georgia State missed — a quiet but important swing that preserved momentum. ODU also created one of the game’s stranger plays: a scoop-and-score fumble that came off a drill they practice repeatedly.
“We’ve been working on that dribble for a while,” Rahne said. “When things are going well, they’re going well… We’ll take the ones that bounce the right way.”
There was also the controversial forward-pass ruling that Rahne immediately challenged. He didn’t sugarcoat it afterward: “I thought it was a forward pass. They didn’t.” The frustration passed — the composure didn’t break. The defense simply went back to work.
For players like Jahleel Culbreath, the undefeated home finish meant something bigger than the score.
“Being undefeated at home is huge,” he said. “It’s rare. And being from the 757, it means more because my family and friends are here. They’re part of why we’re undefeated at home.”
And for Naotala — who thought football might’ve been behind him not long ago — the moment carried its own meaning.
“All glory to God,” he said. “I thought I was done with football. But little by little my confidence grew… having a whole year with this team, sticking to the process every day. It’s just hard work paying off.”
Hard work is the thread tying their season together. ODU finished with 409 total yards, including 303 on the ground, held Georgia State to 10 points, made two critical defensive stops before halftime, and forced turnovers that shifted momentum. None of it came from panic or improvisation. It came from preparation — the same message Rahne preached all week and the same approach the roster has adopted as its identity.
And now, with nine wins secured and a perfect 6–0 home record — just the third undefeated home season in program history — the Monarchs have reached the point they’ve been working toward since August.
Bowl eligibility is no longer a question. No more ifs — now it’s just when and where.
About The Author
