ODU players eager to give glimpse of new spread offense, other developments in Saturday’s spring game

NORFOLK — Old Dominion has gone through 14 practices in the inherent anonymity that is spring football.

After working to fix the problems that resulted in a subpar 2022 season, the Monarchs are ready to show their work.

Fans can get their first look at the early 2023 version of the team at today’s Priority Charity Bowl ODU Spring Game, which kicks off at 2 p.m. at S.B. Ballard Stadium.

In addition to a glimpse at ODU’s new spread offense, those attending the free event can expect to see players eager to reveal what they’ve been developing since last season ended.

“Honestly, I can’t wait,” junior punter Ethan Duane said. “It’s like Lego. It’s like building blocks. You’re putting the pieces together, and there’s a point when you’re so close and you just can’t wait to see the final result come out.”

Old Dominion punter Ethan Duane said he and his teammates are ready to showcase what they've been working on in today's spring game. (Ben McKeown/AP)

Redshirt sophomore Jack Shields, Monarchs head coach Ricky Rahne said, has had “an excellent spring” and is expected to carry at least some of the load at the quarterback position in the wake of this week’s announcement that incumbent starter Hayden Wolff has entered the transfer portal.

Today’s spring game won’t be much of a conventional game at all. With personnel numbers down across college football as the transfer portal plays out in the offseason, the Monarchs are short at several positions.

“So being able to split the teams up and play four quarters and do all that sort of stuff, it’s not real feasible,” Rahne said, adding that the event will resemble recent situational spring games. “It gets a little messy because you’ve got guys who are going to have to play both teams and all sorts of stuff. It’s going to be very similar to a regular scrimmage for us.”

Fans are directed to enter the stadium through the southeast gate and sit on the east side. Parking is free and available in the Red Garage, which is adjacent to the stadium at 49th Street and Bluestone Avenue.

The concession stands on the east side of the stadium will have food and drinks available for purchase. ODU’s clear-bag policy will be in effect.

The Charity Bowl, in its 54th year, is America’s longest-running charity football game. The event raises money for Hampton Roads children’s charities. Last year’s Charity Bowl raised over $800,000, a record for the event.

For the players, it’s an opportunity to show the public what’s different since last season’s 3-9 finish.

“Oh, man, we can’t wait,” said junior linebacker E.J. Green, a former star for Lafayette High in Williamsburg. “We can’t wait to go out there and dominate anybody that’s in front of us. We’ve been really consistent throughout practices, and we’re just putting everything together.”

Old Dominion defensive players run through a drill during spring practice. (Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot)

Rahne, who is entering his third season on the sideline and his fourth overall at the school, expects to bring in more players via the transfer portal before the fall. The team fans see Saturday is certain to grow before the Monarchs open Sept. 2 at Virginia Tech.

Rahne compared dealing with the portal to dealing with injuries.

“You’re still going to have some injuries, and that’s just part of the sport,” Rahne said. “The transfer portal’s a little bit the same: You’re going to try to do things to try to minimize guys leaving and those sort of things, but in the end, you’re not going to be able to eliminate every single one. It’s just not going to happen. And so you have to be able to adjust and adapt and move on from there.”

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Duane, an Australia native who led the Sun Belt Conference with 28 punts downed inside the 20-yard line last season, is ready to kick for a crowd.

“I think for a lot of us on the team and a lot of the guys who performed and played really well last season, they’ve come back and had a different mentality to try and improve,” he said. “And I think now’s the point where we’re wanting to see that in action. We’re wanting to see ourselves get out on the field, get into our game reps — for me, get into my punt reps and showcase.”

David Hall, david.hall@pilotonline.com. Twitter @DavidHallVP.

Today’s game

Priority Charity Bowl ODU Spring Game

When: 2 p.m.

Where: S.B. Ballard Stadium

Radio: 94.1FM