Week 1 Preview: Scouting the Old Dominion Monarchs

After 280 days, South Carolina football is finally back in Williams-Brice Stadium.

The Gamecocks will kick off their 2024 season against Old Dominion, who compete in the Sun Belt Conference. Saturday’s game will mark the first time the two teams have met in either program’s history.

Before the game kicks off at 4:15 p.m. on the SEC Network, here’s what the Monarchs bring to the table.

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How they got here

Old Dominion finished fourth in the Sun Belt East division this past season, garnering a 6-7 overall record and 5-3 mark in conference play. But the Monarchs could have won more games than that – the team suffered five one-possession losses. One of those losses came in the Famous Toastery Bowl, a game Western Kentucky won 38-35 in overtime.

Like most Sun Belt teams, Old Dominion has been the source of upset victories at the expense of other Power Five programs. Both of those wins, however, came against Shane Beamer‘s former employer – Virginia Tech. The Monarchs picked up a 49-35 win over the then-No. 13 Hokies in 2018, and then proceeded to beat them again two years later by a 20-17 score.

Old Dominion is led by head coach Ricky Rahne, who is entering his fifth season with the program. Rahne’s teams have earned a 15-23 record across three seasons (because the team’s 2020 campaign was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic). The Monarchs have made two bowl game appearances during that time frame.

Where they sit in the rankings

Old Dominion is not ranked in either the AP of USA Today Coaches polls. There are currently no Group of Five teams ranked in the top 25 of either poll.

In ESPN’s College Football Power Index (FPI), the Monarchs are ranked No. 109 with a -9.1 FPI. Their projected record is 4.2-7.8. The team has a 27.3% chance of winning six games this season.

In ESPN’s SP+ rankings, Old Dominion checks in at No. 111.

The Monarchs sit 105th in the Massey Ratings. They rank 110th in offense and 95th in defense.

ESPN gives Old Dominion a 12.6% percent chance to win this weekend. The Gamecocks head into the contest as 21-point favorites, according to ESPN BET.

Players to watch

Jason Henderson (Senior, Linebacker) – Henderson enters the 2024 as not only one of the best players at his position, but in all of college football. He has already garnered multiple preseason accolades, including being named a Preseason First-Team All-American by Phil Steele and earning the Sun Belt’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year award. And deservedly so – he was second in the country in tackles, with 167. The year before, he led all NCAA Division I FBS players with 179 tackles. Over the course of Henderson’s entire career, his 436 tackles are a Monarch program record.

Grant Wilson (Redshirt Junior, Quarterback) – Wilson returns to Old Dominion as the team’s starting quarterback after spending the first two years of his college career at Fordham. In 2023, he finished 10th in the Sun Belt in passing yards (179.1) and total offense (203.1) per game. He completed 178 of 312 passes for 2,149 yards, throwing 17 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Wilson also showcased his running abilities on some occasions, logging 289 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

Denzel Lowry (Redshirt Junior, Defensive Tackle) – While Henderson will likely warrant most of the attention from South Carolina’s offensive staff, Lowry is another impact player on the Monarchs’ defense. He led Old Dominion’s defensive line with 46 tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks. Lowry was also named to the Preseason All-Sun Belt Second Team.

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