Norfolk, VA (Sports Network) - Many expected an offensive battle between New
Hampshire and Old Dominion, but no one could have predicted the historic
outcome Saturday.
In an absolutely absurd statistical performance, ODU overcame a 23-point
third-quarter deficit and quarterback Taylor Heinicke threw for a Division I
record 730 yards in a 64-61 victory.
Heinicke completed 55-of-79 attempts as well as five touchdowns.
The sophomore added 61 rushing yards for one touchdown, giving him 791 yards
of total offense, also a Division I record.
Fifth-ranked ODU (4-0) racked up 824 yards of offense. Wide receiver Nick
Mayers caught 12 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns. The Monarchs added
94 rushing yards.
No. 18 New Hampshire (2-2) totaled 725 yards of offense (389 rushing) as
sophomore quarterback Andy Valais passed for 336 yards and five touchdowns,
Nicco Steriti had 201 rushing yards and two touchdowns, and receivers
R.J. Harris and Joey Orlando scored two touchdowns each.
The Monarchs scored five touchdowns in the second half and, ironically, it was
the place-kicker, Jared Brown, who booted a 25-yard field goal with 44 seconds
to break a 61-61 tie.
ODU's Andre Simmons sealed the win with the game's lone interception on UNH's
final drive.
It was the highest-scoring game in CAA Football history. UNH held a 47-24 lead
in the third quarter.
The meeting was the first, and the likely last, between the two schools
because the Monarchs will move to the FBS level in 2013, joining Conference
USA.
Heinicke was one passing yard shy of the all-division passing record of 731,
set by Zamir Amin of Division III Menlo. He did that against Cal Lutheran in
2000.
The previous Division I record was 716 yards, set by Houston's David Klingler
in 1990 against Arizona State. Weber State's Jamie Martin set the previous FCS
record with 623 passing yards against Idaho State in 1991.
Heinicke's total yards surpassed Klinger's 732 by Kingler in the 1990 game
against Arizona State and the FCS record of 668 by Jackson State's Robert Kent
against Alabama State in 2001.
The Sports Network