VT coaches stuck in elevator, delaying second half in loss to ODU

The second half of the game between Virginia Tech Hokies and Old Dominion Monarch on Friday was delayed because the Hokies' assistant coaches got stuck in an elevator on their return to the press box. The delay lasted more than 15 minutes, extending the half time to 30 minutes.

"So the coaches that would have to get up here to the press box to watch the game at the press level, which some coaches like to do, are apparently stuck in the elevator," ESPNU's broadcast said.

Virginia Tech Hokies vs Old Dominion Monarch

After that brief pause, the Monarch defeated the Hokies, 20-17. This was the Monarch's second victory over the Hokies. Previously, the two teams clashed in 2018, with the Monarch also beating the Hokies, 49-35.

Keshawn King ran for 111 yards and received a touchdown throw from transfer quarterback Grant Wells. According to David Cobb of CBS, the Hokies seemed to have a chance to win until that point.

"Still, it looked like Virginia Tech's defense was positioned to carry it to a Week 1 victory," Cobb wrote, "until Old Dominion's offense found life with the game on the line."

Cobb said that the Hokies' defense was good, but their offense did not perform well in this game.

Wells tried to pass to Jalen Holston, but the ball bounced off to Monarchs' Ryan Henry. With 2:58 remaining, an ODU penalty of 15 yards sent the ball back to the Hokies' 26.

For 24 yards, he connected with Ali Jennings. On a fourth-and-1 from midfield, Wolff gained eight yards by running, and he then threw the pass to Jennings that caused Dorian Strong to draw the huge flag.

Monarch head coach Ricky Rahne said his team was not pleased with their performance in this game.

"They knew they could play better," Rahne said. "You know, I think part of it was that they wanted to come out and play so well that they played a little tight. And that's not who we are."

21,944 people attended the game at S.B. Ballard Stadium, the most since 2019. After the game, about 5,000 ODU students who had been watching it charged the field and joined the players in their celebration.

After receiving a Gatorade bath at the end of the game, Rahne was dripping wet. He said Monarch nation and the entire Hampton Roads area had come to support the team.

"This was an awesome atmosphere," Rahne said. "I told our guys to go out and soak it up. This was a special night. I know a lot of these kids are ever going to forget it."

Harry Minium of ODUsports described the game as not artful despite the Monarch's victory.

"For much of the game," Minium said. "Wolff could not throw the ball in the ocean, to use a coaching cliché."

The Monarch only managed 245 offensive yards, with half coming in the fourth quarter. On the other hand, the Hokies committed 14 fouls.

"There were plays available all night and we just didn't make them," Rahne said. "That's fine. That happens sometimes. But at the end, Hayden Wolff made some huge plays."

According to Wolff, this game's victory was not the same as the 2018 triumph.

"It was a big win," he said. "A lot of people are talking about how we shocked the world, that this was a big surprise."