Greetings, Lion fans, and in this week’s, Pre Snap Read, we’ll take a look at how the Lions match up against the Old Dominion University Monarchs and see if they’re able to snap out of their 0-2 and offensive funks.

To that point, it won’t be an easy task. Old Dominion, despite coming into this game with a 1-2 record as a member of the Sun Belt Conference, own a win over Louisiana (La. – Lafayette), 38-31, and losses to Virginia Tech 36-17, and to Wake Forest, 27-24, in which they held a lead well into the final quarter. Impossible? No, but as the country saying goes, “Pack a sack lunch and a tall ladder, it’s going to be an all-day job.”

The Monarchs are led by head coach Richy Rahne, who is in his third season, with a record of 10-18. His biggest win so far has been a 20-17 thriller over Virginia Tech at the start of the 2022 season. The former Penn State offensive coach is indeed building a program in Norfolk.

So let’s dive right in and see how this breaks down.

OVERALL:

Lion Offense:

Points: 8.0 ppg

Rush: 138. 0 ypg

Pass: 107.5 ypg

Total: 245.5 ypg

Turnover: 6

Monarch Defense:

Points: 31.3 ppg

Rush: 125.0 ypg

Pass: 285.3 ypg

Total: 410.3 ypg

Turnover: 3

At first glance, it would appear that the Lions would have an advantage to exploit in the passing game, as the Monarchs are surrendering almost 300 yards per game, and over 410 yards total. Dig a little deeper, though, and we see that while the Lions have faced the nationally ranked teams in UC-Davis (#16), and Sacramento State (#6, who also defeated Stanford this past week, 30-23), Old Dominion has faced fellow Sun Belt member Louisiana-Lafayette, and ACC members Virginia Tech and Wake Forest.

The most glaring weakness of the Lion offense has to be the passing game. Averaging just over 100 yards per game in 2023, Clint Dolezel’s offense has a paltry 2.3 yards per pass attempt. That’s not a misprint. 2.3 YARDS PER PASS ATTEMPT. That kind of production just will not work at any level of football.

The run game has fared somewhat better, averaging 138 yards per contest, and the offensive line had a much better go of things two weeks ago against Sacramento State. The pre snap penalties dropped dramatically, and holding as well as hands to the face penalties were reduced.

The Monarch defense operates out of a base 3-3-5 set. They are young but are very fast and swarm to the football. This will be the biggest challenge for the Lion offensive line yet.

UP FRONT/TALE OF THE TAPE:

Lion Offensive Line: 6’2″ 319 lbs.

Monarch Front 6: 6’1″ 249 lbs.

It is worth noting again right here, that on the surface, it seems the Lions have a huge size advantage here, these numbers are skewed by the inclusion of the linebacking corps. The Monarchs are led in tackling by junior linebacker Jason Henderson (6’1″ 227 lbs.) with 40 tackles (12 solo). Nest is defensive back Terry jones (6’1″ 193 lbs. RS-Jr.) with 33 tackles (8 solo). Redshirt junior linebacker E.J. Green (6’1″ 219 lbs.) follows with 28 tackles (7 solo).

The Old Dominion defensive front is manned by a trio of sophomores, Jalen Satchell (6’1″ 300 lbs.), Amorie Morrison (6’4″ 245 lbs.), and Denzel Lowrey (6’1″ 280 lbs.). They are a very quick and disruptive group.

The Lion offensive line is led by three juniors, Jadin Jones (6’5″ 311 lbs.), Santos Valdez (6’1″ 321 lbs.), and Michael Martin (6’1″ 345 lbs.) They are joined by sophomore Kyle Lofye (6’3″ 312 lbs.) and McKenzie Agnello (6’4″ 310 lbs.). They rallied from a disastrous opening to have a much-improved outing two weeks ago, despite a 34-6 loss.

If the Lions are to have any success, it begins here. The Lion has to protect the passer as well as opening some sort of holes for the running backs. It will be a challenge, for sure.

MOVERS AND SHAKERS/THE BACK LINE:

Lion Movers and Shakers: 5’11” 196 lbs.

Monarch Back Line: 6’0″ 194 lbs.

The Monarch secondary, in addition the aforementioned Terry Jones, is joined by junior Lamaeron James (5’10” 187 lbs.), redshirt senior Nolan Johnson (6’2″ 200 lbs.). junior Shawn Asbury (5’9″ 192 lbs.) and junior Tajh Ra-El (6’2″ 199 lbs.). This group is, as the saying goes, “agile, mobile, and hostile.” In other words, they are big, fast, and like to hit.

The Lion receivers are led by sophomore Keith Miller (6’3″ 219 lbs.), who has two catches for a 36-yard average, and one 65 yards touchdown reception.

Job #1 for head coach Clint Dolezel, and offensive coordinator Bob Bounds is to find a way to get the passing game untracked. All the tools are there.

VERY SPECIAL, INDEED: The Monarch are led in punting by junior Duane Ethan (6’1″ 226 lbs.) who averages 39.7 yards on 35 punts, with a long of 50. Sophomore Ehtan Sanchez (5’9″ 189 lbs.) is 3 of 5 on field goal attempts, with a long of 49 yards, and is a perfect 10 of 10 on extra points.

The Lions do not have a punt return listed, which is not an uncommon statistic this early in the season, but sophomore Sean Krystoff-King has 6 kickoff returns for a 19.8-yard average, with a long of 26 yards.

THE LIONS WIN THIS MATCHUP IF: To put it mildly, a lot of things are going to have to go right for Clint Dolezel and his team. They are:

1. FIND A WAY OUT OF THIS FUNK: Brian and I just thought the offense was bad in 2021 and 2022. In 2021, there was a reason: Injuries, especially at quarterback. In 2022, it was injuries again, to a lesser extent, in addition to inconsistent quarterback play. The Lions have to fix it, and fast.
2. BEAR DOWN (HOLD THE ROPE): Again, on the surface, the situation seems almost hopeless. This is a point where bothe coaches and players are going to have to dig deep , find a way to come together, and make this season work.
3. ADJUST AND SPREAD: Spread the wealth. The tools are there. Running back/receivers with speed and talent. A quarterback, who wasn’t QB1 intitally, had time to prepare in the spring and summer, who has a strong arm and can extend plays with his feet. The statement that most excited us here at The Wire was the statement by Clint Dolezel, that if the initial game plan wasn’t working, he’d shred it and start over. Well, it’s that time.
4. MEMORIES: I know I’ve mentioned this before but allow me. In 1979 the Lions team lost their first three games. I mean, they were beat. They were done. Except they weren’t. They started to win, and despite a 45-14 drubbing at Southwest Texas, rallied to deal the eventual NAIA National Champions of Texas A&I their only loss of 1979, a 3-0 shutout. If not for a disputed end zone call at Angelo State, that team would have been Lone Star Conference champions. What does that mean? to quote New York Yankee legend Yogi Berra: “It ain’t over ’till it’s over.”
5. IT ONLY TAKES ONE THING: One break. One thing to go right. One break in the game. The Lions just have to find it. And they can.

So, where do the Lions go from here? Yes, Old Dominion, is bigger, faster, and have played a higher level of competition than the Lions. To say the Lions are struggling offensively would be the understatement of the year. They just have to have that one thing go right. Most importantly, they have to believe that they can find it and make it happen.

See You Saturday.