UPDATE: Old Dominion University has triumphed over South Florida, securing a decisive 24-10 victory in the StaffDNA Cure Bowl held at Camping World Stadium on January 2, 2024. Redshirt freshman quarterback Quinn Henicle showcased his potential, bouncing back from an early fumble to lead the Monarchs to their first 10-win season since 2016.
The game kicked off with a dramatic start as South Florida’s safety Jarvis Lee forced a fumble from Henicle, allowing teammate Fred Gaskin to scoop and score a 22-yard return to the Monarchs’ 41-yard line. This marked the Bulls’ 25th takeaway of the season. After an initial field goal by Nico Gramatica gave USF a 3-0 lead, Henicle quickly responded, orchestrating a 10-play drive capped by a 6-yard rushing touchdown, marking his first of the season.
As the first half progressed, South Florida regained momentum. Quarterback Gaston Moore, filling in for the absent starter Byrum Brown, connected with receiver Jeremiah Koger for a 31-yard touchdown, putting the Bulls ahead 10-7. However, Old Dominion’s defense was relentless, with Brandon Crutchfield intercepting Moore’s pass on USF’s next possession, setting up another scoring opportunity.
In the second half, the Monarchs capitalized on a turnover, with defensive back Jerome Carter intercepting Moore. Shortly after, running back Trequan Jones sprinted for a 22-yard touchdown, putting ODU ahead 14-10. As the game continued, USF’s Gramatica faltered, missing two field goals—his first multiple miss game in college.
The action heated up when Henicle fumbled again, but an ejection for targeting on USF’s De’Shawn Rucker allowed Old Dominion to regain possession deep in Bulls territory. The Monarchs extended their lead with a 24-yard field goal before Henicle sealed the victory with an impressive 51-yard touchdown run, finishing the game with 227 total yards and two rushing touchdowns.
This win is significant for Old Dominion as they look to build momentum for the next season. Meanwhile, USF continues to struggle, marking their fifth consecutive loss in Central Florida.
As the dust settles on this thrilling Cure Bowl, all eyes will be on how both teams prepare for the upcoming season. Fans are eager to see if Old Dominion can maintain this level of performance moving forward. Stay tuned for more updates as the post-game analysis unfolds.
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