Honestly, if you're just looking at the old dominion university football schedule as a list of dates and times, you’re missing the actual drama. Most folks see the 2025 slate and think it's just another year in the Sun Belt gauntlet. They're wrong. This past season was a total fever dream for the Monarchs. We’re talking about a team that went from being picked fifth in their own division to winning 10 games and hoisting a bowl trophy in Orlando.
Ricky Rahne basically pulled a rabbit out of a hat.
The 2025 season wasn't just "good." It was arguably the best year in the program’s FBS history. If you missed it, you missed a masterclass in "bend but don't break" football. They didn't just play the games; they survived a non-conference schedule that would make most Group of Five coaches lose sleep.
The 2025 Reality Check
Let's look at how the 2025 old dominion university football schedule actually shook out. It started with a thud in Bloomington. A 27-14 loss to Indiana on August 30 didn't exactly scream "championship run." But then, things got weird—in a good way.
The Monarchs returned home to crush NC Central 54-6. Whatever. That’s what they’re supposed to do. But the real season-defining moment? That was September 13 in Blacksburg. ODU went into Lane Stadium—a place they had literally never won before—and absolutely dismantled Virginia Tech 45-26.
The Hokies didn't know what hit them.
After that, the momentum was a freight train. They took down Liberty in Norfolk (21-7) and then embarrassed Coastal Carolina (47-7). By the time October rolled around, the "little school from Norfolk" was the talk of the Sun Belt.
A Brutal Mid-Season Slump
Football isn't all sunshine and tailgates. The middle of the old dominion university football schedule was a nightmare. Back-to-back road trips to Huntington and Harrisonburg nearly derailed the whole thing.
Marshall took them to the woodshed with a 48-24 beating. Then came the Royal Rivalry. James Madison didn't just beat ODU; they hung 63 points on them. It was ugly. It was the kind of loss that makes fans start looking at basketball season.
But Rahne’s bunch didn't quit.
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Turning the Tide: The Late Season Surge
What most people get wrong about ODU is thinking they fold under pressure. After that JMU disaster, they ran the table.
- App State (Oct 25): A gritty 24-21 win at home.
- ULM (Nov 1): A business-like 31-6 road victory.
- Troy (Nov 13): A Thursday night lights shutout, 33-0.
- Georgia Southern (Nov 22): A 45-10 blowout in Statesboro.
- Georgia State (Nov 29): Closing the regular season with a 27-10 win in Norfolk.
That five-game winning streak wasn't a fluke. It was the result of Jason Henderson—maybe the best linebacker in the country—returning to full health and a defense that decided they were done giving up 60 points.
The Orlando Statement
The season ended at the Cure Bowl on December 17. ODU vs. South Florida. On paper, it looked like a toss-up. In reality, the Monarchs' defense suffocated the Bulls. A 24-10 win capped off a 10-3 season.
Think about that. 10 wins.
In a conference as deep as the Sun Belt, that’s insane. Especially when you consider the preseason expectations. People were worried about the offensive line and the turnover margin. While the turnovers were still a bit high (0-6 in games with multiple giveaways, 5-1 when they played clean), the defense covered up a lot of sins.
Why the 2026 Outlook is Different
Now that we’re moving into 2026, the old dominion university football schedule is going to look a bit different. The "surprise" factor is gone. Teams aren't going to overlook Norfolk anymore.
The biggest hurdle for the upcoming cycle is the renegotiated series with Virginia Tech. The schools decided to scrap some future games in Norfolk and keep the matchups in Blacksburg for 2025, 2026, and 2030. It’s a bit of a bummer for local fans who love seeing Power Four teams at S.B. Ballard Stadium, but it’s the reality of the current "Super Conference" landscape.
Actionable Takeaways for Monarch Fans
If you're planning your life around the next ODU season, here’s the smart way to do it.
Secure Season Tickets Early S.B. Ballard Stadium isn't huge. After a 10-win season, the demand for the 2026 home slate is going to be through the roof. Don't wait for single-game tickets to drop because the marquee Sun Belt matchups—especially against rivals like JMU or App State—will sell out fast.
Watch the Transfer Portal Interior The Monarchs lost some key pieces on the interior offensive line. While the tackles are solid, keep an eye on who they bring in during the spring window. If they can't protect the quarterback, the explosive offense we saw in late 2025 will stutter.
Monitor the Health of the Defense The 3-3-5 scheme ODU runs is highly dependent on elite linebacker play. If Jason Henderson or Mario Thompson miss time, the defensive efficiency drops off a cliff. Follow the local beat writers for injury updates during spring camp.
Plan for Mid-Week Games The Sun Belt loves their "Sun Belt Action" mid-week television windows. The 2025 schedule featured a big Thursday night win over Troy. Expect more of this. If you’re traveling for road games, double-check those dates because they aren't always on Saturdays.
The Monarchs have officially graduated from "scrappy underdog" to "Sun Belt contender." The days of being a pushover on anyone's schedule are over. Whether they can sustain 10-win seasons is the big question, but for now, Norfolk is a legitimate college football town.