If you’ve spent any time in the Sun Belt East, you know things rarely go according to plan. It's a chaotic division. But even by those standards, the recent history of Old Dominion vs App State has become a special kind of head-scratcher.
For years, the script was written in stone. App State was the bully. They were the program that walked into Norfolk or welcomed the Monarchs to the high altitude of Boone and simply took care of business. Between 2015 and 2022, the Mountaineers didn't just win; they dominated. We’re talking about a 49-0 blowout in the very first meeting. It looked like a rivalry in name only.
But something shifted lately.
The 2024 and 2025 seasons have turned this matchup into a legitimate toss-up. Honestly, it’s become one of the most stressful games on the calendar for both fanbases. If you're a Mountaineer fan, you're wondering where the defensive consistency went. If you're a Monarchs supporter, you're finally seeing that "Ricky Rahne grit" actually translate into wins over the conference heavyweights.
The Colton Joseph Factor and the 2025 Shocker
Let’s talk about October 25, 2025. This was the most recent chapter in the Old Dominion vs App State saga, and it was a rollercoaster. ODU came into the game as a home underdog. Most people expected the Mountaineers to vent their frustrations after some mid-season stumbles.
Instead, Colton Joseph happened.
The ODU quarterback looked like a different human being. He threw for 310 yards and three touchdowns, essentially carving up an App State secondary that usually prides itself on being a "no-fly zone." The opening play was a statement: a 70-yard bomb to Ke’Travion Hargrove that caught the Mountaineers sleeping. It was loud. It was fast. It was exactly what ODU needed to break the psychological barrier of playing the guys from Boone.
The Near-Comeback
The game wasn't a walk in the park, though. App State doesn't just quit. Trailing 24-7 in the fourth quarter, they swapped JJ Kohl for AJ Swann. That's when things got dicey. Swann looked like a man possessed, throwing two quick touchdowns in the final nine minutes.
With 1:35 left, it was 24-21. The Mountaineers were a successful onside kick away from a miracle.
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But Ja’Cory Thomas—the same guy who’d been a thorn in their side all afternoon—leaped into a "stampede of Mountaineers" to snag the kick. Game over. ODU wins. That win moved the all-time series to 4-2 in favor of App State, but the momentum is clearly swinging toward Norfolk.
Why the 2024 Game Still Stings for ODU
If 2025 was about ODU holding on, 2024 was about them letting it slip away. It's the "what if" game for the Monarchs. They actually outgained App State by 100 yards (498 to 398). Isiah Paige had a career day with 13 catches for 205 yards. He was literally uncoverable.
So how did they lose 28-20?
Four turnovers. That’s the answer.
You can’t cough the ball up four times against a team coached by Shawn Clark and expect to survive. Colton Joseph was sacked five times that afternoon at Kidd Brewer Stadium. The most painful one? A blindside hit by Shawn Collins that forced a fumble while ODU was driving to take the lead in the fourth.
- Turnovers: ODU (4) vs App State (1)
- Total Yards: ODU (498) vs App State (396)
- Final Score: App State 28, ODU 20
It was a classic "stat sheet win, scoreboard loss" for the Monarchs. It proved they could move the ball, but it also highlighted the gap in veteran poise that App State has traditionally possessed.
A Rivalry That Transcends the Gridiron
It’s worth noting that Old Dominion vs App State isn’t just a football thing anymore. The Sun Belt is trying to foster these regional rivalries across all sports. Just look at the basketball court.
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On December 31, 2025, the Mountaineers walked into Norfolk and handed the Monarchs an 81-73 loss. Michael Marcus Jr. went off for 20 points and 10 rebounds. While the football team is finding ways to beat App State, the basketball program is still looking for answers. It adds a layer of "big brother, little brother" energy that keeps the tension high whenever these two logos meet.
The Recruiting Battle
Boone and Norfolk aren't exactly next door, but they fight for the same kids in Virginia and North Carolina. When ODU pulls a win like they did in 2025, it changes the conversation in the living rooms of three-star recruits. It says ODU isn't just a "start-up" program anymore; they can take down the established kings of the conference.
Looking Ahead: What to Expect Next
The Old Dominion vs App State matchup is no longer a "guaranteed win" for the Mountaineers. That’s the biggest takeaway from the last 24 months.
If you're betting on or analyzing this game in the future, watch the turnover margin above all else. In every game ODU has won or kept close, they’ve limited the "hero ball" mistakes. Conversely, App State’s defense has shown it can be vulnerable to the big play—the 70-yarders and 60-yarders that ODU specializes in.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch the QB Battle: As we move into 2026, the development of Colton Joseph (ODU) and the health of the App State quarterback room (Swann vs Kohl) will dictate the conference standings.
- Home Field Matters: Norfolk is becoming a house of horrors for the Mountaineers. The 2023 and 2025 games both went to the Monarchs on their home turf.
- Check the Injury Report Early: Both teams suffered significant attrition in their 2025 meeting, particularly on the offensive line. Depth is the "hidden" factor in Sun Belt play.
The gap has closed. The "bully" has been punched in the mouth. Whether App State can re-establish dominance or ODU becomes the new East division powerhouse is the story to watch.
One thing is for sure: don't bet against the chaos.
To stay ahead of the next matchup, monitor the Sun Belt East injury reports starting in September. Pay close attention to the Monarchs' pass protection stats; if they can keep Joseph upright, they are a threat to anyone in the league. For App State, the focus must return to the "Rock" mentality of defensive consistency and a balanced run game.