ODU discusses 2014 bowl eligibility with C-USA

Harry · December 20, 2012

NORFOLK — Old Dominion athletic officials are working with Conference USA in an attempt to allow the Monarchs to compete in a bowl game in 2014 should certain conditions be met, coach Bobby Wilder said Wednesday at a news conference to reveal the football team's mid-year recruiting class.

Wilder was back in town after a whirlwind 10 days that included the Monarchs' season-ending playoff loss to Georgia Southern, a recruiting trip to the West Coast and a quick trip to Philadelphia earlier this week.

Wilder attended a banquet Monday in Philly, where record-setting quarterback Taylor Heinicke won the Payton Award, given by The Sports Network to the top offensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision.

As grateful and humble as he was by Heinicke's award and the national recognition he and the program have received in the past two seasons, Wilder and the staff move forward with the transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision and C-USA.

"I think this move is much harder than starting the program," Wilder said. "To open at East Carolina and at Maryland is harder than opening at home against Chowan and at home against Virginia Union. All due respect to those programs, but this is a step up and a much greater challenge. … Everything just got harder."

The challenge begins with recruiting, particularly to shore up a defense that again was statistically among the most porous in FCS: 89th in scoring defense (30.46), 94th in total defense (420 ypg), 100th against the rush (197) and 74th against the pass (222).

As an FBS program, Wilder said, the Monarchs now have access to a broader and deeper pool of talent. There's also greater competition for that talent, and other programs are quick to remind recruits that ODU is in transition and subject to certain conditions.

Originally, the Monarchs' move up entailed a two-year transition period in which they would be ineligible for both the C-USA title and a bowl berth until 2015. But Wilder said, and athletic director Wood Selig confirmed, that Selig has discussed with C-USA officials the possibility of ODU being eligible for the conference title in 2014 and for a bowl berth.

Read more: http://www.dailypress.com/sports/colleges/dp-spt-odu-fb-wilder-dec-sign-20121219,0,887664.story