BREAKING: In a thrilling showdown, Old Dominion triumphed over South Florida with a decisive 24-10 victory in the StaffDNA Cure Bowl held at Camping World Stadium on January 3, 2024. Redshirt freshman quarterback Quinn Henicle emerged as a star, overcoming an early fumble to lead the Monarchs to their first 10-win season since 2016.
Old Dominion (10-3, 6-2 Sun Belt) faced challenges early when Henicle fumbled, allowing South Florida (9-4, 6-2 American) to capitalize with a 28-yard field goal from kicker Nico Gramatica, putting the Bulls on the board first at 3-0. However, the Monarchs quickly retaliated with a robust 10-play drive, culminating in Henicle’s first rushing touchdown of the season, giving Old Dominion a 7-3 lead.
The back-and-forth battle continued, with South Florida’s quarterback Gaston Moore connecting with receiver Jeremiah Koger for a 31-yard touchdown pass, swinging the lead back to USF at 10-7. Despite missing their starting quarterback Byrum Brown, who opted out of the game, the Bulls remained competitive.
Old Dominion’s defense shone when defensive back Brandon Crutchfield intercepted Moore, halting another promising drive. Following a turnover, the Monarchs reclaimed momentum when Trequan Jones sprinted for a 22-yard touchdown, pushing Old Dominion ahead 14-10.
Despite opportunities, South Florida struggled with special teams, as Gramatica missed two field goals, marking a rare off night for him. Meanwhile, Old Dominion capitalized on a targeting penalty against USF’s De’Shawn Rucker, allowing them to extend their lead with a 24-yard field goal.
Henicle sealed the game with a stunning 51-yard touchdown run, bringing his total rushing yards to 227 and securing the Monarchs’ victory. This win not only marked a significant milestone for the program but also highlighted Henicle’s potential as he steps into the role after starting quarterback Colton Joseph announced his transfer plans.
With this loss, South Florida has now gone five straight games without a win in Central Florida, last tasting victory in Orlando back in 2015.
As the dust settles on this remarkable game, Old Dominion’s fans celebrate a historic season, while South Florida looks to regroup for future challenges. For live updates and more insights, stay tuned.
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