Norfolk, VA (Sports Network) - Coastal Carolina did its best to try to match
touchdowns with the No. 1-ranked offense in the FCS.
And then the Taylor Heinicke onslaught only worsened for the Chanticleers.
Old Dominion's sensational sophomore quarterback threw for three straight
touchdowns in just over a five-minute span of the second half and he went on
to pass for 497 yards and six touchdowns in the Monarchs' 63-35 victory over
Coastal in the second round of the playoffs Saturday.
Heinicke completed 32 of his 44 pass attempts and didn't throw an
interception, propelling fourth-seeded Old Dominion (11-1) into next weekend's
national quarterfinals, where they will host fifth-seeded Georgia Southern
(9-3).
Georgia Southern eliminated ODU from last year's playoffs, 55-48.
Coastal (8-5) tied the game at 35-35 on Travis Small's 18-yard touchdown run
with 2:53 left in the third quarter before Heinicke then helped ODU pull away
to its sixth straight win.
He led the Monarchs on a quick touchdown drive, completing four passes for 72
yards and capping it with a 6-yard scoring pass to Larry Pinkard with 1:01
left in the quarter.
After Coastal went three-and-out on its next series, Heinicke opened the
fourth quarter with a 73-yard touchdown pass to Pinkard, extending ODU's lead
to 49-35.
Heinicke then threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Nick Mayers to push ODU's lead
to 56-35 with 10:52 left in the game.
The Monarchs then scored again on their next possession with Colby Goodwyn's
5-yard touchdown run.
Heinicke has thrown for 4,655 yards and 41 touchdowns this season.
Pinkard caught six passes for 154 yards and three touchdowns, while Mayers
finished with six receptions for 103 yards and one touchdown. Two of Blair
Roberts' four receptions went for touchdowns.
ODU finished with 694 yards of offense. The Monarchs, from CAA Football,
entered Saturday's action ranked No. 1 in total offense and No. 2 in scoring
offense in the FCS.
For Coastal, which was coming off a first-round win at Bethune-Cookman, Aramis
Hillary was 21-of-39 for 352 yards and three touchdowns with two
interceptions. Matt Hazel caught nine passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns.
ODU improved to 38-9 as a fourth-year program. The Monarchs are moving up to
the FBS level next year.
GAME NOTES:
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