Old Dominion Claims Cure Bowl Victory Over USF in 24-10 Showdown

UPDATE: The Old Dominion Monarchs secured a decisive 24-10 victory over the South Florida Bulls in the 2024 Cure Bowl, held at Camping World Stadium on January 3, 2024. This win marks a significant milestone for Old Dominion, as it is their first 10-win season since 2016.

In a game that showcased resilience, redshirt freshman quarterback Quinn Henicle overcame early challenges, including a fumble, to lead his team to triumph by scoring two rushing touchdowns. Henicle’s performance is particularly noteworthy as he stepped in after starting quarterback Colton Joseph announced his decision to enter the transfer portal.

The action kicked off with a turnover by Old Dominion, as Bulls safety Jarvis Lee pressured Henicle, forcing a fumble recovered by teammate Fred Gaskin, who returned it 22 yards to the Monarchs’ 41-yard line. This set up a drive resulting in a 28-yard field goal by Nico Gramatica, giving USF an early 3-0 lead.

Henicle quickly responded with a 10-play drive, culminating in a 6-yard rushing touchdown, marking his first of the season. However, the Bulls retaliated with a 31-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Gaston Moore to receiver Jeremiah Koger, reclaiming the lead at 10-7.

The game took a turn as USF’s opportunities dwindled due to missed field goals by Gramatica, including a critical 39-yard attempt. In contrast, Old Dominion capitalized on turnovers, including an interception by Jerome Carter, leading to a 22-yard touchdown run by Trequan Jones, putting the Monarchs up 14-10.

Despite a late-game fumble by Henicle, Old Dominion regained possession at the USF 4-yard line following a targeting ejection on Bulls cornerback De’Shawn Rucker. Though they didn’t score a touchdown, they extended their lead with a 24-yard field goal by Nathanial Eichner.

In the final moments, Henicle sealed the game with a stunning 51-yard touchdown run, finishing the game with a total of 227 yards of offense.

This loss extends USF’s struggle in Orlando, marking their fifth consecutive defeat in the area since 2015.

As the dust settles on this exciting Cure Bowl, both teams will be looking to regroup and prepare for their upcoming seasons. Stay tuned for further updates on player movements and off-season developments as teams navigate the transfer portal and prepare for 2024.