Quinn Henicle looked like a quarterback making his second career start.

The Old Dominion redshirt freshman shook off a shaky start that included a fumble to score two touchdowns while leading the Monarchs to an impressive 24-10 win over South Florida in Wednesday’s StaffDNA Cure Bowl at Camping World Stadium.

ODU (10-3, 6-2 Sun Belt) won 10 games for the first time since the 2016 season.

Henicle earned the start after starting quarterback Colton Joseph announced he planned to enter the transfer portal on Jan. 2.

South Florida came up with the first turnover of the game when safety Jarvis Lee rushed Henicle, forcing him to fumble the football backward. It was scooped up by safety Fred Gaskin, who returned it 22 yards to the Monarchs’ 41.

It was the 11th fumble recovery on the season for USF (9-4, 6-2 American) and the 25th overall takeaway.

The Bulls drove to the ODU 10 but were forced to settle for a 28-yard field goal by kicker Nico Gramatica for a 3-0 lead.

Henicle made up for his miscue by leading the Monarchs on a 10-play drive that was capped by a 6-yard touchdown run by the redshirt freshman. It was his first rushing touchdown of the season and his fourth overall.

USF responded by quickly moving into Old Dominion territory thanks to a 42-yard completion from Gaston Moore to receiver Christian Nepture. But a busted run ended in a 48-yard field goal miss by Gramatica.

The Bulls didn’t allow another opportunity to go unfulfilled as quarterback Moore connected with receiver Jeremiah Koger on back-to-back throws, including a 31-yard touchdown pass that helped USF retake the lead at 10-7 with 7:24 left in the half.

USF was without starting quarterback Byrum Brown, who chose to opt out of Wednesday’s game but was on the sidelines helping out the coaching staff. His replacement was Moore, a transfer who spent time at Tennessee and UCF.

Moore continued the hot hand on USF’s next possession, but defensive back Brandon Crutchfield intercepted his pass to Koger on the ODU 20. It was the Monarchs’ 12th interception of the season.

Old Dominion drove to the USF 26 but a bobbled snap on a 38-yard field goal by kicker Nathanial Eichner led to a turnover on downs.

ODU took advantage of another turnover after defensive back Jerome Carter intercepted Moore on his first pass of the second half. The Monarchs scored three plays later as Trequan Jones ran untouched for a 22-yard touchdown and a 14-10 lead.

It was Jones’ sixth rushing touchdown of the season and it was the third lead change of the game.

USF had another opportunity to tack on points, but Gramatica missed a 39-yard field goal attempt. It was the first time he had missed two field goals in a game in his college career.

Old Dominion drove to the USF 16-yard line, but Henicle fumbled after a brutal hit by Bulls cornerback De’Shawn Rucker. Defensive end Michael Williams III recovered the ball; however, Rucker was ejected after it was determined his hit was targeting and the Monarchs got the ball back at the USF 4.

ODU failed to convert but converted a 24-yard field goal by Eichner to push the lead to 17-10.

Henicle capped the scoring with a 51-yard touchdown run late in the game to seal the win for the Monarchs. He finished with 227 total yards of offense and two rushing touchdowns.

The last time USF won a game in Orlando was in 2015. The Bulls have lost five straight games in Central Florida, including a neutral-site game vs. Memphis in Camping World Stadium in 2024.

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