Old Dominion (2-6, 1-4 Conference USA) scored 18 points in the last 5:40 for the win. Kesean Strong's 2-yard TD run, followed by a 2-point conversion, knotted the game at 27. Western Kentucky then drove 80 yards and went up a touchdown when Gino Appleberry carried it in from 2-yards out for the lead.
Blake LaRussa led the Monarchs down the field in 93 seconds and completed a 6-yard scoring pass to Travis Fulgham to tie it at 34 with nine seconds left. On the Hilltoppers' next drive, the Monarchs were flagged for roughing the passer. Alex Rinella missed a 57-yard field goal with two seconds remaining, but ODU was penalized for too many men on the field and gave Rinella a chance at a 52 yarder.
The kick descended at the goal line, and Isaiah Harper ran it back 83 yards to the Hilltoppers' 17. But a WKU face mask moved the ball to their own 9-yard line, gave ODU another offensive play with no time left setting up Rice's game-winner.
LaRussa threw for 327 yards and a touchdown, and Shanley led WKU with 257 yards and two TD for the Hilltoppers (1-6, 0-3).
