Old Dominion 31, Rhode Island 23

Published Oct. 8, 2011 6:02 p.m. ET

foxsports

Taylor Heinicke threw for three touchdowns and rushed for another score to lead Old Dominion to a 31-23 win over Rhode Island on Saturday.

The Monarchs (5-1, 2-1 Colonial Athletic Association) struggled for much of the game to pull away from Rhode Island, which took a 23-21 lead on Louis Feinstein's 38-yard field goal with 6:46 left in the third quarter.

But Old Dominion answered with a go-ahead 9-yard touchdown pass from Heinicke to Nick Mayers late in the third. The Monarchs managed to hold Rhode Island (1-4, 0-2) scoreless the rest of the way.

Heinicke completed 26 of 32 passes for 205 yards for Old Dominion. He also had touchdown throws of 7 and 4 yards to Larry Pinkard, and the quarterback scored on a 7-yard run.

Steve Probst was 18 of 24 for 143 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for Rhode Island. He was also sacked twice.