 In 2016 ODU bounced back from a 5–7 campaign the previous season to go 9–3 in the regular season and become bowl eligible for the first time.ODU clinched their 6th win on the year against C-USA power Marshall in Week 10 of the regular season.ODU went on to win the final 5 games of the regular season and accepted and invitation to play in the Bahamas Bowl to play Eastern Michigan and went on to beat EMU 24–20 for their first bowl win and finished the year 10–3.