Postgame Reaction on the JMU Loss to NDSU
The Dukes lost to the North Dakota State Bison today by the score of 26-14. We’ll take a day or two to let this sink in, and then we’ll post some serious thoughts about the game and the 2011 season. For now though, we just wanted to get a quick post up with some gut reactions to the loss.
In the preview, I said that JMU had to control the line of scrimmage and take care of the ball to win. Well, they didn’t control the line of scrimmage on either side of the ball unfortunately. NDSU’s defense shut the Dukes rushing attack down, limiting them to just 76 yards on the ground. That’s over 150 yards fewer than the Dukes’ per game average. JMU had some success throwing the ball, but without a strong rushing attack, they never really got clicking on offense. On defense, the Dukes made the supposedly efficient NDSU QB look pretty average to be honest. Running back DJ McNorton looked anything but average though. He torched the JMU defense for 154 yards, including a dagger of a 60 yard TD run to ice the game. That was pretty much the story. The Bison were a better team today. It might not be easy to admit it, but it’s true.
I’m not really sure what else to say. A few weeks ago, I thought the Dukes were dead in the water and headed for a 5-6 season. Instead they went on a run, finally made it back to the playoffs, won a playoff game, and then lost to the #2 overall seed on the road. I’m definitely not satisfied with a second round playoff defeat. I have much higher expectations for the JMU program. Realistically speaking though, it was a nice accomplishment and something that made me proud as a fan. I’ve been saying all year that this was a down year for the CAA. Today’s results proved that unfortunately, with ODU, UNH, and Towson also losing. So the Dukes were a 5th place team in a good, but not great, conference this year. They won a playoff game, but lost in the second round to a better team. Again, I’m definitely not satisfied, but I can live with that.
Right on. Tough loss, but it was good having them in the playoffs again, and there’s no shame in losing @ ND St.
Obviously disappointed with the loss but overall the Dukes salvaged the season and finished strong. I blame Justin Thorpe in part for our struggles this year. We are blessed to have such high expectations for our team. I look forward to the 2012 season. We better beat ODU though!
First time I ever went to a bar to see a JMU game outside of Hburg, and it was awesome (Baileys in Arlington). I did not expect JMU nation to come out so strong, but they did and it rocked. Felt really good to wear my JMU stuff in such a crowd!
Banditos in Richmond was packed as well. Disappointed in the loss but we were definitely just outplayed by a very solid football team. Proud of the grit that this team showed to make it this far and already looking forward to next season.
OH man that atmosphere at Bailey’s was fantastic. I was super impressed with the turnout for the game.. we filled both of those front rooms, and probably would have filled the third room too if we were able to get in there. Thanks as always to Laura Cilmi at the Nova/DC Duke Club for putting the viewing party together!
Hopefully see you again next year!
We need to pick an identity and commit to it.
Are we going to be Ohio State (Tressel Era) and run the power with a FB? Run for 250, pass for 150?
Are we going to be Navy and pass 4 times per game and run for 350 yds?
Are we going to be Houston and throw for 500 yds/game? (When hell freezes over)
Or are we going to be Michigan, where we line up in a spread and run the ball 30 times, and finish 6-5 every year until we recruit a Dennard Robinson/Rodney Landers?
Our defense is still pretty good, but watching our offense is like watching a kid with ADD try to solve a rubix cube. If we want to run for 350 and pass 5-8 times per game, just run the flexbone/double wing for pete sake. Pick something and commit to it. Personally, I want to see more north-south running and less (much less) east-west running.
I think the game scenario forced us a little out of our offense Saturday being down most of the game.
I think the offense needs some fine tuning. I’ve got nothing against a running attack, but I think 2004 Duke is dead on in saying that JMU needs to choose an identity and commit to it. JMU couldn’t come back on Saturday because they don’t really have the playback to come from 2 scores behind.