JMU Craps the Bed at Villanova
What? That’s offensive? Well, I was just paraphrasing our commenter Shady_P and besides, the truth is always a defense. And the truth is, quite simply, JMU did indeed shit the bed at Villanova yesterday in spectacular fashion, potentially costing themselves a playoff bid, and may have jump-started an offseason filled with enormous questions about the future of the program. That said, we’ll have plenty of time for long-term post-mortem whenever the final nail is pounded, so stay tuned.
Usually we do Good, Bad, and Ugly in our wrapups, but there is only ugly this week.
Simply the worst game I can recall from JMU under the circumstances in many years. There were some very ugly games last season and some real gag-jobs during the two 6-5 seasons, but there always seemed to be key injuries or odd weather or some other nonsense for Coach Matthews to excuse his way out of. Yesterday was just a physical beating in all phases of the game. The much-hyped (by us for sure) JMU rushing Defense gave up over 300 yards, many of them to a slippery, but not exactly Cam Newton, rFreshman QB and just as many after that same QB left with an injury. The pillow-soft zone allowed for wide-open receivers underneath throughout the game.
On offense JMU simply did what JMU does. Define “insanity” by continuing to do the same stupid things expecting different results. Yes, JT looks bad and his decision-making was suspect as always (how can you possibly take not one, but two safeties when you could have just thrown it up for grabs which appears to be what we do on half of our passing plays anyhow?), but it’s not even worth blaming the kid when the coaches took the ball out of his hands on every meaningful play prior to JMU already being down 17-0. The Dukes had short-yardage opportunities on 3rd or 4th downs in 2 of their first 3 possessions and lined up in Wildcat. Needless to say, DQ was stopped both times solely because Villanova’s Defensive Coordinator is apparently not the dumbest person on earth. And again, don’t kid yourself by forgetting the atrocity that was our defense.
In general, JMU has a solid, healthy O-Line and a stable of RB’s. Why the hell are we in shotgun on short-yardage plays?! If JT’s finger, which the reporters who cover the team have consistently said remains “gnarly,” is such an issue that he can’t be under center and cannot consistently avoid throwing the ball ten yards into the stands on five-yard out patterns, then get him the hell out. Everything about yesterday’s game is beyond frustrating and most likely signals a sad end to a season that looked so promising just a month ago.
But the Dukes have something nearly no other bubble team does next week: Opportunity. So let’s move on for a week. Get blown out by ODU and we can gnosh on the future of the Matthews regime and whether a 6th year of eligibility for JT will set us back another two years. There’s a ton of football to be played Saturday and JMU will have the national spotlight on them at home in Bridgeforth against a top five team. JMU’s resume is not where it needs to be for an at-large, but us fans will likely know how things stand at kickoff and they’ll be on national tv for the selection committee to all check out. Not to mention, if Towson can beat UNH earlier in the day, still a decent chance the Dukes will take the title and the automatic berth. (Short version, if JMU and Towson win causing a four way tie with UR and VU, JMU probably wins. If JMU and Towson win, but UR and/or VU lose to WM and UD respectively, then that would also strongly enhance JMU’s at-large chances).
In any case, this may be JMU’s last shot for a while at shutting up ODU even if the Dukes fall short of the playoffs and that’s enough reason for all of us to quit our bitching for a little while and get behind the boys. Let’s Go Duuuukes!
I wasn’t able to see the game and didn’t listen to the audio either, but after seeing the final score on Saturday I pretty much assumed this is how it went…and unfortunately I was right. If MM doesn’t change his offensive scheme next year and JT is the starting QB again next year…..we are in for a long road of disgust!!
Haha…love the pic.
The Giant Douche isn’t getting his far time, however.
GO DUKES!!!!
Kind of hard to get excited for the game this weekend. But will be there
and have a good time tailgating at least.
JMU was simple not ready to play on Saturday, which I don’t get at all with it being such a big game. It is like the read all their own press and think they are that good that all they need to do is show-up and the opponent is gonna roll-over for them. I got news for them no-one is scared to play JMU, I repeat NO-ONE!!
I only have one request – anybody at QB but Thorpe this weekend please!!!! I don’t care if you need to run wildcat all game long, burn a redshirt, trot out the Ginger Giant on a crutch – but please no more Thorpe.
I have some thoughts about what needs to change but will save that for now.
Yeah, Shady.
Some new offense needs to be drawn up this week. ODU has had their problems on defense this year, but even their High School D-Coordinator (not an exaggeration, look it up) will be able to prepare for this one.
We need a surprise attack along the lines of Pistol for VT or DQ for WM. We need something that invalidates all the tape ODU has had to date. If we cannot run and keep ODU’s O off the field, we’re in for a very long night.
(Dukie95) – So what you’re saying is we need to run a real offense? 🙂 (couldn’t resist a jab at MM/JD). In all seriousness, you’re spot on here. I hate gimmicks like the Pistol and the wildcat every play, but quite frankly if that bullshit wins us the game against ODU, eh!
(In General) – If JT’s finger is the coaching staff’s excuse this time, then his finger has been busted up for about 4 years now. Also, on the “taking the ball out of his hands”, the ball is IN his damn hands way too much on any kind of read/option play. I think that might have had something to do with the wildcat, not that the wildcat was a good idea. Basically the coaching staff has no faith in his ability to throw or run, so wtf is he still QB for? That’s not JT’s fault, I’m sure he’s trying. That is a major fail on the coaching staff.
Ok rant over…needed to get that out.
The fact of the matter is that JMU hasn’t done anything to live up to its potential (and or hype) this season. The Dukes offense is beyond predictable and seemingly incapable of doing anything against a decent opponent. And injuries or not, folks need to stop referring this Defense as dominant. It’s absolutely not dominant and in fact I’m not even sure it’s very good. I’d be more willing to place some of the blame for the poor D on the injuries and lack of depth if they just fell apart late due to exhaustion. They’re letting teams dictate the pace of the game and sustain long drives from the opening kick however.
This constant waffling about the QB situation isn’t helping anyone. We all know what we’ve got in JT. The coaches need to do less to point it out in the the press conferences and more to create a scheme in which he can succeed. And while Dae’Quan Scott is a talented guy, JMU isn’t going anywhere relying solely on him. The W&M game 2 years ago was an aberration. They need to get the ball in other players’ hands (Smith, Barlow, Brodie, Anderson, Simmons, etc) if they want to win. This is the same crap we’ve seen since Landers graduated. A “preseason” slate of cream puffs in which multiple players are involved on offense, only to return back to a one-dimensional attack with talented players seemingly banished to the sidelines once conference play begins.
I agree with regard to the Defense…..they consistently get the ball driven down their throat against any QB that even has the threat of being able to complete a 5-10 yard pass b/c the JMU cornerbacks give 10+ yard cushions all game long like we are in prevent from the opening kickoff. I assume that is a scheme thing – lets get aggresive and go after some folks. Watching teams move the ball against us is like death by 1000 paper-cuts. And if it is not a scheme thing, find some cornerbacks with some confidence on the bench who will get up on the line and challenge WRs.
There needs to be some serious inward looking with regard to offensive and defensively philosophy when this season is over.
The D seems to have build its reputation by shutting down weak teams (Main, St. Francis, Alcorn, URI), but they’ve been anything but dominant against quality teams. The effort against Towson was nice, but they benefited greatly from the Tiger’s awful ball security. W&M, UR, & Nova seemed to be able to march down the field with ease and Georgia State (a terrible team) didn’t seem to have much trouble either. Essentially, the only conference games the D has played well in were against URI and Maine. That’s not what I consider a dominant D.
In any case, we should know by kick-off if the necessary upsets have occurred for the Dukes to get into the post-season with a win or if they’re just playing for pride. Either way, we’ll be there cheering them on and hoping they hand ODU a loss on their way out of the CAA.
“The much-hyped (by us for sure) JMU rushing Defense gave up over 300 yards…”
Remember when I said “Let’s not get too excited…Maine sucked”? ….Yeah.
You were spot on 2004Duke.
Well it’s a good thing we have a lock-down Pass Defense or else ODU might just set another NCAA passing record, oh wait…. scratch that!
If there is ever a time to bring defensive pressure and if there is any pressure to be brought this Saturday night would be the time to do it! Let’s go D! Sack up and make Heinicke run for his life.
Since our awesome team of 2008 (last year with Landers), we’ve gone 6-5, 6-5, 8-5, and 7-4(?). We continually bring in top recruiting classes year in and year out. To me, it’s beyond obvious that the fault lies on the coaching staff. I’m insanely tired of our ultra conservative approach on offense and defense. We can’t/won’t throw the damn ball and our defense plays a soft bend-but-don’t break scheme that allows offense to march up and down the field on us.
I’ve been ready for a coaching change for awhile and think MM’s goodwill that was built in 2004 has run its course. If we lose to ODU and miss out on the playoffs for a 3rd time (in a weakened CAA, no less) in 4 years I expect people to call for his head. That’s the only way to get the administration’s attention. I won’t attend anymore games and I won’t donate another dollar to the school until someone demonstrates to me that they realize their is an issue with this program and takes corrective action to fix it.
I cannot say I disagree with what you are stating ’04 Duke’. There needs to be some serious introspection on the coaching staff.
Coaching Staff Needs:
New Offensive Coordinator – Either Hire someone or elevate Latrel Scott. (Jeff Durden is JMU’s version of Bryan Stinespring at VT…..that’s right I said it)
Possible New Defensive Coordinator – Either DC is amenable to change in philosophy to a more agressive approach or he can go too.
This one is something I have been thinking about for a while and is going to sound mean spirited but what the heck I am on a roll…..By all accounts Clayton Matthews (MM’s son) seems like a nice enough guy but how exactly does someone in a wheel-chair coach WR’s and K’s? I think that change needs to happen as well….it never works out having your son on your staff (ask Bobby Bowden, Al Groh, Frank Beamer, etc…..how that plays out when things are not going well.)
It’s easy to coach WR’s when they don’t really do anything except go stand on the field.
I don’t think JMU will make any changes in the coaching staff prior to the end of MM’s contract. We’ve dealt with Matt Brady in hoops for years when it’s clear he’s a “Dead Man Walking”.
At times the Team seems undisciplined with penalties at crucial times. The players seem uninspired and unprepared. Those problems all point in one direction.
The defense really misses Coach Price along the D-Line. It seems we value freak athletes over very good, disciplined, and inspired football players like those I saw at Villanova this past weekend. When we play teams with significantly inferior talent, we win. When the opponent’s players are solid or equal to those at JMU, we lose.
Richmond will prosper under Coach Rocco even though he will never have the best recruiting classes as he did at Liberty.
Been on the field with quite a few WR/K coaches in my college days. Not a one ever kicked the ball..they just gave advice. As for the WR position I agree it might help to be shown what to do every now but for the most part our problem has never been at WR (more of a lack of QB passing skills dating back to just after Rascati left). Something else to note is that Latrell Scott is listed as the TE coach but has been helping at the WR spots as well all year. You’ll find his resume to be quite impressive. Don’t agree at all that coach’s sons on the staff hurts a team. The Bowden boys have done well in the college ranks and Shane is was a favorite recruiter of the ‘ol ball coach in S.C. and that teams rolling in it.
Don’t think Mickey is going anywhere anytime soon but I’m all in favor of a new OC
It is beyond clear that the blame for this season’s failure is with the coaching staff. While I am not a big fan of MM, I don’t think firing him is the way to go because: a) the man can recruit, b) I am not sure we can find someone better who is willing to stay in the Burg and continue to build the program and not use it as a stepping stone to something bigger in a few years, and c) I have absolutely no faith that our AD will undertake a proper coaching search and make the right hire (see for example our past basketball coach hires). The way to go is to find a new OC and DC and have a few big money donors (do we have those?) convince MM to concentrate on recruiting and limit his role to a CEO type role like Bobby Bowden or Mack Brown.
Now if our new president is willing to fire our AD and remake our football and basketball programs, then now we are talking. . .
I completely agree with ’04 Duke. It’s time for a change. If anything a new progressive minded OC. With the recruiting classes we get year in and year out the results we see are unacceptable. JMU is not a fun football team to watch and that is probably the worst part. I hate to be so negative but I’m tired of watching us win but still feel like we lost afterwards because of how boring the games are. It’s pathetic compared to the years where we lined up and hit people in the mouth (’04-08). Same level of talent (if not better) and much better facilities but results are awful. Everything boils down to the coaching staff. Something has to change. Who holds MM accountable at JMU? I’ve asked this before….without big boosters…how does a small school fan base encourage change?
Anybody have any interesting ideas?
I think Durden gets a raw deal and is sort of the scapegoat for Mickey’s mistakes with the offense. I’ve never had too much confidence that Durden is allowed to really run the offense the way he’d like to. I don’t want to see either guy go. I actually think that Durden along with Latrell Scott could put together a pretty powerful offense if they were truly given the reigns. I’d rather see Bourne or someone else in the administration have some sort of “come to Jesus” meeting with Mickey in which they stress the importance of him letting his assistants do their jobs, than I would like to see any of the coaches fired.
I don’t think MM is the only man that can recruit at JMU. A couple of my good friends played on the football team and they all disliked MM. But they said they came to JMU in spite of MM because the university is so great. It recruits itself. It’s a great place to be and has great academics.