Dukes 38, St. Francis 22
The Dukes overcame another sluggish start and eventually cruised home in a 38-22 victory in the lid-lifter at Bridgeforth Stadium yesterday. We could focus on small things but there’s great coverage from the DNR’s Matt Jones on the particulars here and we’d rather take a step back and look at the bigger picture this week before the Dukes open CAA play in the toughest way possible next week.
The Good
For the second week in a row, in-game adjustments appear to be taking place, and taking place very effectively. We hate the slow starts (more to come on that), but one of our biggest complaints for years under the previous regime was a staunch refusal to make adjustments. In many cases, things were the opposite of the way they’ve taken place this year. Under Mickey, the Dukes would ground n’ pound there way to a hard-fought, but slim halftime or early lead. But no changes were ever made and they kept trying to grind straight ahead while other teams adjusted and frequently blew their doors off. Games in recent years against Villanova, UNH, and ODU have been repetitive examples of this. Yesterday, after falling behind 15-7, the Dukes fixed a few things and outscored the Red Flashes 31-7 the rest of the way. And that’s on the heels of the big second-half comeback last week.
The second thing (man it’s nice to finally have multiple items in this section) to point out here was the significantly improved play of QB1 Vad Lee. Not sure if the removal of the balky knee brace he started the season with had anything to do with it or not, but Lee looked a heck of a lot friskier running the ball yesterday. And he also threw the ball with the type of authority we’d heard about from back in the Spring game. Even the most critical observer would have to concede he was good yesterday and could’ve been even better were it not for two dropped first downs and a horrible dropped TD in the first half. It’s also worth noting that he seemed to discover Daniel Brown yesterday after seeming to be politically attached to fellow transfer wideout Tapley the first two weeks and Brown rewarded him by generally showing why he’s a unique weapon at this level. That scrambling throw to Brown in the second quarter was also a play that simply doesn’t happen under either of the two QB’s we’ve had most recently (that’s not to say Lee’s an overall upgrade, just that play wasn’t mentally in JT’s capacity or physically within Birdsong’s).
Also in the good section, again, was the play of Jimmy effin’ Moreland. Not sure if that’s a good nickname or if someone can find a honeybadgerish type moniker for him, but the kid can ball. We’ve heard more knowledgable football minds argue he’s sometimes out of position on other plays, but you just can’t replace a kid with a knack for the type of game-changing plays this kid’s already making. Not to mention he wasn’t alone yesterday as the defense shook off a terrible start to force a number of big plays and turnovers including another fantastic center fielder type pick by Raven Greene to seal the win at the end.
Not exactly a full “good” but the kicking game has also started to at least not be atrocious which is great news given all the preseason worries. One terrible punt, but a bunch of really solid punts, kicks, and coverage.
The Bad
Three weeks, three terrible starts. No idea what’s going on early in these games. Are they overamped? Overthinking? Who knows, but it’s got to stop or they aren’t going to be able to overcome this consistently.
High snaps. Already talked about the drops and we don’t like to call out particular players on execution issues, but the Dukes HAVE to find a way to get this snap snafu sorted out before Lee gets killed or is forced to throw more picks.
The Ugly
There’s a trip to the Main Line to play Villanova up next. The Dukes are just about where we hoped them to be at 2-1, but so far have shown only incremental improvement. The trip they take to Villanofun this week could be terrifying without a significant positive step this week. Nova has lost by a point in double OT at the Carrier Dome, destroyed an FCS playoff team in Fordham two weeks ago and is coming off a bye yesterday. This will easily be the Dukes toughest remaining game and they need to be ready.
OT
Rob’s tweeted something yesterday after taking his young boys on their annual guy’s trip to JMU that took off and got me thinking.
“If they charged every alum who took their kid’s picture at the Duke Dog statue $1, they could pay for the other 1/2 of the stadium”
The statue has been an amazing addition and access and the freedom to climb on have been two of the huge things about it so we’re not saying they should actually place a fee on it, but it would be a great place to poll the fan base and/or raise money for any of JMU’s programs as needed.
Surprised to see no comments about the 3-4 defense. How in the world can we expect great things from a D that allows a scrawny 4′ 5″ kid to gain over 200 yards?
Completely disagree with the analysis on Lee. Yes he looked good as runner, but keep in mind that it was against a poor St. Francis team. His numbers as passer are incredibly underwhelming. 45% completion percentage and less than 150 yds passing on 31 attempts. This is pretty much in line with his career average. This concerns me b/c a good team will take a way the run and force him to pass. Even with the drops by the receivers, he doesn’t seem comfortable reading defenses and seems to panic when forced to stay in the pocket.
Overall, happy with the win. Jimmy Moreland is the truth! That kid can flat out ball and really excited to have him as part of the team. Hopefully we can knock off Villanova next week and keep this train rolling.
I would argue that Vad did not play well yesterday.. his stats were okay but too many missed throws and inaccurate balls. I would expect a guy like him in this offense to run for 180 yards versus stfu.
As much as I like the offensive philosophy, I dont think we have the personnel yet to be efficient. I thought this was going to be a problem on defense with the switch to a 34 but we are asking offensive linemen who were recruited into a zone blocking scheme to execute power run concepts that they aren’t good at.
Its easy to watch on first downs where the zone belly option is the play of choice.. we barely get push. I saw it versus Lehigh as well. Even though Everett praised the oline for finishing them off, I would expect that playing an inferior team.
I think the return of Bolden would help a lot but the play of Austin Lane needs to improve tremendously. As a fifth year guy expected to lead, he’s been below average.
Going back to the 34 defense, im convinced we are suited well all around (contrary to what others think) except for the 2 middle linebackers positions. These two positions, often called the buck and mike, are crucial and we dont have that type of personnel right now. Watching titus, Hawkins, stallings and even gage was rough om saturday… curious to see what the contributions of a 6’4 240 lb AB Rhodes would’ve been like in this scheme if it weren’t for his injury.
We were all pretty blessed to have had a guy like Stephon all those years erasing everyone else’s mistakes on D.
I thought the 1st Half Saturday was ridiculous. We get 2 TO’s and complete a trick play and we are only up 17-15 against an inferior opponent. It was nice to see things get turned around in the 2nd half again, at least on the scoreboard, but I thought we had some glaring issues on def in particular.
Our run defense is atrocious right now. I counted numerous times where we had single safety high and the box filled and they would still get off a 7+ yard run on us. The middle of the field (aka LB’s) are a big weakness right now. And the pressure on the QB just isn’t there right now either. The missed sack in the 3rd QTR was the only time all game I remember us getting close to their QB and we botched that up by going high on a wide open sack.
The W is nice but we will need to pick it up a lot if we want to compete against any decent FCS team.
There are definite areas for improvement but I am pleased to be sitting 2-1 after 3 games. Right where we needed to be. It will be a tremendous test against Villanova on Saturday but then the schedule sets up pretty nice after that.
I am pleased with the play of Vad with the exception of taking a few series to settle down and find his groove. The offensive stats would have looked even better passing without the drops (1 td drop and 2 1st down drops that would have extended drives).
The run defense needs to tighten up and I put a lot of that on the linebackers as was pointed out above. They are flowing way to much and all the big runs are coming on counters and cut-backs where the linebackers have run out of position. The pass defense is looking real good after watching that disaster in the secondary last season. Mooreland has excellent ball skills for a FR.
Also I forgot —- once again glad to see effective halftime adjustments.
Yeah, the MLBs are struggling right now and I blame the new DC/LB Coach, Brandon Staley, for not getting them ready. Not sure how he coached them at John Carroll but it’s a different beast in D1.
Just like you would complain about a RB dancing around rather than hitting the hole was how our MLBs played on defense. At the end of the day, they struggled getting off blocks and avoiding blocks. I saw them just chop their feet and get swallowed by inferior guards rather than attacking downhill which is a MUST. The 34 is a very unselfish defense and you’re going to need take on blocks to free up other players to make the play.
Watching the replay, I thought our DL played well (Gates, Mosley,Lee/Osuji), they were taking up double teams and shooting the gaps but then it would be either Titus Till or Kyre Hawkins not making the tackle which would turn into a 8-10 yard gain.
I am not sure if they are given the wrong reads or they are thinking too much since the only have 3DTs in front of them but this needs to be fixed asap or else we are going to get gashed every week.
Sometimes you play down to your competition. I don’t care how many yards we give up just so we win. Only thing that concerns me right now are the penalties. We are averaging about 8 or 9 a game and roughly 90 yards, I believe. A number of these penalties are lack of focus and discipline, false starts. offside, personal fouls. That is one thing that really needs to be addressed. Hope the kinks can be ironed out before Saturday. A slow start there could be fatal. Go Dukes!!!!!
I don’t know how they charge for pics on the bulldog statue without cordoning it off somehow. They could engage a photographer who could pay for the right to be there on game days and charge for pics, but who would still have to let you take your own pics. People would still buy in many cases because a professional photographer still takes better shots than an iPhone. But once you start charging people are going to complain if other people’s kids are in the photos too.
I am not sure we have the heft on the d-line to go 3-4; and being pushed around by stfu hasn’t changed my mind.
It’s a transition period up front but with a 315 pound NT in Gates, a 300 pound DE in Mosley and with Osuji at the other end spot (as a freshmen) at 270 – I think we have the girth to play.
I know Lee comes in for Osuji during nickel and dime packages. Depth-wise we dont have the heft but our starters are competent to compete in this scheme.
JMU FEEL GOOD STORY OF THE WEEK:
So I was at just at lunch and overheard the table next to me discussing the Chokies not-at-all tragic loss this past weekend. One guy said “I’m shocked they lost to East Carolina.” The other guy then said “I mean… ECU is not Appalachian State-level. They are not THAT cupcake, but still…”
That’s when I moved in for my sneak attack, dropping a loud “Guys… you can’t even beat James Madison.” …and walked off while they sat in shamed silence.
I always enjoy reading the comments almost as much as the articles.
Glad to see such as robust “good” section this week. Maybe if we can convince the administration to move up to the NEC we’ll be in business.
Assuming ‘Nova is healthy, we’ll finally find out where our team stands this coming weekend.
JMU better get the LBs coached up and ready to stop the run the week.
Does anyone else think there is something Charles Berry-esque about Vad Lee? Hyped I-A/FBS transfer who looks average? I’m not a hater yet, but he is thoroughly underwhelming so far.
I was on the 1999 team with Charles Berry and I hadn’t made that connection. It is similar but Vad was a starter at GT whereas Charles was not a starter at N.C. State. (Don’t get me started on how much better we would have been if Alex Wood hadn’t run off Greg Maddox).
I think Coach Withers and staff know exactly where we need help on the Defense haha…. http://www.recruit757.com/walt-brantley-settled-fork-union/
Sounds like another Asa Chapman type player – Big 350 lb. NT for Liberty from Orange County, VA – who has BCS potential but fell behind academically.
Back in high school, him and Orange County’s former QB (future WVU WR) Bradley Starks where a headache to game-plan against.
This will be our first real “Barometer” Villanova Away…this is the first test in my eyes on our new Coaching staff, players , and game plan. I still think we should incorporate the triple option I know it takes a lot of practice but Lee had a couple of years with it at GT. Linebackers keep your eye on the ball follow the ball and tackle the ball, shred the blockers with your eye on the damn ball…Good Luck JMU would love to see a win up you have already made one trip up there. It should make this trip seem easier…
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