Guest Post: Top 10 Greatest Dukes Since 2002
Zac won our prediction contest last week and he submitted this great list of his Top 10 Dukes since 2002. Enjoy this everyone. It’s a good one.
After I got the email from Rob and Todd that I had won the prediction contest, I had about a thousand thoughts for possible topics for my guest post. I first thought I would right about how reactionary of a fan-base we are, but then I thought that that was pretty evident to anyone who isn’t a reactionary. Then I thought about writing about how my fiance went to Tech, and how great it is to bring up a certain football victory when I really want to get her riled up. Then I figured I could write about how terrible the CSN boards are because of all the I-A pundits constantly ruining threads.But a great friend (Hi, Pitz!) convinced me that what the people want are lists. And while his idea of “The Best 10 Pictures of Jonathan Alger thinking of Sandwiches… and the corresponding sandwiches” was great (and I actually got through about 3 of the 10 before realizing the schtick got old quickly), I decided to do something a little less abstract. So without further ado:The Top 10 Greatest JMU Football Dukes since 2002:
(my apologies to the 2000 and 2001 teams, but you were before my time)
Honorable Mentions: Cam Starke and Graham Sharples, solely for the incredible memes they made happen and their interaction with a drunk Zac at most home games last year. But let’s be serious we can’t have kickers in the top 10, even if we are Scott Norwood U.
10. Drew Dudzik
Oh, Drew. Drew, Drew, Drew. We all had such high hopes for you. I mean, damn son! That game against Montana? You almost single handedly brought us back! Then you took it to the wire at Maryland, losing in OT because of some horseshit call (can I curse on here?). The rest of 2009 you were injured and Mickey was bipolar, randomly choosing between you and Justin Thorpe when you were healthy.But you pretty much made this list entirely because of 21-16. And no matter how shitty you played for the rest of the 2010 season, there will always be a special spot in my heart for you and a beer reserved for you at my tailgate. Because, goodness gracious, what a win for the program. THE PISTOL! Who saw that coming? For that win alone, you will always be in my top 10.
9. Matt Lezotte
Wait, did you mean Tony Lezotte? No, I mean Matt. Unless you were a big JMU fan before the National Championship (and I have a feeling a lot of you weren’t), you might not know who Matt Lezotte is. Matt was our starting QB in 2002 and 2003, and lost out in a dogfight to Louisville Transfer Justin Rascati (more on him later…) in 2004. Now, why in the world would I list the backup QB for the 2004 National Championship team?Because simply, if Matt Lezotte didn’t step down gracefully, I guarantee we would not have won that championship. Matt saw the team was better without him, and instead of whining or causing a fuss or fostering discord in the team or even transferring to Marshall (You broke my heart, you ginger son of a bitch), he stayed on the team and did everything he could to make it better. That takes guts, class, and integrity. Matt Lezotte is the kind of player who personifies the team before self mentality, and for that he should be recognized.I was lucky enough to run into Matt on the field at Chattanooga after the game, and pretty much told him exactly that. He looked really surprised, leaned back, and said a heartfelt “thank you, you don’t know how much that means to me.” So here’s to Matt Lezotte, who was a true member of our 2004 National Championship.
8. Earl Watford
EARLLLL!!! Dude was a beast. One of only 3 Dukes drafted since 2001, his career speaks for itself. More than being a great athlete, Earl was an incredible guy to be around, on and off the field. He was such a happy, positive guy, and made every event he attended more fun.Also, I may or may not have once served him 1,000 beers at a JMU Crabfest. Nah, I’m just kidding. Or maybe I’m not. But I will say this: as great as he was at football, Earl can not play cornhole. Oh well, he wasn’t on the JMU Varsity Cornhole Team.7. Tony Lezotte
What do they have in the water down there in Augusta, GA? Younger brother of Matt, Tony was a 4 time All-American (First ever CAA player to do that), 4 time First Team All-CAA (first ever CAA player to do that, too), and all around badass. It was said that Darrell Green stole his famous line from Tony Lezotte: “Water covers 2/3rds of the planet, Tony Lezotte covers the rest.”I will always remember seeing him break up passes with his cast, and literally cover the entire field. Greatest white defensive player I ever saw.
6. Akeem Jordan
You could make the argument that Akeem is the most successful JMU Duke since 2002 in the League, at least according to playing time, and deservedly so. He got robbed of a Buck Buchanon award while he was in school, but he did get named the Virginia Defensive Player of the Year in 2006. Dude was an absolute beast and was the general of those fabled JMU defenses back in the day. Also, I have an Akeem Jordan bobblehead on my desk at work, which probably bumped him up a spot or two. True story.5. Stephon Roberston
I first noticed Stephon at VT, when he was busy dominating. He had at least 7,000 tackles and a forced fumble with the most textbook tackle (head right on the ball). Stephon was JOBBED of a Buck Buchanon in 2012 AND 2013, I mean seriously. He had like 150 more tackles than the next best guy. It was very frustrating. Despite not being awarded that, Stephon had like a 1,000 other awards, including CAA Defensive Player of the Year in 2012, 2010 Defensive Rookie of the Year.Stephon was a notorious hard worker and field general. He was the glue that held our defense together. If you’re watching the team this year, you can see the difference he made on defense. There’s like a black hole where he used to be. Here’s to hoping his protege and #1 All-Time best JMU Football Name Gage Steele can live up to his legacy.
4. Maurice “Mo” Fenner
I feel guilty – I should include Alvin Banks and Raymond Hines – especially Ray who picked up the slack for AB and Mo during their respective injuries in the 2004 championship run, but I just always like Mo the most with his bruising style and relentless attack. Mo would just run over people, especially nerds, as seen above. Dude was beast mode before there was beast mode, and I would kill for another back like him. I will never forget the performance he put on at W&M and against Montana, he was just a man among boys. Also he gets the nod due to being responsible for probably the greatest JMU football picture ever, seen above.3. Arthur Moats
Arthur is in my opinion the most successful JMU Duke since 2002, in regards to the league. He’s also the one player I can think of that made me like him even more after he graduated through his incredible character and commitment to whatever community he found himself in.The 2009 Buck Buchanon Defensive Player of the Year for all of FCS, Arthur was drafted in the 6th round of the 2010 NFL draft by the Buffalo Bills. where he played for 4 years. He was dominant at our level and a real game changer. He showed this when he was the player responsible for knocking Brett “Dick Pic” Favre out of the game and ending his consecutive start streak. While in Buffalo, Arthur worked tirelessly to better the community around him, and gained a real big fan following including his own catchphrase “Don’t Cross the Moats”. He also came back to JMU to finish his degree in political science.Arthur, to my mind, is the ideal ambassador of JMU Football – even the University at large, and truly makes me proud to be an alumnus of the same university as him.2. Rodney Landers
If for some reason you don’t know, you should watch this video.Rodney Landers was the greatest athlete to ever play for JMU. Sorry, Charles Haley. Rodney would eat you up and spit you out. Dude was insane. There was never a game that Rodney started that I did not think we would win. There was never a 3rd and short or 4th and short that I didn’t think we would not get. He was just so damn reliable. He was truly a man among boys. He was a linebacker with a QBs number on. He was a running back with a cannon. He was a freight train dressed as a football player. Rodney Landers was incredible, and I never get tired of watching his highlights.
He won the 2008 Dudley award, which goes to the best football player IN VIRGINIA (including FBS), which was no surprise to anyone who had seen him play.
You really got the feeling that nothing on earth could stop him, which is why he got the nickname Superman. It’s also why the loss to Montana in the 2008 playoffs is still one of the biggest gut punches I’ve ever received. I don’t want to talk about it.
1. Justin Rascati
I love Rodney Landers. But you can’t give him the #1 spot, even though I want to, and that’s for one simple reason: CHAMPIONSHIP! Justin Rascati has one, and Rodney doesn’t. And Rascati’s will to win was what drove that team past Montana. His diving score into the endzone was incredible, and tipped the scale in our favor for the first part of that game. Rascati, while probably not being as good of an athlete as Landers, had that touch on the ball that you want in a quarterback. I still remember the passes he would throw on point to LC Baker. Oh, man. And the man could scramble, too! He was quick for a white boy. His quickness often allowed him to extend a play and make something happen.And while I will always be disappointed in his 2005 and 2006 campaigns, I will always treasure the 2004 Championship run, which he lead us to. So thanks, Justin, for that.Alright, that’s all I got! Did I miss someone? Do you disagree? Let me know in the comments.
Probably thinking of a hearty portobello with mozzarella here: http://www.jmu.edu/_images/whymadison/march-21-2013-coe-eac/032113-coe-eac-02.jpg
Thanks Great list and I agree on everyone! I didn’t have as much contact as you but every game I caught, I would say the same exact thing especially Matt LeZotte and you ginger son of a bitch…he would have gotten playing time if he stayed but I’ll bet he is missing JMU…the rest are perfect choices
ZP my general disdain toward you for missing the home opener has been vindicated by the events of your week (congrats) as well as this awesome list. JMU FB has had it pretty good since you (and I) came to campus. Here’s to hoping we can add some new names to a top 10 list very soon, and we can talk about the awesome of JMU Football instead of the usual topics on the debbie-downer forums. Dukes!
Rascatti may have won a championship but JMU football is and was Rodney Landers. He’s legit the best football player I’ve seen in person. We’ve been searching for the new Landers since he graduated. Never once have we been looking for the new Rascatti.
Well we probably haven’t been looking for the new “Rascatti” since his name only has one t. But, we definitely labeled Birdsong as Rascati-esque when we saw his arm and mobility. Don’t forget, Landers, before he was Landers, was the next Rascati. He was also Justin’s backup.
I get your point, and I agree RL > JR as an athlete, but results are results.
I’m #TeamLanders too. I loved Rascati and renting the RV for the Chatty trip is the single-best sports fan related decision I’ve ever made leading to my all-time favorite moment as a JMU fan, but what Zac said about Landers is the difference-maker IMO. That entire 2008 season, including really late in the games at UR and Villanova and in tight games against Wofford and Villanova in the playoffs, I NEVER doubted even for a nano-second that the Dukes would pull it off and that was all “Ronny Flanders” based. That faith he had in Landers also allowed Mickey to be at his all-time riverboat gambling, Les Miles-imitating, crazy best. We went for it on 4th down seemingly every time we were within four yards, which is ALWAYS the right play. The Mick was able to throw visors and curse at refs and needle Jeff Bourne anytime he wanted cause all he had to do was tell Rodney “just go win the thang, son”
Well done. Couple things…
You know its a good list when there’s no room for Scotty McGee.
Also, that pic of Mo Fenner plowing the Pug was a full spread in Sports Illustrated.
Where is Scotty McGee ????
Don’t get him any presents. He’ll just return them! Best return man EVER !
Jeez I forgot McGee too.
Yo me he goes in there at 8 in front of Earl.
And as noble as Matt Lezotte was none of that makes him a top ten Duke. A good guy? Yes. But we’ve had a lot of good guys. So I’d say thank you to him and then boot him off the list personally.
Outstanding list. I’m sure you missed some players (Scotty being the obvious). I was going to say you needed to add a WR, but who are we kidding?
That was intended as a dig on MM’s offense rather than the players that played the position. I felt the need to clarify…
To me, Scotty definitely belongs in the top 6 or 7. Otherwise, agree completely with the list. The UR punt return is still in my top 3 or 4 favorite JMU plays ever.
One of the best guest posts thus far. Lest we forget Drew’s success vs. VT was due to Mickey’s (can I even say his name on here anymore?) decision to not show the Pistol the week before The Upset. Great pick for Akeem, one of the few homegrown star Dukes. #4 indeed may be the best JMU football pic I’ve ever seen. Landers was indeed great. So great that you could argue that Mickey fell in love with the QB option play (which led to Mickey’s offensive demise) because of Rodney Landers. I personally would love to have another Rascatti for the Dukes. A smart QB with a good arm that can run when he needs to make a play. Sounds like a certain ginger that may or may not have been jobbed by Withers. Either way a great list!
Great post…though I’m waiting (only half-jokingly) for 2004Duke to respond with why he belongs on this list.
I fully agree that the 2008 semifinal loss was hard to take. I think I sat there silently in the student section for a solid 30 minutes before I could talk to anyone or find the motivation to get up.
JMUDRU wins the comment section this week.
I was thinking about Scotty McGee when I read that list too. And let’s not forget the Landers was Rascatti’s backup, and that Landers didn’t appear to be too broken up or anxious to get back on the field during that playoff game loss. I lost a lot of respect for that dude in that game.
What about Scotty McGee????
Where is Eugene Holloman????
um….. SCOTTY McGEE???? Seriously? How did you leave him out?
PS- your point about Matt LeZotte is absolutely excellent.
Just saw the hater-comments, JMUDRU and Cory. That’s really not cool. A total dick move, actually.
This is an outstanding post, btw. Good work, Zac!
Come on folks. We don’t all need to agree all the time, but let’s not have things devolve into taking shots at each other. And for the record, I don’t think I’ve ever heard 2004Duke brag about himself. Talk up his teammates or their collective accomplishments? Sure, but that’s solid.
And thanks again to Zac for submitting this. It’s one of my favorite posts (and I’m not limiting it to guest posts) we’ve had on JMUSB in a while.
what about clint kent or dd boxley!?
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