JMU Welcomes Lehigh to Bridgeforth

For the second year in a row, JMU football will face off against the Lehigh Mountain Hawks. Last year the Dukes went on the road and narrowly escaped with a 31-28 come from behind win. We wouldn’t argue with you if you said the Dukes stole the game. JMU went on to finish 9-4, while Lehigh struggled to a disappointing 3-8 finish. But it’s a whole new ballgame this year.

The Basics

Match-up: #11 JMU Dukes (1-0) vs. Lehigh Mountain Hawks (1-0), unranked

Kickoff: 4:00 in Bridgeforth Stadium

Weather: 70 degrees and a chance of rain (poncho weather)

Broadcast: Streaming via Madizone

A Few Facts About Lehigh

Lehigh University has an outstanding academic reputation and is in the top 50 of the U.S. News National University rankings. However, at Lehigh Beer Pong is called “Beirut,” so I can only assume that everyone there is stupid. The name Lehigh actually means “The High” in Spanish and the Mountain Hawks compete in the Patriot League. Also, if you go to a party at Lehigh, you will probably be eaten by a bear. Parties where you get eaten by a bear are the worst sort of parties. Some of the things written here are actually true.

How We Got Here

The Dukes rolled over Morehead State in a 56-7 route. JMU racked up a program record 713 yards of total offense. Vad Lee, Khalid Abdullah, and Cardon Johnson all rushed for over 100 yards. Lee also tossed 3 TDs. The defense limited Morehead to 1.5 yards a carry on the ground. It wasn’t much more than a warmup.

Lehigh also picked up a win in its season opener. It was a bit more a struggle than the Dukes’ win though. The Mountain Hawks went on the road and held on for a 20-16 win over Central Connecticut State. Junior dual-threat QB Nick Shafnisky led the way. He rushed for 83 yards and a TD, while completing 19 of 27 passes for 263 yards and a TD. Lehigh jumped out to an early 17-0 lead, but let the Blue Devils claw their way back into the game in the second half. Thankfully for the Mountain Hawks, they were able to grind out a few first downs and run out the clock late to secure the win.

Lehigh’s Approach for Saturday

JMU has more talent than Lehigh. And the Dukes defeated Lehigh last year. The Mountain Hawks won’t be intimidated by JMU though. In the last game between the two teams, Lehigh pretty much rushed the ball at will against the Dukes. JMU surrendered over 300 yards on the ground to the Lehigh ground game. If not for the fact that Lehigh’s special teams were anything but special, missing two field goals and having one blocked, JMU would have probably been sent home with a loss.

Based on what Lehigh showed last week, the offense has pretty good balance. The team ran the ball late and got some first downs to kill the clock late, but also managed 13 first downs passing the ball. The Mountain Hawks also demonstrated some big play potential in the passing attack, with 3 receivers having receptions of 25+ yards. Central Connecticut State is no JMU though. Lehigh can’t get into a track meet with the Dukes, so look for them to try to establish the run and try to control the pace. They’re going to try to win an ugly game.

Football Cliche That is Most Relevant to JMU

“More football games are lost than won.” Lehigh deserves credit for playing the Dukes tough last year. They had the game in hand in the fourth quarter before Vad Lee came alive and carried his team to a win. For most of the first three quarters though, JMU did pretty much everything it could to hand Lehigh the victory.

JMU is a better team than Lehigh. It just is. They’re a 22.5 point favorite. As such, the Dukes should win comfortably on Saturday. Provided of course that they don’t make mistakes and let Lehigh hang around. It’s entirely possibly that they do that of course. So don’t do that Dukes.

How JMU Can Win

By sticking with what it does best. Push the pace and force Lehigh to try to keep up. The Mountain Hawks will be a much tougher out that Morehead State. If the Dukes can spread the ball around, utilizing Johnson and Abdullah on the ground, and Lee’s multiple passing targets, they should put up some points.

Defensively, they’ve got to generate sustained pressure on Shafnisky. It’s tough to complain about anything coming off a performance where JMU held an opponent to 7 points, but the pass rush wasn’t too impressive. On Saturday, the Dukes need to be more aggressive to keep Shafnisky on his toes. If they can get him off his game, the Lehigh offense will sputter.

JMUSB Beer of the Week

The Great Return by Virginia’s own Hardywood Brewery. It’s a good west-coast style IPA, that’s hoppy, but not a palate-wrecker like some of the more bitter versions of the style. Plus, it comes in 16 oz. tall boys which are just perfect for a tailgate. Provided you’re not driving of course, because it’s a dangerously drinkable 7.5% ABV. So pick up a few and find yourself a driver.

Official JMUSB Prediction

Lehigh is a good program with a lot going for it. The Mountain Hawks went punch for punch with the Dukes last year and nearly pulled off the upset. JMU will not take Lehigh lately. In fact, the Dukes will probably be playing with chips on their shoulders, determined to prove that they’re better than they showed last year in Bethlehem. We think the offense will be clicking behind the dynamic backfield, the pass rush is going to show signs of life, the Dukes will win the turnover battle, and it will all add up to a 31-14 win. Keep rootin’.