Guest Post: JMU Needs to Get Nasty

Shadow won last week’s prediction contest for the JMU vs. Towson game. Here’s his guest post. 

Hello to all fellow JMU Football fans!

I go by “Shadow” in the blog comments – it kinda plays into my name and what I do for work.

It’s an honor to post here on the JMU Sports Blog page.  Rob & Todd do a great job of consistently putting out great posts & keeping us fans in the loop!

I hope my post will be in line with the the great post tradition.  Thanks for the opportunity guys!

I’ve been an active supporter of Dukes football as far back as the early days of Mickey ball.  2004 was the first year I had season tickets – and boy did that pay off! This was THE TEAM that after losing to WVU early in the season decided “NO MORE” and went on to beat every team they faced thereafter.

The defending national chumpion Blue Chickens came to the ‘Burg that year and got flat-out punched in the face!  (As well as most others who came to town).  I remember hearing the loud “slobber-knocker” hits made by the defensive in those days — always followed by “Ohhhh!” responses from the fans.  During the 2004 championship run and the few years that followed, my voice would always be hoarse for a couple of days after each game.  Back then it was easy to get jacked up for home games.  It’s been a long time since I’ve felt that same intensity at Bridgeforth (since 2008).  

But now, I’m feeling it start to come back around again.  For me, I feel the excitement and energy coming back, especially now that the “real” season is about to begin (vs. UR, W&M, UD, ‘Nova).

Coach Withers has done an outstanding job of rebuilding a program that had lost its luster.  

Don’t get me wrong — I still believe that the real Superman wears  a #7 (not an “S”) and his name is Rodney Landers.  But, games are really FUN and exciting again – definitely worth attending even despite a 3+ hour drive through the mountain wilderness.  Coach Withers seems to have Vad Lee and the offense running on all cylinders.  I just wish more JMU supporters felt the same about the football team.  I would love to see Bridgeforth have another packed turn-out like the App State game from 2008 (remember that Crappy Appy?).

But, over the years I’ve noticed a seemingly persistent problem within JMU sports – the inability to continue and build upon success.  I say NO MORE “one and dones”!  We need deeper playoff runs! It’s time again for JMU football to say “NO MORE”.  Far too long has JMU football lived in the shadow of UNH, Richmond and Villanova’s post-season successes.  Bridgeforth stadium is the HOME OF CHAMPIONS!!!  Have we all forgotten that???  Mickey may have come and gone (hit by that same bus that he threw Durden under – or maybe just cursed by the Mumme) but Mickey didn’t build the new Bridgeforth stadium.  Neither did Jeff Bourne (star of “The Bourne Complacency”).  The 2004 National Champions DID.  

Their blood, sweat, hard work & sheer nastiness built that 62 million dollar stadium.

JMU Fans and football players alike must NEVER forget the legacy forged on that field by those players.

It’s TIME to get back to the top – and STAY there.

It’s TIME to bring back that swagger.  It’s TIME to bring back the NASTINESS.

It’s TIME to start stomping mud holes in the opposition!  

We have the players.  We have the coaching staff.  We have the stadium and facilities.

Now, WE the fans need to get off our asses and go out and yell for the best team in Virginia!

I know all this to be true because… I BLEED PURPLE.

And rest assured, come hell or high water, I’ll see you on Saturday!

Go Duuuuuuukes!!!