Gameday Open Thread: JMU vs. William & Mary
The Brian Schor Show takes flight this afternoon in Williamsburg. The JMU Dukes take on the William & Mary Tribe. JMU is looking to bounce back after a tough loss against the Ticks. It’s a big, big game. Can the Dukes offense keep clicking without Vad Lee? Can the defense improve (drastically)? We’ll see. Consider this your official open thread for all pre-game, in-game, and post-game chatter. Go Dukes! Keep rootin!
I HATE NERDS
I see the cursed white hats gave not yet been ground into dust and deep-sixed in newman lake… #Fail
Loved the Dukes first drive and the pick 6. That defense on that last drive though, looked like a repeat of last Saturday.
Hey, it’s a Schor Score!
Thanks God for W&M penalties.
And for overthrown passes….feel like Madison’s defense is still getting lucky.
I see the CAA officials aren’t improved at all. That was a fumble and should’ve been a touchback.
Seriously, if the CAA doesn’t want to show one of their premier teams that is bringing a LOT of attention to the conference any respect (no JMU in the conference football commercial, horrendous officiating….you name it), let’s get the heck out of dodge. Whoever said the Crumbling Athletic Association hit the nail on the head.
Back to JMU play style…can we get some consistent pass defense please?
Special teams.,, not so special
Still cant tackle nor cover
Can both offenses just play against the clock or have judges give style points? Because there’s no point in even trotting JMU’s defense out there. It doesn’t do anything.
Defense…. Not so special!
At halftime, I have but one question: we still have a punt return team?
I can’t handle watching our defense. Everytime we have W&M stuck they miss a tackle or let a guy get wide open.
Man, that hurts. Guaranteed to finish no better than third. And it has nothing to do with Vad.
We’re done.
Well nothing wrong with the offense but there were alot of stupid plays like the last snap but special teams play had alot of dumb plays. If we cannot play any defense at all they should not make the playoffs as it would just be embarrassing to watch.. That call on 44 at the end was kind of questionable but even if it was not interference, he was beaten on the pay as he was most all afternoon. Lost 3 points on extra point attempts and gave them 4 points on run backs of those misses. Really poor skill level on defense and poor coaching. Good to have a bye week just so one will not have to watch that awful defense.
What a waste. Scoring 41 points with a backup QB making his first start should add up to a W. Some costly bad calls by the officials, but really just an awful effort by the defense. Coaches need to put them in better position to win.
We’re not really done. Third in conference and a playoff berth look very likely. Also the toughest part of our schedule is over, we’ll be heavy favorites against the Chickens and Kittens. But that D needs to get sorted out. Wow, what a terrible two weeks on D.
Absolutely no defense except TR. Can’t get very far in playoffs like that.
Schor did his job.
I still think JMU wins the next 2. If the defense isn’t fixed though, it’s going to be one and done in the playoffs again.
Not sure if JMU gets in the playoffs at this point unless they win 1 of the next 2. Not sure the defense belongs in the playoffs anyway.
7-4 and no playoffs.
Well I certainly called it in predicting swiss cheese defense and special teams gaffes. I’ve never seen three blocked extra points in a game. Ever.
A William and Mary fan sitting in front of me said “your backup quarterback played a hell of a game.” And he was right. Despite all the bad defense and special teams, Schor threw a great pass to Hyman that was dropped in the end zone….the next play was the interception and a W&M go ahead score. That defense just stinks and the special teams are a joke. Disappointing ending for a great JMU crowd at the game
You have got to be kidding me….
1. 3 blocked extra points…3….THREE BLOCKED EXTRA POINTS accounting for a 5 point swing.
2. Fielding a kick on the sideline and stepping out at the 25 instead of letting it go out of bounds and getting it at the 50…
3. Block in the back negating a KO return to inside the WM 15.
4. Failed to secure a fumbled kick-off
5. 27-yd punt following a delay of game penalty
6. Late hit out of bounds on a return
If the ”Special Teams” coach has a job tomorrow, the head coach apparently isn’t really interested in fixing, or believes he can simply outscore, the problem.
Our best special teams players were the WM running backs picking up unsportsmanlike conduct penalties after touchdowns.
The special teams and the defense are an embarrassment.
Once again, a power running team but us to a pulp — and they lost one of their top receivers in the first half – and we couldn’t get to the QB.
And how can you be so unprepared coming out for the last series, after an injury time out and the post-score media break, that you take a delay of game penalty?
The way the Dukes are playing, they probably have a 3-games ceiling, provided they win one of their remaining two. If they get in @ 7-4, the committee would be rewarding them for an FBS win against what has turned into a horrid SMU team, and I don’t believe they’ve earned that reward.
Guess it could’ve been worse — we could’ve been Duke tonight.
9-2 is still very realistic for this team. Defense was bad, but not 720 yards bad. Liked what I saw from Schor. Hope is not lost on this team aso they could have won this game just as easily as they lost it. The pessimism on this board is ridiculous.
@Devon: you are right and wrong – there IS a lot of frustration on the blog manifesting itself as pessimism . It is, however, not all unwarranted.
I will never pretend to understand blocking schemes or secondary coverage rotations.
I do understand what my eyes see, and for the past two weeks they’ve seen a team:
that has only regressed on special teams to the point that I wish they’d just go for 2 and then kick it through the end zone – every time. I don’t need to be a X and O guy to know that unit is embarrassingly incompetent.
that has been shredded by offenses with a power running game and a quarterback that doesn’t make many mistakes.
that as a collective unit tackles poorly in the running game and always seems to be a step behind receivers (Taylor Reynolds appears the exception). It reminds me of the W&M and Montana defenses in the 2nd half of the 2004 semi-final and national championship games.
that has generated almost virtually no pass rush, even with their blitz packages.
where the offense feels so much pressure to be perfect because special teams can’t create field position advantage and the defense can’t get off the field (70% 3rd down conversion rate for W&M).
We did not give up 720 yards, but we did get outgained again. W&M had 1/3 more first downs (more importantly, 3 by penalty w/2 of those in the end zone — we can debate the quality of Clown Car Officiating, Inc. on another day). They made their offensive mistake early, with plenty of time to recover. We made ours at the end of the game when the margin for error was slim, then none.
Frustrated? Check
Pessimistic? Nah
Realistic? Check, based on the eye test.
We may get in @ 9-2, 8-3 or even 7-4. We’ve thrown away any chance at a top 8 seed. Hope the President and AD throw the check book at a home game. There are no bad conferences remaining in the playoff field since the punching bag that is the MEAC no longer participates (except as a 2nd place at-large team).
All this said, I’ll keep rootin’.
The facts are in the CAA we are;
Scoring D – 11th of 12
Rushing D- 7th of 12
Passing D.- LAST
Total D.- 10th of 12
Penalties – LAST. Can’t blame that all on the refs.
So there you have it. I can see how this would beget some pessimism.
As always , in everything – GO DUKES
I spent $200 on tickets and food to go to this game, and it was disappointing to lose. However, it’s best to keep things in perspective. Football is just a game that I watch for entertainment value. It doesn’t influence my ability to earn a living, and I don’t draw my sense of identity from it. There will be future games, and certainly future disappointments. No different than any other aspect of life. Pout and scream like a 2 year old and Big Daddy (Life) will just whack you on the ass for it.
After a night to sleep on that W&M game a few thoughts:
– The offense really did not miss a beat with Schor. I like that he tucks it and runs if he does not see something quickly. Schor played a great game. His one bad pass should have never happened b/c a TD was dropped the play before. It was also 3rd and long at that point and he let it fly, i would rather see that than a sack there where you are out of FG range.
– The rushing game looked great. Cardon Johnson is running excellent and a monster tandem with Abdullah.
– The offense really rallied around Schor and all played well.
– The defense while not good by any stretch played better than against Richmond. They competed tonight which did not seem like the case against UR. The inability to get a consistent pass rush with the front 4 is causing the major problem. When we brought extra rushers that opened up the middle where W&M made a lot of plays. Still need to tackle better and make better decisions on when to go for the pick versus just break up the pass.
– Here is the deal on the blocked XPs (which was actually a 3 point swing –not 5 — b/c at the end of the game we were only 1 behind at 41, and W&M returned one for 2 points) the pressure came right up the middle b/c W&M was running over the long-snapper on each attempt until the officials finally called it in the 2nd half. If you noticed after they finally called it the pressure was non-existent. That lack of a call in the first half was absurd as protecting the long-snapper is paramount at every level of football. That kid is basically untouchable b/c his head is down looking back thru his legs to snap the ball. It is very dangerous to plow over that kid with his head down and W&M were doing and really says something about the character of a coaching staff that coaches that technique.
– The officiating directly led to 21 points by W&M. That ridiculous call that incompetent CAA refs could not get right in the first half on that fumble touchback into the endzone. The first PI in the endzone off of a blatant pick play by W&M. The other PI in the endzone when DBrown was nowhere near the guy.
Even with the horrendous refs and poor defensive play JMU was one dropped ball from coming out of Williamsburg with the win playing with a QB making his first college start. The bye comes at a great time. Team needs to get healthy and regroup on defense. I think JMU finished 9-2 and will host a 1st round game against a very beatable opponent.
Also I had a group of W&M fans sitting directly behind me that were to rudest, most obnoxious fans I have ever encountered (it was a mixed section near the JMU section).
These guys started immediately in the first quarter spouting 4 letter words like they were giving out candy on Halloween. I turned around and just asked them to watch their language a bit as my 7 year old daughter was right there with us for a family outing. These Dbags basically said they would say what they wanted b/c they were season ticket holders. I was unaware that being a season ticket holder gives you the right to act like a jerk in a public venue.
It just seems like Withers is making excuses for the defense, and won’t even enter the discussion about special teams when he indicates “we didn’t score enough points.” How’s the new starting quarterback supposed to take that?
And why was Gage Steele on the sideline a majority of the game? He was riding a bike like he was loosening a hamstring or something, but Withers said he wasn’t injured. The coach just seems to be getting more paranoid and squirrely.
OK, I have had 36 hours to process this game. I originally wrote a comment right after the game that I deleted because you never should write anything when you are mad, and I was. there are some things about this team that I just don’t understand:
When it is third and long for the opposing team they should always throw because they will either complete the pass or get an interference and/or holding call. Third and 12 in their territory and we get a holding call. End zone at the end of the game, interference. Yes it was, DB made no attempt to turn his head.
Defensive line, absolutely no pressure on the QB. Enough said. I don’t see how the defense has “shown progress”, giving up 103 points in two games.
Special teams: Explain to me why we position the kick off to the left corner and the returner STILL gets around the corner on the short side? I can’t say anything about the blocks because I think WM was using an illegal play. On one block the kicker hit a three iron instead of a wedge, allowing for an easy one.
The center: He finally accomplished what he has been trying to do all year, send one over the QB’s head. He gets extra credit for missing the snap count also. Maybe if he extended his arm a bit and made sure his butt was lower this would not happen, however, I am sure he is using the technique he has been taught, and that is a tough job, I did it back in the day.
Discipline, or lack of it. Having 8,9, or 10 penalties every game is a colossal lack of discipline. I know the coach wants to play at 100 miles an hour without seatbelts which is great, but can we cut it to 85mph and maybe cut down on penalties?
Coaching: I don’t see how you can fault the head coach too much. He has changed the culture, been interactive with the students and fan base, and oh by the way, won 2/3rds of the games since he has been here, and brought in some great recruits. Just think when he gets those 22 extra scholarships.
Finally, I think we will win the next two games, make the playoffs and MAYBE host a game. Remember back to the opening of the season, we would have taken 7-2 at this juncture. Schor was incredible in his first start and will only get better. The bye gives us time to rest, heal up, and make adjustments. If the Dukes don’t come out breathing fire the last two games I will be very surprised. Good luck and GO DUKES.
Called it- It’s the white helmets. I’m telling you….