Here’s your open thread to discuss all things pre-game, in-game, and post-game as the Dukes host Albany for the first time in CAA play on a sold-out Family Weekend in Harrisonburg today. Game is available (and we use the term available loosely) for free on MadiZone HD thanks to the JMU Alumni Association. Hopefully with the great weather and big crowd, the volume will keep the feed running smoothly today. As always, join the Twitter fun @JMUsportsblog as well. Go Dukes!
Quick Note: While we’re sure Carr Report discussion will weave its way into today’s thread, we’ll delve deeper into that over the next couple of days in addition to the normal postgamer.
The Albany Great Danes come to Bridgeforth Stadium for Parent’s Weekend tomorrow. Hoo-boy, what a powerhouse CAA matchup this is, and aren’t we all lucky to be hosting the first of two matchups against SUNY schools! A matchup like this just screams tradition and up-and-coming and all that other complete and total bullshit Tom Yeager’s always selling! And on top of that, it’s Parent’s Weekend, the earliest kickoff time and quietest crowd of the year. Whoa, what the hell is wrong with us and all this message-board style complaining?! Between the collapse at UD, all the Carr Report overreaction, and the fact one of us is out of work right now and the other is headed that way, I guess it’s safe to say we may need to make a large correction on the old bitterness scale this week.
The Basics
Albany is in its first year in the CAA after previously playing in the limited-schollie NEC (think CCSU!), where they were a minor bit of a big deal. Despite that recent success, they’re just moving up from a backwater, dirt-floor hut of a conference to one of the nicer shacks on the polluted cesspool of a river. They’re still adding scholarships to get to the full FCS level so the Great Danes simply do not appear ready to compete at this level just yet (losing to Rhode Island doesn’t do you any favors in the respect department).
But….they are coached by the legendary Bob Ford, one of the few coaches to get the field named after him while still active. Ford’s been there forever and is taking a farewell tour this season as he’ll retire after the season. According to the writers that cover him, he’s also a great quote. In that regard he did not disappoint this week, saying that “We’ve seen them play up against Akron, and we’ve seen them play down against Central Connecticut and Saint Francis. When they have to, they play very well. When they don’t have to, they don’t seem to play quite as hard.”
Needless to say, he ain’t wrong. Though this probably isn’t the best quote to throw up on your opponent’s bulletin board when your team is overmatched, it still doesn’t mean we have any reason to think the Dukes won’t make this harder than it has to be.
Beer of the Week
Last week’s second-half fiasco means it’s really liquor time (gin) already with this team, but it’s Family Weekend so we’ll stick with the plan and act like things are normal. Sounds like it’s going to be a great weather weekend and plenty warm enough not to make the switch to fall and winter beers just yet, so this week we’re going with Deviant Dale’s Imperial IPA. Great brewery, best delivery vessel (tall boy cans), and a very solid example of the Double IPA.
Prediction
JMU 31, Albany 13. We’d feel a whole lot better if the Dukes could throw up 40+ and dominate this one, but can’t say we’re really hoping for much more than a competent rebound off of the Delaware game. Also of note, JMU LB Stephon Robertson is leading the nation in tackles and hopefully building a Buck Buchanon worthy resume!
Also, the Carr Report
As most of you know, the report prepared by a sports consulting outfit regarding the future of JMU athletics, in particular the costs and benefits of moving to FBS, will be presented to the Board of Visitors tomorrow and then publicly released following their meeting. Yes, we are excited to see what’s in there, and yes, we’re very hopeful this is simply the next logical step in a move out of the CAA, and yes, we hope that move comes much sooner than later, but please join us in tamping down your expectations for anything earth-shattering tomorrow. And assuming there’s nothing beyond the report itself being released to celebrate, let’s all do ourselves the favor of actually reading the report before we renew sparring with each other over the issue. For all of your meltdown needs, please troll your way over to http://csnbbs.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=685 tomorrow.
We had a tie in the JMU vs. Delaware prediction contest. Rather than go to the tiebreaker and risk everyone freaking out like last year, we’re just going to let both winners write guest posts. Our first winner was Hambone. He’s a long time season ticket holder who’s a little bit frustrated, but optimistic about the future. Take it away Hambone.
Hello JMU Football Fans,
This is my first opportunity to contribute to the JMU Sports Blog, so I will try to make it not as anger laden as some of the contributions I have read recently. I am allowed to write as I picked the winner and closest to the score from last week’s game. Sorry it was not JMU.
I can actually say I have been following JMU Football since the very beginning. I was asked to join the very first team, but declined as I did not want to practice as much as they had planned , plus I think I would have had to buy my own equipment. I am in the actual picture of the very first kickoff for the very first game which took place on Godwin Field where most of us now have our tailgate parties. They moved over to Hbg HS later. I saw them roll out the first AstroTurf field in the old stadium. We used to sit on the hill by the railroad tracks and watch the game for Homecoming. Quite a lot has changed. read more…
The loss to Delaware still stings, but it’s time to move on. This Saturday the Dukes welcome one of the CAA’s new members, Albany, to Bridgeforth for a Family Weekend showdown. If the right JMU team shows up (and plays 60 minutes), this could be a great weekend for JMU. If the Dukes don’t bring their A-game however, it could be another disappointing game. Let us know who you think will win and what the final score will be in the comments. The person who comes closest to predicting the outcome correctly (winner & score) will get to write a guest post next week. Easy as pie.
JMU Men’s Hoops, fresh off their first CAA title and NCAA tourney berth in two decades, loaded with four stud sophomores and a couple of highly regarded new freshmen, has already suffered its first huge setback on the second day of practice today. Athletic Director Jeff Bourne announced that star guard and electrifying defender and playmaker Andre Nation, he of the surge-to-fame in last year’s postseason and breathtaking athleticism, was suspended for the first 15 games of the season today due to a violation of JMU athletic department policy.
This means Nation will miss the entire out of conference schedule and the CAA opener before being eligible to return January 7th against College of Charleston. This obviously means he’ll miss what should have been, and may still be, a very exciting season-opening game at UVA.
Needless to say, it hasn’t been a great 48 hours for JMU athletics. The details of the cause of the suspension have not been released, though 15 games is a half-season suspension according to Daily-News Record hoops beat writer Mark Selig and one of the internal JMU reasons for a 1/2 season suspension is a second failed drug test. Rob and I, both of whom have jobs directly or indirectly dependent on our elected leaders not acting like a certain petulant, ranting conference commissioner as they are right now, really don’t have much patience on a personal front for the type of incompetence and immaturity we’ve seen out of JMU the last couple of days. Nonetheless, if you want to bash Andre, Coach Brady, or even JB on this one without knowing the facts or acknowledging that there but for the grace went most of us as Dukes sophomores, please take it over to the message boards at the Dukes Domain on this one. Whatever the cause, this presents an enormous opportunity for other young players to step up and most of all, we sincerely hope Andre gains a new focus on his priorities and is ready to re-engage as a more mature player and student when January 7 arrives.
Also, we really need Semenov’s back to hold up.
What is the identity of this edition of Dukes football? That’s a question for the coaching staff alone and so far they have failed miserably to come up with an answer. That IS on Mickey and no one else when you get down to the heart of it. Everything else is secondary to that question.
The Piss Wall
Finally made the trip to Delaware for a game and a few quick notes. First, one thing stood out to me this morning. Watching in person did not lead me or those I got to watch the game with to nearly so gloomy a conclusion about the rest of this season as it appears to have done for those who watched on television. Maybe it’s because in person you notice how physically superior JMU is at most positions and how the young secondary continues to grow. Maybe it’s because you notice that while Birdsong is by far the most capable of must-have tough throws of any QB1 JMU has had since Rascati, you also become painfully aware of the fact he was starting his 8th game as college QB and still encounters serious indecision at times (though more on this later as that is the theme from the top down). But in any case, it seems while the second half was just as excruciating in person, I’m not willing to throw in the towel just yet after a road loss to Delaware.
Second, the trip was great, the weather was perfect and it was great to make some knew friends (BDK, DoubleD) and see some old JMUSB friends (SB). Delaware truly is a fun place to watch a game, but they just don’t take it nearly as seriously as JMU. Kids aren’t even in the stadium as hundreds of them play on the still-lit practice fields next door throughout the game. Their band is a disjointed mess that doesn’t seem to give two shits about the game itself. They’re split up both in and out of the stadium all game long and even play at the wrong times. Really makes you love the MRD’s all that much more for being the best JMU fans! And finally, their “student section” is about 300 strong. No joke here, that is the joke. Seriously, maybe 300 people. I’m through complaining about JMU students leaving early after that limp performance. And the fact they pump in artificial crowd noise through the speakers on big plays is a damned disgrace.
Third, the legend is true. We’d heard the rumors that everything negative about Delaware’s aging, piss-poor facilities could be summed up by the mens’ bathroom’s infamous “piss wall.” It’s all true:
Two sides of the enormous, three-sided “Piss Wall.” Also, do you know how difficult and uncomfortable it is to try to snap a photo in this situation?! Talk about awkward visiting fan.
The Good
The first quarter. Huge defensive play to start. Raced out to a 13-0 lead (more on that later too).
Robertson and Steele are simply incredible. Best players on the field by a wide margin.
DB’s are getting better. UD made a huge play to their stud WR Johnson over Taylor Reynolds early, but he was in position and just got beat by a stud player. Then he came back to finish JMU’s biggest play of the game on the interception in the endzone that started a 13 point swing before the half. There were still a large handful of big plays given up, but don’t make the mistake of putting this loss on the defense at all. The offense and special teams pinned them in bad positions all night.
The Bad
Specials: What the hell is wrong with the kicking game?! Normally this would land in the ugly section but that’s reserved for the coaches and the big picture this week. I have no idea what’s going on with Cam Starke this year. If he’s not healthy after an injury-plagued offseason, try someone else. If he’s disappointed he’s playing college ball instead of rolling with friends at TomorrowWorld, try someone else. But it’s gotta be fixed. Second, on the punt team, I’m not as opposed to the rugby style as others, but I still can’t figure out JMU’s thinking in the blocking scheme. Not to mention that all the punt protectors are high-numbered linemen/LB types and it makes me wonder if we’ll ever be capable of any type of fake if it’s needed later on.
Inability to step on the throat. Two FG’s and a missed FG in positions where they could have all been momentum-killing, demoraling TD’s for Delaware. Definitely tied up in the identity question.
The Ugly
In-game coaching adjustments. Or should we say, the complete lack thereof. Just like Akron, JMU got out to a nice lead, played a decent half, and then looked like they spent the halftime break eating glue. The first quarter was one of the best we’ve seen from JMU in quite a while. After Delaware’s coaches presumably adjusted and JMU’s clearly did not, the third quarter was an utter debacle.
Identity. Who’s in charge? Mickey or O’Cain? Are we a running team or passing team? Are we playing uptempo or just looking to the sidelines because the coaches are arguing over what to call? Has Mickey lost his nerve?
Early in the game, 4th and 2 deep in Delaware territory. The MM some of us loved at one point, the ole’ riverboat gambler, used to make this a no-brainer. Hit someone in the mouth and go for it. No doubt about it. Now we settle for a chicken-shit FG attempt. And he panics on the sidelines and almost bumps an official screaming like a lunatic for a timeout. leaving most of us to wonder if all the personal foul penalties, including many from the unquestioned leader of this team Stephon Robertson aren’t a direct reflection of what they see from their head coach?
Late in the game. Twice JMU gets the ball with plenty of time and timeouts to tie the game and twice they abandon the run. We all know that in years past if the Dukes got the ball down 7 with 6 minutes to play, we’d see run, run, and more run even if it cost us everything. But at least the players, the coaches, the fans, and the other team knew they better buckle up because this wasn’t going to be easy. Not anymore. Now we seem to love to dominate yardage totals with cutesy offense while losing the game.
Moving On
Vent now if you haven’t already because we’ve got to move on to other things. As horrible as the loss was in the present, most of us would be lying if we said preseason that @ UD was one we put for certain in the win column so don’t jump just yet (even if you want to give MM the Lane Kiffin treatment). The next three weeks that will make or break the season. JMU should be a huge favorite this week against Albany and a decent favorite in three weeks at W&M, but in between the UR trip to the ‘Burg on the 12 will determine everything about this season. Win these three, get to 6-2 and give yourself a great shot coming down the stretch. Get to the bye with 3 losses and Villanova, @ UNH, and @ Towson on the horizon and you might as well figure out whose going to get the “interim” tag.
Lastly, it’s also important to move on from this because the Carr Report will be presented to the Board of Visitors this Friday and if nothing else, we should be learning more about what President Alger’s, and JMU’s, plans for the future of JMU Athletics are over the next week or two. Note: If you’re one of those saying “we’re not ready for a move up because we lost to Akron and/or Delaware” – just stop! We can only say this so many times, that has NOTHING to do with moving up or not. Facilities, infrastructure, finances, and growth potential are the only things that are germane to the issue. You think Mickey or Birdsong or Robertson or JB or anyone else is actually going to be around when and if JMU ever establishes a serious foothold on long-term success at the next level? No. If anything, Alger and the fans are the only ones who might last that long.
JMU and Delaware kick-off CAA play tonight. Here’s your open thread for all pre-game, in-game, and post-game chatter. And remember, the game will be televised in HD on Comcast SportsNet Washington and streamed on CAASports.com. Enjoy the game everyone and root fer Dukes!
The early season out of conference schedule is complete and things are about to get real. The Dukes open up CAA play this weekend with a Saturday night game against their old pal Delaware. Needless to say, a road win would be a terrific way to start of league play.
The Skinny
Matchup: JMU Dukes (3-1) vs. Delaware Blue Hens (3-1)
Location: Tubby Raymond Field at Delaware Stadium in Newark, Delaware
Kickoff: 7:00 on Saturday, September 28
Viewing Options: Comcast SportsNet Washington
So We Meet Again
JMU and Delaware have a long history on the football field. The teams have been conference mates going back to the Yankee Conference days and have met 20 times. Due to the ever shifting makeup of the CAA, JMU and UD haven’t gotten together since 2010. But the wait is over and they’ll finally clash again this weekend. And that is definitely a good thing. Because as much as JMU fans might poke fun at Delaware, it’s a program that JMU has a lot in common with. Both have won national championships, play in some of the largest FCS stadiums, and have support that far exceeds many conference peers. And Delaware has riots too. So there’s that. read more…
Alright folks, things are about to get real. JMU opens CAA conference place this Saturday with a big game at Delaware. By now, most of you know the drill. It’s time for our prediction contest. The rules are simple. Add a comment with your prediction for who’ll win and what the final score will be. The person who comes closest to predicting the outcome correctly (winner & score) will get to write a guest post next week. That’s it. So give us your prediction. And root fer Dukes.
JMU officially unveiled the design for its new basketball court a few weeks ago. I didn’t say much about it at the time. To be frank, it was because I didn’t love it. But I didn’t really understand the outrage it brought about from folks either. I mean, it’s just a basketball court. Love it or hate it, it’s sort of trivial, no? Again though, I didn’t really love it. I didn’t even like it at all actually. But now that it’s complete, I dig it. I really do. My only complaint is they left the word “blog” off the baseline. Other than that, it’s different, but I like it. Even if I thought I thought I was going to hate it. Maybe there’s a lesson in there somewhere. Probably not. It’s just a basketball court.
