JMU’s Men’s Soccer team scored an impressive draw with third-ranked and defending National Champ UVa last night. Needless to say, our obsessive coverage of Dixon Wright’s replacement at placekicker and whether Sharples, all 132 lbs. of him, will have to dress this weekend, have led us to overlook some great stuff going on around JMU Nation.
With many of us making the Homecoming pilgrimage this weekend, seems a great time for a quick run around the highlights and status of the other Fall Sports.
Men’s Soccer: 7-2-1; 2-1 CAA JMU is off to a stellar start, playing for the most part well over the mid-pack preseason expectations and feeding off the incredible play of one of the country’s best players in C.J. Sapong.
Women’s Soccer: 8-6, 4-2 CAA Dukes are in a 3-way tie for third, but they own both tiebreakers and are being led by the prolific duo of Teresa Rynier and Cate Tisinger.
Volleyball: 15-4 Overall, 4-1 CAA (9-0 at home!) The young squad made up of mostly sophs and juniors seems to be getting better every match and is getting a breakout season from Sophomore Danielle Erb.
Men’s Golf: Just kidding Landeta, we have no idea what’s going on with this team.
Field Hockey: 8-7, 4-2 CAA Playing quite possibly the nation’s toughest schedule, and certainly the Dukes most ambitious ever, the women are starting to come together winning 5 of their last 7. Amy Daniel and Dolores De Rooij have started to find the scoring touch lately to spark the offense. Doesn’t get any easier as they travel to Chapel Hill this weekend to take on the defending National Champion Tarheels, but the ladies are sure to be battle-tested and ready for a run at the Conference title when tourney time arrives soon!
So if you’re spending the weekend in the ‘Burg, don’t sleep on some of the other teams (and for those of us from our generation, their impressive new facilities in most cases) and spread some Purple Pride even beyond 1/2 Bridgeforth. Go Dukes!
That said, New Hampshire preview coming soon.
JMU's Offense
In case you’re wondering where you’ve seen the Dukes current offense before, you can thank Trey Parker and Matt Stone for laying the groundwork for this season’s version seen here at left. So instead of reviewing the most excrutiating win in years over Towson on Saturday, I’m just going to get a few things out.
There are just too many concerns for us to even begin a list here, but needless to say when the Dukes are running gimmick plays on 4th and Goal at the 1 it makes me want to kick the IT staff at the MadiZone in the nuts! Oh wait, actually I always want to do that (and the new Droid JMU Football app is a huge FAIL also). But I do shed a tear when I begin to worry about the living conditions in the undisclosed location where the terrorists are hiding Mickey Matthews. Because the JMU that I know and love, the one that never let’s me down, the one that ALWAYS goes for it on 4th, even in their own end against the wishes of sissy fans out there, with a mule-stubborn running play or option up the middle has completely disappeared.
Rant concluded, I would urge you to consider that the Dukes are 4-1 and coming home for Homecoming! Exactly where we hoped they’d be when the season started, just not exactly the way we thought they’d get there. All is not lost. Last year right now the Dukes were 2-3 and pretty much out of it before gaining steam the second half. This year they’ve survived the spotty early season and still have everything in front of them. This butt-trifling performance against Towson was exactly what they did against Hofstra last year, only this time they emerged relatively unscathed. Or so we hope!
Injury news: DJ Bryant tweeted he’s been cleared to play this week already after getting his bell rung Saturday while not wearing a mouthpiece, TE Barlow is out a few weeks, JMU is seeking a medical redshirt for Defensive Lineman Emmons who was injured in the 1st qtr of the VT game after transferring from Army. UR Ticks QB Aaron Corp, the highly touted transfer from USC, is out for the season. You fancy, huh?!
Lastly, it’s HOMECOMING! So be happy, get your butt down to the ‘Burg and into the spirit early, and Let’s Go Dukes! (Also, big win for Field Hockey who erupted on offense in the second half Sunday).
JMU has a road game at Towson this weekend. Mickey and the 3-1 Dukes will look to get back on track after a disappointing last second loss to Delaware at home. Towson played relatively well last weekend, but faded down the stretch and lost to 8th ranked UMass 27-14. Unfortunately for the Tigers, it was their 4th loss of the young season and they find themselves in the all too familiar position of looking up at the rest of the CAA.
Let’s Take a Look at the Polls
After stumbling against the Blue Chickens, JMU slipped from 3rd to 7th in the latest Sports Network/Fathead.com rankings. True to form, the poll is littered with CAA teams. Delaware jumped all the way to #2 and Villanova, William & Mary, and UMass are all in the top 10. Richmond finds itself at 11 and New Hampshire is hanging on at 22. Even Rhode Island and Maine got votes last week! That just shows you how good the CAA is. Every single team in the conference is ranked or at least getting votes in the poll. Every team except for Towson that is.
So What’s Up With Towson?
Looking at the polls it’s easy to see why folks say the CAA is “the SEC of FCS football.” I’m pretty sure that makes Towson the Vanderbilt of the CAA. Really the only difference between the two schools is Towson’s drastically lower academic standards. Well, that and the fact that the Vandy campus is crawling with beautiful little debutantes in sundresses, while Towson’s campus tends to be overrun with homely woman who are rarely seen without a pinch of Skoal and camouflage pants. Oh, and people at Vandy speak with a pleasant Southern drawl and Towson folks have that excruciatingly painful Balmer accent. On second thought, the analogy sucks. But both schools lose a lot of football games.
Great Moments in Towson Football History
As JMU fans, we’re fortunate to have a lot of great memories. We argue about which was the best. Chatanooga? Scotty’s return against Richmond? The App State game? For Towson fans however, one thing shines above all others, November 15, 2008. It was unquestionably their proudest moment of the last decade or so and arguably the apex of the football program. Facing the 5th ranked Villanova Wildcats on the road, Towson burst out of the gates and stormed to a 17-7 lead. Nova was not ready to lay down however, and they battled back to take a 20-17 lead into the break and then took control of the game in the second half. Towson wouldn’t go away quietly however and just when Nova thought they had locked up a comfortable 10 point win, the Tigers scored a garbage touchdown to make the final score 34-31 Villanova. It might have been the finest moral victory anyone ever witnessed.
Are the Tigers Really That Bad?
Yes.
Say Something Nice About Towson
We covered this in our season preview of the Tigers. Their video board is awesome. And we were right when we said Hakeem Moore could be a difference maker. He’s leading the CAA in all-purpose yards.
How Towson Can Win
If they hang around and wait for the Dukes to beat themselves. Towson forced 3 turnovers against UMass and didn’t turn it over once themselves. That’s usually a recipe for success. If they can do the same thing this weekend, and get good field position from Hakeen Moore returns, they could steal this game.
How JMU Can Win
By opening up the playbook, getting the offense clicking, and scoring some damn points. We fully expect the D to take care of business. JMU’s offense is really struggling though and needs to find a rhythm fast. In a weird way, this is actually a very big game for the Dukes. They need to prove that they can sustain drives on offense. The o-line is very young and a big offensive showing on Saturday night could really accelerate its maturation.
JMUSB Beer of the Week
Flying Dog Raging Bitch Belgian IPA. I grew up in the DC area in the Virginia suburbs, so I pretty much disrespect all things Maryland. Maybe I’m the only one, but I kind of thought that’s what I was supposed to do. Anyway, the list of things I like from Maryland is really short. Flying Dog Brewery is on the list though.
JMUSB Prediction
JMU’s defense does what it does, and the offense starts to show signs of life. Dukes win 27-3.
JMUSB is extremely proud to bring you an interview with Field Hockey’s Head Coach Antoinette Lucas. We were fortunate to catch up with Coach Lucas last week as her team is in the midst of taking on one of the country’s toughest schedules. Winners of four of their last five, don’t let the early bumps along the way fool you, this team will be battle-tested when tourney time comes in a way few have been before as they attempt to recapture the magic of the ’94 National Championship team (I believe the first ever NC for a team sport at JMU; JMUSB special shout-out to Karen Z!).
HUGE thanks to Coach Lucas for sharing some great insights on Dukes’ Field Hockey and her own career and being such a good sport as we harangued answers out of her! Her quiet, good-natured manner would never allow her to toot her own horn but we certainly will. In addition to returning the Hockey program to prominence on the sidelines, it’s also very possible Coach Lucas is the single best athlete on campus today. Whether on a bike, an epic trail run, or a with a golf club in hand, we have no doubt she has no equal in the Valley. And we’re not the only ones, check out what the Virginia Tourism Board thinks about Coach L:
The Woman, The Myth, The Legend (Coach, please don't kill us for the picture but it's just too cool not to reuse!)
1) What are your public expectations for your team this year?
To take a young team to the CAA tournament and Win. We may not have the success we have been accustomed to in September due to our strength of schedule but the games will make us stronger and better prepared for CAA play. Winning the CAA tournament offers an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. Competing in the NCAA tournament every year is an ultimate goal for our program. If you dont make it to the NCAA tournament then it is impossible to win a second National Championship for JMU Field Hockey.
2) Can you give us a few players we should really watch out for?
Amy Daniel should really be playing well this season. She competed in a US High Performance event over the summer and was really playing well. Amy is very versatile and just loves to play.
3) Who is Field Hockey’s biggest rival? If different, who do you think will be your toughest CAA competition this year?
Our biggest rival is usually ourselves. (laugh) ODU always shows up to compete. They always give a great fight and I expect them to be quite good this year.
4) Any word on Kelsey Cutchin’s nomination for NCAA Woman of the Year award?
Kelsey has been selected as one of the top 30 finalists that will attend an awards ceremony in Indianapolis on the weekend of Oct. 15th/16th.
5) Field Hockey has quite a few international players at the college level, right? How in the world do you go about recruiting them to Harrisonburg?
We constantly work to make connections with international coaches. They are the ones that can help us to recruit international athletes to our program. Once international athletes realize what Division One athletes have to offer vs. what they typically receive in their home countries…it is often an “easy sell”.
6) What was it like to play in the Olympics?
I competed in 4 World Cups (1990, 1994, 1998, 2002) and found the World Cup to be a better event for our sport itself. (meaning- bigger crowd,better fans etc…) However, the attention and the hype of the Olympics is absolutely phenomenal. There is nothing better than competing in the Olympic games in your home country!!!
7) Have to ask, were you around when the bomb went off in Atlanta (’96 Olympics)?
My family was in the vicinity. I was in the Athletes Village (where we were supposed to be at night..lol..). It was a very frightening moment for all of the athletes in the Village. (Georgia Tech was the site of the Athletes Village) We all wanted to make sure that our friends and family were ok. Security was incredible in the Village (picture security guards in the man holes in the streets) but when the bomb went off it made me feel very vulnerable and aware of how high profile an event the Olympics are. Our buses to and from our games began to take different routes after the bomb and we always had a helicopter flying over head. Wild stuff.
8) I think you’ve traveled all over with hockey and I’m just wondering is there some place that is crazy about Field Hockey (like hockey in Canada or rugby in New Zealand or speed skating in Holland)? What was your favorite place hockey ever took you to?
The Dutch, Germans and Australians are fanatical about their hockey. Spain, England and Argentina are huge hockey countries as well. It is so cool to play in those countries because both Men and Women play.. They have club houses for field hockey like we have golf clubs in the US. It is a very social sport.
South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand are my favorite countries by far!
9) Can you give us another sport(s) at JMU, other than Field Hockey and Football, we should look out for big things from this year? Lacrosse and baseball
10) Coach Matthews claims you hustled him on the golf course. True? How bad was it?
Never believe Coach Matthews (LOL) but I did hustle him pretty good.
11) Anything else we should know about the Field Hockey season?
Admission is free?
On behalf of JMUSB, we’d encourage anyone who can make it to go support Dukes Field Hockey, preferably loudly and obnoxiously!
A friendly reminder
So it’s been 36 hours or so since the putrid offensive performance against Delaware and the utter waste of a fabulous defensive showing. Hopefully everyone’s back off the ledge by now and we can address the bad and the good, yes, there was some good, from yesterday.
Mickey said penalties were the difference in the game. Well that, and an offensive gameplan that displayed the imagination of a pistachio nut (bonus credit if you pick up that reference). I’ll let Rob address “the issues,” but I’m going to be the ray of sunshine on this dark day and point out a few positives from Saturday.
Silver Linings: Nova lost to W&M, who already lost to UMass. UNH lost to Maine in OT yesterday. This means the conference is still WIDE OPEN (especially since Nova should get Szczur back before they play Delaware). We play Towson next week and despite what appears to have been a solid showing against UMass, the Dukes couldn’t ask for a better chance to get on track before they come home for UNH for Homecoming.
The Dukes are UNREAL on D right now and we don’t even have everyone healthy (Emmons). DJ Bryant and Ronnell Brown are dominating up front and Robertson, Nelson, Jackson, and the Williamses are playing at a BCS level right now! 21 points should be enough to win any game this team plays.
Please remember App. St. lost TWO games the year they beat Michigan and still came back to win the National Championship. It happens and the CAA is a beast.
The Issues: It’s fitting that I (Rob) should cover the issues, because I’m typically a doomsday fan. I actually don’t think the season is over or even in jeopardy now. There are clearly lots of issues to address though if this team hopes to reach its potential. Let’s take a look at just 3 of them: Not going for on 4th (not our style and we need the points), the playcalling, and penalties.
The Decision: We don’t want to have one of those typical Monday morning quarterback blogs, where we question every decision the head coach makes or try to argue that but for one single play, our beloved Dukes would have won. However, Mickey’s decision to kick the FG instead of going for it on 4th and 2 near the goal line was puzzling. I’d get it if JMU was on the road. Or if the Dukes were playing with their back-up QB (like Delaware was). Or if the offense was clicking and Matthews thought they’d have other chances. The fact is, JMU was at home, was playing with its starting QB, and its offense was definitely not looking like it was going to get a lot of chances. They should have gone for it. Worst case, you give a second string QB the ball in his endzone. Best case, you get 7 points in front of the home crowd in a defensive battle.
The Playcalling: The decision to go for it was particularly bad, but the playcalling all day was frighteningly unimaginative. We understand that the offensive line is struggling and Dudzik hasn’t been too sharp lately. I still think that the coaching staff should be able to come up with more than 3 plays that fit the personnel. Relative to recent seasons, JMU actually threw the ball a lot. I think you can count on one hand that they threw the ball downfiled however. And in this case “downfield” means “beyond the line of scrimmage”. How many friggin screen passes did we need to see before realizing they weren’t working? Delaware couldn’t get much going on offense either, but they started tossing passes into the middle of the field and chipping away. JMU should have done the same thing. And if the o-line can’t pass block, what makes you think a power rushing attack is going to work. Dudzik ain’t Rodney Landers, but he can run the option. Really well actually.
The @$%&! Penalties: Finally, the penalties are just back-breakers. The D has been outstanding, but they seem to get an uncanny number of facemask calls. The blocks in the back on special teams, the holding calls, etc, etc. They’re all awful. I felt like every time the Dukes got a spark, there was a flag on the play. It’s tough to win when you have an explosive offense that gets a lot of penalties. It’s near impossible if you have an offense that isn’t even a lock to crack double-digits.
HUGE game this week! Seems like we say that every week, but this one kind of snuck up on us. Basically the high of VT and the helmetfest we had preplanned for Liberty weekend combined with an entire offseason of selling Delaware short, had us never considering the possibility of a Top 5 FCS matchup in the ‘Burg for the dreaded (by the home team that is) Parents Weekend crowd. But after the Blue Hens dismantled (actually just snuck in two late TD’s against an overrated squad) the Richmond Ticks last weekend, they come swaggering in with their standard FBS transfer QB ranked #5 to take on the #3 ranked Dukes.
And people give us a hard time for "Dukes"?!
The Basics: As you know from our classic preseason preview of the Chickens, we think UD is a lot more hype than reality and we’re not backing down now! They have a highly-rated transfer QB Pat Devlin from Penn St. and a freshman RB who’s been making a ton of noise early, not to mention a Defense their devoted fanbase swears is top-notch. But they’ve also played a schedule that would make even the most notorious early-season creampuff devotees (Jim Boeheim, Bob Stoops, etc.) blush. Chickens fans even rationalize their annual date with D2 West Chester as a rivalry. Needless to say, they haven’t seen DJ Bryant, Ronnell Brown, and the Williams boys in their backfield yet. Plus even a tame Parent’s Weekend crowd will provide a test since this is their first road game this year (yes, that’s another cheapshot at UR’s brand new high school stadium for those not quite as obsessed with CAA happenings).
JMUSB Beer of the Week: Dogfish Head Bitch’s Brew. Easy to forget there’s one great thing from Delaware: Dogfish Head! Tough to find, but if you’re going to fire the crockpot up at 9 a.m., you might as well go all out for the “perfect chili beer”!
Around the CAA: Big Battle for the Brice-Cowell Musket up north b/t UNH and Maine. Also Villanova makes their first trip south of the year to take on the Griffins in Williamsburg (special note: in some areas this game follow’s JMU/UD on ComcastSportsNet).
Field Hockey Update and Announcement: The girls are rolling now with a three game win-streak and home games bracketing the football game on Friday night and Sunday this weekend. Also, huge news here at JMUSB as we scored an interview with Head Coach Lucas this week. We’re saving it for mid-week next week but trust us, you won’t want to miss this!
Viewing Locations: Check www.jmusports.com for more info, but JMU Nation is starting to catch on that this is a damn good time! I met the Chicago organizers at last week’s game and they are so excited to be hosting these games. I’ll be at Bailey’s in Ballston with my Old Guys Leave tee bright and early Saturday and there’s a free bigassed beer for the first person I don’t know to mention the blog (I’m looking at you JMU Rugby).
Tailgating Update: Though I must confess I won’t be in Bridgeforth this weekend, last weekend’s tailgating scene was an enormous upgrade over Morehead St. Law enforcement presence was back to normal and everyone had a good time. Well played, Dr. Rose.
For discussion during the game: App. St. and Montana are both seriously considering potential moves to FBS as of tonight. Tons more to come on this, but time to start making our voices heard the way we did on the tailgating front.
Quote from Delaware WR Nihja White (#19) that explains everything you need to know about Delaware without further explanation (from www.delawareonline.com) :
“It’s fun to play the No. 3 team and hopefully go down there and whoop on them the way we did Richmond,” White said. “I love going against the best players. They talk a lot of trash. I love it. I don’t say anything.”
Official JMUSB Prediction: Dukes 28, Chickens 17 In all seriousness, Delaware has looked impressive through their first four and this should be a great game. Given the Dukes pattern, wouldn’t be surprised to see UD score early, but the defense will buckle down and the Dukes will get fed up listening to the constant yak from the BlueHens. Not to mention having KC Keeler on the other sideline is worth at least four points, for the Dukes that is.
City Stadium after a recent Dukes "road" game.
If you haven’t heard the news by now, the JMU administration is already discussing the possibility of “hosting” playoff games at City Stadium in Richmond. On one hand, I’m thrilled that the school is being pro-active and attempting to line-up an alternate venue since Bridgeforth will be under construction as soon as the regular season ends. Plus, take a look at that pic. We always draw big crowds there. On the other hand, we’re 3 games into the regular season and I sort of feel like this is talking to your pitcher during a no-hitter.
The Dukes offense wasn’t much to brag about, but the defense and special teams were outstanding in the win over Liberty. As a result JMU remains at #3 in the polls and a couple of Dukes pick up weekly CAA awards. Taveion Cuffee was selected as the Special Teams Player of the Week and Stephon Robertson was the Rookie of the Week.
The Dukes host the red hot Delaware Blue Hens this weekend at Bridgeforth Stadium. The venue hasn’t been kind to Delaware. Head Coach K.C. Keeler notes that “It’s a hostile environment. Even their band will cuss at you.”
Coach L and the field hockey squad have gotten back on track and put together a nice little 3 game winning streak. Defender Lindsay Cutchins had a particularly nice week.
The women’s soccer team moved back to .500 on the season with a big come from behind win over Northeastern.
On the men’s side, the JMU soccer team is off to a 6-1 start. CJ Sapong has been red hot and currently is number two in the nation in scoring, with 6 goals and 6 assists so far. The Dukes finally cracked the rankings this week and sit at #25.
Going to Saturday’s game against Delaware? Better be ready to “Purple Out”.
So this weekend’s trip to the ‘Burg had a little bit of everything, both on and off the field as I was fortunate enough to play hack in the annual JBClassic at the one and only Lakeview Golf Club prior to attending the big game with Liberty. It’s also taken until Monday night to do a recap because I’ve been forced to seriously come to terms with my own mortality and lack of tolerance throughout BOTH yesterday and today.
Good crowd for an atrocious game!
Blondie (The Good)
Catching up with old friends, P-Lot Parking (thanks Coach L!!!!), DJ Bryant going insane and taking over the game along with the JMU Defense in the second half, getting Dixon Wright back, the unexpected and outstanding fireworks show at game’s end, Liberty fan turnout (great showing from the Flames and a good-natured day all around), Stephon Robertson, having Scott Noble back, Field Hockey now on a three-game winning streak, the incredible turnaround and by all accounts reasonable enforcement of tailgate policies, Mr. J’s Texan on Wheat (good to know the best things never change!), Jack Brown’s (solid new dive bar across from Dave’s), and Dukes student turnout (including mostly staying for the whole game).
Lastly, huge thanks to Jimmy Bonnell, founder and orchestrator of the fantastic golf outing. Thanks for getting everyone together and raising money for the Madison Business Scholarship Fund!
Angel Eyes The Bad – Offensive football, literally, both offenses were just plain offensive. On one hand, you had the Dukes who appeared unstoppable running up the middle yet continually tried to run side-to-side plays out of Wildcat and spray the ball around the field as if trying to prove once and for all that MM has changed his ways. It was like Andy Reid with a late lead for the whole game. On the other hand, you had Rocco and the Flames coaching staff, who could’ve called quick passes to monster receiver Chris Summers and their solid TE all night, yet continually tried to slam slow running backs straight into a JMU DLine that clearly overmatched them.
Tuco Benedicto Pacifico Juan Maria Ramirez The Ugly – My golf game (Thanks Brad, Kevin, and Coach Priz for keeping us afloat), Liberty Superstar QB Mike Brown’s Bill Laimbeer impression (the constant flopping and whining to officials is just shameful from a player of his caliber), missing the opening kickoff (have to fess up to this huge fan faux pas; tailgate’s never worth that), lack of chances for the fight song, and last but most certainly not least, the latenight performance of the incomparable Landeta was the stuff of legend!
Delaware week!! #3 Dukes v. #5 BlueHens for Parents Weekend.
The win over the Hokies is history, the bye week has passed, and now it’s time for JMU to move on. The Dukes will host the Flames
from Liberty University for a Saturday night game in the half-new Bridgeforth Stadium. The Dukes are hoping to notch another win over an in-state opponent and Liberty is trying to get back on track after a disappointing loss to Robert Morris last Saturday.
What the Rankings Say
JMU (2-0) finds itself at #3 in both the TSN and Coaches polls, while Liberty (2-1) checks in at #22 and #21 respectively. Interestingly enough, the supposedly forthright Liberty athletic department chooses to refer to the game as a “match-up of top 15 FCS programs”. So, yeah, the Liberty folks might have jumped the gun and published that one a little early. Or maybe they just suck at math.
This Is Kind of a Big Deal
For Liberty that is. I don’t mean to downplay the importance of the game to JMU. It’s crucial that JMU get another W before CAA play begins. However, a Liberty upset would unquestionably be the biggest win in the Flame’s history. It’s their Super Bowl and they don’t even try to hide it. They have a countdown to the JMU clock on their website. They are running a special “Hike to Harrisonburg” campaign and encouraging fans to travel in caravans to the game. Am I the only one that envision this playing out in the form of some sort of Partridge Family bus filled with Flames fans? Not that intimidating.
Random Unrelated Facts Strung Together to Appear Like a Paragraph
The Flames are coached by a man named Rocco. Liberty has had four straight winning seasons. The school forbids immodest dress and alcohol. Liberty had the highest scoring offense in the FCS last year. The Flames have never beaten a team ranked in the top 10. The late Dr. Jerry Falwell founded Liberty in 1971. The Flames is an odd nickname for a school founded by a blatant homophobe. Liberty has won 84% of its home games under Rocco. Junior QB Mike Brown is the reigning Big South Offensive Player of the Year. Playing a team named Ball State made Liberty fans uncomfortable. Liberty is looking to win its third Big South conference championship in a row. The Big South contains many bad football teams.
So Does Liberty Have an Unfair Advantage?
Liberty prides itself on being the largest Christian university in the world. Naturally, that leads lots of people to ask if the Flames’ ties to the big guy upstairs will give them a leg up on the Dukes. No, they will not. Trust me. Yes, God loves football. We know this. He doesn’t choose sides though. I mean, if He did Nick Saban would never win a game. You know, since he’s pure evil and everything.
How Liberty Can Win
If Mike Brown does what Mike Brown does. Think of Liberty’s QB as the Flames version of former Dukes’ great Rodney Landers. He plays QB, but he could just as easily be Liberty’s top running back, or receiver, or corner. He has the potential to take over a football game.
How JMU Can Win
By putting the big win behind them and focusing on the Flames. JMU is clearly a better football team than Liberty. That is a fact. Last year, the Dukes struggled on the road against Liberty and still won by 2 TDs in a torrential downpour. JMU can’t take their foot off the gas and let this turn into a trap game though.
What We’d Like to See From the Dukes
Some sustained offensive scoring drives. The win over the Hokies was epic. JMU really only had two significant drives though. We’d really like to see Dudzik and the boys get in sync and develop a nice offensive rhythm. After buckling down and stopping Tech when it mattered, we’d also like to see the Defense dominate an FCS opponent.
JMUSB Beer of the Week
This weekend’s game has all the makings of a JMU – App State 2008 style tailgating extravaganza. Nice weather. A 6:00 kick-off. Toss in a tee-totaling opponent fanbase and things are bound to get weird. It definitely calls for a quality session beer. I think Oskar Blues Mama’s Little Yella Pils fits the bill. It’s a terrific version of a Pilsen, which is the style of beer your standard macro-breweries claim to brew (but fail miserably). Plus it comes in cans, so you’ll attract less attention from Dr. Rose’s fun crushing tailgating gestapo.
JMUSB Prediction
JMU Dukes 34 – Liberty Flames 14. If this game was played last weekend, I’d be more concerned about it being a trap game. Fortunately, the Dukes had a bye and should be focused on the Flames. The Dukes are 7-1 under Matthews coming off bye-weeks. I think they’ll cruise and head into CAA play at 3-0.
JMU officially released the 2010-2011 Men’s basketball schedule. The Dukes have a little bit of everything on the out of conference slate. JMU will test itself against athletes from power conferences (Big East, Big 12). They’ll get a chance to play against teams from mid-major conferences (MAC, Conference USA). They’ll even get to go head-to-head against privileged white kids with high SATs (Princeton). And then they’ll have the always tough CAA competition.
It’s tough to judge a schedule or make predictions this far out. It’s even harder considering this Dukes team will contain so many faces we didn’t see last year. At first glance though, I like this schedule a lot. The season starts with a real bang, as Matt Brady takes his team to Manhattan, Kansas to play Kansas State. The Wildcats finished second in the Big 12 last year and made it to the Elite 8. Playing them on the road, should be a great experience for a Dukes team looking to integrate many new pieces.
In November, The Convocation Center will host for the 2010 O’Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic. The Dukes will play against Princeton, Bucknell, and Presbyterian in this round-robin event. Bucknell finished second in the Patriot League last year and missed out on a shot at the NCAA’s when they were bounced from their conference tourney by Holy Cross (where my old man went to undergrad). Princeton (where my old man got his PhD…yeah, I’m kind of a disappointment) finished second in the Ivy League to a pretty ridiculous Cornell squad. Both teams should be good tests for the Dukes.
In addition to the out of conference highlights above, JMU plays a number of mid-majors and smaller conference opponents. Hopefully games against teams like Radford, Longwood, and Marshall should give the Dukes a chance to rack up some wins. The game against South Florida is an intriguing. A victory on the road against this Big East opponent could be huge confidence builder for the Dukes.
All in all, it’s a decent out of conference schedule. Some tough road games against teams from power conferences and some challenging games against mid-majors. I think it will get the Dukes ready to go for the CAA competition. I like the schedule, but I’m really much more excited to see how Denzel and Julius play with Moore, Semenov, and Coach Brady’s impressive recruiting class.
