My family spends a lot of time in Rhode Island. It is a wonderful place. A tiny little state famous for its beautiful beaches, abundant seafood, luxurious mansions of Newport, coffee milk, white people, and giving ill advised $75 million loans to ex-ballplayers who run companies into the ground. It it not however, known for college football. The state’s flagship university, and JMU’s opponent this weekend, has had only 3 winning seasons in the past 33 years. A tradition of winning it is not. But things might be changing. Head Coach Jim Fleming has the Rams playing better than they have in decades. They’ve proven to be a very tough out for some of the CAA’s top teams this season, and even knocked off current first place squad Delaware on the road. This 2018 Rhode Island team is light years better than the one the Dukes threatened to hang a hundred on two years ago. Let’s get on with it.
The Basics
Match-up: #9 JMU Dukes (6-3, 4-2 CAA) vs. Rhode Island Rams (5-4, 3-3 CAA)
Kick-off: 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 10 in Bridgeforth Stadium
Weather: Sunny and cold with a high of 40
Broadcast: MASN, SNY, and Streaming via Madizone
How They Got Here
Not sure if you heard, but JMU lost to New Hampshire last weekend. It’s true. We went into great depths on the latest episode of pod, but the wheels basically came off. Whether it was a one game blip, or a harbinger of truly dark days remains to be seen. In the loss, the Nooch had 2 turnovers, which the Wildcats took advantage of to jump out to an early lead. Cole Johnson came on in relief and made some very nice throws. He also threw 3 picks and fumbled once. It was ugly folks. All told, it was a rough game. Coach Houston has played his cards close to the vest all week and refused to name a starting QB. Not much more to be said that hasn’t been said about the game already. It was clearly the lowest point of the Mike Houston era. Now the Dukes have an opportunity to rally around each other and show folks what they’re made of.
Rhode Island also lost weekend, but in a much less crushing fashion. The Rams went down to Carolina and fell to Elon 24-21. It was a moral victory. And while Rhode Island is a much improved program, they’re still at the level where moral victories are a thing. Sure, they probably feel like they let a potential upset slip through their grasp. They rallied for 2 touchdowns in the 4th quarter to pull within 3 points, but failed to recover an onside kick with just over a minute left. Talented QB JaJuan Lawson returned from injury to throw for for 349 yards and 3 scores. Naim Jones managed 54 yards running on only 10 carries. All told, the Rams have to be feeling pretty good about the effort and confident that they can hang with the top teams in the CAA.
How Rhode Island Can Win
Let is all hang out and attack. The Rams have absolutely nothing to lose. They’re an improved team, but practically nobody expects them to beat the Dukes in Bridgeforth. Elon and New Hampshire got after the QB all day, and tried to dictate things on offense. Stony Brook tried to play conservative, taking what JMU gave them, and waiting for big mistakes that never came. Guess which approach was more successful?
The Rams are at a disadvantage defensively, needing to prepare for both Nooch and CoJo. Either guy will beat them if he’s allowed to sit back there and make plays. But we saw last week that both guys are susceptible to pressure. On offense, the Rams need to take their shots. Lawson can sling it. If he plays aggressively, instead of trying to wait for JMU to make mistakes, he and his teammates will have a shot to pull off the upset.
How JMU Can Win
By QB TBD taking control. Despite what some hyper partisan fans on both sides of the debate might tell you, Nooch and CoJo each have clear strengths. Nooch is dangerous with his feet and up until last game, good about protecting the ball. Johnson has a lively arm and good accuracy. JMU can win if the coaches call the game in a way that leverages the QB’s strengths.
Earlier in the year, we all wanted Nooch to stand tall in the pocket instead of tucking a running when the pocket collapsed, so that he could progress as a QB. Well, let’s worry about progressing in the offseason. It’s time to win. Maybe Nooch will eventually become a classic drop back QB. If he gets the start on Saturday however, we’re all for him scrambling and moving the chains.
If Johnson is the guy, then it’s time to go vertical-ish. Folks are somehow convinced that he was dropping 50 yard bombs on the dime against UNH. He wasn’t. He was hitting guys in stride on 15-20 yard throws. The Dukes will succeed if he can consistently connect on those sorts of throws. The running game will open up and eventually the talent gap will become evident. And some better offensive line play wouldn’t hurt.
Defensively, JMU needs to keep it simple and let guys do their jobs. The Dukes don’t need a ton of sacks or to create multiple turnovers (although neither would hurt). This defense is very good, when it plays straight up and pounces on the opponents missteps. It’s good enough to shut down the Rams’ running game and make them one dimensional. From there, it’s all about limiting big plays.
JMUSB Beer of the Week
Temps in the 40s? Seems a little early for that, but the cold definitely makes it stout weather. Let’s go with a winter warmer like Virginia Black Bear by Lickinghole Creek. It’s an imperial stout with lots of roasted chocolate maltiness. And at 9.3 ABV it will keep you nice and toasty at the tailgate. Or put you to sleep if you have one too many. Good beer though.
Official JMUSB Prediction
The o-line bounces back, seniors step up, D gets back to business, and the team rallies around QB TBD. Dukes roll 31-10. This JMU team has flaws, but we believe it also has heart. And while I can’t believe I just typed that cheesy sentence, I do think it matters. JMU got pushed around last week and is facing adversity for the first time in the Mike Houston era. We don’t think the Dukes will fold in these circumstances. We think they’ll thrive. JMU is gonna roll on Saturday.
The Dukes are basically in playoff mode. Sure, JMU could sneak into the playoffs with only one more win, but Houston and the boys really need to win the next two to remove all doubt. They’ll welcome the much improved Rhode Island Rams to Bridgeforth on Saturday. We’re fairly confident, but want to know what you think. Leave a comment below with your prediction for the game. The person who comes closest to nailing it (winner & score) will get to write a guest post. We had no winner last week, because everyone picked JMU to win (just like against Elon). Will everyone be as confident this week? Let us know below and Go Dukes!
In this episode of the JMUSB podcast, we discuss the brutal and disappointing, but not quite devastating, loss to New Hampshire. And of course we talk about the QB controversy and try to figure out what the heck is going on with the offense. Then we wrap things up with a bit of a palate cleanser, while we talk about some of the college hoops venues we’d most like to visit.
As always, the JMUSB Podcast is brought to you by Pale Fire Brewing. Stop by the brewery for a beer and let them know JMUSB sent you and you’ll go home with a free pint glass.
Be sure to subscribe to the JMUSB Pod via Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And give us a rating if you haven’t already.
The Dukes made the long trip up to Durham, NH with fans looking for a breakout performance from the offense. Instead, JMU fell behind early and never recovered. New Hampshire won 35-24, but it was worse than the score indicates. The loss dropped JMU to 6-3 overall and just 4-2 in the CAA. With a pair of games remaining, the Dukes playoff chances are still alive, but that top 4 seed fans have been counting on all season is gone, gone, gone. And to make things even more interesting, JMU has a QB controversy. Ben Dinucci was pulled after opening the game with a pick six and a fumble. Cole Johnson came on in relief and showed the arm strength that has made some fans call for him all season. He also showed why he probably failed to win the starting job, turning the ball over 4 times. Here are three quick thoughts on the disappointing loss. read more…
Settle down Dude, nothing is effed!
The Basics
Matchup: #2 James Madison (6-2, 4-1 CAA) at New Hampshire Wildcasts (2-6, 1-4 CAA) at
Kickoff: 1 p.m. Saturday, Wildcat Stadium, Durham, New Hampshire
Weather: 90% chance of rain, cloudy, high 57, winds 10-20 mph
Coverage: Fox College Sports (Spectrum Carolinas Ch. 372 with sports package), foxsportsgo.com, CAA.tv ($ppv)
How New Hampshire Can Win
Just take out all their frustrations on the Dukes and have all-everything Senior QB Trevor Knight beat JMU over the top the way Elon’s Davis Cheek was able to. First of all, the Wildcats have to be considered angry and dangerous. They were ranked in the preseason Top 5 with a veteran team returning and an unrivaled 14 straight years in the FCS playoffs. Unfortunately, they were heavily dependent on Knight’s dynamic abilities and when he was injured in Week 1, what turned out to be an absolutely brutal schedule parked the UNH car in the garage before the playoff race ever really got interesting. Knight went down in the first half of what turned out to be a loss to what we now know is a legit Maine team. Then they went and lost to a Patriot League team before that team turned into currently undefeated Colgate. A loss to FBS Colorado is no problem before road losses to what we now know is the power of the CAA in a then-healthy Elon, Stony Brook and Delaware. They managed to pound the two bad teams they’ve played in Holy Cross and last week a deflated Villanova team by a very JMU-ish score of 34-0.
In other words, we really can’t read anything at all into UNH’s terrible record. Or…as Parcells always said, at some point “you are what your record says you are.” Who really knows? All we do know is that UNH has a tough D ranked 3rd in the CAA and an offense that, now that their leader is back, is capable of testing JMU as much as anyone has this year. The big key for UNH is to have success early to keep morale up. At 2-6, they’re playing for pride and the playoff streak is over. They’ve played well the last few weeks, but even so, if they fall behind early, it’s tough to see them stepping up the fight in the second half.
Oh yeah, one more thing on UNH. As well all know, JMU NEVER plays UNH without the Wildcats attempting some Boise-level trickeration at some point. At 2-6 against the big-dog Dukes, it’s a lock we’ll see every double-pass, flea-flicker, fake punt, and guy hiding in the end zone paint on a kick return that legendary Coach Sean McDonnell can dream up. Don’t say you weren’t warned.
How JMU Can Win
Bust big plays! It’s going to be rainy and typically dreary on the last pre-time-change day way up in Durham (don’t worry it’ll still already be dark at game’s end and how do you people live up there?!). And Knight and the ‘Cats are capable of beating the Dukes. But 2-6 is 2-6 and as good as Knight is and as consistent as UNH has been over this incredible run, the last few years have shown the Dukes simply have more athletes when you compare the lineups top to bottom. Don’t get us wrong, UNH has a few great players and lots of solid guys, but from Abdullah to Alls to Moreland, they’ve managed to make a few big plays that most teams simply can’t make against the Wildcats and they need to find a way to break those plays open again this year. Unlocking the end zone, instead of the “moved the ball well” zone is the key for the Dukes. Even better, if they can do it in the running game and do it in the first half, they’ve got a shot to crush souls on a nasty day against a team battling through an unusually tough year.
Beer of the Week
Commonwealth Brewery’s Marvolo Imperial Chocolate Stout. Face it, you haven’t broken out of the sugar rut you dug yourself out of your kid’s Halloween candy and the now-overflowing office bowl. Or maybe that’s just us. But either way, this is an insanely drinkable stout. Pretty much everything about this beer is easily an “A.” It’s so full of chocolatey goodness you’ll completely overlook the 8.7% ABV. It’s named Marvolo in a great post-Halloween way (if you know, you know), and even has a dark-markish design on the back of the label. In other words, for a cold, gray, rainy day way up the heck in Durham, New Hampshire, you couldn’t ask for anything better.
Official JMUSB Prediction
Dukes 34, Wildcats 13 – Team is just too good not to bust out at some point and we’re thinking this is the week things click a bit in the running game and the Dukes at least begin to press the gas before dropping the hammer next week.
After a hard fought victory over Stony Brook, the Dukes will hit the road to play the New Hampshire Wildcats in Durham, NH. It’s traditionally one of the more difficult road trips in CAA Football. The conference’s Preseason Player of the Year, QB Trevor Knight, is back from injury and playing great for the Cats. He and his teammates stomped Villanova 34-0 last time out. Despite their 2-6 record, they should be a very tough match-up for the Dukes. But we want to know how you think the game will play out. Leave a comment below with your prediction. The person who comes closest to nailing it (winner & score) will get to write a guest post. That’s it. Go Dukes!
In this episode of the JMUSB podcast, recurring guest and head coach of the JMU women’s basketball team, Sean O’Regan joins us. In addition to a really fun conversation with Coach, we break down football’s closer than many fans expected win over Stony Brook. And lastly we talk about the terrific event at Pale Fire Brewing last Friday. And by the way, as soon as we wrapped up recording, we realized that we never actually explained what went down at Pale Fire for those of you who were unable to make it. Due to the limits or our recording system (it’s a phone app), we had the choice of either recording a show on location, but not hooking up to the PA, or forgetting about recording and doing a “live show” for the crowd on site. We opted to go the live show route. It was incredibly fun for us (and slightly tolerable) for the crowd on site. We’d love to do it again and next time we might need to upgrade the recording gear so we can have the best of both worlds.
As always, the JMUSB Podcast is brought to you by Pale Fire Brewing. Stop by the brewery for a beer and let them know JMUSB sent you and you’ll go home with a free pint glass.
Be sure to subscribe to the JMUSB Pod via Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And give us a rating if you haven’t already.
A win is a win. Just take a deep breath and keep repeating that. JMU managed to escape with a 13-10 victory over a Stony Brook team that came ready to play. It was an old school defensive battle. And despite the fact that the Dukes came out on top, it left more than a few fans frustrated. Again though, a win is a win and the Dukes now find themselves at 6-2 overall, 4-1 in the CAA, and tied for first. It’s the result that ultimately matters, not the style points. Here are a few brief thoughts on the big win.
Just a Few Plays
As with most every close game, this one came down to just a few plays. Unlike in the Elon game, JMU made the ones that mattered at key moments against Stony Brook. Kyndel Dean had a touchdown for the ages, and did he best to singlehandedly make sure the Dukes didn’t come up short in the red zone again. The Seawolves had multiple chances to bring him down, but he fought off several tacklers and got in for 6. On the defensive side of the ball, Jimmy Moreland knocked down a would be TD pass in the end zone, and Landan Word alertly grabbed a tipped ball out of the air to secure the interception and kill a Stony Brook game. And Tyler Gray was steady all day, making two big field goals and an extra point. Those few plays helped turn a loss into a close win for JMU.
The Defense Is No Joke
Several people (well, me) were second guessing this JMU defense after the loss to Elon. Since getting a few guys back from injuries, the unit has been clicking on all cylinders. The Dukes D was dominant all day. Stony Brook came into the game with two backs averaging about 100 yards/game each. JMU held the Seawolves to 113 yards overall. And they limited Joe Carbone to just 19 of 37 attempts and picked him off twice. The defensive backs when single coverage for much of the game, enabling the safeties and linebackers to gang up on the ball carriers. Just a tremendous performance all around.
And the Elephant in the Room
What happened to JMU’s offense? Credit to Stony Brook for a solid defensive effort, but it sure looked like the Dukes were making it easier for them. Kyndel Dean made the most of his limited chances, and Sharp, Marshall, and Johnson each showed flashes, but were ultimately the running game failed to find its rhythm once again. Overall, it was a miserable day for the offense. The Dukes had no answer for the Seawolves’ blitzes. The receivers struggled to get off the line all day, and were of little help blocking for the running backs. The playcalling was bewildering, flipping between insanely predictable and overly complicated. And while it’s not clear if the coaches don’t have enough faith in the offense to call the game aggressively, or if the conservative playcalling is causing the offense to lose confidence in itself, something is clearly wrong.
People will point to Nooch and say we’re cutting him too much slack. We really don’t think it’s him though. He missed a wide open receiver in the red zone on a play that should have been six. The rest of the game though, we didn’t think he had much of a chance to do anything. The issues run far deeper than QB play. The receivers failed to create separation consistently, and there were no apparent route adjustments for the blitz. We fully admit that he Nooch’s deep ball hasn’t been impressive this year, but he’s had no chance to show improvement with this new horizontal passing game the coaches seem to rely on. Personally, we’d prefer even tossing a few more interceptions on more aggressive pass plays, if the trade-off was keeping the defense guessing and potentially breaking a few big ones.
And don’t even get us started on the poor clock management and lack of a killer instinct on 3rd and 4th downs. The Dukes keep the pedal to the medal against overmatched teams, but seem far more focused on avoiding mistakes than trying to outplay guys when they face top teams. The special teams and defense are outstanding, but time after time the coaches are way too content to play a field position game instead of pushing it on offense. The entire unit needs a refresh. And needs one quickly if the Dukes want to meet expectations. The defense and special teams are plenty good enough. There’s no lack of talent on offense. We’re just waiting for it all to come together.
The Basics
Matchup: #15 Stony Brook (6-2, 4-1 CAA) at #3 James Madison (5-2, 3-1 CAA)
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. Saturday in Bridgeforth Stadium, Rocktown
Weather: Improving! After rain scares all week, now looking like showers only in the morning and a cool (cold? – I really have leaned into this Cackalacka thing) but just cloudy in the afternoon. High 51. Breezy.
Coverage: Madizone HD, Eleven Next, Tunein
These came from the last game vs. UNH
How Stony Brook Can Win
Control the clock with the running game. The Seawolves average a robust 32 points a game but a shootout with the Dukes is never a good idea. SB needs to ride their two-headed rushing monster of Donald Liotine and Jordan Gowins, which averages nearly 220 yards a game on the ground, to a total-plays-limiting grinder of a game against JMU. In the Dukes two losses, they’ve been held to limited possessions and that’s the formula here. We may occasionally complain about the offensive inconsistency, but as we’ve seen when the Dukes get enough chances, eventually they break through with their athletic advantage. On defense, they’re not having a vintage season on Strong Island, but they run the same scheme as JMU and make a lot of the same big plays. In other words, they’re a bit feast or famine on that side of the ball with 16 takeaways and bucketfuls of sacks but also concede over three TD’s per contest.
How JMU Can Win
Lock the Damn Gates! This game is about attitude and attention coming out of the bye week as much as anything. That may sound cliched but there’s not much X’s and O’s wise separating these teams. Stony Brook is just solid all around. But the Dukes are coming off their bye and Stony Brook hasn’t had their week off yet. A loss here would absolutely put the Dukes behind the eight ball in the playoff and CAA race. If JMU is going to be a real contender this year, it’s time to prove against a good team for the first time. This could be the “most important,” if not the actual biggest, game the Dukes have played since the first LTDG game against UNH two years ago in the playoff opener. Like that game, it’s time for this edition of JMU football to show it’s for real and not just a polls favorite.
Other Homecoming Activities
The older we get and the longer we’ve been season-ticket holders, the less juice “Homecoming” carries with it unless it happens to be a good matchup in a good spot on the schedule. Like this year! With it scheduled on Halloween weekend so often the last few years, it’s often been a tough one for alums that are parents – you can’t skip the Super Bowl of parenting the way you can a mid-season youth league game. But this year Halloween’s far enough away that our entire group of ticket-holders is able to make it! Hope the same is working for the rest of you.
And if you’re making a weekend out of it, there’s a ton of other things going on. Friday night is QuadFest, though the weather has moved it to Festival. Even we have to admit the idea of partying in Festival seems like a good idea! Then there are two huge soccer games going on this weekend with the top 25 men’s team in action after football at 8 p.m. against Elon and the regular season champs women’s team hosting a CAA semifinal game on Sunday at 1 p.m.
And lest we forget, we’ll be at Pale Fire on Friday night after 8. We’ll be recording live briefly around 9 and hopefully enjoying all of your company and some great beers.
Beer of the Week
Pale Fire Deadly Rhythm – a perfect fall beer that’s low enough ABV to carry you through the weekend. Plus it comes in tailgate-friendly tall boys that are one of the coolest looking logos you’ll see. Love ya Pale Fire!
Official JMUSB Prediction
Dukes 34, Seawolves 20
Big game this weekend. The Dukes welcome Stony Brook to the ‘burg for a Homecoming clash. Featuring the top 2 rushers in the CAA, the Seawolves should be a tough test for JMU. We’re pretty confident, but we’d like to know how you think the game will play out. Leave a comment below with your prediction. The person who comes closest to nailing it (winner & score), will get to write a guest post. That’s it. So let us know who you think is going to win and Go Dukes!
