JMU Sports Blog

This is as tough a preview to write as any we’ve done in seven plus years. CCSU after Lesshead St. is about as exciting as pre-Algebra. Seriously, the schedule designers should be curbed American History X style for this. And while we have fully come around to believing Bourne is not the responsible party for #CAA4lyfe, we have no sympathy of any kind for this type of schedule. Yes, the CAA is tough. Yes, an FBS game is necessary and enticing. But if the Dukes were to risk losing two of three out of conference by playing an attractive game, even an attractive game on the road, then that simply means they have to get to 6-2 in the CAA to make the playoffs at 7-4. Tall order? Sure it is. But if they can’t do that, they’re not a contender anyways so please please please no more MSU/CCSU/UNCCH starts to the season where we have no clue what kind of team we have till a month into the year. Alright, rant over and on to the game.

The Basics

Central Connecticut State University (0-1, lost to Lafayette of the Patriot League) at JMU (1-0), Bridgeforth Stadium, 4 p.m. Saturday

MadiZone broadcast only, but you’ll get the smooth stylings of Curt Dudley!

What to Expect

Alright Coach, impress us

Beatings will continue until morale of subpar opponents improves. Which is to say, never. Look, Coach Houston is talking up CCSU’s stout D-Line and discussing how this is a big step up from Morehead because you know, the Blue Devils have scholarships in the NEC (although an NEC schollie is a bit like a Totino’s compared to Matchbox – not that there’s anything wrong with that of course), but really, the Dukes are significantly more talented and anything less than a three score victory would be disappointing. 80 points ain’t happening, but if CCSU scores more than 20, we can hit the red alert button. We really should care enough to look into the particulars of CCSU’s strong and weak points, but let’s be honest, it’s gonna be 90 degrees in the ‘Burg for a 4 p.m. game, we’re all gonna be sweaty, and the Dukes damned well better be up by a comfortable margin so we can all wiggle our way back to humanity’s greatest invention – conditioned air – as soon as possible.

Also, they’re playing the “Harmony Classic” next week when they host HBCU D2 Bowie St. which is apparently Bridgeport, CT’s way of trying to sell “diversity” or “multiculturalism” in a way that is 15-20 years behind the curve in a way that only a provincial Connecticut town can be. When you’re hosting the Bulldogs and think it’s a guarantee game, you simply have no business on the schedule with the Dukes (and that is giving full  credit to the generally badass Bulldogs). Also, when you’re the “blue devils” no one knows about, you generally suck, we award you know points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

Beer of the Week

Connecticut is a piss-poor beer state. Taxes are high, creativity is zippy as it’s mostly NYC zombies who spend three hours a day or more commuting and pretend they have a “beach” (that’s accessible two months a year), and it just generally is one of those other New England states whose parents are now afraid of the greatest game ever invented. For that reason, we’re shunning our normal opponent-influenced BOTW selection and going with one of our other NE faves, Vermont’s Otter Creek Brewing’s Backseat Berner IPA. Rob tried so hard to prove we’re going to branch out from our hop-heavy selections last week but let’s be honest, nobody gives a shit about CCSU or our selection this week, so let’s choose  a widely-available solid standby that also happens to have fun art on the sixer.

Official JMUSB Prediction

Dukes 45, Afterthought Blue Devils 20 – A 25 point spread sounds good, but we have a feeling this will be the type of result that a) concerns us and b) gives Coach H his players’ full attention in advance of the trip to UNC-CH.

So remember how we were worried about the transition from Withers to Houston and whether the offense would lose some of the firepower it demonstrated the last two years. Well, 80 points, EIGHTY, pretty much answers that.

The Good

Pretty much everything. Seriously, the generally mistake-free play, especially but the starting units, was a refreshing change from one of our major complaints about the last two years (major complaints being defense, over-cuteness on O and Specials, and occasional lapses in discipline – and of course not winning playoff games). It’s cliche, but the best way to describe it is the Dukes looked “sharp” and/or “crisp.” They just looked like an outfit that knew what it was trying to accomplish, how to do it, and was just able to play football without overthinking. That’s the biggest takeaway, but it still remains a huge question mark as to whether that was merely showing out against weak competition? That said, there were a number of specific things that were particularly pleasing in Week 1.

Scoring TD’s on the first 7 possessions – Houston era finally went to crap when they kicked a field goal on the 8th.

The running game – Cardon Johnson and Trai Sharp both went over 100 yards as did Bryan Schor. Abdullah was a beast (and hopefully wasn’t nicked up on his last play??) as usual and Taylor Woods chipped in 89 yards and an easy 3 TD’s. Now THAT is a rushing attack that the rest of the CAA and FCS better be ready for.

Seemingly no new injuries – WR Ish Hyman was out this game, but that was known coming in. So far, no major news of anything else from this game which is always huge in these “scrimmages” JMU’s scheduling people try to pass off as games.

Ohhhh, that running game is gonna be brutal!

Bryan Schor – In case you were wondering how Schor held off South Carolina transfer Connor Mitch for the QB1 spot, 8-11 passing, over 100 yards rushing with three TD’s answered the question. Interception notwithstanding, it is definitely possible Mitch has the better arm, but this is going to a run first team and “command of the offense” and running ability are probably more important this year than pure passing skills. Schor looked every bit in control Saturday – especially on plays like the one where he realized he had a free play when the D jumped offside and immediately threw deep for Domo Taylor.

Special Teams! – What a difference from last year. It really is amazing when you don’t overthink kickoffs. Kick it as far as you can and go cover. If it’s a touchback, great, but playing cute and trying to pinpoint balls to the corner inside the 10 led to some real misadventures last year. This team covered great and didn’t mess around. The Dukes also got an electric punt return TD from Rashard Davis (who should get his own mention for being heavily involved all-around) that bodes well for a return to the fireworks we used to see consistently from vintage JMU teams in this area.

Raven Greene – Was simply everywhere on defense and always around the ball. On a day when lots of players put up stats or looked great (Robinson, Sharp/Woods come to mind), Greene looked like the best player on the field.

Curt Dudley and Adam Coolbaugh’s MadiZone call – JMU student Coolbaugh was a solid and competent compliment to the sweet stylings of Mr. Dudley. Curt was in exquisite form, especially when the game got out of hand and he trolled the fanbase with a  chuckle and a “monitoring” and then broke away to interact with those following along from home. Bravo!

Welcome back Jimmy ‘effin Moreland! – Of course he found himself a pick in his first action in two years and darn near blocked Morehead’s extra point if I’m not mistaken. Nice to have a reserve with that kind of playmaking ability.

The twitter comment late game from @hensleja asking “do we get free nuggets since the Dukes scored 79 points?” For those who have suffered through some lean years at the Convo, that had to have gotten a laugh.

The Bad

80 sounds fun and cool and all and it’s a big, wonderful, whopping round number that will turn heads, but it will also raise a few eyebrows in suspicion since you could also see it as a bit of a bad look given the non-scholarship Pioneer League opponent. The crazy thing is the Dukes only scored seven in the fourth and really played very few starters of consequence after halftime. 28 in the first and 24 in the second quarter is where the damage was done and you can’t blame a team or a coach for getting his guys a full half’s worth of work in the opener no matter the score. The difficult thing was it was actually hard to stop scoring between the big plays on Special Teams where you’re going to leave your 1’s in the game and the consistent mistakes by Morehead. For the record, we also don’t blame the coaches one bit for letting both QB2 Mitch and QB3 Etheridge throw a couple times each as they need the work too.

Dan Schiele’s touchdown being called back. The senior, who came to JMU as a QB and has had a long, patient journey to the field as a backup Tight End, appeared to have caught a touchdown in the third quarter, and the excitement from his teammates was incredible. Alas, it was called back by a lineman downfield penalty. Hopefully he’s got more highlights to come this year!

The Ugly

Morehead St. is an improving team the last few years. They have legit hopes for a Pioneer League title and the automatic berth that somehow accompanies that distinction. But that was grundle-butter level awful on Saturday and such a reminder that non-schollie vs. schollie is simply unfair on about 63 different levels. The turnovers they committed in the first half to really make this thing non-competitive were downright ridiculous. The Dukes themselves played almost no part in the Eagles simply giving them back the ball and that just can’t happen when you’re overmatched. Let’s just hope the Dukes don’t incur the same type of self-inflicted wounds when they play their own big step up in competition two weeks from now at Chapel Hill.

Central Connecticut St. up next – yes, they have scholarships, and yes they’re a real team that should be much stronger than MSU, but man, this is a snoozer of a couple games to start the season.