{"id":10601,"date":"2018-11-04T18:09:16","date_gmt":"2018-11-04T23:09:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=10601"},"modified":"2018-11-05T08:00:41","modified_gmt":"2018-11-05T13:00:41","slug":"three-thoughts-on-new-hampshire-35-jmu-24","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=10601","title":{"rendered":"Three Thoughts on New Hampshire 35 – JMU 24"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Just Blah<\/strong><\/p>\n

I don’t even know what to say about this one. It was really terrible overall. All of the things that we’ve worried about came to pass. A couple costly turnovers put the Dukes in a 14-0 hole early, and that was it for a team that seems to have been constructed to only win defensive shootouts. New Hampshire looked ready to play and pounced on JMU mistakes to put it out of reach almost before it started. The game was never close. The Dukes made a “run” in what was essentially garbage time to make the game look closer than it was. Don’t kid yourself though. The Wildcats stomped JMU. Thankfully, we only have a handful of losses in the Houston era to compare this to, but right now it stands out the worst one. The Dukes got beat in all phases. It reminded us of the bad version of Mickey Ball.<\/p>\n

QB Controversy\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

According to post game comments from Coach Houston, he was thinking of inserting CoJo at QB during the week to spark the offense. After back to back turnovers by Nooch to open the game, the decision practically made itself. As one would expect, there was an immediate surge and the players intensity picked up right after the change at QB was made…and then CoJo threw a pick six.<\/p>\n

Johnson did the sort of things that you’d expect a QB with an arm as strong as his to do. He hit medium and deep throws that we haven’t seen Nooch make in weeks. He also made the sort of mistakes you’d expect an inexperienced QB to do, turning the ball over 4 times. There’s a reason he didn’t win the job coming out of camp.<\/p>\n

Yesterday’s performance probably boosts the arguments for both sides of the debate. CoJo fans will enthusiastically point out that he threw for nearly 400 yards. Others will warn them to pump the breaks and point out that the yards came primarily against what was essentially a prevent D sitting on a big lead. Likewise, people will argue about whether or not the turnovers (all 4 of them) were his fault. And many of you will completely dismiss anything we say on the topic, because we’ve been painted as Nooch apologists for some reason. To us though, yesterday’s game proved the point we’ve been trying to make for weeks, which is that the offense’s problems go far deeper than QB.<\/p>\n

At this point in the season, I’m in favor of handing it over to CoJo. Mostly because it’s far easier to switch QBs, than to switch an entire offensive line. Nooch has skills that could have been leveraged, but they weren’t the past few games. Whether that was due to playcalling, to Nooch not making the plays in front of him, or something else, is up for debate. But if Nooch isn’t going to use his legs when the line breaks down, JMU might as well give CoJo a shot and see if his quicker release will work. Whoever gets the nod, is going to need better line play in front of him. And a running game. And receivers who don’t drop passes. Because this offense, both when it succeeds and when it struggles, is about much more than the QB.<\/p>\n

Moving Forward<\/strong><\/p>\n

We’re scoreboard watching. Yes, it’s hard to believe, but JMU fans now need to keep an eye on the out of town scoreboard to see how other contenders for at large playoff bids do. A few days ago, the Dukes were the #2 overall seed for the playoffs. Now they need to win and maybe even get some help, to get a bid. JMU has a couple of huge games to close the season. Next week the Dukes welcome Rhode Island to Bridgeforth, before going to Towson for the regular season finale. Win both, and the Dukes are probably dancing. Drop one, and they can still get in with some help. Lose both and they’re staying home for the holidays.<\/p>\n

Rhody is much improved, but if JMU can’t beat the Rams at home, they don’t deserve to go the playoffs. Towson has a QB (who may or may not be elite) and an offense that can light up the scoreboard. The Dukes defense will need to come ready to play, or the offense will find itself in a shootout. We always say that we want JMU to play more regular season games that matter. Wish granted. These next two are huge. Right the ship and get some momentum heading into the playoffs, and maybe the Dukes will make some noise. Stumble though, and the season could come to an end far earlier than anyone anticipated a few months ago.<\/p>\n

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