{"id":2909,"date":"2011-09-04T11:49:58","date_gmt":"2011-09-04T15:49:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=2909"},"modified":"2011-09-04T11:49:58","modified_gmt":"2011-09-04T15:49:58","slug":"thoughts-on-the-jmu-loss-to-unc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=2909","title":{"rendered":"Thoughts on the JMU Loss to UNC"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>JMU opened the 2011 football season with a 42-10 loss to UNC<\/a>. In his first start, QB Bryn Renner, came out of the gates slinging the ball and helped the Tarheels jump out to an early lead they’d never surrender. The Dukes had a chance to pull within 14 points near the end of the half, but Justin Thorpe and Daniel Brown couldn’t connect on a fade route in the endzone and the Dukes had to settle for a missed FG. The truth was that the game was never really close though. It was UNC all the way.<\/p>\n

Surprisingly enough, neither Todd nor I were at all discouraged by the Dukes’ performance. We actually liked some things we saw and are confident JMU can build on this performance. There are also obviously some things that need to be improved upon.<\/p>\n

There Are Different Divisions for a Reason<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is a difference between FCS football and FBS football. The gap is closing and there can always be upsets, but generally speaking BCS teams should easily defeat FCS teams. Those extra scholarships, an extra 10-20 lbs per player on the lines, and tenths of second difference in 40 times all add up to a tremendous advantage. The Dukes win over VA Tech was amazing. It was also an anomaly. This isn’t a knock on any of the Dukes. They are tremendous athletes, but it’s a tall order to ask them to outplay a team like UNC for 60 minutes. UNC’s lines were too big and too strong for the Dukes and that was pretty much it. Not much you can do if you’re getting pushed 4 or 5 feet off the line every single snap.<\/p>\n

Some Positives From Yesterday<\/strong><\/p>\n

Because of those differences mentioned above, it’s sort of foolish in my opinion to focus solely on the final score when analyzing a loss like yesterday’s. The Dukes got beat badly. The outcome was never in doubt. They did some things that should encourage fans about their chances at the FCS level. And the most encouraging thing I saw was the play of Justin Thorpe. Everyone has been worried all offseason about the Dukes’ QB play. Actually, everyone has been worried about it since Rodney Landers graduated. Well, Thorpe threw the ball very well yesterday. He was under relentless pressure all day from a line of NFL prospects, and he still went 11-15 for 1 TD and no picks. And his TD pass to Daniel Brown was the nicest toss I’ve seen from a Dukes’ QB in years. Brown’s play was a positive sign, as was Brian Barlow’s on offense. It’s tough to assess the D, but I think they’ll be fine at the FCS level. And it was nice to see redshirt freshman Dean Marlowe get a pick.<\/p>\n

Take a Deep Breath and Calm Down<\/strong><\/p>\n

An upset would have been great, but as we learned last year it wouldn’t have meant the Dukes were playoff bound. Similarly, yesterday’s loss doesn’t mean the Dukes are done. JMU lost 45-10 to West Virginia in 2004 and went on to win the National Championship. In 2008 JMU lost to Duke 31 -7 and the great Rodney Landers went 4-11 with a pick. That team went on to win the CAA. These games are basically exhibitions. Wins like last year’s over VA Tech will be remembered forever and rightly so, because they just so damn rare. Focus on the positives. Thorpe appears to be a more confident and accurate passer. Barlow and Brown look like legit receiving threats. The Dukes put together a 10 minute drive and moved the ball at times. Those are good things. If something happened, like a much heralded transfer QB going 5-22 for only 35 yards (we’re talking about you W&M), then I might<\/em> be worried. Even then it would be tough to read too much into a single loss. Yesterday’s result doesn’t have me concerned at all though. No injuries and the check cleared. Let’s move along everyone.<\/p>\n