{"id":3030,"date":"2011-09-29T23:14:50","date_gmt":"2011-09-30T03:14:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=3030"},"modified":"2011-10-05T18:56:03","modified_gmt":"2011-10-05T22:56:03","slug":"dukes-take-on-the-spiders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=3030","title":{"rendered":"The Dukes Take on the Spiders"},"content":{"rendered":"
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JMU's breakout star, Dae'Quan Scott.<\/p><\/div>\n

The JMU Dukes welcome the Richmond Spiders to campus on Saturday. It’s a big weekend in the Burg. Not only is it the first CAA game in the newly expanded Bridgeforth Stadium, but it’s Homecoming and thousands of alums will be back in town for the game. And it also is going to be the first game behind center for JMU’s redshirt freshman QB, Jace Edwards. In any case, the crowd should be good and lubed up by the time the ball is kicked at 3:36 PM.<\/p>\n

The Basics<\/strong><\/p>\n

Match-up: #9 JMU (3-1, 1-0 CAA) vs #10 Richmond (3-1, 01 CAA).<\/p>\n

Television: The Comcast Network (not Comcast SportsNet) and Comcast New England<\/p>\n

Weather: High 49 and slight chance of showers. Football weather.<\/p>\n

How We Got Here<\/strong><\/p>\n

Both JMU and Richmond have got to be pleased with their 3-1 records at this point, but the Dukes already has a leg up on the Spiders in the CAA thanks to the win at William & Mary. JMU started slowly, but is coming off 2 road wins over ranked opponents. The Dukes’ offense made huge strides in those games and appeared to find an identity last Saturday. And then just as QB Justin Thorpe was finally starting to win over the fanbase, he was suspended. As a result Dae’Quan Scott has gone from emerging fan favorite to “the guy” in the span of one week.<\/p>\n

Richmond opened up the season by defeating Duke in Durham, NC. Not only did it give the Spiders a coveted FCS-FBS upset, but it gave their alumni bragging rights in the douchey New Jersey\/Long Island carpet baggers social circle. The Spiders then went through the motions for 2 victories over overmatched teams that taught us nothing. Last weekend they mounted a furious fourth quarter comeback, but still fell short in a 45-43 loss to New Hampshire.<\/p>\n

Spider Football, the Fashion Statement<\/strong><\/p>\n

Richmond football is known for many things. The Spiders play their home games in one of the nicest high school stadiums in the entire West End, have won a National Championship, count Todd McShay and Tim Hightower as former players, and they receive disproportionately high web search traffic due to the existence of a certain Australian Football League team<\/a>. Most of all though Spider football is known for sweater vests. I don’t get it either, but it’s true. Richmond fans love sweater vests. Maybe they were worried that UVA fans had gained an edge in the pretentious gameday attire category. Maybe they just have no fashion sense. In any case, do not be alarmed if you encounter people on Saturday who appear to be dressed more appropriately for a Color Me Badd Fan Club meeting than a football game. They’re just Richmond fans.<\/p>\n

How Richmond Can Win<\/strong><\/p>\n

Throw, throw, throw. Aaron Corp might have had a disappointing career at USC, but so far this season he’s showing that he has quite an arm. In last week’s shootout against UNH, he tossed for more than 350 yards. His favorite target, Tre Gray (seriously, that’s his name), could have a field day if the Dukes’ secondary doesn’t step up. He’s averaging over 100 yards receiving a game. Defensively, it’s no mystery. Richmond is going to key in on stopping Scott and forcing Jace to beat them with his arm.<\/p>\n

How JMU Can Win<\/strong><\/p>\n

Obviously, with Justin Thorpe suspended JMU is going to pound the ball with Scott and Latney. I also expect them to mix in some easy pass plays to build the QB’s confidence. Don’t be surprised to see Brian Barlow’s number called early to do just that. Richmond had two starters on the d-line, Kerry Wynn and Corey Jackson, go down last weekend. Wynn might play, but Jackson is expected to be out. That should help the Dukes’ rushing attack and ease the pressure on the young QB. The real key to the game will be the JMU defense however. They need to get to QB Aaron Corp early and often. The less time he has to throw, the better JMU’s chances will be. Four games down and we have yet to see the JMU D live up to preseason expectations. If they step it up Saturday and the Dukes can establish the ground game, JMU will win.<\/p>\n

Beer of the Week<\/strong><\/p>\n

It’s Homecoming, which means extended tailgating. Todd and I will be dragging a large group of friends back and setting up shop in P Lot (come say hi, we’ll let you know where we are via Facebook and Twitter). It’s a situation that calls for \u00a0a session beer. Therefore we’re going with one of Todd’s personal favorites for the JMUSB BOTW. Full Sail Session Black<\/a>. It’s exactly what is sounds like, a dark roasty beer that won’t crush your palate. It’s also a more manageable 5.4% ABV, which means you’ll make it to the game no problem. Unless you’re a total lush.<\/p>\n

Prediction<\/strong><\/p>\n

I was jumping on the Justin Thorpe bandwagon last Saturday, but I’m not too worried about Jace taking over. The offense depends on the rushing attack, so if the line does it’s job, Scott and Latney can move the chains. The defense is getting Nick Emmons back, which should help tremendously. And as we learned in the season opener, the Bridgeforth crowd can wreak havoc with an offense. This crowd should be bigger and louder. Advantage Dukes. Last year’s clash in Richmond might have been the ugliest football game ever played. This one might not be much prettier, but the Dukes should come out on top. Good guys win 24-14.<\/p>\n