Yes,\u00a0yesterday’s\u00a0game at ODU\u00a0was a terrible, gutwrenching, cringeworthy, and potentially disastrous loss for the Dukes.\u00a0 Even worse, on the offensive line\u00a0JMU lost tackle Josh Wells to a broken leg, right guard Matt Krout to a concussion, and tackle AJ Scott to what Mickey described as “tore up his knee there.”\u00a0 But if you’re looking for a\u00a0gloom and doom or coaching change or sky is falling predictions based solely on yesterday’s game, you’re in the wrong place (and I’m writing instead of Rob).<\/p>\n
Here’s the thing.\u00a0 So far this year it’s taken\u00a0trick play on a two-point conversion in OT from the CAA’s best team (Maine)\u00a0and yesterday’s combination of a completely fluke play on 4th down giving ODU a TD in the first half and a typical CAA phantom horseshit pass interference call late to beat the Dukes.\u00a0 So let’s all just settle down.\u00a0 We’re not quitting on this tough-minded, extremely talented team and you shouldn’t be either!\u00a0 Anyone criticizing “halftime adjustments” or “playcalling” in the second half just wasn’t paying attention.\u00a0 The Dukes lost THREE offensive lineman and the starting tailback (although this is a much less serious injury long-term given the depth at that spot) before the third quarter was over.\u00a0 What the hell is any coach going to be able to call with confidence after that?!\u00a0 In the first half, I’d certainly be inclined to pick the nit of the 3rd and goal wildcat call before the half were it not for the fact the Dukes scored two TD’s and two FG’s on four first half possessions, all on long drives.\u00a0 Tough to argue with that.<\/p>\n
ODU’s freshman QB was great, and I’m guessing he’s never giving back that starting gig to the placeholder-turned-hero-against-weak-competition DeMarco at this point.\u00a0 He made that play on fourth possible and killed the Dukes with his scrambling all day.\u00a0 But for my money, there’s\u00a0 a lot of distance between the Monarchs and Maine.\u00a0 Alright, enough about ODU (at least until\u00a0the Dukes\u00a0get another shot at them).<\/p>\n
The simple fact is this:\u00a0 Everything is still out there for the Dukes and there is a TON of football still to be played.\u00a0 More than a quarter of the season in fact despite that it feels later than that.\u00a0 The Dukes are 5-3, 3-2, and still in decent shape IF, and yes, it’s a\u00a0sizable but not unthinkable\u00a0IF, they can somehow patch the O-Line and find two wins in the last three games.\u00a0 The schedule gives them great opportunities too.\u00a0 Maine is now alone in first and looking good to stay in at least the top two.\u00a0 Towson fell to Delaware yesterday and travels to Maine next week.\u00a0 They could easily join the two loss group with ODU and JMU.\u00a0 ODU now has head-to-head with JMU but let it play out – UR and WM may look easy for ODU, but as we saw yesterday for the Dukes, attrition in this conference is key and those injuries that JMU couldn’t expose in ODU’s secondary may show up a lot larger against Aaron Corp and the Spiders.\u00a0 One thing we never seem to learn is how little we can all predict about the CAA late in the season.<\/p>\n
UNH is the key.\u00a0 If the Dukes can get it back together this week, you’d have to love their chances at home against Rhode Island after that.\u00a0 Noon start.\u00a0 MadiZone or selected viewing parties only I think.\u00a0 So fire up the laptop or come to Bailey’s\/Bandito’s, but don’t transfer all your energy to hoops just yet!<\/p>\n
One last note: JMU men’s soccer is tops in the CAA and has earned the right to host the CAA tourney.\u00a0 It’s going to be at JMU the same weekend the football Dukes are hosting URI for Senior Day.\u00a0 Dukes will play in the semis Friday and potentially the Final on Sunday.\u00a0 Just saying if you so choose, you can really turn this into an epic tailgating weekend in the ‘Burg!<\/p>\n