{"id":4193,"date":"2012-08-10T00:45:13","date_gmt":"2012-08-10T04:45:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=4193"},"modified":"2012-08-12T20:46:51","modified_gmt":"2012-08-13T00:46:51","slug":"actual-football-news-22-days-till-kickoff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=4193","title":{"rendered":"Actual Football News! (22 days till kickoff)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Well, we’re happy to report that after the thoroughly underwhelming news that the Great Danes and a school confused for a yogurt-maker are being added to the conference for football only earlier this week, at least we’ve had actual news to follow this week. \u00a0Huge credit to the Daily News Record’s Matthew Stoss this week (@MatthewStoss). \u00a0We’ve given him a rough time since he took over the JMU football beat before last season, but he’s been all over training camp with consistent photos and updates on twitter. \u00a0The very short version of first week highlights:<\/p>\n

Justin Thorpe is the clear QB1. \u00a0Vandy transfer Lafante Thoroughgood is alleged to be a step slow picking things up, but still ahead of the promising freshmen. \u00a0Remember, Jace Edwards is no longer with the team.<\/p>\n

No word from the NCAA yet on a sixth year of eligibility for Thorpe, though the program remains hopeful.<\/p>\n

WR\/QB\/Slash guy Andre Coble has been ruled academically ineligible and will miss the season. \u00a0He will get to redshirt and gain an extra year if he chooses to work on the old matriculation portion of his time in the ‘Burg. \u00a0Although the team will miss his trick-play ability and versatility, the scarier thing here is what to do if JT and Thoroughgood are both injured at some point. \u00a0Would’ve been nice to roll with Coble at QB if it was just for a quarter or a half instead of pulling a redshirt off one of the prize frosh. \u00a0Needless to say, we’ve seen that movie a few times the last couple of seasons. \u00a0Have to hope this is the only major “injury” of camp.<\/p>\n

Lots of running the ball.<\/p>\n

Defense is ahead of the offense.<\/p>\n

GREAT, FANTASTIC, INCREDIBLY GOOD NEWS from on the media front as JMU announced that ALL MadiZone broadcasts (audio and video) will be 100% free of charge for this athletic year. \u00a0I seriously cannot even tell you how much more JMU sports action we’ll be watching and I don’t think we’re alone on this. \u00a0Especially men’s hoops. \u00a0We were always willing to pay for any football we couldn’t get on television, but some of the other pay content was a tougher proposition, particularly on random winter Tuesdays when you really just want to follow along, but not so much that your wife and kids hate you and you can’t act like your also paying attention to them.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Women’s soccer has already played an actual scrimmage, losing 1-0 to VT. \u00a0Seriously getting excited!<\/p>\n

Former Duke CJ Sapong and Sporting Kansas City won the US Open Cup by defeating the Seattle Sounders this week.<\/p>\n

Former Dukes LB Arthur Moats appears to have the inside track on a starting spot for an improving Buffalo Bills defense. \u00a0Would certainly be a great opportunity to play behind someone like Mario Williams.<\/p>\n

And oh yeah, former women’s soccer player Christina “Corky” Julien earned a bronze medal <\/a>as an alternate for the Canadian women’s soccer team. \u00a0That means out of three Dukes athletes in London, they picked up a silver and a bronze. \u00a0We like those odds!<\/p>\n