{"id":4475,"date":"2012-10-09T22:23:12","date_gmt":"2012-10-10T02:23:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=4475"},"modified":"2012-10-09T22:23:12","modified_gmt":"2012-10-10T02:23:12","slug":"guest-blogger-away-games-program-evolution-and-playcalling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=4475","title":{"rendered":"Guest Blogger: Away Games, Program Evolution, and Playcalling"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Frequent commenter M@ won last week’s prediction contest and is this week’s guest blogger. Here are his thoughts on fandom, the evolution of the JMU football program, and of course, playcalling. Like we do with every guest blogger, we offered to plug any other blog, twitter account etc. M@ politely declined and instead asked us to put in a plug for Autism Speaks, which happens to be one of favorite charities. If you’re looking for a great charity to support, please check it out and consider making a donation<\/a>. Thanks!<\/em><\/div>\n
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I had a hard time coming up with a subject for this post. \u00a0And since\u00a0indecisiveness\u00a0is a virtue (as far as I’m concerned), I decided to write about everything.<\/div>\n
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Fun at away games<\/strong>: I have been to away games at Duke, UNC (twice), Maryland (twice), Virginia Tech (Three times – including watching Michael Vick flipped end over end…into the endzone), FedEx Field, Liberty (twice), Richmond (too many to count), William and Mary\u00a0(too many to count)\u00a0App State (twice) and ODU. \u00a0I may have gotten some of those counts wrong, but I digress. \u00a0Overall, I have enjoyed every one of those games; win or loss, rain or sun and no matter what the final score was. \u00a0Representing your team in enemy territory is a unique experience. \u00a0I am always respectful of the home team,\u00a0sportsmanship\u00a0counts, but visiting these other venues and seeing the way people tailgate and the general atmosphere is eye-opening. \u00a0And as much as I love to rub it in to Virginia Tech fans, they are among the greatest fans I’ve encountered. \u00a0Even after we won and were exiting the stadium (after the security guard made the band stop playing) we heard nothing but “Good Game” and “Way to Go” from the fans. \u00a0Virginia Tech knows how to put on a football game. \u00a0Lane Stadium is impressive. \u00a0The Pre-Game Tailgating is\u00a0phenomenal\u00a0and the fans are great. \u00a0I will continue to wish them luck and prosperity…as long as it isn’t against JMU.<\/div>\n
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Not so much fun at away games<\/strong>: UNC has been my worst experience. \u00a0Nothing but trash talk and gloating. \u00a0How small-minded and unsportsmanlike do you have to be as a mid-tier FBS team to gloat about beating an FCS team? \u00a0They didn’t do well those years. \u00a0I like to think the football gods smote them for the fans’ bad sportsmanship. \u00a0On the other hand, maybe they just aren’t that good and beating JMU is the highlight of their season.<\/div>\n
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Nice Hat<\/strong>: Yes, I count the number of times people compliment me on my hat. \u00a0Twice at the St Francis, Three times at the Alcorn State game and Twice at Fed-Ex field (including the lady who scanned my ticket). \u00a0But nobody at the Towson game. \u00a0That makes me sad.<\/div>\n
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FBS Prospects<\/strong>: I started coming to JMU games around 2002 (after graduating in ’98 – never missed a home game while I was a student). \u00a0At the time the team was…well, let’s say they weren’t great. \u00a0They generally won home games, but were rarely a real contender. \u00a0The stadium was relatively empty and the atmosphere was relaxed. \u00a0Then 2004 happened. \u00a0Now, don’t get me wrong, I love that my Alma Mater has a football championship. \u00a0But it changed the expectations; mine and everyone else’s. \u00a0Suddenly a 6-5 season wasn’t good enough. \u00a0Anything but a sold-out crowd was\u00a0disappointing and\u00a0suddenly\u00a0everyone was talking about an\u00a0imminent\u00a0jump to the FBS.<\/div>\n
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I was against the prospect at first (and more-so recently). \u00a0I like being a big fish in a small pond. \u00a0“National Champion” or even “Playoff Team” sound better to me than “Invited to the Sponsor-Of-The-Year Bowl”. \u00a0I was also concerned about the cost of the jump. \u00a0Like many JMU grads, I have friends and family that go to games at one of the Virginia State FBS schools that wear Orange down one of the interstates. \u00a0They pay for tickets and they pay for the right to buy tickets. \u00a0I didn’t want that from my beloved JMU. As a result, the new stadium opening introduced a bittersweet conundrum: My team had reached a level of excellence that proved a need for the big stadium; but with it came the same extortion of funds that has turned my season ticket purchase from “me and my kids” to “just me”.<\/div>\n
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I know that if (when?) we make the jump I will cheer for my team and I know when they go to a bowl game I’ll fork out the funds to see them wherever they go and I’ll be happy to do so. \u00a0But the old curmudgeon will remember with longing the good old days at Bridgeforth Stadium, before the field got a name. \u00a0Sitting in section 15 (in front of the Dukettes naturally) enjoying a meaningless game.<\/div>\n
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Advice for Opposing Coaches – Don’t kick the ball to Scotty McGee<\/strong>: If you get the reference you need no explanation. \u00a0If you don’t, none will do, but this video is a good start.<\/a><\/div>\n
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It also happens to be one of my favorite JMU Football memories. \u00a0I was sitting second row from the bottom on the 20 yard line to the right of the camera.<\/div>\n
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Our Band is Better than Yours<\/strong>: I have yelled this cheer at many an away game against FBS opponents during a blowout. \u00a0It always makes me feel better.<\/div>\n
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Playcalling of Mickey Matthews<\/strong>: I figured I should put at least one true football-related statement (as opposed to the program or the experience). \u00a0I am not a pass-first person. \u00a0I like running the ball. \u00a0I don’t mind running the ball from shotgun (though prefer an I-set). \u00a0I try not to complain when Mickey runs that damned veer option on 3rd and 12 deep in his own territory because a punt is likely and so is an interception. \u00a0But can we run something else on 1st down please? \u00a0The defense knows it’s coming. \u00a0The first play from\u00a0scrimmage\u00a0against Towson was a play fake out from the shotgun set and it went for good yardage. \u00a0I don’t remember another pass on first down until the final drive. When the games get tough Mickey tends to fall back on “don’t turn the ball over and let the defense win the games.” \u00a0It worked on Saturday, but it may not work in the playoffs.<\/div>\n
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As I re-read that last paragraph I realized I sound ungrateful to a coach that has brought 100 victories to my Alma Mater. \u00a0I should just chant “In Mickey I trust” and be done with it…nah: throw the ball coach!<\/div>\n
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Final Word<\/strong>: I am excited for this season. \u00a0But I will try to remember the following:\u00a0Football is supposed to be fun. \u00a0I will try to remember those days of relaxing in the stands back in the day (I suddenly feel old) and try not to get too worked up when the refs are incompetent or the coaches aren’t calling the plays I like or the players aren’t executing or the ball just isn’t bouncing our way. \u00a0I will relax and enjoy a game of football being played in front of me. \u00a0I will have fun.<\/div>\n