{"id":5916,"date":"2013-09-15T22:49:38","date_gmt":"2013-09-16T02:49:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=5916"},"modified":"2013-09-16T07:25:52","modified_gmt":"2013-09-16T11:25:52","slug":"st-francis-postgame-debacle-sort-of-avoided","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=5916","title":{"rendered":"St. Francis Postgame (Debacle sort of avoided)"},"content":{"rendered":"

First things first. \u00a0When is a win not a win? \u00a0Never. The Dukes are 2-1 and avoided what would have been easily one of the worst losses in program history. \u00a0The season remains in front of JMU. \u00a0And thankfully we have two position groups that managed to find their way into The Good this week. Beyond that, let’s just say Rob threw up on his laptop watching the game last night and neither one of us is really able to muster our usual “glass if half-full of purple kool aid” outlook. \u00a0Paraphrasing our good friends over at Mister Irrelevant<\/a>, just choosing to even write a postgamer on this one is really the ultimate proof of our love for the Dukes (and\/or our love of self-inflicted torture).<\/p>\n

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

\"Thanks<\/a>

Thanks for saving our asses DQS!<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/strong>Before we get to the laundry list of complaints, it is worth noting the incredible efforts of a very small group of Dukes players who collectively, and mostly alone, helped the Dukes avoid the bottomless pit of humiliation this season could have quickly become had they lost yesterday. \u00a0The entire defensive line, plus RB\/KR’s DaeQuan Scott and Dejor Simmons. \u00a0That’s it, that’s the list. \u00a0The D-Line had easily the best performance by that position group since the annihilation of Aaron Corps and the Richmond Ticks at BFS two years ago. \u00a0Having Tyler Snow back must’ve helped a bit, but the entire group, and Sage Harold and Jordan Staunton in particular, were explosive and dominant all night. \u00a0After the slow start from that group in the opener, this is two weeks of steady improvement. \u00a0If the defensive backfield can stop having epic brain farts (and that’s \u00a0a big if given what we’ve seen), this defense could still be really special. \u00a0On the other side of the ball, the two running backs and kick returners, DaeQuan Scott and Dejor Simmons, did everything they could to take the inept passing attack out of the equation and rescue the Dukes in the second half. \u00a0Before what turned out to be the game-winning drive, Rob texted me: “Bad, bad game. \u00a0Starting to think JMU could really blow it.” I responded: “Nope, MM taking over playcalling here. \u00a0Will take a while, but DQS will ice it.” \u00a0Thankfully that’s exactly what happened as DQS rumbled nearly the entire drive, though I’m not convinced that’s a good thing at all for JMU’s long-term offensive development. \u00a0Anyhow, thanks DQS, Dejor, and the DLine!<\/p>\n

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

Madizone. Look, we’re very thankful it exists. \u00a0We’re even more thankful the JMU Alumni Association is sponsoring it so that it’s free for everyone. \u00a0And we’re thankful it’s come a long way in the last few years. \u00a0But for as great as it was last year, it’s struggling a tad this year and froze on many users during the second half yesterday. \u00a0Any other week this would fall in The Ugly, but really maybe it was a good thing some people were saved from having to watch that. Yes, we all should’ve been at BFS, but hopefully they keep improving this invaluable product.<\/p>\n

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

Everything else.<\/p>\n

– The utter unpreparedness of the team falls squarely onto a coaching staff that seems to have dwelled on the ending to the Akron game like a bunch of lunatic fans and allowed their players to do the same. \u00a0Sure looked like the team’s brain was still in Ohio and that’s on the staff.<\/p>\n

– We try not to crush individual players, but let’s hope this was a real learning experience for the Ginga Ninja; no need to attempt hero plays against a lesser opponent, just play smart.<\/p>\n

– The OLine’s penalty problem. Look, these guys may be a strength of the team when they get it together, but they’re spending entirely too much time complaining to the refs instead of NOT COMMITTING PENALTIES.<\/p>\n

– And finally, the DB’s. \u00a0Seriously, this defense has the bones of something great, but for the second week in a row, they gave up random HUGE plays that appear to have been entirely mental. \u00a0First play of the game, overamped and overcommited and you get beat over the top and then later you give up on a play because you assume someone else has already made the tackle. \u00a0Those are STFU’s two TD’s on a night the D looked dominant most of the rest of the way. \u00a0But just like Akron, that’s enough to lose.<\/p>\n

– WR’s get a pass this week due to massive injuries. Depth was a strength with this group, but it will be tested now.<\/p>\n

Moving Forward<\/strong><\/p>\n

Let’s hope the team can move past this one faster than they did last week and get ready for (hopefully future conference-mate) Charlotte. \u00a0As Rob said last night to the pitchfork-in-hand mob gathering outside the Plecker, a quick reminder that it’s week 3. \u00a0We get as emotional as anyone during the games, but there’s a LOT of football left. \u00a0Other than Towson, the rest of the CAA also appears to be working the kinks out (UR lost to something called Gardner-Webb, just sayin’). \u00a0Keep the faith. \u00a0Go Dukes!<\/p>\n

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