{"id":6024,"date":"2013-09-29T11:39:56","date_gmt":"2013-09-29T15:39:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=6024"},"modified":"2013-09-30T07:19:03","modified_gmt":"2013-09-30T11:19:03","slug":"dukes-fall-to-delaware-29-22-coaches-error","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=6024","title":{"rendered":"Dukes Fall to Delaware 29-22; Coaches Error"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is the identity of this edition of Dukes football? That’s a question for the coaching staff alone and so far they have failed miserably to come up with an answer. \u00a0That IS on Mickey and no one else when you get down to the heart of it. Everything else is secondary to that question.<\/p>\n

The Piss Wall<\/strong><\/p>\n

Finally made the trip to Delaware for a game and a few quick notes. \u00a0First, one thing stood out to me this morning. Watching in person did not lead me or those I got to watch the game with to nearly so gloomy a conclusion about the rest of this season as it appears to have done for those who watched on television. \u00a0Maybe it’s because in person you notice how physically superior JMU is at\u00a0most<\/em> positions and how the young secondary continues to grow. \u00a0Maybe it’s because you notice that while Birdsong is by far the most capable of must-have tough throws of any QB1 JMU has had since Rascati, you also become painfully aware of the fact he was starting his 8th game as college QB and still encounters serious indecision at times (though more on this later as that is the theme from the top down). \u00a0But in any case, it seems while the second half was just as excruciating in person, I’m not willing to throw in the towel just yet after a road loss to Delaware.<\/p>\n

Second, the trip was great, the weather was perfect and it was great to make some knew friends (BDK, DoubleD) and see some old JMUSB friends (SB). Delaware truly is a fun place to watch a game, but they just don’t take it nearly as seriously as JMU. \u00a0Kids aren’t even in the stadium as hundreds of them play on the still-lit practice fields next door throughout the game. \u00a0Their band is a disjointed mess that doesn’t seem to give two shits about the game itself. They’re split up both in and out of the stadium all game long and even play at the wrong times. \u00a0Really makes you love the MRD’s all that much more for being the best JMU fans! \u00a0And finally, their “student section” is about 300 strong. \u00a0No joke here, that is the joke. \u00a0Seriously, maybe 300 people. I’m through complaining about JMU students leaving early after that limp performance. \u00a0And the fact they pump in artificial crowd noise through the speakers on big plays is a damned disgrace.<\/p>\n

Third, the legend is true. \u00a0We’d heard the rumors that everything negative about Delaware’s aging, piss-poor facilities could be summed up by the mens’ bathroom’s infamous “piss wall.” It’s all true:<\/p>\n

\"Two<\/a>

Two sides of the enormous, three-sided “Piss Wall.” Also, do you know how difficult and uncomfortable it is to try to snap a photo in this situation?! Talk about awkward visiting fan.<\/p><\/div>\n

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

The first quarter. \u00a0Huge defensive play to start. Raced out to a 13-0 lead (more on that later too).<\/p>\n

Robertson and Steele are simply incredible. \u00a0Best players on the field by a wide margin.<\/p>\n

DB’s are getting better. \u00a0UD made a huge play to their stud WR Johnson over Taylor Reynolds early, but he was in position and just got beat by a stud player. \u00a0Then he came back to finish JMU’s biggest play of the game on the interception in the endzone that started a 13 point swing before the half. \u00a0There were still a large handful of big plays given up, but don’t make the mistake of putting this loss on the defense at all. \u00a0The offense and special teams pinned them in bad positions all night.<\/p>\n

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

Specials: What the hell is wrong with the kicking game?! \u00a0Normally this would land in the ugly section but that’s reserved for the coaches and the big picture this week. \u00a0I have no idea what’s going on with Cam Starke this year. \u00a0If he’s not healthy after an injury-plagued offseason, try someone else. If he’s disappointed he’s playing college ball instead of rolling with friends at TomorrowWorld, try someone else. \u00a0But it’s gotta be fixed. \u00a0Second, on the punt team, I’m not as opposed to the rugby style as others, but I still can’t figure out JMU’s thinking in the blocking scheme. \u00a0Not to mention that all the punt protectors are high-numbered linemen\/LB types and it makes me wonder if we’ll ever be capable of any type of fake if it’s needed later on.<\/p>\n

Inability to step on the throat. \u00a0Two FG’s and a missed FG in positions where they could have all been momentum-killing, demoraling TD’s for Delaware. Definitely tied up in the identity question.<\/p>\n

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

In-game coaching adjustments. \u00a0Or should we say, the complete lack thereof. \u00a0Just like Akron, JMU got out to a nice lead, played a decent half, and then looked like they spent the halftime break eating glue. The first quarter was one of the best we’ve seen from JMU in quite a while. \u00a0After Delaware’s coaches presumably adjusted and JMU’s clearly did not, the third quarter was an utter debacle.<\/p>\n

Identity. \u00a0Who’s in charge? \u00a0Mickey or O’Cain? \u00a0Are we a running team or passing team? Are we playing uptempo or just looking to the sidelines because the coaches are arguing over what to call? Has Mickey lost his nerve?<\/p>\n

Early in the game, 4th and 2 deep in Delaware territory. The MM some of us loved at one point, the ole’ riverboat gambler, used to make this a no-brainer. \u00a0Hit someone in the mouth and go for it. \u00a0No doubt about it. \u00a0Now we settle for a chicken-shit FG attempt. \u00a0And he panics on the sidelines and almost bumps an official screaming like a lunatic for a timeout. leaving most of us to wonder if all the personal foul penalties, including many from the unquestioned leader of this team Stephon Robertson aren’t a direct reflection of what they see from their head coach?<\/p>\n

Late in the game. Twice JMU gets the ball with plenty of time and timeouts to tie the game and twice they abandon the run. \u00a0We all know that in years past if the Dukes got the ball down 7 with 6 minutes to play, we’d see run, run, and more run even if it cost us everything. \u00a0But at least the players, the coaches, the fans, and the other team knew they better buckle up because this wasn’t going to be easy. \u00a0Not anymore. \u00a0Now we seem to love to dominate yardage totals with cutesy offense while losing the game.<\/p>\n

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

Vent now if you haven’t already because we’ve got to move on to other things. \u00a0As horrible as the loss was in the present, most of us would be lying if we said preseason that @ UD was one we put for certain in the win column so don’t jump just yet (even if you want to give MM the Lane Kiffin treatment). \u00a0The next three weeks that will make or break the season. \u00a0JMU should be a huge favorite this week against Albany and a decent favorite in three weeks at W&M, but in between the UR trip to the ‘Burg on the 12 will determine everything about this season. \u00a0Win these three, get to 6-2 and give yourself a great shot coming down the stretch. \u00a0Get to the bye with 3 losses and Villanova, @ UNH, and @ Towson on the horizon and you might as well figure out whose going to get the “interim” tag.<\/p>\n

Lastly, it’s also important to move on from this because the Carr Report will be presented to the Board of Visitors this Friday and if nothing else, we should be learning more about what President Alger’s, and JMU’s, plans for the future of JMU Athletics are over the next week or two. \u00a0Note: If you’re one of those saying “we’re not ready for a move up because we lost to Akron and\/or Delaware” – just stop! \u00a0We can only say this so many times, that has NOTHING to do with moving up or not. \u00a0Facilities, infrastructure, finances, and growth potential are the only things that are germane to the issue. \u00a0You think Mickey or Birdsong or Robertson or JB or anyone else is actually going to be around when and if JMU ever establishes a serious foothold on long-term success at the next level? No. \u00a0If anything, Alger and the fans are the only ones who might last that long.<\/em><\/p>\n

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