{"id":7361,"date":"2014-11-24T09:23:50","date_gmt":"2014-11-24T14:23:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=7361"},"modified":"2014-11-24T09:23:50","modified_gmt":"2014-11-24T14:23:50","slug":"dukes-are-playoff-bound-host-liberty-saturday-4-p-m","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=7361","title":{"rendered":"Dukes Are Playoff Bound, HOST Liberty Saturday 4 p.m."},"content":{"rendered":"
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A HOME playoff game, Christmas really did come early this year!<\/p><\/div>\n

So what a weekend for JMU Football. The New Era of JMU football that Coach Withers has been preaching \u00a0since he took the job last offseason accomplished the first couple of what we hope our many more goals to come this weekend. First, they destroyed Elon and picked up their ninth regular season win. In any era of JMU football, a nine-win regular season is darn fine one and we’d hope just about all the doubters have been silenced. The Dukes finished a game ahead of our projections and they did it convincingly, turning that bad OT loss to Delaware into motivation and a springboard to become the team we’ve seen the last month or so which appears to be an ice-cold killing machine. They finished third in the CAA – a spot assured of a postseason berth and behind only New Hampshire and Villanova, who had amazing seasons of their own (as expected we might add). And finally, they made it to the playoffs. Well done all around!<\/p>\n

Elon Game<\/strong><\/p>\n

Not much to say here. It was a bright, cool day and the Dukes took care of business in impressive fashion. Elon is bad, but to their credit they played hard and didn’t seem to be just playing out the string of a long year. That said, the Dukes dominated in every phase on their way to a 59-27 rout that was way more impressive than the final score. More good kicking from Maglio and even a punt block from specials. A slew of turnovers, sacks, and big plays from the defense. And finally, an offense that’s looking like something none of us have ever seen from a JMU team – an absolute reaper that seems to gain traction as gains go on and scores with the inevitability of a Swiss timepiece. The offensive line in particular gave Vad Lee all day to survey the field and he consistently chose the downfield option – it was \u00a0a sight to see.<\/p>\n

That’s really all. Elon had no business in CAA Football. Oh yeah, the purple helmet\/black top\/purple pants combo was even better than the purple\/black\/black. And we already know JMU is calling for all of us to Black Out Bridgeforth this weekend so they’ll be back. That’s black out Bridgeforth, not black out at Bridgeforth by the way.<\/p>\n

PLAYFOFFS!<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Dukes found out Sunday that they made the field easily and get this, will HOST Liberty at 4 p.m. this Saturday in Bridgeforth Stadium. Needless to say, when Liberty upset Coastal Carolina to earn the Big South’s automatic bid Saturday, buttholes tightened all over JMU Nation about the possibility the Dukes were now in the unfortunate position to lose another hosting bid given the NCAA’s mandate on regionalism in early round games and Liberty’s ability and propensity to spend money prodigiously. But damned if Jeff Bourne and company didn’t outbid Liberty! Woo hoo! Did not see that coming, but well done, seriously well done. To paraphrase one of the movies’ most underrated father figures, when we’re wrong, we say we’re wrong. Congrats and we are so thankful to our administration for stepping up this time around! New era indeed. And wouldn’t you know it, whenever they unlocked Charlie King from wherever they locked him away during the bidding process, he probably even breathed a sigh of relief that we drew Liberty, a team with a large travelling fanbase that will help make for a great gate on Saturday, probably one that comes close to filling the stadium even with students on break (though there slack-asses should come back for this one!).<\/p>\n

Sure Richmond settled under a lucky star and has an easier path with hosting Morgan St. and then heading for Coastal, but just stop whining about that already. It’s the playoffs, other than Morgan St. and San Diego, every other team is good and no second-round game is easy. You think our guys wouldn’t be fired up for another shot at Villanova?! And no other team in the field would do nearly what Liberty will for the atmosphere at BFS this weekend. On that note, congrats go out to the Flames as well for finally earning their first-ever playoff berth after years of coming up just short.<\/p>\n

We’ll get back to more serious previewing tomorrow and breaking down the bracket (though if you’re as into looking ahead as we are, you’ll note that BFS may not be closed just yet for the season), but we only have two initial thoughts. First, the way JMU has been playing they can beat ANY team in the field. But second, Liberty’s legit and don’t let the weaker Big South fool you. They beat FBS App. St., played another FBS game, and played a tough out of conference game against Indiana St. from the MVFC. They’re tested and ready as well.<\/p>\n

Now go buy those tickets!<\/p>\n

Let’s Go Dukes!<\/p>\n