![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/jmusportsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/rootin-t-shirt.jpg?resize=281%2C300\")
As most close observers of CAA football predicted, JMU was finally challenged by a tough Maine team this weekend. An 18-point win that was not in doubt in the last five minutes is now the kind of ho-hum performance that has fans clutching their pearls. Good problem to have.<\/p>\n
The Good<\/strong><\/p>\n Defense – Four weeks, four times in the good for the D and starting to think we might be able to say this almost every time out this year. This week, the Dukes turned the ball over again, failed to find a rhythm offensively for the entire first half, and of course were missing players to injury and suspension. But led by a big day from Curtis Oliver and the secondary, the Dukes held another opponent to a minuscule output. Opponents this year have scored 14, 10, 14, and 10 points against the Dukes and a bunch of those were scored against the offense or special teams. Bottom line, no opponent is going to beat JMU with only two scores.<\/p>\n Dukes Never Disappoint – This team is starting to get a little of that ’08 feel when we used to say “Dukes never disappoint” even when things go wrong. For those who started watching FCS football just in the last three years, you may not be used to the fact that things go wrong sometimes. In fact, that’s really not that unusual at any level, but things like fumbling inside the opponents five yard line when you have a chance to ice a game do happen. But put simply, JMU is better than most teams and the talent takes over in the end. Yes, this game was frustrating at times in a way we haven’t really seen since at least last year’s Villanova game, but the Dukes pulled away to win by three scores despite an emotional week, a slew of new injuries, and of course the still-suspended crew. So pipe down and root people!<\/p>\n Archie and O’Kelly – Two young freshmen had breakout games this week and they couldn’t have come at a better time. WR Ezrah Archie had 8 grabs for 90 yards and a TD for a somewhat depleted receiver corps and looked even bigger and faster than we thought. He looks poised to be a big playmaker for years to come. And punter Harry O’Kelly had a sneaky-important day flipping the field for the Dukes often when they were struggling to find their footing throughout the first half. He’s been splitting time (competing?) with Jeremiah McBride, but those Aussie-Rules style punts are quickly turning into a weapon – even if it’s one we don’t have to deploy as often as this week.<\/p>\n Lobster!!!!! – No words needed. The prophetic Tim Emry of the Charlotte Dukes has been shaking his fist at clouds and predicting this would happen at a Maine game someday for years. And he was finally proven right! The Lobster finally took the crown in the food race to determine the 4th Quarter special, and yes, incredibly, JMU had $3 lobster rolls in the fourth quarter. Well played Aramark and JMU Promotions (why do I feel like Taylor Dewey was behind this?), well played.<\/p>\n Gabby Weiss and Women’s Golf – Yes, we’re slipping a non-football item into our gamer, but this one just made us happy. Had a chance to meet Gabby and her family when a tourney down here in North Carolina got rained out and I happened to randomly run into a soaking family in all JMU gear at lunch one day a few years back. Great bunch of Dukes from Pinehurst, NC! And this weekend Gabby, now a senior, had a fantastic closing round to lead women’s golf<\/a> to their best scoring round of the year. And wouldn’t you know it, the team plays its next tourney on Gabby’s home turf in two weeks when they get to play at Pinehurst. Go Dukes!<\/p>\n The Bad<\/strong><\/p>\n Injuries – Looking forward to hearing about John Miller and Garren Butler today, but hate seeing more important starters banged up after losing Cardon Johnson last week. The silver lining here is that WR Terrance Alls, LB Brandon Hereford, and the other suspended studs come back this week. How they are worked back into the fold could be a huge factor on the road at Delaware this week for good or bad.<\/p>\n Family Weekend Crowd – Great to see a sellout and some early rootin, especially on a hot day, but as is expected on Family Weekend, the fact the Dukes were battling through their first big test of the season didn’t stop Mom and Dad from packing it in early. When JMU hosts Villanova in three weeks the next time the Dukes are at home, it’s time to start rounding into playoff form people.<\/p>\n The Ugly<\/strong><\/p>\n It’s Blue Chicken week. And as if that bastion of Havre de Grace\/Newark trash wasn’t bad enough already with its ancient, awful Tub and its<\/p>\n Two sides of the enormous, three-sided, world-famous Delaware “Piss Wall.” Seriously, this is the men’s room at The Tub. 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 piss-wall (seriously), but now they’re coached by former Liberty and RU Coach Danny Rocco, who need we remind you once awarded a game ball to Danny Rocco. And now their entire geriatric fanbase thinks because they have a new staff and a bye (as did Maine) to prepare, they’re ready to compete with the Champs.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/jmusportsblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/Piss-Wall.jpg?resize=124%2C166\")