The Barber's Cut: 2011

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Upon Further Review: A look back at the JMU-Rhode Island game

(Editor's note: The Daily News-Record is entering into a partnership with Yahoo and Rivals.com to bring you even more in-depth coverage of JMU athletics. That means much of the content you used to read here will be moving to the new JMU Rivals site when it is launched this weekend. I'll still be using this space to share my thoughts and musings on the world of sports, JMU, CAA and beyond. I hope you find time to read and enjoy both sites, follow me on twitter @mikeabarber and, as always, read the Daily News-Record. Thanks!)

HARRISONBURG – James Madison – behind a familiar formula of rushing the ball and playing stout defense – came up with a 31-13 victory over Rhode Island in a must-win situation Saturday on senior day at Bridgeforth Stadium.

The Dukes got a lift from the return of quarterback Justin Thorpe and the play of running back Dae’Quan Scott and its defense. But JMU still has a lingering issue with its kickoff coverage.

JMU plays at Massachusetts on Saturday. A win puts the Dukes (6-4) in the thick of the discussion for an at-large bid to the Division I-AA playoffs. Madison hasn’t made the postseason since 2008.

First down: Getting Justin Thorpe back brought the Dukes back to an option-based offense. And that worked.

Thorpe might have been a little rusty throwing the football, but JMU’s option attack picked up right where it left off before his suspension. The opening drive was as dominant a performance as the Dukes’ have had since Rodney Landers ran the team.

JMU churned out 64 yards on five plays. Thorpe ran for 44 of those on just three carries. He picked up 17 yards to the right, 17 to the left, and capped it with a 10-yard touchdown.

“I skipped a couple beats, but I’ll get back into the groove of things,” Thorpe said.

His presence also helped Dae’Quan Scott post huge numbers. Scott rushed for 127 yards and two touchdowns, including a back-breaking 66-yard burst of speed in the third quarter.

“The defense had to respect Justin’s run game,” Scott said. “That helped a lot. And with him carrying out his fakes, that helped a lot too.”

With another week of work together, the rebuilt offensive line improved. It should improve more next week, as it readjusts to blocking the option.

Second down: The defense created four turnovers. It had only 11 in the previous nine games.

JMU hasn’t been great at generating takeaways the past three seasons. But Saturday, Dean Marlowe, Stephon Robertson and Pat Williams all had interceptions and Robertson added a fumble recovery.

Two of the turnovers occurred in JMU territory. The Dukes converted two of the turnovers into 10 points, a touchdown and a field goal.

Third down: Did the kick coverage really improve this week?

JMU coach Mickey Matthews took over coaching the kickoff team this week, but the Dukes still struggled. Rhode Island averaged 25.6 yards per return, not nearly as bad as the 33.7 New Hampshire averaged a week earlier, prompting the change.

For the year, JMU’s average allowed kickoff return is 20.5. Rhode Island’s Brandon Johnson-Farrell took the opening kickoff back 27 yards. The Rams’ average would have been higher, but Johnson-Farrell fumbled his second attempt and the Dukes recovered a surprise onsides kick on the third kickoff of the game.

Johnson-Farrell also broke off a 45-yard runback in the third quarter.

“We’ve had pretty good success with our return game,” URI coach Joe Trainer said. “It’s not as if we saw something we were looking to expose.”

Extra points: Dae’Quan Scott is 85 yards away from hitting 1,000 rushing yards on the season. … Leading receiver Brian Barlow did not have a catch in Saturday’s game. … This week’s opponent, Massachusetts, lost 32-21 at Maine.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Game day blog: Three keys for the JMU-Rhode Island game

HARRISONBURG – James Madison finds itself needing two wins in its final two games to have a shot at the Division I-AA playoffs. That starts today against Rhode Island.

The Rams are resurgent, having won two of their last three games. But Rhody has yet to win on the road. It’s senior day at JMU and the Dukes’ 10 seniors sure don’t want that to change.

Here are three keys to today’s game…

1) How ready is Justin Thorpe to return to the starting quarterback job?

Thorpe, a junior, was the Dukes’ starting quarterback for the first four games, leading them to a 3-1 mark. Then, he was suspended for five games failing a drug test for the second time in his college career, sources said.

For the past six weeks (JMU had a bye week during his suspension), Thorpe has been quarterbacking the scout team, working against JMU’s first-team defense. That kept him in physical shape.

When asked about how mentally ready Thorpe will be to lead JMU today, coach Mickey Matthews said, “Justin knows the offense.” True, it’s not like he has to learn a new system. But Thorpe was never a master orchestrator of a deep playbook, so the time off could hurt him.

The bottom line is, Thorpe is a dynamic athlete who can make game-changing plays by stretching the defense with his legs. And, with backup Jace Edwards (ankle, shoulder) out for this game, he’s JMU’s only hope.

2) Will Mickey Matthews be able to fix a kick coverage unit that played a huge role in JMU losing last week’s game?

Three long kick returns in the first half against New Hampshire left JMU playing catch up last weekend. The Dukes never caught up, losing 28-10 to leave themselves on the brink of being eliminated from playoff contention.

During the week, Matthews took over coaching the kick coverage unit – dubbed the Rod team at JMU – to try to avoid a similar problem the last two weeks. Rhode Island and UMass are both solid return teams.

Rhode Island’s Brandon Johnson-Farrell should test the Dukes’ coverage, though the Rams were hurt by the suspension of Travis Hurd, another talented returner.

3) Can Rhode Island sophomore quarterback Bob Bentsen exploit a sometimes-suspect JMU secondary?

Bentsen replaced senior starter Steve Probst after Probst suffered a concussion a few weeks ago. Rhode Island has stuck with Bentsen since Probst’s return. Though shorter than Probst, Bentsen is more of a pocket passer, who likes to challenge defense’s vertically.

JMU’s secondary hasn’t lived up to expectations this year, giving up plenty of yards underneath, struggling with tackling and getting hit for the occasional big play as well.

The key for the Dukes will be how much of a pass rush they can generate with their four down defensive linemen. If D.J. Bryant, Aaron Harper, Lamar Middleton and Tyler Snow have big games, JMU can drop seven players into pass coverage and should be able to contain Bentsen.

Friday, November 11, 2011

A Look At The I-AA Playoff Picture

(Editor's note: The Daily News-Record is entering into a partnership with Yahoo and Rivals.com to bring you even more in-depth coverage of JMU athletics. That means much of the content you used to read here will be moving to the new JMU Rivals site when it is launched this weekend. I'll still be using this space to share my thoughts and musings on the world of sports, JMU, CAA and beyond. I hope you find time to read and enjoy both sites, follow me on twitter @mikeabarber and, as always, read the Daily News-Record. Thanks!)

HARRISONBURG – A lot will have to go right for James Madison to return to the Division I-AA playoffs this year, snapping a two-year absence.

The biggest is that the Dukes, losers of three of their last four games, will have to beat Rhode Island and Massachusetts to get to 7-4.

Still, JMU may need some help even if it does that. The I-AA tournament takes 20 teams, with 10 being automatic qualifiers by winning their conferences. There are some obvious choices for at larges and then it gets interesting.

Some things that might help the Dukes?

Wins by Northern Iowa over Southern Utah and Illinois State would knock both those teams off the bubble and put Northern Iowa in.

A Lehigh win over Georgetown today would give it the Patriot League title and keep it from grabbing an at-large.

If Elon could upset Furman or Texas State beat Central Arkansas, that would also improve the Dukes chances of making the field.

JMU would have to be the fifth Colonial Athletic Association team into the field. The NCAA has taken that many teams before. Those close to the CAA regard this as a down year for the league, in part, because traditional powers Richmond, Villanova and William & Mary have been lousy.

But nationally, the CAA’s resume still stacks up as the best. It has six teams in the current Top 25. During the year, 10 of its 11 members were in the Top 25 at one point. The league’s teams are 19-2 against other I-AA conferences this season.

And its last place team, Richmond, has a win over I-A Duke.

At 7-4, JMU would put itself in the thick of the conversation. Here’s a look at the current playoff picture.

Who’s in?: First, 10 league champions get automatic bids. That puts the CAA champion into the 20-team field along with (and some of these are projected winners):

Big Sky: Montana State

Big South: Liberty

MEAC: Norfolk State

MVC: North Dakota State

NEC: Albany

OVC: Eastern Kentucky

Patriot: Lehigh

Southern: Georgia Southern

Southland: Sam Houston State

The CAA’s next best three teams are all locks for at-larges, meaning Maine, New Hampshire, Old Dominion and Towson are all in. (13 bids gone, if you’re scoring at home.)

From the Southern, Wofford (14) is in with a win in either of its next two – vs. Georgia Southern and Chattanooga. In the unlikely event it loses both (not impossible), it’s eliminated at 7-4 because of a win over NAIA Virginia Wise.

Appalachian State (15) – with games against weak Elon and Western Carolina teams – figures to be in.

Northern Iowa (16), if it can take care of business against Southern Utah and Illinois State, not only gets in, but also knocks those two teams out.

Montana (17) is in.

Who’s on the bubble?: My math leaves three spots for the following seven teams – Central Arkansas, Furman, Illinois State, Indiana State, James Madison, Southern Utah and Stony Brook.

Here they are broken down.

JMU needs wins in its final two games to get to 7-4. It’s losses would be to three playoff teams (Maine, New Hampshire and Old Dominion) and I-A North Carolina. It’s best win, however, would be at Liberty.

Furman, which ends the year at Florida, needs a win over Elon on Saturday to get in. And even then, it’ll be a bubble team.

Illinois State would put itself likely in the field and push Northern Iowa to the bubble with a win over the Panthers on Saturday.

Central Arkansas, with a win over Texas State, would move to 8-3, though it would have just seven D-I wins. A loss eliminates it.

Southern Utah, from the non-auto bid Great West, would likely put itself in the field with a win over Northern Iowa and then one over Northern Arizona. An upset of Northern Iowa coupled with an earlier win over I-A UNLV, would make Southern Utah’s case fairly strong, even at 7-4.

Stony Brook, with a win over Liberty next Saturday it would win the Big South title and push Liberty to the bubble. With a win over Gardner Webb this weekend and a loss to Liberty, Stony Brook would be on the outside looking in.

Indiana State needs wins over the two bottom teams in the MVC – Missouri State and Southern Illinois – to keep itself in the discussion.

CAA Picks: Week 11

HARRISONBURG -- It's crunch time in the Colonial Athletic Association as three teams - Maine, New Hampshire and Towson - are tied for first. Old Dominion will join those three in the Division I-AA playoffs. Only JMU is left still vying for an at-large bid.

Delaware (5-4) - with its D-II win over West Chester - can't get to seven D-I wins. UMass (5-4) is not eligible for the postseason as it prepares to move to I-A next year.

But teams like UMass, Rhode Island and William & Mary do have the chain to be spoilers.

I went 2-3 last week, going out like a lamb. My overall record on the year fell to 45-22. But there's still time to roar. Just like JMU, I'm in need of two strong showings to end the regular season.

Richmond at Delaware: The Blue Hens haven't been putting much pressure on opposing quarterbacks this year, ranking last in the league in sacks. But Delaware is still stout against the pass, dropping extra bodies into coverage and allowing the fewest passing touchdowns (8) in the CAA.

Delaware tailback Andrew Pierce should feast on Richmond's unimpressive defense. UR interim coach Wayne Lineburg, who started 3-0 with an upset over Duke, has not yet won a CAA game, making it unlikely he'll get the permanent gig.

PICK: Delaware 27, Richmond 13

Old Dominion at William & Mary: Will the Monarchs' run defense be able to slow down the CAA's leading rusher, Jonathan Grimes? ODU did a good job against other top backs, including Delaware's Andrew Pierce and UMass' Jonathan Hernandez.

A year ago, these two teams met in a non-conference game that was as testy and choppy as any league game has ever been.

PICK: Old Dominion 20, William & Mary 17

Massachusetts at Maine: These two are statistically similar. Both are coming off home losses. A year ago, UMass took out Maine despite a big game from Pushaun Brown. That win came thanks in large part to Black Bear turnovers. But UM and quarterback Warren Smith have been much better with ball security this year.

Brown is hurting and may not be full speed. UMass running back Jonathan Hernandez is having - as expected - a big year. Maine's run defense has been suspect.

Maine needs this game more, since UMass isn't eligible for a CAA title or playoff bid this year (It's transitioning to Division I-A). But the Minutemen were embarrassed last week giving Villanova its first league win.

UMass is playing for pride the next two weeks, but with a roster full of seniors, that should be enough to make them dangerous.

PICK: UMass 24, Maine 21

New Hampshire at Towson: Two of the top offenses go head-to-head in a game that could go a long way to determining the CAA champion. Both squad are 5-1 and tied with Maine atop the league standings.

A year ago, UNH blew Towson out in the final game of the regular season. But that was a very different Tigers team. This version, led by quarterback Grant Enders and running back Terrance West, who has scored an eye-popping 21 rushing touchdowns, by far the most in the league.

The Wildcats have struggled in run defense this year, but have been winning close games to stay near the top of the conference.

PICK: Towson 24, New Hampshire 21

Rhode Island at James Madison: The Dukes, desperately needing wins in its final two games to have a shot at the Division I-AA playoffs, get junior quarterback Justin Thorpe back from a five-game suspension.

Thorpe will start against Rhode Island, in part, because his replacement, Jace Edwards, has ankle and shoulder injuries. When Thorpe was suspended, the Dukes had a ton of momentum, winning three straight including back-to-back road wins at teams that were ranked at the time.

JMU will need Thorpe - who has been practicing by running the scout team offense - to pick up where he left off.

And the Dukes will need to contain Rhode Island's kick returner and quarterbacks Bob Bentsen and Steve Propst. Bentsen could test JMU's suspect pass defense.

The Rams have won two of their last three games but don't have a road victory yet this season.

PICK: James Madison 27, Rhode Island 17

Thursday, November 10, 2011

My 2 Cents, Free As Always: Notes On A College Football Scandal

HARRISONBURG, Va. – From the Miracle On Ice, to Munich, to Magic Johnson retiring due to HIV, to Mike Tyson biting off a piece of Evander Holyfield’s ear, to Dale Earnhardt dying in a crash at Dayton, to malice at the Place, time has proven anything can happen in the world of sports.

Still, I never thought I’d read the headline, “Joe Paterno Fired.”

Those words hit televisions, websites and newspapers everywhere Wednesday. They shot through cyberspace on Facebook, twitter and message boards.

Joe Paterno, 84 years old and for more than half of those years a symbol of what college athletics were supposed to be all about, was fired over the phone Wednesday in the aftermath of accusations that his former defensive coordinator had sexually assaulted an untold number of young boys, with some incidents allegedly occurring on campus.

At my alma mater, Rutgers, Paterno’s Penn State program was a combination blue print on how to do things the right way and a gold standard of what RU hoped to become.

Penn State was a state school that had pursued and achieved big-time success in college football without selling its soul, sacrificing its academics or corrupting its primary mission.

In my four years at Rutgers, the school never had to deal with anything on the scale of this PSU mess. In my nine years covering James Madison, that school hasn’t faced anything like this. But then again, who has?

Still, I can’t imagine any institution – university, business or government – bungling the handling of a scandal as badly as Penn State has.

Legendary football coach Joe Paterno, the university said, was fired because it was in the best interests of the university to fire him. Not because he failed to report alleged sexual abuse going on right under his nose, even after it was brought to his attention.

He was let go because that would make things easier for the people at PSU.

Penn State stumbled onto the right decision – Joe had to go – but not for the right reason.

Detractors of Paterno – the winningest coach in major college football and an icon in American sports – will accuse him of turning a blind eye to the alleged, disgusting accusations to preserve his legacy and keep his reputation squeaky clean. His supporters will argue he did everything he was legally required to do by reporting the information to his boss.

As usual, the truth falls somewhere in between.

I read this once about corporations in America, but I think it aptly applies here. Almost anyone can run a big-time business on a good day. What CEOs are paid ridiculous, astronomical salaries for is to navigate through the rare but possible really, really bad days.

Penn State and Paterno had mostly good, sometimes great days, during the coach’s 46 years there.

But when Penn State needed Paterno most, it wasn’t the day it clinched the 1982 national title or the day it won his second championship following the 1986 season.

It didn’t come en route to any of three Big Ten titles or 37 bowl appearances.

When Penn State needed Paterno most, it was the day a graduate assistant came into his office and – if nothing else – brought to the coach’s attention that something inappropriate had happened.

And on that day, Joe Paterno failed in his role as PSU’s coach.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Remembering JMU Cheerleader Nick Keatts

HARRISONBURG – More than wins or touchdowns or 3-pointers, James Madison senior cheerleader Nick Keatts loved being a part of the pageantry and the show that is college athletics.

“He wanted to make all the fans in the stands excited about what was going on,” JMU cheerleading coach Kelly Moore told me Sunday. “He wanted everyone to enjoy JMU athletics as much as he did.”

I got to know Keatts as a James Madison fan, as the guy inside that puffy Duke Dog outfit, as a cheerleader, even as a part-time sports writer.

Saturday night, when I landed at Dulles Airport, I got the news that the 23-year-old Keatts had been found dead in his apartment that morning by a teammate who had come to check on him because Keatts had missed school and cheer practice Friday with a stomach bug.

“That’s a devastating thing,” said JMU football coach Mickey Matthews, who said Keatts was a close friend to a number of the football players. “It’s much more important than any football game will ever be.”

I had the drive back to Harrisonburg to think about the tragic event and what the JMU community had lost – one of the most passionate fans I’ve encountered in my nine years around the Dukes. During the team’s memorable march to the 2008 Division I-AA semifinals, Keatts came to games dressed – and face-painted – like the Joker from Batman comics and movies.

He was one of the most energetic and enthusiastic supporters for a basketball program whose Electric Zoo days have long ago browned out.

Moore said to me this weekend, “if you take a step back and look, he really is the face of JMU cheerleading.”

And that face was always smiling.

On the sideline at Madison football games, Keatts had a smile for every scoreboard occurrence.

When the Dukes were winning, he flashed a wide, beaming toothy grin that screamed, “Look at us. Look what we’re doing. How great is this?”

When JMU was losing, Keatts was still smiling, offering a wry, almost bashful grin that seemed to say, “What is going on around here? Do you believe this?”

And when the Dukes were locked in a tight battle, the kind of close contest that is supposed to unnerve fans, Keatts turned edge-of-your-seat, white-knuckle time to another chance to flash his pearly whites.

It was for those moments that Keatts saved his biggest smile, one that seemed to excitedly cry out, “What’s going to happen next?”

That’s because, more than the winning, Keatts loved being a part of the world of JMU athletics, the community that was thousands of people wearing the same color and doing the same thing – enjoying a sporting event.

If you’re a JMU fan and you knew Keatts, or even if you didn’t, when you’re sitting in the stands during a football or basketball game and, whether the Dukes are winning or losing or the game’s tied, take a moment to think about how much Nick Keatts would’ve enjoyed being there.

And smile.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Analysis: JMU Lacks Clutch Players

DURHAM, N.H. – In 2008, as James Madison’s football team pulled off miracle finish after miracle finish, coach Mickey Matthews repeatedly said that the Dukes recruited their luck by attracting dynamic players like quarterback Rodney Landers and explosive return man Scotty McGee.

Apparently, there hasn’t been much of that luck in JMU’s recent classes. It’s lost nine games the past three seasons by seven points or less. It missed the Division I-AA playoffs the last two years and could be on its way to making it three in a row after Saturday’s 28-10 loss at New Hampshire.

“We’re just going to continue doing what we’ve been doing since we were little boys, and that’s play football,” senior defensive end D.J. Bryant said. “Let’s not think about the pressure. Let’s not think about the playoffs. Let’s just think about playing one game at a time.”

The truth is, this year’s Dukes don’t have a McGee, who sparked a dramatic comeback against Appalachian State by taking the opening kickoff of the second half back for a score and later beat Richmond with a game-winning punt return in 2008.

They don’t have a Landers, whose long scoring run after McGee’s touchdown turned momentum in the App State game that year, and whose Hail Mary touchdown pass to Bosco Williams gave the Dukes a stunning road win at Villanova.

No, this year it’s the opposing teams that seem to have recruited all the luck.

Maine got a thrilling 25-24 overtime when at JMU when its backup quarterback flipped into the end zone on a gutsy two-point conversion.

Old Dominion won a 23-20 thriller thanks in part to a long fourth down prayer-of-a-touchdown-pass by its freshman quarterback.

And Saturday, New Hampshire jumped out to a big lead thanks to two long kickoff returns in the first quarter (both aided by JMU penalties) that gave the Wildcats firm control on their way to a 28-10 win.

“Those were huge plays,” JMU coach Mickey Matthews said. “You can add 100 yards to their offense because of those two runs. Those were utterly ridiculous.”

JMU? It made more mistakes than big plays, committing eight penalties for 73 yards and scoring one touchdown on four trips into the redzone.

It’s biggest offensive play of the game – a 17-yard touchdown pass from Jace Edwards to Brian Barlow that would have cut UNH’s lead to 25-17 in the third quarter -- was called back for a holding flag on left tackle Matt Cunningham.

“It was divine intervention,” said Matthews, whose team has suffered nine of its 14 losses the last three years by one touchdown or less. “It’s the third straight week New Hampshire has had an opponent with touchdowns called back.”

If the Wildcats appear to have been rolling in a patch of four-leave clovers or been sprinkled with fairy dust, the Dukes look decidedly snake bit. A rash of injuries have left them depleted on the offensive and defensive lines and their starting quarterback was suspended the past five games.

And, more than all that, they’re not making the big plays that win tight games.

Maybe the best example came on JMU’s failed fourth-and-1 try in the fourth quarter.

On third-and-14 at the UNH 15-yard line, the Wildcats lined up offsides. The Dukes ran the play and completed a 13-yard pass to Barlow.

Matthews declined the penalty, opting for a fourth-and-1 inside of the two instead of a third-and-9 at the 10, an understandable decision given the Dukes’ prowess for rushing the ball.

And not out of character. Matthews has always had a somewhat unnerving confidence in his team’s ability to get that one yard.

In 2008, JMU was 23-for-31, converting fourth downs at a mind-blowing 74-percent rate, including a big fourth-quarter one in the comeback win over Appalachian State.

In the national championship season of 2004, the Dukes were 15-for-25 (60 percent) on fourth down, and converted one in each of its four playoff games.

But Saturday, on fourth-and-1 at the 2, JMU handed the ball to banged up running back Dae’Quan Scott, who went nowhere.

And now, it looks like that’s where the Dukes may be headed.

UNH Beats JMU, 28-10

DURHAM, N.H. – For the second straight week, a slow start by the defense and even slower finish by the offense left James Madison trekking home with a loss.

The Dukes fell behind 25-10 early in the second quarter and were shutout again in the second half as New Hampshire moved into a three-way tie for first place in the Colonial Athletic Association with a 28-10 win in front of 4,466 fans at Cowell Stadium on Saturday on an unseasonably warm November day in New England.

And now Madison is on the brink of missing the playoffs for the third straight year.

“We just got stopped,” said JMU coach Mickey Matthews, whose team has managed just three second-half points in its three CAA losses.

No. 9 New Hampshire (7-2 overall, 5-1 in the Colonial Athletic Association) got two big kick returns and scored on its first four possessions to win its third straight.

The No. 13 Dukes (5-4, 3-3) killed themselves with eight penalties for 73 yards, including a critical holding call on left tackle Matt Cunningham – playing for the injured A.J. Scott – that erased a 17-yard touchdown pass from redshirt freshman Jace Edwards to junior tight end Brian Barlow in the third quarter.

“I don’t know if we would’ve beat them if we had that touchdown, but we sure would have made it interesting,” JMU coach Mickey Matthews said.

Neither team scored a touchdown in the second half as what looked to be a shootout in the first quarter turned into a snooze-fest. UNH added only a late field goal.

JMU got 111 rushing yards from Dae’Quan Scott, playing after dislocating his left shoulder for the second time in last Saturday’s loss to Old Dominion.

The Dukes’ defense sacked New Hampshire quarterback Kevin Decker five times and held the CAA’s top passer to just 186 yards and a touchdown and picked him off in the second half.

“We knew what they were defensively,” UNH coach Sean McDonnell said. “They’ve got guys who can really run to the football. Their front four are good and their two linebackers are unbelievable.”

But New Hampshire’s defense, statistically one of the weakest in the league this year, turned in a huge second half against the beat-up JMU offense. The Dukes were playing without both its starting tackles, and quarterback Jace Edwards – who also dislocated his shoulder earlier this year – rolled his ankle in the first quarter.

Edwards finished 18-for-31 for 159 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He was sacked five times. It was the touchdown pass he threw to Barlow that didn’t count that may have been the biggest play of the day.

“I didn’t even see the flag until after the touchdown,” Edwards said. “That’s a tough one. I definitely thought we were about to get back in the game right there.”

For UNH, running back Dontra Peters rushed for 87 yards and two touchdowns.

The Wildcats got off to a great start Saturday thanks to shoddy kick coverage by the Dukes.

R.J. Harris returned the game’s opening kickoff 23 yards and UNH got an additional 15 tacked on thanks to a facemask call on JMU’s Jakarie Jackson. That gave the Wildcats the ball near midfield.

Five plays and 51 yards later, Peters rushed in from three yards out with the day’s first score. New Hampshire added a two-point conversion to go up 8-0 just 1:36 into the game.

UNH’s next scoring drive was even shorter. It started at JMU’s 25-yard line – after a 55-yard return by Harris and an offsides penalty on the kickoff. New Hampshire’s Mike MacArthur hit a 36-yard field goal to put UNH up 11-3 with 7:38 left in the first quarter.

“We were in tough positions with the field position,” senior defensive end D.J. Bryant said. “They have a great quarterback, a great offense. We just can’t give them 35 yards to score a touchdown.”

JMU got itself back into things with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Edwards to Barlow, making it 11-10 UNH with 3:39 left in the opening period.

But as fast as JMU scored, the Wildcats answered. Decker hit Sean Cullen for a 19-yard touchdown to go up 18-10 with 54 seconds left in the first.

In the second quarter, Peters scored his second touchdown of the game on a 9-yard run to make it 25-10.

The defense seemed to settle in after that and JMU went to the half down 25-10. In the second half, the Dukes defense turned dominant. New Hampshire managed just 94 yards of offense after the break.

“They brought some different blitzes,” Decker said. “They changed from a four-down to a three-down front. When they got confidence you could tell they’re a real good defense. We were fortunate to get up on them in the first half because they were playing very, very hard in the second half.”

But New Hampshire’s defense was equally effective, and JMU’s offense equally inept.

A week after managing just 77 yards and no points in the second half against ODU, the Dukes totaled 136 yards and no points after the break Saturday.

“I think they got a little embarrassed and a little bit ticked off and then played,” McDonnell said of his defensive players. “As the game grew, I think their confidence grew.”

While UNH will battle the final two weeks with Maine and Towson for a CAA title, the Dukes must beat Rhode Island and Massachusetts just to become playoff eligible.

And there’s no guarantee that at seven wins JMU would receive an at-large bid to the tournament, despite playing in the always-tough CAA.

“The committee always says Division [I-A] losses do not count against you,” said Matthews, whose team opened the year with a 42-10 loss at North Carolina. “So I think if we win the next two we’ll be in. We’re certainly not a shoe in.”

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Upon Further Review: Looking Back At The JMU-UNH Game

DURHAM, N.H. – Saturday’s loss to New Hampshire may have cost JMU a playoff bid. Even with a pair of wins down the stretch, the Dukes would almost certainly be the fifth Athletic Association team in line for the postseason.

Of the final three games, New Hampshire was the best team left on JMU’s schedule, and subsequently, the Dukes best chance to notch a quality victory to impress the selection committee. Wins over UMass and Rhode Island in the next two weeks may not be enough.

A dreadful first quarter and even harder-to-watch offense doomed the Dukes Saturday.

First down: What is wrong with JMU’s kickoff coverage?

The Dukes’ defense never really had a chance Saturday after JMU gave up big kick returns to UNH in the first quarter. The Wildcats’ Dontra Peters came in third in the CAA in kick return average and JMU wisely kicked away from him. Not that it helped.

R.J. Harris had two returns for 78 yards, including a 55-yarder. Niko Steriti took his only kickoff back 23 yards. All three returns led to scores as UNH put up points on its first four possessions.

The Dukes added to their shoddy kick coverage by committing penalties on two of UNH’s big returns.

Special teams used to be a strength of JMU, but that hasn’t been the case this season. JMU may have to put more starters on special teams to avoid giving up big returns the next two weeks.

There is no excuse for being consistently lousy on kick coverage and, now that the problem is front and center, no excuse for not fixing it quickly.

Second down: How much did injuries hamper the Dukes’ offense?

Before suffering a rash of injuries on the offensive line in the first half against Old Dominion, James Madison led the CAA in rushing offense. The Dukes were getting about 230 yards per game at that point.

But in the last two games, they’ve managed just 239 rushing yards total.

With season-ending injuries to tackles A.J. Scott (knee) and Josh Wells (foot), JMU moved right guard Matt Krout to right tackle, where he played last season. Redshirt freshman Matt Williams moved into Krout’s right guard spot and redshirt freshman Matt Cunningham left tackle.

“I think they did a good job for the most part,” quarterback Jace Edwards said. “We’ve got some young guys up there that stepped up and filled roles.”

Said Matthews: “I think they played OK. It’s hard to evaluate. This is the first time they ever played. I’ll have to watch the tape.”

Running back Dae’Quan Scott dislocated his left shoulder for a second time in the ODU loss and Saturday, but played and rushed for 111 yards, most it coming on a 56-yard carry in the first quarter.

Edwards, already playing with a dislocated shoulder himself, rolled his ankle in the first quarter.

“Jace hurt his ankle in the first quarter,” Matthews said. “We had to throw out a lot of our offense because of his limited mobility.”

In all, while the injuries didn’t doom JMU’s offense, they certainly didn’t help.

Third down: What will JMU do now that quarterback Justin Thorpe is back from suspension?

Injuries – ankle and shoulder – to Edwards may render this point moot, but adding Thorpe into the offense should energize the Dukes some. Quarterback runs haven’t been a part of JMU’s offense since Edwards suffered his shoulder injury.

Fans can argue whether Matthews would have given Thorpe his starting spot back if Edwards was healthy. The truth is, at this point, that argument doesn’t matter much.

Thorpe has looked sharp during practice his past five weeks and would go along way toward repairing his image and restoring his popularity by leading JMU to back-to-back wins and a possible I-AA playoff berth.

Whether you think he deserves to be back on the field this year or not, he may be the only chance JMU has to end its postseason drought.

Punts: The 25 points JMU allowed in the first half to UNH was the most it gave up in the opening half since allowing 28 at North Carolina in the season opener. … The Dukes had five sacks Saturday, the most since dropping Richmond’s Aaron Corp seven times in a win over the Spiders. … Next weekend’s opponent, Rhode Island, has won two of its last three games and narrowly lost at New Hampshire in that span.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

UNH Whips Dukes, 28-10

DURHAM, N.H. – For the second straight week, James Madison’s defense stifled a high-powered opponent in the second half. And for the second straight week, it wasn’t enough to overcome the hole the Dukes were in after the first half.

New Hampshire scored 25 points before the break and JMU had a third-quarter touchdown called back as the No. 9 Wildcats held on to win 28-10 in front of 4,466 fans at Cowell Stadium on Saturday on an unseasonably warm November day in New England.

Neither team scored a touchdown in the second half as what looked to be a shootout in the first quarter turned into a snooze-fest. UNH (7-2 overall, 5-1 in the Colonial Athletic Association) added only a late field goal.

The Dukes (5-4, 3-3), losers of three of their last four, killed themselves with eight penalties for 73 yards, including a critical holding call on left tackle Matt Cunningham – playing for the injured A.J. Scott – that erased a 17-yard touchdown pass from Jace Edwards to Brian Barlow.

“I don’t know if we would’ve beat them if we had that touchdown, but we sure would have made it interesting,” JMU coach Mickey Matthews said.

JMU got 111 rushing yards from Dae’Quan Scott, playing after dislocating his left shoulder for the second time in last Saturday’s loss to Old Dominion.

The Dukes’ defense sacked New Hampshire quarterback Kevin Decker five times and held the CAA’s top passer to just 186 yards and a touchdown and picked him off in the second half.

“We knew what they were defensively,” UNH coach Sean McDonnell said. “They’ve got guys who can really run to the football. There front four are good and their two linebackers are unbelievable.”

But New Hampshire’s defense, statistically one of the weakest in the league this year, turned in a huge second half against the beat-up JMU offense. The Dukes were playing without both its starting tackles and quarterback Jace Edwards – who also dislocated his shoulder earlier this year – rolled his ankle in the first half.

Edwards finished 18-for-31 for 159 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He was sacked five times. It was the touchdown pass he threw that didn’t count that may have been the biggest play of the day.

“I didn’t even see the flag until after the touchdown,” Edwards said. “That’s a tough one. I definitely thought we were about to get back in the game right there.”

For UNH, running back Dontra Peters rushed for 87 yards and two touchdowns.

The Wildcats got off to a great start Saturday.

UNH had great field position on its first two possession of the game and capitalized. After starting at the 49-yard line – set up by a good kick return and a JMU facemask penalty – Peters scored from 3-yards out.

The Wildcats caught JMU by surprise going for a 2-point conversion and getting the points when Decker completed a throw to Chris Setian, making it 8-0 just 1:36 into the game.

UNH’s next scoring drive was even shorter. It started at JMU’s 25-yard line – after a big return and an offsides penalty on the kickoff. New Hampshire’s Mike MacArthur hit a 36-yard field goal to put UNH up 11-3 with 7:38 left in the first quarter.

JMU got itself back into things with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Jace Edwards to Brian Barlow, making it 11-10 UNH with 3:39 left in the opening period.

But as fast as JMU scored, the Wildcats answered. Decker hit Sean Cullen for a 19-yard touchdown to go up 18-10 with 54 seconds left in the first.

In the second quarter, Peters scored his second touchdown of the game on a 9-yard run to make it 25-10.

But the Dukes defense seemed to settle in after that and JMU went to the half down 25-10.

A week after managing just 77 yards and no points in the second half against ODU, the Dukes totaled 136 yards and no points after the break Saturday.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Game-day blog: Three keys for the JMU-UNH game

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. – Today’s game at Cowell Stadium could have major implications on the Division I-AA playoff picture.

New Hampshire could all but lock up a berth with a win over No. 13 JMU. The Dukes, meanwhile, need this win even more. Of their final three games, a road win over UNH would be the most impressive to the selection committee and will keep them off that razor sharp edge of playoff elimination. Win today, and an eight win season and a home playoff game are very reachable.

Lose today, and JMU will play the final two weeks with its back against the wall as it tries to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

Here are three keys to today's game...

1) How will JMU’s reconfigured offensive line – minus two starters – fare against Brian McNally and UNH’s defensive front?

A year ago, Matt Krout was playing right tackle and matched up with McNally, now the CAA’s co-leader in sacks with 6 ½. This season, Krout had been JMU’s right guard. That is, until the injury decimation that was the Old Dominion game.

Now, with both tackles – A.J. Scott and Josh Wells – out for the year, Krout is back at tackle and two redshirt freshmen – Matt Williams and Matt Cunningham – are in at right guard and left tackle.

Perhaps more of a concern than pass blocking, JMU has made its hay this year by running the football. With running back Dae’Quan Scott (shoulder) a game-time decision today and the line dealing with its issues, will JMU be able to rush the ball effectively against a UNH defense that hasn’t been very stout against the run this season?

2) Can JMU generate enough pass rush to disrupt New Hampshire’s potent offense?

The Wildcats are second in the CAA in scoring, piling up points and yards out of their no-huddle, spread option attack. Quarterback Kevin Decker – a senior in his first season as a starter – has been lighting the league up.

The Dukes need to pressure Decker to disrupt the timing of the UNH offensive machine. Senior defensive end D.J. Bryant (knee) and freshman defensive end Sage Harold (hamstring) are both game-time decisions, potentially big losses for a defensive front already playing the season without its two starting tackles.

JMU needs to pressure Decker and – equally important – it must tackle well in the open field.

3) Will New Hampshire continue its trend of making the one or two key plays that decide close games?

The Wildcats have had five of their eight games decided one score or less. Their record in those games? 5-0.

Meanwhile, JMU’s two conference losses have come by a combined four points. Last weekend, they gave up a prayer of a Hail Mary touchdown on fourth down and had a kick blocked in a 23-20 loss to Old Dominion.

The Dukes need to make some clutch plays – on offense, defense or special teams – to get themselves into the thick of the playoff hunt.

For updates during the game, follow me on twitter @mikeabarber

CAA Picks Week 10

DURHAM, N.H. – It snowed in Harrisonburg last week. It’s 51 and sunny in New Hampshire today. The only thing tougher than predicting Colonial Athletic Association football games this year is forecasting the weather.

Maine, Towson and Old Dominion are looking like they’re headed for the Division I-AA playoffs, while Richmond and Villanova are still searching for their first CAA wins.

William & Mary and Rhode Island are trying to salvage their seasons, while James Madison and New Hampshire are hoping to stay on the right side of the playoff-eligibility ledger coming down the stretch.

Another unimpressive week (3-2) continues my slide into mediocrity. Last week, I had too match confidence in JMU on the road and too much confidence in Towson at home. My overall record now stands at 43-19.

Here are this week’s picks.

William & Mary at Rhode Island: William & Mary has been the league’s most disappointing team in 2011. Picked by many as a national title contender, the Tribe’s offense has been largely unimpressive, done in by inconsistent play from the quarterback spot.

The Rams have been the league’s second most disappointing team this season but – as Delaware learned – they can still be dangerous. Their offense has been energized by a new quarterback.

PICK: Rhode Island 24, W&M 17

Richmond at Old Dominion: The Spiders aren’t far behind William & Mary and Rhode Island on the disappointment meter. After opening 3-0 – with an upset of Duke – Richmond has found the conference schedule to be much tougher sledding.

ODU, meanwhile, has risen to prominence in just its first year in the league and third season overall. Quarterback Taylor Heinicke – subbing for the injured Thomas DeMarco – has been electric.

The Monarchs make big plays on offense and block kicks on special teams.

PICK: Old Dominion 30, Richmond 17

Villanova at UMass: Some might say the Minutemen have nothing to play for. A year away from moving up to Division I-A, they’re not eligible for the postseason or the league title.

To me, that means they should have plenty of motivation to win their remaining regular-season games.

UMass’s Jonathan Hernandez is the league’s top rusher. Villanova – amongst its many deficiencies – has the worst run-defense in the CAA. Enough said.

PICK: UMass 31, Villanova 10

Towson at Maine: Picked to finish at the bottom of the conference, these two teams are contenders to win a league title and go to the playoffs. Who would’ve thought a Towson-Maine game would have title implications?

The Tigers running game has been tops in the CAA this season and quarterback Grant Enders has proven to be a playmaker.

But plucky Maine seems to always find a way. And while far from a perennial power, the Black Bears have the edge because they’ve been in big CAA games before. Plus, they’re playing at home in November.

PICK: Maine 24, Towson 21

James Madison at New Hampshire: The Dukes lucked out with the weather. The forecast is calling for temperatures in the 50s and not much wind.

That’s the only luck JMU has had lately. It’s loss to ODU was marked by a flukey long touchdown and a bevy of injuries.

Quarterback Jace Edwards, running back Dae’Quan Scott and defensive end D.J. Bryant are among those playing in pain Saturday. The offensive line is minus its two starting tackles.

But a wounded animal is always dangerous. And so is a team desperate for a win. JMU embodies both clichés this weekend.

The Dukes have played well in November and have done a decent job containing UNH’s high-powered offense the last decade. They’ll have to do it again Saturday.

PICK: JMU 24, UNH 21