HARRISONBURG – Junior Justin Thorpe will be the starting quarterback for James Madison this season, football coach Mickey Matthews said Monday after practice at Bridgeforth Stadium.
Thorpe beat out redshirt freshmen Jace Edwards and Billy Cosh for the job.
“He announced me the starter and said he has all the confidence in me,” Thorpe said. “I just feel blessed that Coach Matthews still believes in me and is willing to give me a chance to move this offense.”
Matthews informed the quarterbacks of his decision Sunday night. During Saturday’s scrimmage, Thorpe took all of the snaps with the first-team offense.
“It was universal among our staff that he was the best quarterback we had and gives us the best chance of winning,” Matthews said.
Matthews said Edwards is slightly ahead of Cosh to be the team’s backup this season, but the coach said he has no set timetable to choose a No. 2.
Both Cosh and Edwards said they understood the coach’s decision. Neither hesitated to answer questions after Monday’s practice, despite their obvious disappointment that the quarterback competition was over.
“I’m not surprised,” Cosh, a transfer from Kansas State, said. “Justin had a good camp. He’s a phenomenal player. He’s a good runner, good athlete. He threw the ball pretty well in fall camp, so I’m happy for him. He gives us the best chance to win so I’m fine with that.”
Said Edwards: “Justin’s worked really hard this spring. He deserves it. I’m proud of him and I think he’ll do a good job for us.”
Thorpe became the Dukes’ starting quarterback midway through his redshirt freshman season. After struggling initially, he led the team to a season-ending five-game winning streak and won Colonial Athletic Association Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
Catch of the day: Fittingly, we'll give it to new starting QB Justin Thorpe. With center Roane Babington still out with a bruised ankle, replacement Matt Williams - a redshirt freshman - has sent some snaps sailing over quarterbacks heads this preseason. But Thorpe made a jumping catch to snare a high snap and save an offensive play late in Monday's workout.
Hit of the day: Starting running back Dae'Quan Scott lowered his pads and popped Isaiah Wright - would be tackler - as Scott raced around the left side on a sweep play. Scott's impact sent the off-balance Wright stumbling back and down to the turf.
Quote of the day: "It's OK to jog," wide receivers coach Clayton Matthews chided Ryan Dixon and Albert Williams as the two players walked across the field.
Catch of the day: Fittingly, we'll give it to new starting QB Justin Thorpe. With center Roane Babington still out with a bruised ankle, replacement Matt Williams - a redshirt freshman - has sent some snaps sailing over quarterbacks heads this preseason. But Thorpe made a jumping catch to snare a high snap and save an offensive play late in Monday's workout.
Hit of the day: Starting running back Dae'Quan Scott lowered his pads and popped Isaiah Wright - would be tackler - as Scott raced around the left side on a sweep play. Scott's impact sent the off-balance Wright stumbling back and down to the turf.
Quote of the day: "It's OK to jog," wide receivers coach Clayton Matthews chided Ryan Dixon and Albert Williams as the two players walked across the field.
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