HARRISONBURG – James Madison’s players got their first chance to play at the newly-renovated Bridgeforth Stadium on Friday – and their first taste of 11-on-11 scrimmaging.
And they came onto the turf to music – Ace Hood’s Hustle Hard – blaring out of the stadium’s sound system.
“We wanted to try out our new sound system,” Matthews said. “They were all dancing around early. We could have a rock’n roll concert out here.”
The players enjoyed the atmosphere.
“It was crazy. The music got me going out here,” senior safety Vidal Nelson said. “I know it’s a different stadium but it doesn’t even feel like we’re on campus. It’s crazy being in here.”
Before the Dukes held their first 11-on-11 drill of the preseason, Matthews called the players around him in a huddle to remind them Friday’s practice was not to include full tackling.
“We just don’t want to get anyone hurt,” Matthews said. “It was a non-tackling drill. If you don’t watch it, you’ll have some overzealous guys.”
The scrimmaging came and went without any injuries and Matthews was happy – overall – with the day’s practice.
“The good thing is we had the numbers to have some 11-on-11 scrimmages, which we sorely needed in the spring,” Matthews said. “I think that was a positive.”
QB Watch: All three candidates to be JMU’s starting quarterback saw reps with the first team Friday. And all three – junior Justin Thorpe and redshirt freshmen Jace Edwards and Billy Cosh -- did things that pleased Matthews.
“We’re still learning about those guys,” Matthews said.
When asked if the battle would be trimmed to two quarterbacks before a final choice was made, Matthews said he doesn’t have “a preconceived” plan about how the competition will unfold.
During the team’s media day Friday, he said he’s “not wild about” a two-quarterback system.
Catch of the day: Rennard Robinson ran under a well-lofted 55-yard post thrown by Justin Thorpe. The big play was the last of Friday’s practice at Bridgeforth.
Hit of the day: Safety Dean Marlowe came up and laid a lick on tight end Brian Barlow as Barlow tried to get his hands on a short pass into the flat.
Quote of the day: “I don’t want you to be a blocking dummy.” Defensive backs coach Mark Hendricks to safety Ryan Smith, as players tried to find the fine line between limited contact and full tackling Friday.
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