Game day blog: Three keys to the JMU-W&M game

WILLIAMSBURG – James Madison opens its Colonial Athletic Association slate today with a game at sold-out Zable Stadium against No. 6 William & Mary. A year ago, the Tribe was ranked No. 1 in Division I-AA and the Dukes were, well, floundering, having their season run aground by an inept offense that wasted the efforts of a tenacious defense.

But that day, JMU slid freshman Dae’Quan Scott from wide receiver to Wildcat quarterback and – running a limited playbook – upset William & Mary without a single passing yard.

Fast forward to this year’s meeting and once again there’s an underachieving offense asking a daunting D to bail it out game after game. But this year, those woes belong to William & Mary.

Here are three keys to watch for during tonight’s game.

1) How will W&M redshirt sophomore quarterback Michael Graham perform in his first college start?

It’s been all too easy for opposing defenses to key in on William & Mary’s do-it-all running back Jonathan Grimes so far this season. That’s because the Tribe lost their only experienced receiver – Ryan Moody – to a preseason injury and its first two quarterbacks – Mike Paulus and Brent Caprio – have been ineffective. Enter Graham, who was not too shabby in relief against Division II New Haven in last weekend’s uninspired 13-10 win.

JMU will likely make stopping Grimes – the CAA’s co-Preseason Offensive Player of the Year – its top priority, even though the Dukes’ pass defense has been shoddy at best this year. If Madison dares the Tribe to beat them by throwing the ball, can Graham do it?

JMU hasn’t been great rushing the passer this year – and its two starting defensive tackles are both out today – but you’d think with a rookie like Graham behind center, it’ll want to dial up some blitzes and pressure him.

2) Playing an offense that is having problems, can JMU’s defense get its act together?

The players have said all week that they’re confident this is the week the Dukes’ defense lives up to its advanced billing. There is no question JMU has plenty of talent and experience on that side of the ball. But the Dukes have struggled defensively the first three weeks.

Missing starting defensive tackles Nick Emmons and Sean O’Neill has hurt. And senior Vidal Nelson said, despite the similarities between the eight-man front from last year and the 4-3 JMU is using this year, the subtle differences have slowed down the Dukes’ explosive play makers on defense.

Against Liberty, defensive end D.J. Bryant and defensive tackle Jordan Stanton did an improved job of rushing the quarterback. Cornerback Leavander Jones has been good and safety Jakarie Jackson made some big plays in the win over the Flames. Linebacker Stephon Robertson has – as expected – been a tackling machine.

But JMU hasn’t gotten the big third down stops it needs to truly be a stifling unit. Maybe this is the week.

3) Can Dae’Quan Scott become the first JMU back with three-straight 100-yard games since Eugene Holloman?

The Dukes’ young offensive line is getting better week to week and Scott – after an impressive first game at running back against North Carolina – has been close to unstoppable the past two games. His exception balance and surprisingly toughness make him a hard mark to tackle. And his explosive speed means if you miss him, you may not get a second shot to bring him down.

Certainly William & Mary will be concentrating on stopping Scott after he shredded them a year ago in Harrisonburg. And watching tape of JMU’s past two games, his running has been the bulk of the offense. But quarterback Justin Thorpe and the passing attack showed enough ability in the season-opening loss to North Carolina that W&M will have to at least respect that facet of the Dukes’ game.

Add to that Thorpe’s running ability and keying on Scott isn’t as easy a chore as it might seem.