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

HARRISONBURG – James Madison’s offense had its most effective outing of the young season. It’s defense stepped up in key spots. And a rookie kicker gave the Dukes’ a dramatic 27-24 win over Liberty on Saturday.

The Flames’ television network aired the game and MASN rebroadcast it this morning. After a second viewing, here are some thoughts about Saturday’s battle in Lynchburg.

First down: Who really needed this game more?

All the hype said this was a signature chance for Liberty, an opportunity to elevate the status of its program within the state of Virginia. In the big picture, a win Saturday would have done more for the Flames’ program, in terms of national recognition and impact on in-state recruiting.

But for this season, there’s no question the Dukes needed this one more. Even after losing, Liberty still has a great chance to reach the Division I-AA playoffs by winning the Big South. JMU? It plays in the CAA – now 15-1 in non-conference I-AA games this year – a much tougher league. The Dukes can’t count on a league title to make the tournament. It needs to pick up seven or eight wins to be in line for an at-large bid.

By beating Liberty, and going 2-1 in its non-conference schedule (the Dukes lost to North Carolina in the season opener), JMU is in position, with a winning season in the CAA, to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

And who knows? If both teams get there, Liberty may get another shot at the Dukes in November.

Second down: Will JMU’s defense get it together already?

With so many starters back from a unit that has played superbly the past two seasons, it was just assumed the Dukes would boast a dominating defense. But through three games, JMU has been anything but.

Saturday was an improvement at times. The team bowed up in the red zone in the first half, holding Liberty to field goal tries. Jakarie Jackson – who had a strong game – came up with a key interception near the goal line in the contest. And, after not recording a sack in the first two games, JMU got three Saturday.

The unit was playing without either starting defensive tackle (it should get senior Nick Emmons back for the next game, at William & Mary, but junior Sean O’Neill is out for the year). The Dukes aggressively got hits (and some penalties) going after Mike Brown.

Sophomore middle linebacker Stephon Robertson has been strong all year long.

But Liberty quarterback Mike Brown shredded the Dukes’ secondary for 298 yards, including some long pass plays to B.J. Hayes and Chris Summers.

To compete in the CAA, JMU will need the defense to be a more dominant bunch.

Third down: Has the offense found its rhythm?

Liberty’s television announcers accidentally referred to JMU’s 5-foot-9 running back as “Dae’Quan Squat” during Saturday’s game. He’s not the tallest player in the league but he’s been of the most productive.

Saturday, Scott ran incredibly hard, breaking tackles and carrying defenders for extra yardage. He finished with 126 yards and three touchdowns.

But his biggest play of the game came with 9:40 to go when Thorpe threw away an option pitch. Scott come out of a pack of three Liberty defenders with the ball, avoiding disaster.

For the game, JMU had 173 yards on the ground and 141 through the air, perhaps the best balance to the attack in recent memory. Maybe most impressively, when the Dukes lined up for big third-down conversions, no one was quite sure what they’d run.

Thorpe continues to prove himself and leading the game-winning drive Saturday was another big step.

Extra points: Aaron Harper, Tyler Snow and Jordan Stanton had sacks for the Dukes on Saturday … JMU’s next opponent, William & Mary, barely snuck by Division II New Haven, 13-10. The Tribe benched quarterback Mike Paulus in the game.