HARRISONBURG – For all the drama around this rivalry over the years, from Chris Morant’s pudding comment, to Richmond’s “state champion” rings, to Arthur Moats not respecting the Spiders’ I-AA national title, this year’s installment of JMU-UR may be the most intriguing.
Richmond has handled incredible offseason adversity, losing its coach – Latrell Scott – after he was arrested for a DWI. Interim coach Wayne Lineburg stepped right in and his players responded, upsetting Duke in the season opener and going 3-0 before losing a shootout to New Hampshire in their Colonial Athletic Association opener last weekend.
JMU was smacked in the face with its adversity on Sunday, when players learned that starting quarterback Justin Thorpe – along with backup linebacker Chase Williams – would be suspended for the next five games.
Who wins the Turmoil Bowl? Here are three keys to today’s game.
1) Can the JMU defense finally start living up to its billing and slow down Aaron Corp and the Richmond offense?
The Dukes – despite a defense loaded with returning starters – haven’t been anything to write home about so far this season. JMU has given up 12 touchdowns through four games, the fourth most in the CAA.
The Dukes are seventh in pass defense (232.5 yards per game) and that could be a huge issue against Aaron Corp and a Richmond passing attack that leads the CAA. JMU will have to tackle UR star receiver Tre Gray, who had 16 catches for 194 yards last weekend and is the CAA’s leading receiver. But Richmond also has an emerging star in Kendall Gaskins, who is moving from being a fullback to playing more like a tailback.
The defense should get a lift from the return of senior defensive tackle Nick Emmons, a starter who has yet to play this year.
2) Can Mickey Matthews juggle the play-calling well enough to hide the deficiencies JMU now has with starting quarterback Justin Thorpe suspended?
It will be tempting just to run the ball 50 times with Dae’Quan Scott and Jauan Latney. And a conservative game plan probably makes the most sense, both to keep Richmond’s high-powered offense off the field and to ease the load on inexperienced quarterbacks Jace Edwards and Andre Coble.
But to keep the UR defense honest, Matthews – who took over as the team’s play-caller and quarterbacks coach this offseason – will have to mix things up at least a few times. Edwards could gain confidence throwing short passes to sturdy and steady tight end Brian Barlow, who is great at catching the ball in traffic.
Coble or Scott could catch the UR defense by surprise with an option pass. JMU may need to hit a trick play to stay in the game, because Richmond’s offense is averaging over 30 points per game.
3) Will JMU’s fans answer the bell?
It’s homecoming and the game is sold out, but if most of those fans stay outside in the parking lot to tailgate, they won’t do the home team any good. Rarely if ever has a team needed a lift from its home crowd as much as the Dukes do today. They face their biggest rival without arguably their most important offensive weapon.
Richmond’s Tre Gray said this week that the Spiders don’t fear big crowds, saying “the more, the merrier.”
With a win, JMU could position itself to start the year 6-1 (easier games against Maine and Villanova follow on the schedule both at home). The Dukes will take the field wearing black jerseys for the first time, in an attempt to hype up both the crowd and themselves.
What they really hope to see is packed stands before the kickoff.
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