HARRISONBURG – JMU bounced back from its overtime loss to Maine by taking care of business against Villanova. The Dukes’ used a balanced offensive attack – its most balanced of the season – in the 34-10 rout of the decidedly-down Wildcats.
The win gives JMU a little momentum and a positive feeling going into its bye week, when it will have some things it needs to work on. The pass defense still has to improve, especially on third down.
New quarterback Jace Edwards has to continue to improve – something he’s done in each of his three starts this year. The coaching staff will have to continue to refine the offense, finding ways to use its two-headed running back attack of Jordan Anderson and Dae’Quan Scott in the most positive way.
But first, lets look back on some things coming out of the Villanova game in this week’s Upon Further Review.
First down: Jace Edwards took giant strides in his development as a quarterback Saturday, despite playing with a dislocated shoulder.
The redshirt freshman, playing for the suspended Justin Thorpe, had his best game in Saturday’s 34-10 win over Villanova. Edwards passed for 203 yards and two touchdowns and completed a pair of long throws to Daniel Brown (a 41-yarder that setup a score) and Kerby Long (an 80-yard touchdown) that broke open the game.
And the Midland, Texas native did it all with a dislocated left (non-throwing) shoulder. Edwards suffered the injury scoring JMU’s touchdown in overtime last weekend in a 25-24 loss to Maine. He tried wearing a protective brace during the week, but it affected his throwing motion.
Saturday, the injury didn’t seem to hamper Edwards, though JMU didn’t use him as a runner, normally a component of the offense. Instead, the Dukes employed more of the Wildcat formation, with Dae’Quan Scott at QB.
Perhaps even more impressive than Edwards’ efficient 9-for-12 passing day was this anecdote.
At one point in the first half, JMU coach Mickey Matthews called timeout, concerned that Edwards had checked out of play. But when the rookie came to the sideline and talked things over with the coaches, it turned out Edwards actually was seeing things exactly right.
That’s a good sign that Edwards has a firm grasp on the offense.
Second down: Was JMU’s defense better, or was Villanova just inept?
This is one of those, little from column A, little from column B, kind of answers. Villanova redshirt freshman quarterback Dustin Thomas was careless with the football at times, especially in the redzone where his first interception cost the Wildcats a chance for at least a field goal try.
Villanova is young and inexperienced and not the daunting foe it’s been in recent years. Of course, Central Connecticut State wasn’t anything to write home about but it managed to move the ball for a late score against JMU.
The Dukes sacked Thomas four times, picked him off twice and held him to an 11-for-24 passing performance.
With the bye week, it’ll be interesting to see if Madison makes any schematic adjustment to its defense. JMU moved from the eight-man front it had used as its base since 2004 to a more traditional 4-3 look. The pass defense has struggled since the change.
Third down: With just one home game left, can the Dukes make the Division I-AA playoffs?
The Dukes have played extremely well down the stretch, going 9-1 in November the last three years. But three of the team’s final four games are on the road, and all should be against ranked opponents. (Towson and ODU are currently in the Top 25 and UMass should be after ripping Delaware on Saturday. The new poll comes out Monday.)
Their final home game is against last-place Rhode Island, perhaps the biggest disappointment in the CAA this season. That game SHOULD be a win.
ODU is a complete wildcard, but if the Dukes want to make the playoffs and want to reestablish themselves as the state’s premier I-AA program, it’s a win they need to have.
JMU is 2-1 against both UMass and New Hampshire since 2006, though it lost at home to both last year. Like ODU, these two games could go either way.
A 7-4 record should be enough to get the Dukes into the postseason, though they’d feel better – and have a good shot at a home game in the first round – at 8-3.
Extra-points: Kicker Cameron Starke missed his first extra-point try in Saturday’s game, pushing it wide left. The kick came after Starke had to free himself from strands for purple and yellow streamers that had blown onto the field after JMU scored. … Safety Ryan Smith, playing for the injured Jakarie Jackson (hamstring), was tied for the team lead with eight tackles and had an interception. … JMU’s next opponent, Old Dominion, lost a heart-breaker at home to Towson, giving up the game-winning touchdown on a fourth-and-29 play.
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