That's where Durden comes into the equation. These programs know each other well enough that there usually aren't any surprises when they meet. But against Morehead State, Durden convinced JMU coach Mickey Matthews to dump the Pistol offense the Dukes have been running all spring and summer -- the logic being that the Hokies would be caught off guard when JMU unveiled the Pistol in Blacksburg.
"Durden convinced me to go through the Morehead game and not show it," Matthews told reporters following Saturday's game. "We didn't run the Pistol a down against Morehead. The plays we ran we only practiced for three days."
Of course, the counter to this article is that the "brilliant scheme" didn't help too much in the first half when 77 of the 92 yards we gained came on a 3rd and 17 screen pass.
I think the most brilliant plan was hatched by whoever does JMU's schedule. Catching VaTech on four days rest after a high-profile Monday night game against a team that has felt dissed the past five years was pure genius.
93henfan wrote:I think the most brilliant plan was hatched by whoever does JMU's schedule. Catching VaTech on four days rest after a high-profile Monday night game against a team that has felt dissed the past five years was pure genius.
Sadly, nobody but Tech can take credit for that. I think they decided to do it AFTER they scheduled us on the 11th. The Boise game was supposed to be in October, but they moved it for more money. I think they figured (after beating us 90-0 the past two meetings) they were safe...ruh-roh...
mcveyrl wrote:
Of course, the counter to this article is that the "brilliant scheme" didn't help too much in the first half when 77 of the 92 yards we gained came on a 3rd and 17 screen pass.
Yes, and planning on having two Va Tech guys cancel themselves out by running into each other on that play was again a stroke of Mickey brilliance!!!! Well done!!!!
