New Hampshire at James Madison

[UNHWildCats]

UNH needs this game... well thats true about every game remaining for them.

[blukeys]

JMU has a very good D-Line and UNH has a not so good O-Line.
This is not good for any QB.
UNH has a good QB and skill people playing behind a not so good O-Line.

Can UNH make enough big plays to out score a rotten JMU offense???

Only time will tell.

I have picked UNH as my upset special but I don't have any real confidence. The JMU defense is good and it is for real.

[BDKJMU]

-3:30 televised (The Comcast Network & Comcast Sportsnet New England) Homecoming game, not like those g-damn noon Parents’ (oops, “Family” g-damn PC run amok) Weekend Games at JMU with the noon starts. Should be close to a packed stadium, probably an oversell at around 16.5k tickets sold, 14-15k butts in seats. Lots of drunk students & alums…

-Right now Accuweather.com shows a forecast for Harrisonburg on Saturday of low of 39, high of 63, mostly sunny and breezy. Sounds like some good tailgating & football weather!

[Ivytalk]

JMU 7, UNH 6. Final.

[BDKJMU]

JMU has a very good D-Line and UNH has a not so good O-Line.
This is not good for any QB.
UNH has a good QB and skill people playing behind a not so good O-Line.

Can UNH make enough big plays to out score a rotten JMU offense???

Only time will tell.

I have picked UNH as my upset special but I don't have any real confidence. The JMU defense is good and it is for real.

Well, that "rotten" JMU offense, which I agree leaves a lot to be desired,

CAA Scoring Offense:
6th JMU
7th UR
8th Towson
9th URI
10th Maine

CAA Total Offense:
6th JMU
7th Maine
8th Richmond
9th Towson
10th URI

http://www.nmnathletics.com/fls/8500/St ... EM_ID=8500" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

So if JMU has a "rotten" offense, then so does half the CAA....

[BDKJMU]

Just listened to Mickey's Monday press conference & radio show. From those, JMU Weekly injury report:

Offense:

-Returning starting rSr OL Brandon Monroe (6’2”, 285), Out. (started at RT last season, was slated to start at RG this season). Broken ankle training camp, initial reported prognosis was out 6-8 weeks. Will be 8 weeks Saturday, with no word on when he’ll return, if at all this season. Medical redshirt? Replacement has been rFr #51 Scott Jones (6’5”, 295). Has been a drop off here, but Jones has been improving.

-Returning part time starting rSr TB #48 Jamal Sullivan (5’9”, 220), doubtful, ankle injury vs Towson. Replacements: Returning part time starter last yr rJr #30 Scott Noble (5’11”, 200) and returning part time starter from the last 3 years rSr #17 Griff Yancey (5’11”, 205)(questionable himself) will carry the load at TB. Not a real drop off here, JMU has almost always been tailback by committee, and as Sullivan seems to be the better inside runner and blocker, while Noble and Yancey seem to be the better outside runners and are both clearly better receivers out of the backfield.

-Starting rSo tightend #84 Brian Barlow (6’3”, 240) Out 3-4 weeks with a bruised sternum suffered vs Towson Replacements: So #81 Jonathon Sharp (6’3”, 230), who’s been rotating with Barlow at tightend, and the starting FB rSr #35 Donnell Brown (5'11", 250) (twin brother of JMU's All CAA DT Ronnell Brown) No real drop off here, except for Sharp won’t remain as fresh.

-Backup rSo QB #7 Justin Thorpe (6’1”, 215). Out, knee injury suffered against Morehead. Just in today's Harrisonburg Daily News Record: "....JMU coach Mickey Matthews said Tuesday he does not expect Thorpe to play again this season. "I think Justin's done for the year," Matthews said. "I don't think we'll close the door on it for another two or three weeks. But we do not anticipate him returning this year."
Initially, JMU expected him to be out two weeks. But by the Monday after the game, the prognosis was that he'd be on crutches at least six weeks and would not return before the final four or five games of the season. Now, even that seems highly unlikely.....Matthews also said he expects true freshman Jace Edwards - the team's backup QB - to play at some point this season, meaning the Midland, Texas native won't redshirt....."

-Returning part time starting rSr TB #17 Griff Yancey (5’11”, 205), Questionable, missed the last 2 games with a hamstring injury suffered vs Liberty, (see above).

Defense:

-Returning 2 yr starting Jr LB Jamie Veney (6’2”, 220), Out, calcium deposits in leg, after week 4 Mickey announced Veney would be taking a redshirt. Replacement: rFr #27 Stephon Robertson (5’11”, 205) who has been close to spectacular. Tackles is 5th in the CAA in avg per game (9.8). Only freshman among the Top 50. 4th in the CAA in tackles for loss. Tied for 1st in forced fumbles. Has to be the runaway candidate so far for CAA Defensive Rookie of the Year.

-Starting rSr DT #49 Nick Emmons (6’3”, 255), Out, high ankle sprain suffered vs VT. May not be able to return this season. JMU inquiring about a medical redshirt. Shame. As a soph at Army in 07 started 4 games at DE, was a starter at the beginning of 08’ before leaving West Point, had to sit out last season due to a transfer issue (according to Mickey is close to a 4.0 student), and now gets injured this season. Mickey on Monday mentioned the possibility of a medical redshirt. If that happened, geez, since he played at US Military Academy Prep School (US MAPS) in 05’ after graduating from HS in Oregon, would be almost like a 7th yr senior, and wouldn’t have played close to a whole season (07') in 4 years. Replacement: Syracuse transfer rJr #91 Lamar Middleton (6'2", 255). Has played very well, registered a pr of sacks + had another nullified vs UD due to an offsides penalty.

Special Teams
-Starting PK Dixon Wright, out since week before VT- Out with a injured-what the heck does a kicker injure? Replacement Ben Hopewell has been 3-4 on FG (miss was the 47 yarder against UD. UD made their 47 yarder to win the game).

(Starting rJr DE #13 DJ Bryant (6’3”, 240), mild concussion suffered against Towson, reportedly yesterday was cleared to play.)

So that's 6 starters likely out, plus the backup QB.

[BDKJMU]

UNH needs this game... well thats true about every game remaining for them.

Yeah, well considering UNH has got:
@ JMU
UMass
bye
W&M
@ Villanova
TU

Would have to win 4 of those 5, including pulling 3 upsets to even have a possibility at 7-4 of making the playoffs. Not looking too good there.

[UNHWildCats]

JMU 7, UNH 6. Final.

2-0 Final in OT after Toman fumbles the ball 80 yards and falls on it in his own endzone for a safety

[BDKJMU]

Best of Mickey: Week 7 (As opposed to the rest of the DNR, don't need a subscription for the sports blogs)
http://www.dnronline.com/blogdetails.ph ... ID=5&back=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[BDKJMU]

UNH Offense vs JMU defense:

CAA stats.
UNH 3rd in Total Offense vs JMU # 2nd in Total Defense (and #1 in CAA games only)
UNH 5th in scoring offense vs JMU 2nd in Scoring Defense
UNH 10th (last) in rushing offense vs JMU 4th in rushing defense
UNH 1st in passing offense vs JMU 1st in passing defense
http://www.nmnathletics.com/fls/8500/St ... EM_ID=8500" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

UNH has a weak running game, last in the CAA, and they are going to be hard pressed to move the ball much on the ground against a very good JMU run defense. They’re going to have to move the ball through the air and will be passing A LOT. UNH is avg 34 pass attempts per game, and Toman is completing 66%. I wouldn’t be surprised to see UNH within the ballpark of 50 called passing plays and Toman with around 40 pass attempts. JMU’s #1 pass defense hasn’t gotten a lot of sacks (2 vs Morehead, 2 vs UD (had 2 more that were nullified by offsides), 1 vs Towson), but has faced 3 VERY elusive QBs in VT’s Tyrod Taylor, Liberty’s Mike Brown, and Towson’s Chris Hart. VT is VT, Liberty was mostly using a quick 2-3 second passing game, UD likely has one of the 2-3 best OL’s in the CAA along with Nova and UMass, and Towson used a slew of bootlegs with a pass or run option. Toman might be elusive, but he isn’t as elusive as those other 3. JMU usually rushes 4. Occasionally on obvious passing downs will rush 3 or throw in a blitz. JMU’s secondary is very good against the pass. Toman will pass a lot, face a lot of pressure, take a lot of hits, and likely get sacked a few times and throw a couple of picks (In 6 games he’s thrown 9 TD passes but 7 INTs). Big thing about JMU’s defense is they don’t give up the big play. Only have given up one play of more than 30 yards all season, and that was on a pass play against VT. Have only given up 2 rushing plays longer than 20 yards all season, a 22 yard run by VT’s Heisman Trophy candidate (before he got injured the week after JMU) Ryan Williams, and a 25 yarder last week to Towson’s Chris Hart. I just don’t see UNH being able to move the ball against that JMU defense with any consistency at all.

[BDKJMU]

JMU offense vs UNH defense

CAA stats
JMU 6th Scoring offense vs UNH 4th Scoring defense
JMU 6th Total Offense vs UNH 4th Total Defense
JMU 3rd Rushing Offense vs UNH 7th Rushing Defense
JMU 10th (last) Passing Offense vs UNH 3rd Passing Defense

In the last 2 games Dudzik has been decent passing the ball.
-vs UD, 12-20 with the one INT due to the tightend running the wrong route.
-vs Towson 12 for 22. Of the 10 incompletions, one was an intentional spike and 4 were drops according to Mickey (with the 1 INT bouncing right off Noble's hands and into the Towson DBs). Probably all 5 incompletions came when he was facing major pressure.

JMU has a good running game that should be able to move the ball on the ground vs a UNH defense that has been somewhat suspect against the run, esp from the 2 games I've seen UNH play on TV in their loss @ URI and win over UR. Even without Sullivan, Noble and Yancey have both proven in the past to be more than capable of carrying the load, and we’ll likely see double digit carries out of Dudzik as usual. I'm sure UNH will look to stack the box to stop the run. The question is will JMU be able to put together an effective enough passing game to keep UNH from stacking the box against the run. I think they will.

[mcveyrl]

(Starting rJr DE #13 DJ Bryant (6’3”, 240), mild concussion suffered against Towson, reportedly yesterday was cleared to play.)

So that's 6 starters likely out, plus the backup QB.

Kerby Long sat out of practice on Tuesday, but I think he's playing.

Barber also tweeted that rFR. RT Matt Krout (Monroe's fill-in) was not practicing on Tues. and wearing a boot on his foot. No word on whether he's practiced the rest of the week.

[BDKJMU]

J

-Backup rSo QB #7 Justin Thorpe (6’1”, 215). Out, knee injury suffered against Morehead. Just in today's Harrisonburg Daily News Record: "....JMU coach Mickey Matthews said Tuesday he does not expect Thorpe to play again this season. "I think Justin's done for the year," Matthews said. "I don't think we'll close the door on it for another two or three weeks. But we do not anticipate him returning this year."
Initially, JMU expected him to be out two weeks. But by the Monday after the game, the prognosis was that he'd be on crutches at least six weeks and would not return before the final four or five games of the season. Now, even that seems highly unlikely.....Matthews also said he expects true freshman Jace Edwards - the team's backup QB - to play at some point this season, meaning the Midland, Texas native won't redshirt....."

OT here, Jace's alma mater Midland Lee will be playing against Abilene on ESPN 2 tonight at 9PM. Some of the famous Midland Lee alums:
-Former 1st Lady Laura Bush
-Former Centcom Commander Gen Tommy Franks
-Actor Tommy Lee Jones
-Cedric Benson
-Cleveland Browns OT Ryan Tucker
-Houston Texans OT Eric Winston
-

[BDKJMU]

(Starting rJr DE #13 DJ Bryant (6’3”, 240), mild concussion suffered against Towson, reportedly yesterday was cleared to play.)

So that's 6 starters likely out, plus the backup QB.

Kerby Long sat out of practice on Tuesday, but I think he's playing.

Barber also tweeted that rFR. RT Matt Krout (Monroe's fill-in) was not practicing on Tues. and wearing a boot on his foot. No word on whether he's practiced the rest of the week.

Haven't heard anything. I just inquired over on the Zone.

[SumItUp]

OT here, Jace's alma mater Midland Lee will be playing against Abilene on ESPN 2 tonight at 9PM. Some of the famous Midland Lee alums:
-Former 1st Lady Laura Bush
-Former Centcom Commander Gen Tommy Franks
-Actor Tommy Lee Jones
-Cedric Benson
-Cleveland Browns OT Ryan Tucker
-Houston Texans OT Eric Winston
-

Midland Lee was losing 49-7 at halftime.

[mcveyrl]

OT here, Jace's alma mater Midland Lee will be playing against Abilene on ESPN 2 tonight at 9PM. Some of the famous Midland Lee alums:
-Former 1st Lady Laura Bush
-Former Centcom Commander Gen Tommy Franks
-Actor Tommy Lee Jones
-Cedric Benson
-Cleveland Browns OT Ryan Tucker
-Houston Texans OT Eric Winston
-

Midland Lee was losing 49-7 at halftime.

That just shows how valuable Edwards was...

[BDKJMU]

Game Day Central: With links to everything you need to know about both programs:
http://www.jmusports.com/ViewArticle.db ... =205003535" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[mcveyrl]

Game Day Central: With links to everything you need to know about both programs:
http://www.jmusports.com/ViewArticle.db ... =205003535" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

NM...pdf game notes are at the bottom of the page.

And it looks like Sullivan is out for this game....

[BDKJMU]

Congrats to UNH er uh UNHWildcats the one UNH poster on here. UNH was the better team on Sat.

JMU offense. Same old s*it. Good for the 1st half, suck donkey d*** for the 2nd half.

Liberty: 1st half: 7 pts, 2nd half 3 points
UD: 1st half 214 yds/10 points. 2nd half 69 yds/0 points
TU: 1st half 14 points, 2nd half 3 points
UNH: 1st half 192 yds/14 points, 2nd half 83 yds, 0 points.

Looks like JMU's O coordinator Jeff Durden and Mickey are being out coached at halftime. Over on the CAAZone the usual post loss hyperventilating Monday Morning Armchair QBing is going on with threads like "Durden is Our Burden" but coaching is only part of the problem IMHO.
-Maybe the 6-7th best o-line in CAA right now (still minus 1 starter lost to injury summer camp + another to academics)
-6th-7th best QB the way Dudzik is playing right now (not all his fault)
-backup tightend since starter is injured
-top 4 receivers are all great athletes but are middling receivers (is that due to coaching?)
-Maybe not have one of the top 2-3 TBs in the league but when starting tailback Sullivan (dressed but DNP vs UNH) is back would put JMU's top 3 against anyone elses.

It didn't help that Dudzik fumbled in the 1st qtr for a UNH scoop & score and threw the 2 picks.

[BDKJMU]

UNH 354 yds total offense. 1st half 118, FG (TD was scored by defense). 2nd half 236, 2 TDs, FG (+2 pt conversion)
UNH 106 net yds rushing. I know, not a lot, but: 1st half 18. 2nd half 88, much of it up the middle.

I think the biggest factor in that was that JMU's Pre Season All CAA DT Ronnell Brown went out late in the 2nd qtr with an ankle injury (was the 7th starter out with an injury). At DT
-Go back to Spring Ball- lose likely starter Max Alexandre to a knee injury, medical redshirt for this yr. Starting DE Army transfer Nick Emons gets moved from DE to DT.
-Late VT game lose Emmons to a high ankle sprain, JMU seeking medical redshirt.
-Late 2nd qtr UNH lose Brown.
So now JMU's 2 starting DTs are a guy who was the 5th DT last yr (granted he's much improved this yr, and a 245 lb soph defensive end who has been moved to DT (O'neil). The 3rd DT rotating in is an rFr (Stanton). You lose 2 All CAA caliber DTs you aren't going to be nearly as good against the run up the middle. If Brown doesn't return (what's his injury status?) then other teams who are much better running teams than UNH (who came into the game dead last in the CAA in rushing) will have even greater success running between the tackles on JMU (still don't think anyone will have much success trying to run wide on JMU. Will have to compensate more against that which could make JMU a little more vulnerable against the pass up the middle. Against against the pass won't have that push up the middle that you had with Emmons and Brown.

[mcveyrl]

UNH 354 yds total offense. 1st half 118, 2nd half 236.
UNH 106 net yds rushing. I know, not a lot, but: 1st half 18. 2nd half 88, much of it up the middle.

I think the biggest factor in that was that JMU's Pre Season All CAA DT Ronnell Brown went out late in the 2nd qtr with an ankle injury (was the 7th starter out with an injury). At DT
-Go back to Spring Ball- lose likely starter Max Alexandre to a knee injury, medical redshirt for this yr. Starting DE Army transfer Nick Emons gets moved from DE to DT.
-Late VT game lose Emmons to a high ankle sprain, JMU seeking medical redshirt.
-Late 2nd qtr UNH lose Brown.
So now JMU's 2 starting DTs are a guy who was the 5th DT last yr (granted he's much improved this yr, and a 245 lb soph defensive end who has been moved to DT (O'neil). The 3rd DT rotating in is an rFr (Stanton). You lose 2 All CAA caliber DTs you aren't going to be nearly as good against the run up the middle. If Brown doesn't return (what's his injury status?) then other teams who are much better running teams than UNH (who came into the game dead last in the CAA in rushing) will have even greater success running between the tackles on JMU (still don't think anyone will have much success trying to run wide on JMU. Will have to compensate more against that which could make JMU a little more vulnerable against the pass up the middle. Against against the pass won't have that push up the middle that you had with Emmons and Brown.

Brown is out for the 'Nova game.

[bandl]

UNH 354 yds total offense. 1st half 118, 2nd half 236.
UNH 106 net yds rushing. I know, not a lot, but: 1st half 18. 2nd half 88, much of it up the middle.

I think the biggest factor in that was that JMU's Pre Season All CAA DT Ronnell Brown went out late in the 2nd qtr with an ankle injury (was the 7th starter out with an injury). At DT
-Go back to Spring Ball- lose likely starter Max Alexandre to a knee injury, medical redshirt for this yr. Starting DE Army transfer Nick Emons gets moved from DE to DT.
-Late VT game lose Emmons to a high ankle sprain, JMU seeking medical redshirt.
-Late 2nd qtr UNH lose Brown.
So now JMU's 2 starting DTs are a guy who was the 5th DT last yr (granted he's much improved this yr, and a 245 lb soph defensive end who has been moved to DT (O'neil). The 3rd DT rotating in is an rFr (Stanton). You lose 2 All CAA caliber DTs you aren't going to be nearly as good against the run up the middle. If Brown doesn't return (what's his injury status?) then other teams who are much better running teams than UNH (who came into the game dead last in the CAA in rushing) will have even greater success running between the tackles on JMU (still don't think anyone will have much success trying to run wide on JMU. Will have to compensate more against that which could make JMU a little more vulnerable against the pass up the middle. Against against the pass won't have that push up the middle that you had with Emmons and Brown.

Brown is out for the 'Nova game.

need more info...can you write up a dissertation, please?

[mcveyrl]

Brown is out for the 'Nova game.

need more info...can you write up a dissertation, please?

Uh, yea, that was it...

[mcveyrl]

UNH 354 yds total offense. 1st half 118, 2nd half 236.
UNH 106 net yds rushing. I know, not a lot, but: 1st half 18. 2nd half 88, much of it up the middle.

I think the biggest factor in that was that JMU's Pre Season All CAA DT Ronnell Brown went out late in the 2nd qtr with an ankle injury (was the 7th starter out with an injury). At DT
-Go back to Spring Ball- lose likely starter Max Alexandre to a knee injury, medical redshirt for this yr. Starting DE Army transfer Nick Emons gets moved from DE to DT.
-Late VT game lose Emmons to a high ankle sprain, JMU seeking medical redshirt.
-Late 2nd qtr UNH lose Brown.
So now JMU's 2 starting DTs are a guy who was the 5th DT last yr (granted he's much improved this yr, and a 245 lb soph defensive end who has been moved to DT (O'neil). The 3rd DT rotating in is an rFr (Stanton). You lose 2 All CAA caliber DTs you aren't going to be nearly as good against the run up the middle. If Brown doesn't return (what's his injury status?) then other teams who are much better running teams than UNH (who came into the game dead last in the CAA in rushing) will have even greater success running between the tackles on JMU (still don't think anyone will have much success trying to run wide on JMU. Will have to compensate more against that which could make JMU a little more vulnerable against the pass up the middle. Against against the pass won't have that push up the middle that you had with Emmons and Brown.

Brown is out for the 'Nova game.

To add to this: O'Neil and Leavander Jones are out for Saturday too.

And Mickey closed practice this week. We must be adding that innovative offense we've been holding back all year.

[ChickenMan]

And Mickey closed practice this week. We must be adding that innovative offense we've been holding back all year.

covert photo from JMU closed practice...