JMU @ EKU Official Game Thread

[BDKJMU]

Unfortunately I can't make it. I would have gone if it was @ JMU. Well, there already is 2 other threads about the JMU AD (& maybe Sr VP for Finance) f'ing up the bid & JMU not getting the home game.

Noon ESPNU/ESPN 3 (Pam Ward, Dan Hawkins)

I'm not listening to this dyke bitch:
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I only want someone who's worn a jocktrap, shoulder pads, & helmet calling the play by play for a televised FB game. Gonna have to listen to the game on mute with the JMU play by play announcers online.....

[Winindy]

Dan Hawkins may be a bitch, but he is no Dyke sir.

[mcveyrl]

Dan Hawkins may be a bitch, but he is no Dyke sir.

[Dukie95]

When Thorpe took over for injured Drew Dudzik in the middle of 2009, JMU lost the first two games he started (UR and Nova).

Since, JMU has won 9 FCS games in a row started by Thorpe. The team seems to respond better with him behind center, and he brings skills to the table that Edwards doesn't...(at least skills key to JMU's style of offense)

Now, it could be that they would have lost to Maine, ODU and UNH even with Thorpe, we'll never know. But it's clear from hearing them in the media that they're more comfortable with Thorpe.

The point is, if you saw JMU in the games with Edwards, that's not representative of the way they play with Thorpe.

[TheHerd]

Whats up with EKU playing Kansas St tough and then losing to Austin Peay? Did they have some injuries?

[Tubby Raymond]

Can't believe I'm going to be rooting for JMU against anybody but your team better beat them by 3 touchdowns for all the smack everybody has been talking about what dogs they and the OVC is

[Dukie95]

Whats up with EKU playing Kansas St tough and then losing to Austin Peay? Did they have some injuries?

They picked up 6 turnovers against KSU

[TheHerd]

Whats up with EKU playing Kansas St tough and then losing to Austin Peay? Did they have some injuries?

They picked up 6 turnovers against KSU

Six to's and they couldn't get the W?? Granted KState is very good, but six to's is huge especially when the score was 10-7??

[BDKJMU]

When Thorpe took over for injured Drew Dudzik in the middle of 2009, JMU lost the first two games he started (UR and Nova).

Since, JMU has won 9 FCS games in a row started by Thorpe. The team seems to respond better with him behind center, and he brings skills to the table that Edwards doesn't...(at least skills key to JMU's style of offense)

Now, it could be that they would have lost to Maine, ODU and UNH even with Thorpe, we'll never know. But it's clear from hearing them in the media that they're more comfortable with Thorpe.

The point is, if you saw JMU in the games with Edwards, that's not representative of the way they play with Thorpe.

Thorpe lost the 1st 3 CAA games he started in 09'- UR, Nova, and W&M, not 2 as you stated. You are correct in 9-0 since then.

[JmuSkinsfan]

Thorpe lost the 1st 3 CAA games he started in 09'- UR, Nova, and W&M, not 2 as you stated. You are correct in 9-0 since then.

And all 3 were playoff teams that year, if I'm not mistaken. Thorpe did come in late in the Richmond game because of a Dudzik injury, though. Wasn't Richmond ranked #1? JMU almost knocked them off ... and Thorpe had led JMU on a game-winning drive down inside the Richmond 10 yard line with about a minute left when he rolled out on a scramble and had the ball swatted away for a fumble. So. Damn. Close. JMU wins that game and who knows where that season would have ended up! Thorpe was on fire to end the season and had they beaten UR they may have had the confidence to go on and make the playoffs. Oh well ...

[SuperHornet]

Pam Ward is the best PxP person in football today. About the only better I've heard is Pat Summerall....

[BDKJMU]

Pam Ward is the best PxP person in football today. About the only better I've heard is Pat Summerall....

Women have no business calling play by play. Its a man's sport.

[Mvemjsunpx]

The biggest mismatch of the first round, IMO, even with the Dukes on the road. The Colonels have some advantages, but JMU should dominate in the trenches.

Here's my assessment of the matchups & my pick for the game:

• • • Quarterbacks -- Eastern Kentucky
      
      Running Backs - (push)
      
      Receivers/TEs - Eastern Kentucky
      
      Offensive Line - James Madison
      
      
      Defensive Line - James Madison
      
      Linebackers --- James Madison
      
      Secondary ---- Eastern Kentucky
      
      
      Kicking ------ James Madison
      
      Punting ------ Eastern Kentucky
      
      Return Teams - (push)
      
      Kickoffs ------ (push)
      
      
      
      
      
      • • James Madison 27-10 Eastern Kentucky

[BDKJMU]

The biggest mismatch of the first round, IMO, even with the Dukes on the road. The Colonels have some advantages, but JMU should dominate in the trenches.

Here's my assessment of the matchups & my pick for the game:

• • • Quarterbacks -- Eastern Kentucky
      
      Running Backs - (push)
      
      Receivers/TEs - Eastern Kentucky
      
      Offensive Line - James Madison
      
      Defensive Line - James Madison
      
      Linebackers --- (push)
      
      Secondary ---- (push)
      
      Kicking ------ James Madison
      
      Punting ------ Eastern Kentucky
      
      Return Teams - (push)
      
      Kickoffs ------ (push)
      
      • • James Madison 27-10 Eastern Kentucky

I. JMU's QB Thorpe is 9-0 (7-0 CAA) in his last 9 I-AA starts.

JMU
PASSING GP-GS Effic Cmp-Att-Int Pct Yards TD Long Avg/G
THORPE,J. 6-6 142.1 42-68-2 61.8 541 4 52 90.2
EDWARDS,J. 6-5 130.8 62-99-2 62.6 733 3 80 122.2

RUSHING GP-GS Att Gain Loss Net Avg TD Long Avg/G
THORPE,J. 6-6 72 385 88 297 4.1 1 29 49.5

EKU
PASSING GP Efficiency Comp-Att-Int Pct Yards TD Long Avg/G
PRYOR, T.J. 10 133.48 120-219-7 54.79 % 1511 18 60 151.10

RUSHING GP Att Gain Loss Net Avg TD Long Avg/G
PRYOR, T.J. 10 91 369 176 193 2.21 1 19 19.30

So how in the world do you get that EKU is better at QB????

II. You gave JMU the advantage in the OL. Healthy no doubt JMU has the superior OL. JMU has 1-2 starting OL out (might get one back this week), so I don't know if JMU will have an advantage there. EKU has a pretty big OL- I would put that push.

III. You called LBs a push. I highly doubt EKU's LBs are as good as JMU's. JMU's LB are the strength of the defense: JMU's 3 are:
-1st team All CAA & likely will make some AA lists rSo Stephon Roberston, 2 yr starter (was defensive rookie of CAA last yr).
-2nd team All CAA rSr Pat Williams- 4 yr starter (was defensive rookie of yr at SS in 08', 3rd team All CAA at LB 09').
-pre season All CAA at SS, rSr Vidal Nelson- 4 yr starter, 1 at LB, followed by 2 at SS, then this yr at LB (this yr JMU changed from a 4-2-5 De to a 4-3).

IV. You gave an advantage to EKU in the punting dept.
JMU's punter has an avg of 40.3, with an avg net of 36.3
EKU punter has an avg of 40.24, with an avg net of 38.40
That is a negligible difference- that is a PUSH.

V. You gave push in the kickoff dept. JMU is allowing 19.4 on KR, and JMU's kicker often kicks it short. EKU is allowing 16.9. That sounds like an EKU advantage, not a push.

• • • Quarterbacks -- JMU
      
      Running Backs - (push)
      
      Receivers/TEs - Eastern Kentucky
      
      Offensive Line - (push)
      
      Defensive Line - James Madison
      
      Linebackers --- James Madison
      
      Secondary ---- (push)
      
      
      Kicking ------ James Madison
      
      Punting ------ (push)
      
      Return Teams - (push)
      
      Kickoffs ------ Eastern Kentucky
      
      • • James Madison 27-10 Eastern Kentucky

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http://www.ekusports.com/cumestats.aspx ... &year=2011" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[BDKJMU]

Dukes Look to 2004
http://jamesmadison.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1298600" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Mvemjsunpx]

So how in the world do you get that EKU is better at QB????

Thorpe's efficiency rating is a little better, but he hardly ever throws it. I thought the numbers were close (Pryor is higher on total offense per game), but I gave it to EKU narrowly because Pryor is getting some NFL attention.

II. You gave JMU the advantage in the OL. Healthy no doubt JMU has the superior OL. JMU has 1-2 starting OL out (might get one back this week), so I don't know if JMU will have an advantage there. EKU has a pretty big OL- I would put that push.

I wasn't aware of the injuries, but I'd still give it to the Dukes. JMU averaged 0.6 more ypc, gave up 1 fewer sack, and faced tougher defenses.

III. You called LBs a push. I highly doubt EKU's LBs are as good as JMU's. JMU's LB are the strength of the defense: JMU's 3 are:
-1st team All CAA & likely will make some AA lists rSo Stephon Roberston, 2 yr starter (was defensive rookie of CAA last yr).
-2nd team All CAA rSr Pat Williams- 4 yr starter (was defensive rookie of yr at SS in 08', 3rd team All CAA at LB 09').
-pre season All CAA at SS, rSr Vidal Nelson- 4 yr starter, 1 at LB, followed by 2 at SS, then this yr at LB (this yr JMU changed from a 4-2-5 De to a 4-3).

I changed it. Vidal Nelson is listed as a DB, so that's what I counted him as originally. I see now that JMU changed their scheme & he's now an OLB.

However, removing Nelson from the DBs gives EKU a slight advantage on secondary, IMO.

IV. You gave an advantage to EKU in the punting dept.
JMU's punter has an avg of 40.3, with an avg net of 36.3
EKU punter has an avg of 40.24, with an avg net of 38.40
That is a negligible difference- that is a PUSH.

EKU actually had a net avg. of 37.1 ypp, but I'll stick with what I had. It's a small advantage, but not negligible (the Colonels rank 10 spots better).

V. You gave push in the kickoff dept. JMU is allowing 19.4 on KR, and JMU's kicker often kicks it short. EKU is allowing 16.9. That sounds like an EKU advantage, not a push.

I agree about the returns, but JMU's net kickoff average is actually about a half yard better than EKU's (EKU's kickoff distance average is really short). Those balance out & make it a push.

[BDKJMU]

EKU actually had a net avg. of 37.1 ypp, but I'll stick with what I had. It's a small advantage, but not negligible (the Colonels rank 10 spots better).

Okay, so EKU at 37.1 net even makes it more negligible to JMU's 36.3. 10 spots better out of 120 teams, but still less than ONE yard a punt. You call that not negligible? If thats not neglible, I don't know what is.

[Mvemjsunpx]

EKU actually had a net avg. of 37.1 ypp, but I'll stick with what I had. It's a small advantage, but not negligible (the Colonels rank 10 spots better).

Okay, so EKU at 37.1 net even makes it more negligible to JMU's 36.3. 10 spots better out of 120 teams, but still less than ONE yard a punt. You call that not negligible? If thats not neglible, I don't know what is.

Seriously? You don't think 10 spots means something? In passing yardage, the difference between 16th. & 26th. is 36 ypg. Would you call that negligible? If that's not enough for you, though, I could also point out that JMU allows about 5 more ypr on punts than EKU does.

I like keeping my "push" range fairly narrow, particularly for those special teams comparisons which have less subjectivity.

[∞∞∞]

Good to see that EKU didn't even repaint their helmets. Scratched up before the game...nice.

[gatadotcom]

The small crowd in attendance at this game is one of the things that gives FCS a bad rap. The Selection Committee should be embarrassed for allowing this game to be televised over some of the other matchups this weekend, i.e. @ODU or @Montana.

This was a Mickey Mouse decision.

[grizzaholic]

The small crowd in attendance at this game is one of the things that gives FCS a bad rap. The Selection Committee should be embarrassed for allowing this game to be televised over some of the other matchups this weekend, i.e. @ODU or @Montana.

This was a Mickey Mouse decision.

[GRIZ MOBSTER]

Is there a way to listen to this game without signing up with your madizone

[TwinTownBisonFan]

a lot of people are pissed that this is "the tv game"... seriously?

it's on ESPNU... a network that is in FEWER homes than ESPN3... just sayin...

[Grizalltheway]

a lot of people are pissed that this is "the tv game"... seriously?

it's on ESPNU... a network that is in FEWER homes than ESPN3... just sayin...

And it's up against Michigan/OSU...doubt many casual fans are going to choose it over that game.

[SeattleGriz]

Love it. ESPN3 just locked up on me. Glad I have ESPNU, but sure hope it doesn't do that for the Montana game.