Game Recap

 #3 James Madison Dukes 10  #22 Liberty Flames 3

It was over when…Taveion Cuffee picked off Liberty’s Mike Brown pass at the Flames 47 under 2 minutes left, on a 3^rd and 15. That was Cuffee’s second great defensive play of the game, as he blocked a field goal from 47 yards out in the 3^rd quarter.  

What I liked: The JMU Defense. The Dukes didn’t look good on their first defensive drive (as I called in the preview) and gave up 95 yards. After that drive, the Dukes held Liberty to 169 yards on offense. JMU limited the Flames on the ground to only 61 yards on 32 rushes, less than 2 yards per carry. They also limited all-everything Mike Brown to 26 rushing yards and picked him off once. 

What I didn’t like: JMU Offense. While Mickey did get the win and goes into conference play undefeated, he’s got to be scratching his head about the lack of offense on his team. The only had 283 total yards, with 78 coming thru the air. They have only averaged 13 points in its last 2 games, and that number needs to improve.  If JMU wants to contend in the CAA they will have to do more in the air. Teams will start putting 7 and 8 guys in the box to stop the run, and make an inexperienced Dudzik air it out.

Game ball goes to…Griff Yancey, WR JMU. Tough decision to find a player of the game here. No one stood above the rest but when there is only one touchdown in the game, I’m giving it to the guy that scored it. His 25 yards touchdown reception from Dudzik gave the Dukes a 7-3 right before halftime, and they were able to keep that lead. Yancey led the team with two catches for 56.

Key Stat: This is the first time ever JMU has started 3-0 in Mickey Matthew’s tenure. Pretty remarkable isn’t it? For a team that has always been an I-AA powerhouse, 3-0 doesn’t seem to be all that tough. But when you schedule ACC teams as your opening game, 3-0 does seem like a stretch. Maybe this will be the year we talk about an undefeated season? Ha, lets get by some of the CAA juggernauts before we start hinting at that.

Up Next: The Dukes play their most important game of the season thus far, CAA home opener #7 Delaware. Delaware just crushed #5 Richmond 34-13 on the road and will try and continue their success in the “Old Dominion” state. It’s parents weekend in Harrisonburg so expect a sold-out loud crowd behind the Dukes. Kickoff is 12:05.

-MO