Huskies have Madison’s number in Brookline

Dukes travel for first road CAA game at Northeastern

By Matt McGovern, assistant sports editor
Posted on October 4, 2007

When JMU steps onto Parsons Field Saturday, it will play in front of a crowd that has averaged a conference-low 2,689 in attendance through two games in Brookline, Mass. If the Dukes have their way, coach Mickey Matthews will notch his first career win at Northeastern, and JMU will march on toward the eight wins necessary to warrant consideration for an NCAA playoff selection.

Ranked ninth nationally in Football Championship Subdivision polls by the coaches and The Sports Network, Madison plays Northeastern for the third time in Matthews’ tenure. The first two meetings in the state of Massachusetts have resulted in Northeastern wins.

The last time Madison traveled to Northeastern was the last game of the 2002 regular season and Northeastern clinched the Atlantic-10 title with a 41-10 victory. That year they finished 10-2 overall and 7-2 in the conference.

Fast forward to 2007 and Northeastern is 1-3 overall and 0-1 in the Colonial Athletic Association. While the Huskies already have more losses in 2007 than when the teams last met in Brookline, Matthews emphasized Northeastern’s ability to upset major opponents.

“We’re going to Northeastern [as] a heavy favorite and all you have to do is ask the University of Oklahoma if it can’t happen to you,” Matthews said. “It’s the coaching staff and it’s our senior leadership’s responsibility not to let that happen.”

JMU (4-1, 2-0 in the conference) will try to avoid Oklahoma’s fate of losing to an unranked opponent as a top-10 ranked school. Senior leadership for Madison will start with senior tailback Antoinne Bolton. He will try to pick up the slack for a depleted rushing unit that is without its big-play threat, Eugene Holloman.

Redshirt freshman Jamal Sullivan injured his ankle Saturday against Villanova and may not make the trip to Northeastern. JMU plans on utilizing sophomore Griff Yancey more in this upcoming game, along with Bolton and freshman tailback Scott Noble.

“I think we’re all still learning about those guys,” Matthews said about Yancey and Noble. “If one guy steps forward and starts playing better, then he’s gonna play more.”

Bolton has stepped forward in Holloman’s absence, scoring a career high, four touchdowns in only five games; his previous high was three touchdowns in 2006. He has rushed 35 times for 170 yards this season.

Depending on who you talk to, Bolton’s height ranges from 5-foot-4 to 5-foot-7, but one thing is for sure: he doesn’t let his size affect his aggressive mentality on the field.

“I would love to be the every down back, but I guess [the coaches] look at my size as a hindrance,” Bolton said. “I don’t look at my size; when I’m on the field I feel like I’m the same size as everyone else. At the same time, we got a lot of people who can do a lot of things, so they put in who they see fit for the situations.”

Bolton was a redshirt freshman when JMU won the national championship in 2004. Now a veteran, he has provided guidance for the young running backs that are next in line. Northeastern coach Rocky Hager agrees that Madison’s young tailbacks are hard to evaluate at this point.

“They are a bit of a mystery. But they are definitely a committee that has shown to be very productive and have some very good speed,” Hager said. “Coach Matthews has been patient in building that program, and consequently they’re reaping the benefits of it right now.”

The Huskies boast a competent running attack of their own, as senior tailback Maurice Murray rushing for 393 yards on 89 carries in four games. Junior quarterback Anthony Orio has completed 52 percent of his passes for 394 yards, two touchdowns and one interception on the year. Madison’s defense will prepare for the pocket-passer after facing two mobile threats in Villanova and Coastal Carolina’s quarterbacks.

“It’s gonna be great to have him sit back there, and we’re gonna get him in those third-and-long situations,” senior defensive tackle John Baranowsky said. “The D-line and the rest of the defense will be able to get some sacks and have some fun.”

Madison’s offensive attack may be without senior wide out L.C. Baker, its leading receiver with 21 receptions and 286 yards. Baker aggravated a hamstring injury Saturday against Villanova and isn’t expected to practice this week. Sophomore receivers Ray Brown and Rockeed McCarter will look to step up for a receiving corps that is also without sophomore Patrick Ward, who is out indefinitely with a shoulder injury.