Senior Baranowsky steps up

By Jack McAuley, staff writer
Posted on November 19, 2007

With its season on the line and a potential trip to the playoffs at stake, the JMU defense, led by senior defensive tackle John Baranowsky, stepped up Saturday afternoon and shut down Towson’s offense.

“From the beginning, we knew that we were going to have to go and we knew that we were going to have to just rise to that challenge,” Baranowsky said. “I’m just happy that we did that.”

The defense rose to the challenge with nine sacks, including four by Baranowsky, that set the conference-high for sacks in one game. It also set a career single-game high for him in sacks and tackles at seven.

Baranowsky led a defensive front-four that was tested often. As the game progressed, Towson tried to beat Madison with its passing game. Faced with 60 pass plays, the Dukes were forced to rush only their front-four and drop seven players into pass defense.

“They were actually blocking six on four,” JMU coach Mickey Matthews said. “I thought our defensive line played very well today.”

The four sacks by Baranowsky eclipsed his output before Saturday’s game — he entered with only half a sack. Sophomore defensive tackle Sam Daniels entered the game leading the Dukes with five sacks and added to his total by notching a sack and a half against the Tigers.

Towson struggled to run the ball, rushing 28 times for only 65 yards. The Tigers posted a net total of zero rushing yards because of 10 sacks by JMU.

“When it comes down to it we had a good scheme all week and we knew that we would have to do that in order to win the game,” Baranowsky said.

Sophomore cornerback Scotty McGee continued his return from sports-hernia surgery against the Tigers. Matthews called McGee the team’s best corner last season, and his presence in JMU’s secondary allowed the defense to rush four and pressure Towson junior quarterback Sean Schaefer.

“We knew they would come hard at us,” Towson coach Gordy Combs said. “They knew we had to throw the football to be effective.”

On senior day in front of friends and family, the defense led the charge and allowed seniors one more chance to make a run at a national championship.

“It’s exciting, you want to see what happens and that’s what is great about the tournament format,” Baranowsky said. “You can’t wait to just see who you are playing and as soon as you get that opponent you just start licking your lips and you just want to go get them, so it’s great.”