On the Heels of an upset?
JMU heads to Chapel Hill for season opener against Davis, UNC
Posted on August 30, 2007
Entering his ninth season as James Madison’s head football coach, Mickey Matthews is focused on one goal: getting back to the top. Following a bittersweet season that ended with a first round loss in the NCAA playoffs; Madison has major changes to deal with.
JMU had a tough draw in the NCAAs as the 6-seed playing at the 5-seed Youngstown State in the opening round. They saw the game slip away as YSU scored 15 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. The last score of the game came when YSU drove 88 yards on 13 plays for their second touchdown of the fourth quarter, taking a 35-31 lead.
JMU begins this season with a game at Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A) opponent North Carolina. JMU resides in the football championship subdivision (FCS), and has not played against an FBS school since 2004.
“It’s certainly different than playing Bloomsburg, a Division II team,” Matthews said of his team’s first game a year ago.
Madison will step towards its third playoff appearance in four years as former NFL coach Butch Davis’ makes his debut at North Carolina. A win would be a confidence booster, to say the least. More importantly, it would put JMU a win closer to a playoff berth.
Matthews has mixed feelings about playing FBS teams: a win would make fans very happy, but cannot assure a playoff berth. JMU can make the FCS playoffs by winning the CAA outright, or by earning an at-large bid. To be eligible for an at-large bid, an FCS team must have at least eight wins.
Madison has built the reputation of a very competitive football team in recent years. “There are some who shy away from us, who do not want to schedule us because they do not want to lose to us, and we know that,” Matthews said.
Rodney Landers will be making his debut for Madison Saturday, and is expected to run the no-huddle offense proficiently. His inexperience isn’t a point of unusual concern for the JMU coaching staff.
“Rodney’s a great athlete, and great athletes find ways to make plays,” Matthews said. “Because he hasn’t really played 70 plays in one game he’s going to make some errors. So is their [UNC’s] quarterback. I think it’s a push, and we wouldn’t trade Rodney for their quarterback… I’m glad Rodney’s on our team.”
UNC will start redshirt freshman T.J. Yates in their opener, making him the fourth quarterback in four years spanning 2004-2007 who has started the season opener for the Tar Heels.
Coincidentally, Landers was recruited by the Tar Heels, as a defensive back. He will try and foil an inexperienced UNC secondary in his first game. He has an offensive line with enough experience and a healthy running game to rely on, as well as JMU’s leading receiver in 2006, L.C. Baker.
Madison’s offensive line is anchored by junior center Scott Lemn, with returning starters tackle, Terrence Apted and guard, Vernon Eason to his left. Redshirt freshman Theo Sherman will take the right tackle position left vacant by Apted’s move to left tackle, and the right guard position is still up for grabs.
Eugene Holloman, who rushed for 1,085 yards on 192 attempts last season as he split time with graduate Alvin Banks. He also scored 8 touchdowns in his first season of Division I football.
Holloman expressed his confidence in JMU’s offensive line dealing with the size of UNC’s defense: “They’re pretty big up front but im pretty confident the guys in front can handle it.”
Carolina senior defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer was ranked 18th on NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper’s Big Board on ESPN.com. Luckily for JMU, Landers is prepared to improvise should pass rushers invade the pocket.
Madison’s offense will have to contend with a defense led by another new UNC arrival, defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano. Pagano coached defensive backs for the Oakland Raiders the last two years. The Raiders led the NFL in pass defense in 2006, allowing just 150.8 yards per game.
However, junior strong safety Trimane Goddard will lead an inexperienced Carolina secondary that finished just sixth in the ACC in passing defense last year. How will Landers respond?
“I have full confidence in Rodney, ‘cause I know he wouldn’t steer me wrong,” senior tailback Eugene Holloman said. “He watches film like Peyton Manning watches film.”
Landers appears ready to implement the no-huddle offense, and coaches say it will account for about 80% of Madison’s plays.
“I think that’s going to be a great weapon for us,” Landers said. “I can see us going into a game and using that every snap, and sometimes I can see us switching it up if the defense can keep up with us.”
Madison has a similar challenge preparing for North Carolina’s offensive attack. Offensive coordinator John Shoop enters his first season at UNC after serving as tight ends coach for the Oakland Raiders in 2006 and taking over as offensive coordinator for the last five games after Art Shell proved to be incompetent.
Matthews put it in perspective: “This is not as big a game to our program as the New Hampshire game, but to our fans, alumni, [and] the JMU nation its probably different because we’re going up against one of the big boys.” Nonetheless, a win would generate quite a buzz.
“It’s going to be a good game, like I said we’re going to bring a lot of different looks at ‘em,” Landers said. “It’s early in the season, so there might be some busts at times, but like I said I think it’s going to be a great game.”
Note: Late Tuesday Matthews announced a one-game suspension for junior safety Evan McCollough. The secondary may already being missing a banged up sophomore Scotty McGee who won’t be starting at cornerback and senior safety Tony LeZotte has minor right legs problems.