Coach Mickey Matthews and company could be without key players against Villanova
Posted on September 27, 2007
Heading into a conference match-up with Villanova less than a year ago, JMU football was at the top of its game with an 8-1 record and the Atlantic-10 title in sight.
But the 4-5 Wildcats had different plans and spoiled any A-10 championship hopes or any chance the Dukes had of hosting a first-round playoff game in Harrisonburg.
With only a minute and 21 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Villanova’s senior running back DeQuese May scored on a 16-yard run to set up the game winning extra-point.
“We played well defensively the whole game, we gave up three long drives and that’s something we looked to correct this year,” senior safety Tony LeZotte said. “It was really heartbreaking because we knew it wasn’t gonna be a good end result for us.”
The 21-20 loss ultimately gave Massachusetts sole possession of the conference crown and after finishing 9-2 on the season, Madison found itself traveling for its first-round playoff game; a 35-31 loss at Youngstown State.
“We thought back, going into last year that they had a good team, but we thought we were better,” LeZotte said. “It’s one of those things that you lose that type of game and then two weeks later you find out you’re having to go to Ohio when you really wanted to be playing at home.”
As the Dukes look ahead to Saturday’s 12 p.m. rematch with Villanova, the stakes are just as high. Through four games coach Mickey Matthews’ team has only one loss, to Division 1-A North Carolina. Villanova is also 3-1 with its only loss at another Atlantic Coast Conference foe, the Maryland Terrapins.
“The fact that they’re 7-1 in their last eight games I think is huge,” Matthews said. “Villanova is as hot a team as there is in the nation right now, they’re rolling; you’d be a fool not to realize how well they’re doing.”
Matthews’ team isn’t doing too badly itself; even with first year starting quarterback Rodney Landers running the high-powered, no-huddle offense. The Dukes have outscored their opponents 145-88 this season with the junior accounting for eight of 19 touchdowns, four via the air and four on the ground.
During the wins against New Hampshire and Coastal Carolina, Landers proved that he is as much of a threat with his legs as he is within the pocket. In both contests he eclipsed the 100-yard mark in rushing and passing. But Landers emphasized that getting in the win column has been the most important part of the season.
“Stat-wise I really don’t pay attention,” Landers said. “As long as we’re winning games, executing on offense, and putting up points and helping this defense, I can’t really be concerned about stats.”
On the defensive side of the ball, JMU will face the Wildcats first year starter and sophomore quarterback Antwon Young. Young threw 852 yards in four games and has 10 touchdowns to only three interceptions. Coach Andy Talley’s new offensive leader has found nine different receivers and will look to connect often with senior tight end and preseason All-CAA selection Matthew Sherry.
Villanova’s defense comes to Bridgeforth after an impressive seven-interception effort a week ago against Penn. The number tied a school record and helped freshman John Dempsey earn CAA rookie of the week honors. Dempsey pulled down two interceptions and had six tackles, one sack, one tackle for a loss and a pass break-up.
With senior running back Eugene Holloman likely out for the season with knee and shoulder injuries, the Dukes will need to be sharp against the Wildcats’ athletic secondary to pick up yards through the air.
The passing game was of concern for Matthews and his staff following the Coastal game after starting sophomore receiver Rockeed McCarter dropped a pair of balls.
“Well I thought about not allowing him [McCarter] to eat dinner Saturday night,” Matthews said jokingly. “But he needs to play better. Rodney made great throws and he needs to catch the ball.”
The Dukes will try to catch win number four Saturday in front of a sold-out, family weekend crowd and even the score with the Wildcats who currently sit at third in the CAA south division after being predicted to finish fifth.
Injury Report:
Junior Wide receiver Patrick Ward will miss a second week with a shoulder injury, and Matthews was concerned Monday with quadriceps injuries of sophomore tight end Mike Caussin and sophomore cornerback Jamaris Sanders.
Holloman will have arthroscopic knee surgery today at the University of Virginia and Matthews anticipates red-shirting the senior who could miss more than four weeks.
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