JMU defense dominated Minutemen

The Dukes’ 28-7 victory over the University of Massachusetts Saturday was dominated by their defense, which allowed UMass 262 total yards.

The Minutemen came into the game averaging 318 yards per contest.

"The coaches are preparing us well," redshirt sophomore quarterback Justin Rascati said. "As you saw from our defense today, we nearly pitched another shutout."

The Dukes have given up fewer than 100 net yards rushing in every game this season except for their loss at West Virginia University.

Saturday proved no different ,as JMU’s smothering run defense limited the Minutemen to 42 yards net rushing.

"We thought our defensive line was better than their offensive line," coach Mickey Matthews said. "We were superior at the line of scrimmage today."

Redshirt senior linebacker Trey Townsend said, "Once we stopped the run they went to the pass. It was physical at first, but if you can stop the run at the beginning of the game, you can make it less physical."

JMU also contained the UMass passing attack, pressuring quarterback Tim Day and forcing him to throw two interceptions. JMU senior wide safety Rodney McCarter also blocked a field goal attempt by the Minutemen in the first half.

"Even in practice, Rodney can change directions off the edge," Matthews said. "He’s a threat to block every extra point. We work really hard on blocking kicks."

If anything was more significant than the defense and McCarter’s blocked kick, it was JMU’s first victory over the Minutemen since 1997. The win sends the Dukes to the University of Maine next weekend with hopes of keeping their Alantic 10 record unblemished.

"This win means a lot because it gets us ready to go to Maine," Townsend said. "The defense played hard and the offense put points on the board. We’re just real excited about the rest of the season."

.