JMU defeats VMI in Homecoming game

Casey Templeton / contributing photographer Quarterback Justin Rascati is tackled by a VMI defender.

In front of a Homecoming day crowd of 15,312, JMU improved to 7-1 for the first time since 1999, defeating the Virginia Military Institute Keydets 41-10 Saturday, at Bridgeforth Stadium.

Despite the lopsided score, the Dukes weren’t sharp in their game against the Keydets, fumbling the ball away twice and committing eight penalties for 75 yards.

"We have to play a lot better," coach Mickey Matthews said. "That was the worst game we’ve played this year."

Senior linebacker Kwynn Walton agreed, and said the defensive effort mirrored the Dukes’ overall performance.

"Today we played very average," Walton said. "We didn’t play up to our ability. I don’t think the offense or defense played as hard, but we got the job done."

The Dukes out-muscled the Keydets in the trenches. JMU’s defense recorded 10 sacks, 4.5 of which went to Walton and despite the two lost fumbles, the Dukes gained 330 yards rushing to VMI’s 33.

The JMU defense also made up for the miscues. Up 21-0 late in the first half, JMU freshman wide receiver L.C. Baker fumbled away a VMI punt and the Keydets had first and goal at the Dukes’ 8-yardline.

Three plays later, the Keydets were on the JMU 12, kicking a 29-yard field goal, after a running for no gain, throwing an incomplete pass and taking and a sack.

"We looked like a different team on those plays," Matthews said. "It looked like we had been shot out of a cannon for three downs."

JMU took its 21-3 lead into halftime. Up 27-10 late in the fourth quarter, redshirt senior quarterback Matt LeZotte’s 45-yard touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Ardon Bransford sealed the Dukes’ sloppy victory.

"We may have overlooked VMI just a little bit," Walton said. "We have Delaware here next week and we were thinking about that. I think we played OK."

JMU’s victory did not come without a price. Redshirt sophomore tailback Maurice Fenner went down in the second quarter with a shoulder injury. Matthews said Fenner’s availability for the rest of the season is doubtful.

"He’s out maybe for the year," Matthews said. "It’s a dislocated shoulder and we may have to move someone over there. We’re just getting razor-thin."

Possible candidates to move to the backfield include redshirt senior safety Rondell Bradley and sophomore wide receiver Ardon Bransford.

"I don’t know what we’re going to do yet," Matthews said. "The two obvious ones would be Ardon or Rondell. You also talk about Akeem Jordan and, right there, you have three logical guys."

The Dukes also have two natural tailbacks in redshirt junior Raymond Hines, who led JMU with 115 yards on 20 carries against VMI and redshirt freshman Antoinne Bolton. Bolton began the 2004 season No. 4 on the backfield depth charts and saw extended playing time against the Keydets after Fenner went out.

In his most productive game of the season, Bolton carried 11 times for 103 yards and scored a touchdown. He also fumbled once on the goal line.

"That fumble was a situation where I was trying to reach the ball out," Bolton said. "Once it crosses the pylon it’s a touchdown. If it wasn’t for that fumble, I thought I played decent."

Matthews said, "Bolton’s always been effective. He just has to quit turning the ball over."

As far as the overall backfield situation is concerned, Matthews said he will weigh his options.

"It almost might be like tryout day a little bit Tuesday," Matthews said. "We’ll just see how everyone looks."

JMU and its wounded backfield takes on the University of Delaware Blue Hens next week at Bridgeforth Stadium in a 1:30 p.m. contest.

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