Win marked by sloppy play

The Keydets came to play at JMU’s Homecoming festivities Saturday afternoon.

"That was the best game [VMI] has played all year," coach Mickey Matthews said.

The Dukes however, picked up the 41-10 victory; in a game marked by sloppy play and JMU’s defense.

The defense played to their season averages against the still winless Keydets, giving up 267 total yards. In their first seven games, including Division I-A foe West Virginia University, JMU’s opponents have averaged 186.1 yards in the air and 82.3 yards on the ground.

The Dukes’ defense had 10 sacks and also recovered a fumble and picked-off VMI quarterback Kirk Monteleone once. Senior linebacker Kwynn Walton had 10 tackles and 4.5 sacks to lead JMU. But the Dukes were not pleased with their effort, Walton said.

"We are way better than we played today," Walton said.

The one touchdown the Dukes allowed capped a 10-play, 68-yard VMI drive. The other VMI score, a field goal, came on the heels of a muffed punt by freshman wide receiver L.C. Baker.

After the fumble, the Dukes’ defense stuffed the Keydets for negative 4 yards and allowed VMI only 3 points.

"I told the kids at the half that [the goal line stand] showed us how poor we were playing on defense," Matthews said. "That was the hardest we played the whole first half."

Walton said the Dukes might have overlooked VMI a bit and instead were thinking to the University of Delaware game next weekend.

"We have to play a whole lot better," Walton said. "We have to step it up a whole other notch."

Senior safety Rondell Bradley said, "We are No. 1 one in defense, and we want to stay there."

The Dukes will have a chance to show that they are not only No. 1 in defense, but also in the Atlantic 10 in next weekend’s game against the Blue Hens.

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