Last chance for JMU

Season's last conference match up is with NU

One last chance at a win in the Atlantic 10 conference, and, perhaps even more meaningful, is the opportunity for the seniors to walk out of Bridgeforth victorious. The stage is set as the Dukes (1-8, 0-8) play host to the Huskies of Northeastern University (4-5, 3-4) in the final home and conference game of the year.

The few seniors JMU has will get one last chance to suit up in purple and gold in front of a home crowd. Seniors such as Robert Carson, Derrick Lloyd, Derick Pack and Mike Glover have played so many meaningful games over the past four years for the team.

Youth and inexperience once again came back to haunt JMU as the Dukes squandered a three-point lead heading into the fourth quarter at the College of William & Mary this past weekend. The Tribe came out on top 17-10 thanks in large part to their third down efficiency and ball control.

The Tribe converted 8-16 third down conversions including a perfect five for five on a crucial 11-minute drive scoring drive in the second half. W&M freshman running back Jonathan Smith rushed for a career-high 141 yards on 24 carries highlighted by touchdown runs of 47 and 10 yards respectively.

JMU also was able to accumulate yards on the ground as it rushed for 205 yards on 44 carries, the most since the first game versus Elon University. Senior fullback Robert Carson gained a career-high 97 yards on 16 carries and junior running back Brannon Goins gained 26 yards and punched in a touchdown run from one yard out for the Dukes only touchdown of the game.

"We were determined to establish the running game this past weekend, and our line did a good job opening up holes," Goins said. The versatile Goins continues to split time at wide out and running back for the Dukes.

"We had such a great chance to win or at least go into overtime. We didn'tclose the deal. When you miss two field goals like that it is hard to win a close game," coach Mickey Matthews said.

Red-shirt freshman place kicker Burke George missed a 34-yard field goal and had a second attempt from 43 yards out blocked by W&M senior defensive tackle Chad Richards.

Northeastern comes to Bridgeforth this Saturday led by second-year coach Don Brown (8-12 overall, 1-0 vs. JMU). The Huskies are winless on the road and the Dukes are in the middle of an eight-game overall slide, so one streak must come to an end this weekend. 

NU is coming off a 34-11 victory over the University of New Hampshire in which the Atlantic 10's leading rusher, senior running back L.J. McKanas, ran for 193 yards and three scores in the rout. The Huskies recently have turned over the offense to freshman quarterback Shawn Brady. Brady has passed for 462 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions while completing 48 percent of his passes. He also is very capable of running the ball, having taken off on a 77-yard scamper earlier in the year. Senior wide receiver Kito Delgado has a team-high 28 catches for 508 yards and three touchdowns.

On defense, the Huskies are lead by junior cornerback Art Smith with six passes picked off and three fumble recoveries. Junior linebacker Adam Walker leads the team with 73 tackles, including 11 for losses and 6.5 sacks.
JMU's defense is rising to the occasion led by the Atlantic 10's first and fifth leading tackles, Lloyd and Pack, respectively. Freshmen cornerbacks Cortez Thompson and Rondell Bradley picked off their first passes of the year last week versus the Tribe.

JMU looks to avenge last year's loss to Northeastern in the team's final game of the year. The Huskies scored two touchdowns in the games final five minutes to escape with a 34-30 home victory. JMU owns a 10-5 advantage in all-time games and 5-3 advantage in home games versus the Huskies. JMU might be forced to pass a little more than the 11 attempts last game as the Huskies give up almost 200 yards in the air per game.

"I really didn't think much about not throwing much last game," red-shirt freshman Matt LeZotte said. "I think we played a lot better last week and anything we can do to win we will try and do. We really need to work on two things to get a victory in our last two games. First we need to convert more on third downs and second we need to score when we get in the red zone."
Goins said, "We are a real young team and every week is a whole new ball game. We need to end on a positive note so we have some motivation heading into next year."