Dukes ready for annual spring game

Football

Spring practice began two weeks ago, and as JMU heads into its annual spring game Saturday, it seems the right people are paying attention.

"The only people interested in spring practice are football players and the coaches," coach Mickey Matthews said. "Everyone else waits for the fall."

The Dukes are coming off a 6-6 season in which they went 4-5 in the Atlantic 10 Conference. However, JMU graduated only five players from its 2003 squad and optimism is on the rise along with the springtime temperatures.

"It's been a very positive spring so far," Matthews said. "We enjoy it, and I think the players enjoy it."

Back from last year's team are [rising] red-shirt sophomore running backs Alvin Banks and Maurice Fenner and [rising] red-shirt senior quarterback Matt LeZotte, as well as a healthy, much-improved offensive line.

"[The backfield] looks good," Matthews said. "Alvin Banks and Maurice [Fenner] have had a real solid spring. Really, all the running backs have done well.

"We've also made headway in our offensive line," he added.

On the other side of the ball, the Dukes say goodbye to their leading tackler, linebacker Dennard Melton, and also to All A-10 defensive end Jerame Southern, but their former teammates have wasted little time in filling the departing seniors' shoes.

"[Rising sophomore] Tony LeZotte is having a great spring at free safety," Matthews said. "Another kid who's had a good spring and improved the entire spring is [rising] red-shirt sophomore [defensive end] Kevin Winston. He's played very well."

In the off-season, JMU hired Jeff Durden a new offensive coordinator, who brings with him a new offense that plans to be a departure from that of JMU teams of the past.

"I think we're going to be more explosive then we were last year," Matthews said. "And not only that, but we've got the same players as we did last year.

"They're a year older and more experienced, and they're off to a great start and we're right where we need to be with our offense."

The Dukes and their new offense will be on display Saturday on Zane Showker Field at Bridgeforth Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m.

"It's going to be a wide-open day," Matthews said. "We're going to throw a lot of passes and have a good time."