JMU sharpens up for fall

Matthews impressed with Dukes' running attack

Kevan Maciver / senior photographer Rising red-shirt senior quarterback Matt LeZotte throws a pass during JMU's annual spring game Saturday at Zane Showker FIeld at Bridgeforth Stadium. The Dukes amassed 282 yards rushing on the afternoon. LeZotte threw for 151 yards and two touchdowns.

JMU concluded spring practices Saturday with its spring game at Zane Showker Field at Bridgeforth Stadium.

Rising red-shirt junior tailback Raymond Hines rushed for 90 yards on 10 carries and also had a 46-yard touchdown run to shoulder the majority of the team's running game.

"Hines had a good scrimmage today," coach Mickey Matthews said.

In addition to Hines, rising red-shirt sophomores Alvin Banks and Maurice Fenner also played well. Each tailback carried 10 times, with Banks rushing for 54 yards and Fenner tallying 55 yards on the ground.

"I thought I had some pretty good runs today," Fenner said. "The coaches always try and stress finishing blocks and runs. If we have a consistent running game, it will help open up the passing game."

Matthew's added,"Banks had a good day [running the football] and Maurice played really well today, he had a great day. It was by far the best our backs had played all spring."

In regard to recently hired offensive coordinater Jeff Durden's new strategy, many of the players believe the Dukes are adapting well.

"There's a lot more comfort with the new offense," red-shirt senior quarterback Matt LeZotte said. "Coach Durden allows you to have a lot of faith in him and with that, we've really started to excel."

Banks added, "We're still picking up on little things. But I think we're doing a good job."

Though LeZotte believes the offense is progressing, things didn't start out well for him. He was intercepted on the first play from scrimmage by rising junior linebacker Isai Bradshaw.

However, LeZotte and the offense settled down. For the afternoon, the red-shirt senior quarterback was 10 of 18 for 151 yards and threw two touchdown passes, including a 40-yarder to rising sophomore tailback Ardon Bransford.

"I started off a little shaky," LeZotte said. "We had a couple of turnovers early, but that's something that will be easily fixed."

Although the offense moved the ball well, LeZotte also said a big focus is to be efficient in the red-zone.

"We just have to finish," LeZotte said." There were a lot of field goals kicked today and when we get in the red-zone we really have to finish."

Matthews echoed LeZotte's statement.

"I thought we were lethargic early on offensively, Matthews said. "But I thought that as the scrimmage continued, we got better."

Matthews and LeZotte both attribute the offensive improvement to steady play from the offensive line.

"I think our offensive line has been playing really well this spring," Matthews said. "We are much-improved there [in comparison to last season]."

LeZotte said, "we had success running the ball today. And the line did a good job pass blocking."

Although Bradshaw's interception was the only pick of the day, Matthews was impressed with the play of his defense.

"[Rising red-shirt sophomore Kevin] Winston continues to improve; he has all the tools you want in a defensive end," Matthews said. "[Rising red-shirt junior cornerback] Leon Mizelle did a really nice job today, and [rising junior cornerback] Clint Kent just makes plays out there. He's a really solid football player."

As for the overall assessment of the game, Banks believes that while the Dukes looked good, there still is work to be done.

"We played pretty well today," Banks said, "but we can always get better."

The Dukes open their 2004 season Sept. 4 against Lock Haven University at home. Kickoff is at 6 p.m.