Banks, Fenner fuel Dukes' running game

In the 2004 season, new offensive coordinator Jeff Durden says he will craft an offense that concentrates on passing and getting the ball out of the quarterback’s hands quickly. However, this doesn’t mean that JMU’s running backs will be spending all their time on the bench.

Almost five years have lapsed since Matt LeZotte left Augusta, Ga., for JMU’s campus. In those years, the red-shirt senior quarterback has witnessed only one winning season, when he red-shirted behind then-starter Charles Berry in 2000.

JMU will return a veteran offensive line for the 2004 season, headlined by red-shirt senior center Leon Steinfeld and red-shirt junior guard Matt Magerko.

In the world of Division I-AA football, coaches have the luxury of exploring a viable option for adding talent that their I-A counterparts cannot.

Following JMU’s 6-6 season, coach Mickey Matthews announced the addition of offensive coordinator Jeff Durden to his coaching staff. Within a few weeks it became apparent that the Dukes’ offense would be getting a massive facelift in 2004.

n football, special teams play centers around the kicking game. Heading into the 2004 season, the Dukes have two reliable starters — junior punter Nick Englehart and sophomore place-kicker David Rabil.

No unit on the JMU football team lost more this off-season than the defensive line.

JMU enters the 2004 season with talent and experience in its secondary.