Dukes set for Atlantic 10 opener

File Photo Redshirt sophomore running back Maurice Fenner and the Dukes take on Villanova Saturday, at Villanova Stadium.

After a bye week, the Dukes return to action in their Atlantic-10 Conference opener at Villanova University Saturday, JMU takes on the No. 5-ranked Wildcats in a 1 p.m. contest.

The Dukes are 1-0 this season, after winning their season opener against Lock Haven University 62-7 Sept. 4 on the strength of 609 yards of total offense.

However, Villanova boasts one of the top defensive units in the country and will be a formidable opponent, coach Mickey Matthews said.

"No one has really been able to move the ball against them," Matthews said. "If you named the top 10 defensive players in our league they’d probably have at least four of them. They’re just a really dominating college defense."

The Dukes will attempt to counter Villanova’s stingy defense with good play from their offensive line.

"We have to play well on the offensive line to win, no question," Matthews said.

Matthews is also looking for a big game from his receiving corps.

"I think our receivers have to play well," Matthews said. "L.C. Baker, Tahir, Tolley; we have to make some plays to win."

As for the quarterback situation, neither redshirt sophomore Justin Rascati nor redshirt senior Matt LeZotte has captured the starting job yet.

"We’ll make a gametime decision," Matthews said. "We’re just going to let them practice this week. If we decide something we’re not going to announce it. Both guys will play."

Defensively, the Dukes will look to contain Villanova’s mobile quarterback, Marvin Burroughs.

"We have to control when he runs out of the pocket," Matthews said. "When he runs with the ball he’s really effective."

Matthews also stressed the need for the Dukes to keep wide receiver J.J. Outlaw under wraps.

"J.J. Outlaw is maybe the top skill threat in the league," Matthews said. "We’ve got to control him and we have to play good red zone defense."

The Wildcats are 2-0 this season and have been nationally ranked in the Sports Network top-25 since the first preseason polls came out in August.

Matthews is aware of Villanova’s home field advantage, however he also believes a road win would be important for the Dukes.

"We need to play well period," Matthews said. "In the Atlantic-10 the home team wins about 70 percent of the time. Any road win is big in this league."

Villanova leads the all-time series with JMU 6-5 including a 38-14 victory over the Dukes at Villanova Stadium last season.

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