Northeastern Preview

Just talked with Rocky Hager, head coach of the Northeastern football team. Entering Saturday's game, the Huskies are 1-3 overall, 0-1 in the CAA. Northeastern had a bye and didn't play Saturday — that might help them with some injuries.

Coach Hager offered his perspective and said, "With the Football Championship Subdivision, there are some inherent challenges that we all face because of limitations in scholarships. When you get a period of time with which you can give certain folks an opportunity to rest and recuperate, thats a bonus."

Scholarships aren't the only resource FCS schools have less of than their Football Bowl Subdivision counterparts. Low attendance and modest stadiums are an issue as well, and Northeastern's Parsons Field highlights this topic of debate. Average home attendance for the Huskies this season is 2,689 in two games at Brookline, Mass.

The quality of their facilities reflects their attendance, which is the lowest in the CAA. However, JMU coach Mickey Matthews emphasized the importance of not underestimating a team because of their facilities.

"Anytime you visit with any of the coaches in the CAA, they always talk about [how] Northeastern has the biggest home field advantage in the league." Matthews said. "It's such a shock when kids go in there ... you have such a letdown, and you really have to guard against that."

JMU stands second in the CAA South Division (4-1 overall, 2-0 CAA), and travels over 550 miles to Northeastern Saturday. The Huskies will try to contain the ever-improving JMU quarterback Rodney Landers, who was named CAA Football Offensive Player of the Week for producing 370 yards of total offense against Villanova. He has passed for more than 240 yards in both of his first two CAA games, and hasn't passed for more than 163 yards against either of Madison's three other opponents.

Senior tailback Eugene Holloman is expected to sit out the remainder of the season after his arthroscopic knee surgery, and his absence has translated to less big play potential for JMU. Senior tailback Antoinne Bolton provides leadership for the Dukes, and the next three running backs on the depth chart are redshirt freshmen Jamal Sullivan and Griff Yancey, and sophomore Reggie Hicks.

"I was surprised when I saw the yards after the game, because other than the reverse we didn't really have a big play," Matthews said. "When your home run threat's over there on crutches, that's not gonna go away all year."

Madison produced 507 yards of total offense against Villanova, and had more receiving yards than rushing yards for the first time this season. With 300 passing yards and 207 rushing yards, the Dukes utilized short screen passes to exploit the bunched-in Villanova defensive front. At this point, opposing teams must pick their poison: focus on Rodney Landers the rushing threat, or focus on his accuracy through the air.