After a week of reflecting on exactly what Maryland's opening-game beat-down meant for James Madison, the answer was bittersweet for Dukes fans.
Yes, JMU could compete with a team from the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly I-AA). And yes, JMU would suffer the latest in a series of heartbreaking losses for the program, which has been on the cusp of greatness since its 2004 I-AA national championship.
After taking an untimely exit in the Football Championship Subdivision semifinals last year with a 35-27 loss to Montana, the Dukes impressed in their 2009 season opener, but lost in overtime 38-35 in College Park.
Starting with possession in overtime, JMU moved only one yard in three downs and was forced to attempt a 41-yard field goal. Dixon Wright missed wide right, and Maryland capitalized on the ensuing possession with a 26-yard field goal to win the game.
JMU quarterback Drew Dudzik went 9-of-15 for 141 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 112 yards and another score. Jamal Sullivan rushed for 87 yards and a touchdown, while Da'Rel Scott, the Terps' leading rusher, had only 13 yards on the ground.
Maryland quarterback Chris Turner went 25-of-38 for 236 yards and a touchdown, also grabbing one on the ground, and helped his team escape from being the latest ACC team to falter against the Colonial Athletic Association.
Penalties were costly for JMU, which racked up 11 for a total of 105 yards.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
A Familiar Foe
While the fallout from the CAA's recent surge against the ACC has drawn significant attention going into Saturday's matchup between JMU and Maryland, there is another notable storyline that has been in the works the entire offseason.
The Terps' defense, which got drubbed 52-13 at Cal, was recently taken over by former Massachusetts coach Don Brown. Brown has gone 5-2 against Matthews in CAA play, dating back to Brown's days as coach at Northeastern.
In this Daily News-Record article, Mike Barber talks about how despite last week's upsets, Maryland is still poised to rebound from its shellacking at Cal.
Brown brought with him a repertoire of blitzing schemes that attracted positive attention in the preseason, but while Cal is a national championship contender in the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly I-A), I would say the Terps should still be wary going into their matchup with JMU, a Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) opponent.
The Terps' defense, which got drubbed 52-13 at Cal, was recently taken over by former Massachusetts coach Don Brown. Brown has gone 5-2 against Matthews in CAA play, dating back to Brown's days as coach at Northeastern.
In this Daily News-Record article, Mike Barber talks about how despite last week's upsets, Maryland is still poised to rebound from its shellacking at Cal.
Brown brought with him a repertoire of blitzing schemes that attracted positive attention in the preseason, but while Cal is a national championship contender in the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly I-A), I would say the Terps should still be wary going into their matchup with JMU, a Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) opponent.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Terps in Trouble
In today's Washington Post Maryland football video feature, by Eric Prisbell, the following was said regarding Saturday's game between Maryland and JMU: "We're getting ready for a James Madison game where it can't get much worse for Maryland after last weekend."
Well, actually, it could.
If you consider losing to a Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) team worse than losing to Cal, one of the top teams in the Pac-10, then Maryland actually should be concerned.
Whereas Maryland's defense has been exposed as a weakness, instead of the dynamic force it was billed as in the preseason, JMU's defense is its strength.
With Maryland experiencing offensive line woes on top of it all, look for JMU's front four to cause serious trouble for the Terps this weekend.
Well, actually, it could.
If you consider losing to a Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) team worse than losing to Cal, one of the top teams in the Pac-10, then Maryland actually should be concerned.
Whereas Maryland's defense has been exposed as a weakness, instead of the dynamic force it was billed as in the preseason, JMU's defense is its strength.
With Maryland experiencing offensive line woes on top of it all, look for JMU's front four to cause serious trouble for the Terps this weekend.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
$5,200 A Week — Not Bad
In the latest development of former JMU defensive lineman J.D. Skolnitsky's saga, the 6-foot-5, 265-pound tackle has signed to the Redskins practice squad.
His reward? $5,200 a week.
Skolnitsky will not attend games with the Redskins while he's on the practice squad — something I'm sure he would enjoy — but a little over a grand a day isn't bad recompense.
This, all according to a Daily News-Record article on the subject.
After having his final year of collegiate eligibility stripped by the NCAA because of a failed drug test, Skolnitsky continues to impress at the next level.
His reward? $5,200 a week.
Skolnitsky will not attend games with the Redskins while he's on the practice squad — something I'm sure he would enjoy — but a little over a grand a day isn't bad recompense.
This, all according to a Daily News-Record article on the subject.
After having his final year of collegiate eligibility stripped by the NCAA because of a failed drug test, Skolnitsky continues to impress at the next level.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Q&A Greatness
So, in Googling the term "ACC vs. CAA," I have come across the funniest blog post I've seen in recent memory.
Desmond Conner publishes a blog about Connecticut football, and in his question and answer feature, he had to answer the following question: "Should ACC Be Concerned About CAA Taking Its BCS Bid?"
Wow. Hilarious.
John Feinstein wrote a scathing article about the ACC's abysmal showing last weekend, in which he lampoons the conference's addition of Miami and Virginia Tech a few years back. He calls it the "now infamous football expansion of 2005."
I'm not sure where I stand on the issue. The ACC is clearly a lower-tier BCS conference, but I'm waiting to see how Miami and Virginia Tech's seasons play out before I indict the ACC as a whole.
What do you think?
Desmond Conner publishes a blog about Connecticut football, and in his question and answer feature, he had to answer the following question: "Should ACC Be Concerned About CAA Taking Its BCS Bid?"
Wow. Hilarious.
John Feinstein wrote a scathing article about the ACC's abysmal showing last weekend, in which he lampoons the conference's addition of Miami and Virginia Tech a few years back. He calls it the "now infamous football expansion of 2005."
I'm not sure where I stand on the issue. The ACC is clearly a lower-tier BCS conference, but I'm waiting to see how Miami and Virginia Tech's seasons play out before I indict the ACC as a whole.
What do you think?
Monday, September 7, 2009
CAA fells ACC
OK, so only two teams from the CAA did this.
But they were the only two teams to play against ACC competition, and it says something about the toughness of the Colonial Athletic Association, a Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) conference. Villanova also beat Temple on Thursday, the first of the CAA's three wins against major conference schools.
Of course, I'm speaking of Richmond's 24-16 win at Duke and William & Mary's 26-14 upset at Virginia, games that were scheduled by the major conference schools as easy wins.
Hank Kurz Jr. of the Associated Press wrote an interesting article about this phenomenon, in which he diagrams the fallout from Duke and Virginia's losses.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch has a similar article about the weekend's action, but focused solely on Richmond's perspective.
The RTD's main point was that 2000 was the last time the CAA had three wins against Football Bowl Subdivision teams, and one of those wins was against Connecticut, a transitionaI I-A program at the time.
So now, the question becomes: Is the CAA good for a fourth? James Madison travels to Maryland for its season debut against the Terrapins, who lost 52-13 at California on Saturday. Stay tuned.
But they were the only two teams to play against ACC competition, and it says something about the toughness of the Colonial Athletic Association, a Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) conference. Villanova also beat Temple on Thursday, the first of the CAA's three wins against major conference schools.
Of course, I'm speaking of Richmond's 24-16 win at Duke and William & Mary's 26-14 upset at Virginia, games that were scheduled by the major conference schools as easy wins.
Hank Kurz Jr. of the Associated Press wrote an interesting article about this phenomenon, in which he diagrams the fallout from Duke and Virginia's losses.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch has a similar article about the weekend's action, but focused solely on Richmond's perspective.
The RTD's main point was that 2000 was the last time the CAA had three wins against Football Bowl Subdivision teams, and one of those wins was against Connecticut, a transitionaI I-A program at the time.
So now, the question becomes: Is the CAA good for a fourth? James Madison travels to Maryland for its season debut against the Terrapins, who lost 52-13 at California on Saturday. Stay tuned.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Photoshop Endeavors
This week marked the publishing of my feature on Bridgewater College football players making the journey from Hampton Roads to the Shenandoah Valley. I put together the photo illustration above for the story, which made the cover of the Shenandoah Journal.My editor pitched me the idea about a month ago, and we decided to run it before the first football game of the season, which BC won last night, 44-34 over Averett.
Two of the player photos were contributed from the Bridgewater athletic department, and the rest of the photos were taken by me.
So, I'm looking for some feedback. Any suggestions on photo placement within the illustration, and what could have been altered to bring out the character of the feature?
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Party Like it's 1986?
Well, at least for the Tribe.
The 2009 offseason was filled with anticipation for Virginia football fans with the installment of a new offensive scheme, along with hopes that senior Vic Hall would quarterback the Cavaliers to a lights-out offensive attack.
And from anticipation we move to panic.
The Cavaliers lost to a Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) team for the first time since a 1986 loss to William & Mary, losing 26-14 Saturday at Scott Stadium.
The Daily Progress used the David and Goliath analogy in describing the upset. However you look at it, Virginia has fallen a long way with this loss.
The 2009 offseason was filled with anticipation for Virginia football fans with the installment of a new offensive scheme, along with hopes that senior Vic Hall would quarterback the Cavaliers to a lights-out offensive attack.
And from anticipation we move to panic.
The Cavaliers lost to a Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) team for the first time since a 1986 loss to William & Mary, losing 26-14 Saturday at Scott Stadium.
The Daily Progress used the David and Goliath analogy in describing the upset. However you look at it, Virginia has fallen a long way with this loss.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Thanks, Hollywood Gossip
We've all seen post-game riots between archrivals, but Thursday night's outburst by Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount was the most blatant violation I've ever seen broadcast.
Blount threw a punch after receiving words from Boise State's Byron Hout following the Broncos' 19-8 dispatching of the Ducks.
As you would expect, media outlets across the country are condemning this act with words of profound remorse.
And in part, we have The Hollywood Gossip to thank.
THG had this to say about Blount's outburst: "Dude had to be restrained."
This is far from the first such outburst to take place, just the most visible. It's a shame such a careless act captured the country's attention on opening day.
Blount threw a punch after receiving words from Boise State's Byron Hout following the Broncos' 19-8 dispatching of the Ducks.
As you would expect, media outlets across the country are condemning this act with words of profound remorse.
And in part, we have The Hollywood Gossip to thank.
THG had this to say about Blount's outburst: "Dude had to be restrained."
This is far from the first such outburst to take place, just the most visible. It's a shame such a careless act captured the country's attention on opening day.
Schlereth Outdoes Himself
Mark Schlereth got a little out of hand today when he was talking about how sneaky Eric Mangini is on SportsCenter.
He said Mangini gets frightened when he looks at himself in the mirror, because he doesn't even know what he's going to do next.
The comment came during a discussion of the quarterback controversy in Cleveland, where Derek Anderson is battling Brady Quinn for the starting job.
What's more ridiculous, the drawn-out saga between those two or Mark Schlereth's recent antics?
He said Mangini gets frightened when he looks at himself in the mirror, because he doesn't even know what he's going to do next.
The comment came during a discussion of the quarterback controversy in Cleveland, where Derek Anderson is battling Brady Quinn for the starting job.
What's more ridiculous, the drawn-out saga between those two or Mark Schlereth's recent antics?
Thursday, September 3, 2009
SEC vs. ACC: Gamecocks Win
For the second straight year, South Carolina handed N.C. State an opening-game loss, this time a 7-3 defeat in Raleigh, N.C.
It's hard to put a game like this in perspective, especially when it's the first of the college football regular season.
Considering that neither team is expected to make much noise in the Top 25, it may be largely consequential. But it is an early check mark for the the SEC against the ACC after a 2008 season in which the latter dominated in its bowl games.
It's hard to put a game like this in perspective, especially when it's the first of the college football regular season.
Considering that neither team is expected to make much noise in the Top 25, it may be largely consequential. But it is an early check mark for the the SEC against the ACC after a 2008 season in which the latter dominated in its bowl games.
Oregon, Boise State Marquee Matchup
Today marks the beginning of the college football season, and to recognize that, I'd like to draw your attention to one of the greatest broadcast concepts ESPN ever came up with.
Lou Holtz's pep talks.
If you click on the above, you'll see unbridled passion bordering on crazed lunacy. But above all, you'll see brilliance.
After you've indulged in that, check out this list of nine college football games being played tonight. Among them is a 7 p.m. matchup between South Carolina — where Lou Holtz once coached — and NC State on ESPN.
After that game is over, at 10:15 p.m., ESPN is broadcasting a doozy: No. 16 Oregon plays at No. 14 Boise State in perhaps the toughest ticket of the week. This article from The Oregonian talks about how unique this matchup is. Boise is favored, but the game should be hotly contested.
Lou Holtz's pep talks.
If you click on the above, you'll see unbridled passion bordering on crazed lunacy. But above all, you'll see brilliance.
After you've indulged in that, check out this list of nine college football games being played tonight. Among them is a 7 p.m. matchup between South Carolina — where Lou Holtz once coached — and NC State on ESPN.
After that game is over, at 10:15 p.m., ESPN is broadcasting a doozy: No. 16 Oregon plays at No. 14 Boise State in perhaps the toughest ticket of the week. This article from The Oregonian talks about how unique this matchup is. Boise is favored, but the game should be hotly contested.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Serena Sizzling
No. 1 seed Serena Williams just cruised to a 6-1, 6-1 win over unranked Melinda Czink in the third round of the U.S. Open — and the commentators are fixating on how embarrassed Czink must be.
Guys, come on, this is Serena Williams. She has her own HP commercials. Take it easy on Czink, she's not the first.
ESPN interviewed Common and Jeremy Piven in the grandstands late in the match, and I guess Common and Serena are dating? That's news to me.
Piven and Common were separated by only a few seats; I wonder if Turtle is booking Common's next record deal.
Guys, come on, this is Serena Williams. She has her own HP commercials. Take it easy on Czink, she's not the first.
ESPN interviewed Common and Jeremy Piven in the grandstands late in the match, and I guess Common and Serena are dating? That's news to me.
Piven and Common were separated by only a few seats; I wonder if Turtle is booking Common's next record deal.
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