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Keys to the Game: JMU vs. Morehead State
9/3/2015 9:09:00 AM | Football
The 2015 JMU football campaign begins this Saturday when Morehead State will make its way to Bridgeforth Stadium for a 6 p.m. kickoff! While the team works hard to secure a win for JMU Nation, here's a look at a few keys to victory for the Dukes this weekend.
Find more insight on JMU's keys to victory by tuning in to the Everett Withers TV show every Thursday evening at 7 p.m, beginning next week, on the Valley's Fox station in the Shenandoah Valley. Coach Withers also holds a weekly radio program on WSVA 550 AM and MadiZONE HD SportsNet presented by the JMU Alumni Association on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. The program re-airs on Thursdays on ESPN 1360 AM and 101.3 FM WHBG at 6 p.m.
Beating Expectations
Last year, in Everett Withers' first season at the helm of JMU football, the team was picked to finish eighth in the Colonial Athletic Association preseason coaches poll. The Dukes went on to finish third in the conference with a record of 9-4 (6-2 CAA) and make an appearance in the FCS Playoffs for the first time since 2011. This season, WIthers' team has been picked to finish second in the CAA while Saturday's opponent, the Morehead State Eagles, have been tabbed to finish eighth in the Pioneer Football League. "In my first year I learned a lot about the patience you have to have without limiting or cutting back on your expectations," said Withers at the weekly JMU Fan/Press Luncheon at O'neill's Grill. "We have high standards for what we do." From being overlooked one year to being one of the teams everyone will be gunning for, the Dukes will need to stay even in their approach, week-in and week-out, starting this Saturday. The Eagles, on the other hand, will set out to show people that they're being overlooked. How each team handles the expectations that have been set for them will set the tone for their success not only this Saturday, but for the entirety of the season.
Will the Eagles Soar?
Morehead State averaged 29.3 points per game, 276.1 passing yards per game and collected 28 passing touchdowns last season en route to a 4-8 (3-5 Pioneer) record. The Eagles will once again rely on junior quarterback Austin Gahafer, who finished with 23 passing touchdowns and 2840 passing yards while connecting on 63.9 percent of his pass attempts in his sophomore campaign, to lead the passing attack. "It's going to be a challenge for us defensively," said Withers. "They do some things [offensively] that can give their opponents issues. They have a really talented QB and two really talented wide receivers." Those two wide receivers being Tanner Napier and Justin Cornwall who hauled in 563 and 420 yards respectively last season. How the Dukes' defensive backs handle Gahafar and the weapons at his disposal could be a deciding factor in who comes out on top Saturday.
Come Together
Teams lose players due to graduation every single year, but some teams lose more than others and must be able to cope effectively. The Dukes lost six offensive starters and five defensive starters, a total of 11 starters, from last season and will have to find a way to replace their production. Daniel Brown, Sage Harold and Dean Marlowe have each moved on to the next level and are currently looking to make NFL rosters. So how will the Dukes continue their success without so many of their contributers from last season? It starts up front. "We want to see our offensive linemen, who haven't played together, come together and play well," noted Coach Withers. "We want to be able to run the football. I'd like to see three running backs carry the ball and show us what they can do." Morehead State on the other hand, will return 18 of their 22 starters from last season, including seven players on the offensive side of the ball and nine players from the defense. With new starters and new players coming into the program all together, the Dukes will look to mesh quickly in all facets of the game.
Season and single-game tickets are still available at JMUSports.com or by calling 540-568-3853.
Find more insight on JMU's keys to victory by tuning in to the Everett Withers TV show every Thursday evening at 7 p.m, beginning next week, on the Valley's Fox station in the Shenandoah Valley. Coach Withers also holds a weekly radio program on WSVA 550 AM and MadiZONE HD SportsNet presented by the JMU Alumni Association on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. The program re-airs on Thursdays on ESPN 1360 AM and 101.3 FM WHBG at 6 p.m.
Beating Expectations
Last year, in Everett Withers' first season at the helm of JMU football, the team was picked to finish eighth in the Colonial Athletic Association preseason coaches poll. The Dukes went on to finish third in the conference with a record of 9-4 (6-2 CAA) and make an appearance in the FCS Playoffs for the first time since 2011. This season, WIthers' team has been picked to finish second in the CAA while Saturday's opponent, the Morehead State Eagles, have been tabbed to finish eighth in the Pioneer Football League. "In my first year I learned a lot about the patience you have to have without limiting or cutting back on your expectations," said Withers at the weekly JMU Fan/Press Luncheon at O'neill's Grill. "We have high standards for what we do." From being overlooked one year to being one of the teams everyone will be gunning for, the Dukes will need to stay even in their approach, week-in and week-out, starting this Saturday. The Eagles, on the other hand, will set out to show people that they're being overlooked. How each team handles the expectations that have been set for them will set the tone for their success not only this Saturday, but for the entirety of the season.
Will the Eagles Soar?
Morehead State averaged 29.3 points per game, 276.1 passing yards per game and collected 28 passing touchdowns last season en route to a 4-8 (3-5 Pioneer) record. The Eagles will once again rely on junior quarterback Austin Gahafer, who finished with 23 passing touchdowns and 2840 passing yards while connecting on 63.9 percent of his pass attempts in his sophomore campaign, to lead the passing attack. "It's going to be a challenge for us defensively," said Withers. "They do some things [offensively] that can give their opponents issues. They have a really talented QB and two really talented wide receivers." Those two wide receivers being Tanner Napier and Justin Cornwall who hauled in 563 and 420 yards respectively last season. How the Dukes' defensive backs handle Gahafar and the weapons at his disposal could be a deciding factor in who comes out on top Saturday.
Come Together
Teams lose players due to graduation every single year, but some teams lose more than others and must be able to cope effectively. The Dukes lost six offensive starters and five defensive starters, a total of 11 starters, from last season and will have to find a way to replace their production. Daniel Brown, Sage Harold and Dean Marlowe have each moved on to the next level and are currently looking to make NFL rosters. So how will the Dukes continue their success without so many of their contributers from last season? It starts up front. "We want to see our offensive linemen, who haven't played together, come together and play well," noted Coach Withers. "We want to be able to run the football. I'd like to see three running backs carry the ball and show us what they can do." Morehead State on the other hand, will return 18 of their 22 starters from last season, including seven players on the offensive side of the ball and nine players from the defense. With new starters and new players coming into the program all together, the Dukes will look to mesh quickly in all facets of the game.
Season and single-game tickets are still available at JMUSports.com or by calling 540-568-3853.
Players Mentioned
Saturday, April 25
Thursday, April 23
Thursday, April 23
Tuesday, April 21
