Game Preview: James Madison University- Semifinals

This is the clash that everyone has hoped for since the bracket was released.  James Madison University (JMU) vs. South Dakota State University.  Both have strong offenses with SDSU likely have a slight advantage and both play solid defense with James Madison likely being a bit stronger.

James Madison is the defending National Champion and is 13-0 so far this season.  Not that comparative scoring really matters, but New Hampshire is the only opponent that these teams share this year.  JMU won that matchup on October 28th, 21-0 while the Jacks took down UNH this past weekend 51-13.

This is the marquee game in the playoffs up to this point and it should be a terrific battle.  Mike Houston is in just his second year at JMU but has lead them to a record of 27-1 in that span.  He is an intense coach and I do really enjoy listening to his pre-game speeches that ESPN usually airs before their broadcast.  JMU isn't overly flashy and doesn't get involved with too much nonsense.  They are just a solid team that doesn't beat themselves.

Offense
The Dukes score nearly 35 points per game and can run or pass the ball with equal efficiency.  JMU runs for 4.5 yards per carry and 197  yards per game and passes for 232 yards per game.  They have scored 50 TDs on offense with 25 via running and passing each. They control the ball for about half the game and are good on 3rd down (41.71%).  They don't give up a ton of sacks (31 on the year), but don't turn redzone trips into touchdowns as efficiently as the Jackrabbits with a touchdown conversion rate of just 64%.  Their balance, effectiveness, and variety of formations remind me a lot of the Jackrabbits. 

At quarterback, JMU returns senior #17 Bryan Schor. Schor has had quite the career for JMU and this season has been no different.  He has passed for 2,871 yards, completing 66% of his passes and has 24 touchdown passes against 12 interceptions.  He also adds the extra dimention of being a threat to gain yards with his legs.  He has gained 510 yards rushing which is cut to 291 after sacks are factored in.  He has also scored 6 TDs with his legs and has a long rush of 26 yards.  The Jacks will need to be aware of his willingness to scramble when applying their pass rush.  Weber State was able to sack Schor three times but missed a handful more as Schor appears very strong and is able to shake off defenders. 

The rushing attack has dual talents, #1 Trai Sharp and #29 Marcus Marshall leading the way.  On the season Sharp has rushed for 719 yards (a 4.6 ypc avg) and 4 TDs.  Marshall has gone for 617 yards (5.3 ypc avg) and 8 TDs.  Sharp has caught 13 passes for 85 yards and 2 TDs while Marshall has 10 receptions for 65 yards.  Against Weber State  I was blown away by the quick burst of Marshall.  It looked like if he made it through the first wave of defenders he would not be caught.  It will be important for the Jacks to be solid upfront and stop this dive action before he reaches top speed.

The wide receiver position appears to have great depth, again, much like the Jackrabbits.  They have eight players who have caught more than ten passes this season.  The leader of the group is #7 Terrence Alls who in only 9 games hauled in 49 receptions for 652 yards and 2 TDs.  The other starter is #19 David Eldridge who has 36 receptions for 449 yards and 4 TDs but was held without a catch against Weber State.  #8 John Miller has 35 receptions for 393 yards and 1 TD on the season but did not play against Weber State.  #10 Riley Stapleton exploded onto the scene this past weekend garning 8 receptions for 189 yards and a TD.  Prior to the Weber State matchup he had just 22 receptions, for 249 yards on the season.  #13 Ismael Hyman (28 receptions, 408 yards, 4 TDs) and #8 John Miller (35 receptions, 393 yards, 1 TD) are additional weapons that Schor can use.  The tight end position doesn't have a ton of productivity in the passing game but #37 Clayton Cheatham has 8 receptions for 137 yards and 4 TDs.  #88 Jonathan Kloosterman also has 7 receptions for 71 yards and TD.  The Jacks will certainly need all hands on deck from the secondary and linebacker position for this game.  The array of weaponry reminds of all the receivers that USD trotted out on the field this year.  JMU has good size, experience, and depth.

The offensive line has been a unit in flux this season for JMU.  Prior to the season starting they lost starting right tackle Tyree Chavious.  In season they lost starting right guard Gerren Butler and in the playoffs lost starting left guard A.J. Bolden.  Fortunately for JMU they have quality depth along the offensive line.  Starting from left to right will likely be senior #70 Aaron Stinnie (6-5, 309), sophomore #67 Zaire Bethea (6-3, 300), sophomore #73 Mac Patrick (6-2, 295), senior #55 Nick Edwards (6-4, 287), and sophomore #60 Jahee Jackson (6-3, 292).  This is a big line but doesn't appear to be as dominant as they were in 2016.  Dominant is said but they are still VERY good; you don't put up these type of statistics behind a mediocre offensive line.  Obviously injuries have had an affect.  Weber State was able to generate a consistent pass rush and sacked Schor 3 times with lots of other hurries, they were just unable to get him to the ground.  When he did have time to scan the field he was able to shred Weber's defense.  SDSU will have to find a way to get pressure and keep Schor uncomfortable in the pocket.  

Defense
The Dukes defense is certainly one of, if not thee best defense that SDSU has faced this year.  NDSU, Illinois State, and UNI all are fast, big and physical so the Jacks should be well prepared.  How much faster JMU is will be interesting to see.  JMU only allows 10 points per game.  They only allow 85 rushing ypg and a 157 ypg passing.  They have forced 25 interceptions and have sacked opposing quarterbacks 43 times which is good for over 3 sacks per game.  Opponents only convert on 29% of third downs.  The most stunning statistic to me is that JMU has only allowed opponents into the red-zone 18 times this season giving up just 7 touchdowns.  This tells me that they are tough defense to sustain drives against.  Even against Weber State, they really only gave up a TD on a short field, and two long touchdown receptions.  Weber had the one long 10 play 82 yard touchdown march in the 4th quarter but otherwise struggled to sustain drives, or even not go 3-and-out.

The front four from JMU are experienced and explosive.  The unit is highlighted by Buchanon awrd finalish, #93 Andrew Ankrah (6-4, 248) who has 51 tackles, 7.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles.  Charlie Harmon has held his own over the years against some of the best defensive ends at the FCS level.  Ankrah vs. Harmon will certainly be a matchup to watch on Saturday.  Ankrah is joined by #47 Darrious Carter (6-5, 235) at the other defensive end position.  Carter has 43 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 8 quarterback hits.   On the interior is #94 Cornell Urquhart (6-4, 280) and #74 Simeyon Robinson (6-1, 264).  Urquhart has 53 stops, including 3.5 sacks while Robinson has 44 tackles and 4.5 sacks.  Depth on the interior could be a concern for JMU, but they have #15 Ron'Dell Carter (6-3, 269) and #46 David Ezeagwu (6-2, 234) on the edges.  Carter has 26 tackles and 4 sacks while Ezeagwu has 11 tackles and 1 sack.

The linebacking corp is solid and features two big time players.  Seniors #9 Kyre Hawkins and #49 Brandon Hereford play like their hair is on fire. They are all over the field.   Hawkins, a four year starter, leads the team with 98 tackles and seven sacks on the season.  Hereford has pitched in with 56 tackles, 4 sacks, and 1 INT.  The other linebacker is either #11 Bryce Magingly (18 tackles), #38 Mike Cobbs (8 tackles), #52 Landon Word (28 tackles), or  #3 Gus Little (35 tackles).

JMU's secondary had an off game against Weber State. In their first round matchup they allowed 207 yards passing to Stony Brook and against Weber they allowed 238.  On the season they are allowing just 157 yards per game passing; which is an incredible statistic.  The top-3 cornerbacks all are playmakers and provide excellent coverage.  #26 Curtis Oliver has 52 tackles on the season, 1 INT, 1 sack, and 7 pass breakups.  #6 Jimmy Moreland has 58 tackles, 5 INTs, and 13 pass breakups.  #22 Rashad Robinson has 37 tackles, 7 INTs, and 7 more breakups.  The senior safeties are equally as capable serving as the 2nd and 3rd leading tacklers for JMU.  #5 Raven Greene has 69 tackles, 4 INTs, and 7 pass breakups while #44 Jordan Brown has 66 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 7 INTs, and 4 breakups.  Clearly there are playmakers on the back end of JMU's defense.  I was surprised by their play against Weber State and that they allowed the two long pass plays.  They have only allowed opponents to break the 200 yard passing mark 4 times this season.  I know a lot of teams in the CAA favor the run and don't have as explosive of offenses, but that is still a great statistic.

Special Teams
The obvious highlight for this unit is redshirt freshman kicker #91 Ethan Ratke who booted the 46 yard field goal to defeat Weber State.  Ratke has been very good since replacing the injured Tyler Gray going 11-14 with the 46 yarder being his season long.  Ratke also handles the kickoff duties and has a respectable 61.2 yard average on 43 attempts.  He only has 10 touchbacks but I have a feeling that some of that may be by design.  His average in the colder weather is around 58 so there will certainly be opportunities for a return.  JMU has also allowed one kick return for a TD.   

The punting duties belong to #98 Harry O'Kelly who has a 40 yard avg on the season.  Against Weber he had a 43.9 yards per punt average but had 67 yarder that effected his average.  In recent games he has been kicking for about a 36 yard average.  On the season he has forced 6 fair catches, landed 20 inside the 20, and has booted five 50+ yards.  Opponents have just a 2.89 average on their punt returns.

The aforementioned Marcus Marshall is the primary kick returner and he has a 21.43 average on 14 attempts.  Against Weber he had a 30 yard return and his season long is 32 yards.

#24 D'Angelo Amos handles the punt return duties and has been explosive since taking over midway through the season.  He has 12 returns for 191 yards (15.92 avg), and 1 TD.  Prior to Amos moving into that role was #8 John Miller.  Miller also had a nice average of 11.67 yards per attempt and 1 TD but again did not play against Weber State.              

Prediction
The Jacks will need to play their best game of the season.  These are obviously two of the best teams in the country and this matchup has been anticipated for quite sometime.  I think the Jacks come out with a hard fought win, 30-24.

Go Jacks!
Matt