The Other Side of the Wall: James Madison
The Kansas State loss was so depressing I didn’t do a recap. Did we really need one though?
Onward and upward.
| Team | James Madison |
|---|---|
| Time, Network | 6 pm, NFL Network |
| 2022 Record | 8-3 (6-2), Sun Belt East Co-Champion |
| Troy’s Record | 1-1 |
| Last Matchup | W, 27-7 (1999) |
| Preseason Conf. Rank | 1st, Sun Belt East |
| FPI Rank | 82 |
| FPI Win% (Troy) | 54.8% |
| Spread | Troy -3 |
On paper the Dukes look comparable to Troy. They’re close in FPI rank, and Troy’s basically only getting the advantage because it’s at home.
First takeaway: if you can be at this game, be at this game. When the Vet is rockin’, the Trojans are too.
I still think it’s a little early to be really comparing stats from this year, but at least we can get a look at how this team functions.
We also have the depth chart for JMU:
This offense starts with quarterback Jordan McCloud. He has 368 yards through the air through two games, three touchdowns passing and 42 yards on the ground.
I’d call him more elusive than mobile, but he’s definitely quick enough to keep plays alive.
Here’s his favorite targets:
- Reggie Brown: 6 rec, 137 yds, TD
- Elijah Sarratt: 4 rec, 81 yds
- Phoenix Sproles: 8 rec, 48 yds, TD
- Taji Hudson: 4 rec, 46 yds
- Zach Horton: 3 rec, 27 yds
- Maxwell Moss: 2 rec, 23 yds, TD
The top three wideouts account for half the catches and more than half the team’s receiving yards.
Horton is the only tight end on the list, and Moss’s stats are only from the Bucknell game. On the other hand, Hudson’s stats are only from the Virginia game… and you have to add a passing touchdown to the list.
Running back Kaelon Black picked up 18 yards on three catches, including the game-winning 10-yard touchdown pass.
Speaking of rushers, two thirds of the total run touches are divided among three players:
- Kaelon Black: 24 carries, 150 yards
- Laetrele Palmer: 16 carries, 75 yards, 1 TD
- Ty Son Lawton: 12 carries, 101 yards (none lost), 3 TD
This sounds a lot like Troy’s back-by-committee approach. Black gets the main work, Palmer is a reliever and Lawton is the bellcow/bowling ball/power back.
JMU is balanced, much like last week’s Wildcats, but it’s not quite as dominant. The Dukes scored on their first two possessions, but the next touchdown wasn’t until 2:07 left in the 3rd quarter.
Of those seven drives between, they only crossed midfield twice—one because of a penalty, the other drive killed because of a penalty.
In a way, this offense reminds me of Troy. It can be explosive, but when it fails to run (or doesn’t even try) it stalls out.
That gives me hope defensively. I also have hope offensively too, because Virginia tore up JMU’s secondary.
The Hoos threw for 377 yards. They ran the ball 35 times for only 18 yards, but the passing attack is what got them ahead when JMU’s offense stalled.
I also noticed Virginia’s quarterback made some tight throws, and that ended up costing them. JMU will bring pressure, but little mistakes have been Troy’s main problem so far.
Thankfully, unlike Kansas State, JMU isn’t a world-beater (that’s a shot at Virginia, no offense Dukes fans). The more I look at this game, the more it feels like the two sides are well matched.
So what will the difference be? Let’s ask someone from the opposing side.
This weekend I joined the guys at JMU Sound Off for their podcast, and they graciously agreed to answer my hard-hitting round of questions.
1. What does the warning label for this team say?
“Exposure to this material can cause damage to the following organs / parts of the body: heart and liver”
JMU fans have high expectations and we have been spoiled over the last 10 years, I believe JMU hasn’t had a losing record in over 20 years. The jury is still out on this team and with the ups and downs the last 2 games versus night and day opponents, fans should be prepared for extreme highs and lows (fingers crossed for the former).
As I mentioned on the podcast, I love seeing successful FCS teams move up. They have the best chance of being successful at this level. With the exception of Saturday, I’m all for it!
2. What Taylor Swift song title best describes the (team’s) expectations this year? Why?
“Shake It Off” – I’ll admit I’m not a Swiftie so I had to dig for this one. JMU fans have to be comfortable with this team not playing in the same manner as past JMU teams. I can see this team mucking it up with the running game and shutting teams down on defense versus the offensive juggernauts of the last 4 to 5 seasons.
The more I think about it, the more this sounds accurate to Troy. We won last year. Don’t be upset if we don’t make it back.
3. Which Avenger is most like Coach Cignetti?
Nick Fury. He’s an odd ball at times, not as approachable as prior head coaches and he uses unconventional ways to get the team motivated to play together. Yet he always finds a way.
I need to see him in an eyepatch now.
4. What game from last year stands out most to fans? Why?
App State. 28-3.
JMU and App State have a storied history together going back to the Rodney Landers / Armani Edwards days. The history, coming back from down 28-3, the fact this was our first Sun Belt game with App coming off beating Texas A&M and hosting College Gameday versus Troy, this was an all-time win and one we talk about for years.
Literally the opposite reason for us, but we have the same answer.
5. What game are fans looking forward to most? Why?
This is arguably the best home schedule for JMU in years, if not the best. It’s hard to circle just one game but the fact we get to play programs we have history with and the fans truly care about: ODU, App State and Georgia Southern (throw in UCONN too) at home are all exciting match ups.
Given the recency, I bet money on Georgia Southern. We were dragging them all over the field scoring with ease in Statesboro but a few special teams mistakes, poor tackling and lack of any resemblance of pass coverage cost us the game and our top 25 position.
Also, they rushed the field afterwards.
Revenge is a strong motivator in this conference. Y’all already fit in.
6. What are three names on defense Troy fans should pay attention to? Why?
DL James Carpenter, LB Taurus Jones, LB Jailin Walker.
Unlimited motors, smart and instinctive players. Jones and Walker are probably 2 of the fastest LBs in the conference.
Better yet, all 3 were FCS recruits with Carpenter being a walk-on, and the transition has been seamless. They’ve been almost dominant at times. Carpenter is arguably our best player and made a bevy of key plays versus UVA last week, he’s a gem and testament to the program’s culture of identifying and developing talent.
Listen, we’re well aware of what walk-on talent can do. Note that they’re all in the front seven too.
7. When James Madison snaps the ball, what is most likely to happen?
A heavy dose of the three headed monster of Black, Palmer and Lawton. Since 2016, JMU has had a number of high quality backs that have split carries on offense. Many of these players could be the starting back elsewhere which speaks to the program and type of players we recruit.
Don’t be surprised if there’s a quick screen or bubble concept included in case McCloud decides to pull the ball in read scenarios.
Like I said. Running back by committee.
8. If we wake up Sunday and the underdog wins, what happened the day before?
They listened to Cignetti and stopped looking at the tabloids. Cignetti said it best during his press conference on Tuesday: “You only make progress when you are uncomfortable. We are not uncomfortable right now. I have to make people uncomfortable”
I like that. You don’t get diamonds with out heat or pressure.
9. What chicken joint is most associated with the team, college, fanbase or city?
Bojangles – it’s BO time!!! Or Chick-Fil-A.
While JMU is “up north”, we love true sweet tea and I think there’s multiple Chick-Fil-A locations on campus. Students have it great, JMU ranks in top 5 in campus food year over year.
Yeah, y’all definitely fit in. You are up north, but Chick-Fil-A sweet tea is God’s Nectar.
10. What’s one question you have for us about Troy, if you have one (we’ll answer in the article)?
What do Trojan fans like to drink? JMU fans are a generous bunch and they don’t want to come empty handed. Until kickoff, we treat you like family and we like to party. It’s a bit uglier once the ball is snapped.
The truth is, our favorite drinks in order are 1.Cold 2.Cheap and 3.Whatever’s in stock at Pete’s Package. As students, we are a 12-pack crowd, but if we’re going harder, us alumni love a good whiskey—especially Clyde May’s.
I feel like I held back last week when I projected a KSU win. I had a gut feeling it was going to be bad, but I toned it down.
I don’t have the same gut feeling, but I do feel that if Troy doesn’t solve its discipline issues and make fewer mistakes, it’s going to lose… and that will be heartbreaking.
This is a talented Troy team, and this is their chance to prove it.
Troy wins, 34-28.
Special thanks to Michael and the guys at JMU Sound Off. Give them a follow on Twitter.