2010 Virginia Tech Football: James Madison Game Guide
by furrer4heisman on Sep 7, 2010 11:57 PM EDT
in Virginia Tech Football
Email
Print
Virginia Tech vs. James Madison
Time: 1:30 p.m. EDT
Date: Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010
Place: Lane Stadium/Worsham Field (66,233), Blacksburg, Va.
TV: None (ESPN3.com)
James Madison: The Dukes are 1-0 after opening their season with a 48-7 win over Morehead State out of the Pioneer League ... JMU will be without back-up QB Justin Thorpe, who hyperextended his left knee in the first half of Saturday's game ... Thorpe, a sophomore, was last year's CAA rookie of the year after taking after starter Drew Dudzik suffered a fractured foot in the team's fifth game of 2009 ... the more athletic Thorpe was expected to split time with Dudzik this season ... against Morehead, the Dukes ran the ball 61 times and only threw it 15 times as they dominated time of possession in the first half ... they averaged 4.8 yards per carry and 12.6 yards per pass attempt against the Eagles ... last year, JMU lost to Maryland in overtime, 38-35.
Trends: James Madison has lost to an ACC opponent each of the last three seasons (2009 vs. Maryland, 2008 vs. Duke, 2007 vs. UNC) ... the Hokies have won 14 consecutive home openers ... their last loss in a home opener was in 1995 when they opened the season with a 20-14 loss to BC ... Virginia Tech has won 13 of its last 14 home games ... the Hokies have won 32 consecutive non-conference home games dating back to a 36-32 loss to UVa in 1998.
History Lesson: The Hokies are 6-0 all-time against JMU and 5-0 against it under Frank Beamer ... the two teams last met in 2003, when the Hokies won, 43-0 ... in the last two meetings, the Hokies have out-scored the Dukes, 90-0 ... JMU last scored against Virginia Tech in a 49-20 game in 1992.
What to Expect
- I fully expect the Hokies to come out flat. Disappointing defeat, five days to prepare, FCS opponent, it's a bad combination. Look at how poorly FSU played in its second game last season. After losing a shootout to Miami, the Noles had five days to prepare for Jacksonville State and needed two touchdowns in the game's final minute to win 19-9.
- Expect the Dukes to still try and establish the run even though Thorpe is out. Dudzik isn't an immobile quarterback so they'll still try some of the same things you'd expect if Thorpe was under center.
- Expect the Hokies to try and establish their own run game after struggling against Boise State on the ground.
2 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Hi folks. Never posted before but I was at the game on Monday and thought I’d add my thoughts. I’m not a Tech fan, per se, but I do enjoy watching them play on TV and since the game was basically in my back yard, I decided to go and see them in person. First off, what a fantastic game that was between two really good teams. I know VT fans may not be feeling that way right now, but as a “neutral” observer, it was college football at its best. You guys should be really proud of your team. Speaking of that, Hokie fans are amazing in the support they have for their team. Incredibly passionate, loud and really know their football. Watching FedEx Field shake as they played “Enter Sandman” was the most unreal experience I’ve had in any stadium, anyplace in the country. I’ve been to a lot of Redskins games and they don’t even approach the atmosphere Hokie fans created Monday night. As to the game, I know most of you may not believe it, but I think Virginia Tech is going to be just fine. In fact, based on what I saw Monday night, I think that not only are they still the favorites to win the ACC, but I really believe that come December they’re going to be right in the middle of the conversation for the National Championship. After that disastrous first quarter, where Tech handed Boise State 17 points because of a series of youthful mistakes, VT dominated the game on both offense and defense. And make no mistake, Boise State is a very good team and Virginia Tech was just hammering them through the second, third and most of the fourth quarter. I was sitting near a lot of BSU fans and they were saying they’d never seen they’re team getting dominated like that before. Frankly, I’m still mystified how VT lost that game, but I guess that’s an entirely different conversation. Here’s my bottom line, VT is going to be just fine. They’re going to win a lot of games this year, they’re going to contend for the ACC and maybe the BCS. And the beauty is that as good as they were Monday night, they’re only going to get better as the young players mature. Boise State may have beat you guys, but they’re not any better. And if, by chance, you get to play them again, I don’t think it’s even close. Enjoy the season!
Agreed
My initial reaction after the game was: “we’re going to win a lot of games this year…” To spot a good team 17 points and then pretty solidly take charge for the rest of the game (up until the final 2 minutes).
Of course, after that initial positive thought, I then laid in bed until 4am replaying the game in my head and spent most of yesterday in a funk and still find myself playing the “what if…” game in my head.
Just a rough one to move on from. I just want us to win one of those big ones. And, I don’t want Tech to be another notch on the Boise State bedpost.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Gobbler Country
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
