Did not want to read all 72 pages of posts on the game. Couple of comments. Wife and I were at the game. Brutally hot and humid. Looked like a bunch of players on both sides got cramped up. Not sure what happened to Khalid but he did not play the second half I think. Anyone know? Lightening delay was weird. Saw lots of mean looking clods but no lightening.

Stadium was OK, a bit old but have seen worse. Terrible home crowd for the opener. Lots of nice, close in free parking. A nice number and variety of concessions and the stadium people and Lehigh fans were nice and friendly.

Game was a tale of two halves. Defense was getting shredded in the first half. Lehigh must have run that counter gap play 15 times and there were holes big enough to drive a truck through. Things tightened up considerably in the second half. Pass D looks much better than last year. Line play on the D side was awful, do we have a sack yet this year? O line opened some holes for some great runs but not consistent. Vad needs work on his passing, not impressed yet. Had a few nice runs. Really think we need to cut back on the passing a bit and try to run a bit more.

Last TD by the Dukes was great. Two 98+ yard drives for TD's in the game. They were great. Thought the last score by the Dukes was too fast and both the wife and I were worried that it left too much time for Lehigh, which it almost did. About had a heart attack when they blocked the FG, could not believe it. Felt like shades of 2008!!

One thing I have noticed is that the Dukes, so far at least (knock on wood) have not committed any of the stupid drive extending personnel fouls that were rampant the last couple of years. No late hits out of bounds, unnecessary roughness, facemasks etc that we saw a lot of the last couple of years. Speaks to a high level of discipline and attention to detail.

Also punting looked very good. They outkicked their coverage once and Lehigh got a decent return but all the others were minimal returns. Also no running into the punt returner penalties like last week. Brutal day for both team placekickers. Lehigh missed two (one hit the post) and the other was a 25yard or so chip shot and had the last one blocked. Arnone also missed a short one. Think the difficulties were caused mostly by the very strong crosswind that was blowing across the field.

I made sure that I wore my usual JMU T shirt today (which I did not last week as I could not find it) so I can take full credit for the victory. Also, I was sitting behind the step dad of #91 and after the weather delay he pulled out his #7 Rodney Landers jersey, but it on and determined that that was also responsible for the victory.

All in all, not a great game but a win and I will take a win anytime. As I am fond of saying only two things matter. At the end of the game the number under JMU is bigger than the number under the other name and that no one got hurt. Everything else is negotiable. Lets pray for a somewhat blowout next week as my blood pressure can't take many more of these.

Anyway my thoughts and observations. Your mileage may vary. Looking forward to seeing everyone at Bridgeforth nest weekend (finally!!)

Brian

(09-06-2014 08:50 PM)DoubleDDuke Wrote:  

(09-06-2014 08:45 PM)Hart Foundation Wrote:  Interesting that JMU changed the stats to make Rashard Davis sweep run a pass instead.
I think that is incorrect because it was an inside handoff. It was not a shovel pass.

67 yards taken from the rushing total and given to the passing total. Plus a completion to boot.

Weird. Kinda fishy too.

JMU didn't change the stats. It was technically a forward pass. Lee lost the ball and it popped into the air and by some miracle Davis caught it on the run. It wasn't intended to be a pass, but it was. So, it was scored correctly. Nothing fishy about it. The rhetoric about JMU trying to dictate stuff is bull****. Stop with that ****. It was a pass and it was called a pass. STFU with the "interesting that JMU changed the stats". Watch the game. That would be interesting.

Easy DoubleD, we've been playing nice today.

(09-06-2014 09:18 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(09-06-2014 08:50 PM)DoubleDDuke Wrote:  

(09-06-2014 08:45 PM)Hart Foundation Wrote:  Interesting that JMU changed the stats to make Rashard Davis sweep run a pass instead.
I think that is incorrect because it was an inside handoff. It was not a shovel pass.

67 yards taken from the rushing total and given to the passing total. Plus a completion to boot.

Weird. Kinda fishy too.

JMU didn't change the stats. It was technically a forward pass. Lee lost the ball and it popped into the air and by some miracle Davis caught it on the run. It wasn't intended to be a pass, but it was. So, it was scored correctly. Nothing fishy about it. The rhetoric about JMU trying to dictate stuff is bull****. Stop with that ****. It was a pass and it was called a pass. STFU with the "interesting that JMU changed the stats". Watch the game. That would be interesting.

Easy DoubleD, we've been playing nice today.

I'm not trying to argue with anyone. There are just some people who will love to put out misinformation about the staff and that irks me. JMU doesn't get to change statistics.

That said, I am a little tweaked why Withers won't tell anybody what's wrong with Abdullah. Give me a break with the training staff crap. If you don't know what in the world are you doing?

(09-06-2014 08:45 PM)Hart Foundation Wrote:  Interesting that JMU changed the stats to make Rashard Davis sweep run a pass instead.
I think that is incorrect because it was an inside handoff. It was not a shovel pass.

67 yards taken from the rushing total and given to the passing total. Plus a completion to boot.

Weird. Kinda fishy too.

Agree. More stats padding?

(09-06-2014 08:50 PM)DoubleDDuke Wrote:  

(09-06-2014 08:45 PM)Hart Foundation Wrote:  Interesting that JMU changed the stats to make Rashard Davis sweep run a pass instead.
I think that is incorrect because it was an inside handoff. It was not a shovel pass.

67 yards taken from the rushing total and given to the passing total. Plus a completion to boot.

Weird. Kinda fishy too.

JMU didn't change the stats. It was technically a forward pass. Lee lost the ball and it popped into the air and by some miracle Davis caught it on the run.

Sounds like a fumble to me.

(09-06-2014 08:43 PM)jmu98 Wrote:  

(09-06-2014 08:25 PM)formerjmusprinter84 Wrote:  

(09-06-2014 04:42 PM)Lyric Wrote:  

(09-06-2014 04:20 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(09-06-2014 04:10 PM)DoubleDDuke Wrote:  You don't put that type of brace on your leg with a mobile QB if there's not an injury. I don't care what Withers says. You see how slow he looked on that run on the last play of the first half?

Regarding that run, he showed no desire. He wasn't even taking an angle that would lead to a TD. Had he planted his right foot and turned north he at least would have stood a chance to score. He had that one play in the second half, where he was determined to get a 1st down. That was a Rodney Landers type of effort and the first I've seen from Lee.

I thought he looked slow on that play, too. This was the first time I've seen him play since the spring game, and I was impressed with his speed the first time I saw him. Not sure if my memory is failing me or what.

There is definately something wrong with VL for him to be wearing that clunker on his left leg. QB's don't generally wear "preventive" braces like linemen often do. Was he ever wearing it before the MD game? Just curious as to whether Withers has been asked about it by the media.

I was told that he wore it in the spring today at the game, but it seems like no one on here remembers that.

The kick as the TO was called was definitely good, which is counter to what a lot on here were saying.

There is talent on the D, but the scheme is not working right now.

After being at the game, I will say Lee missed a lot of passes and they looked bad, but our receivers just were not getting open, particularly in the 1st half.

I think Lehigh will be a half decent team this year, but next week will really tell us what they are when they head up to UNH.

They could win the Patriot. Think they have a chance against Fordham, whom they host in late Oct. Saw Villanova on TV absolutely CRUSH Fordham 50-6. It was 40-3 early in the 3rd. Ran all over them. Lehigh ain't Villanova, but they might be as good or better than Fordham.

(09-06-2014 05:58 PM)HyperDuke Wrote:  

(09-06-2014 02:37 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  They just said half of the fans left after the delay. That was all the JMU folk. Like those of us at home, they thought it was over.

BJK & I went back to the tailgate during the lightning delay. Then we returned, willing the team to victory!

I feel pretty confident we were the main reason they triumphed.

(09-06-2014 08:43 PM)jmu98 Wrote:  I was told that he wore it in the spring today at the game, but it seems like no one on here remembers that.

No one remembers that because it is factually inaccurate:

Just saw this on Twitter:


Fantasy Specialist @FantasySpecial

@CurtDudley JMU win today was the 1st time they have come back from a 10+ point halftime deficit since beating App St in '08
https://twitter.com/FantasySpecial/statu...4520542209

(09-06-2014 10:14 PM)bjk3047 Wrote:  

(09-06-2014 08:43 PM)jmu98 Wrote:  I was told that he wore it in the spring today at the game, but it seems like no one on here remembers that.

No one remembers that because it is factually inaccurate:

Yea. Lee was on a whole different speed on the Spring. He looks so slow compared to then..

(09-06-2014 10:18 PM)bigredo Wrote:  Just saw this on Twitter:


Fantasy Specialist @FantasySpecial

@CurtDudley JMU win today was the 1st time they have come back from a 10+ point halftime deficit since beating App St in '08
https://twitter.com/FantasySpecial/statu...4520542209

The story of the final 5 years of mickey's tenure. It is very frustrating to know that when you're trailing at the half, you've already lost.

Replay go game if anyone is interested:
http://new.livestream.com/lehigh/Lehighfootball

Box Score says that there were 6,519 in attendance. Can anyone that was there confirm that? I'm sure it's being generous.

It looked like there were a lot more on the "home" side. But the side facing the cameras looked very sparce.

(09-07-2014 07:17 AM)Potomac Wrote:  Box Score says that there were 6,519 in attendance. Can anyone that was there confirm that? I'm sure it's being generous.

lots of peeps milling around and sitting on the grassy end zone 6500+ was pushing it IMHO. Ugly game, but we came away with a W DUKES 2-0 at Goodman '48 Stadium.

All their students definitely came out, dressed in neon gear, and sat on the end zone hill. They all promptly left BEFORE halftime though.

(09-06-2014 08:25 PM)formerjmusprinter84 Wrote:  

(09-06-2014 04:42 PM)Lyric Wrote:  

(09-06-2014 04:20 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(09-06-2014 04:10 PM)DoubleDDuke Wrote:  

(09-06-2014 04:08 PM)Hart Foundation Wrote:  As far as we know, there is no injury. We do know that Withers played him the entire game against Maryland even after it was out of hand. Even with 2nd string O-lineman in there. If there was an injury that precluded him from running, he would have been out of the game long before.

You don't put that type of brace on your leg with a mobile QB if there's not an injury. I don't care what Withers says. You see how slow he looked on that run on the last play of the first half?

Regarding that run, he showed no desire. He wasn't even taking an angle that would lead to a TD. Had he planted his right foot and turned north he at least would have stood a chance to score. He had that one play in the second half, where he was determined to get a 1st down. That was a Rodney Landers type of effort and the first I've seen from Lee.

I thought he looked slow on that play, too. This was the first time I've seen him play since the spring game, and I was impressed with his speed the first time I saw him. Not sure if my memory is failing me or what.

There is definately something wrong with VL for him to be wearing that clunker on his left leg. QB's don't generally wear "preventive" braces like linemen often do. Was he ever wearing it before the MD game? Just curious as to whether Withers has been asked about it by the media.

I did a quick Google search on Vad Lee Knee and on the images results noticed a few images with him wearing a left knee brace while at GT.

The wife and I were at the game and I think the announced attendance of 6500 was a tad bit generous. Berm area was empty after halftime, not sure if the lightening delay was a major cause. Actually after the half I think there were more JMU fans there than Lehigh fans. Although in defense of the home fans it was a brutally hot and humid day, not the sort of day you usually see in early September, more like mid July.

Absolutely poor showing by the Lehigh fans for their home opener. The JMU fans were loud and ROOTIN!!

Brian

(09-06-2014 09:18 PM)ParentofJMUMRDs Wrote:  Did not want to read all 72 pages of posts on the game. Couple of comments. Wife and I were at the game. Brutally hot and humid. Looked like a bunch of players on both sides got cramped up. Not sure what happened to Khalid but he did not play the second half I think. Anyone know? Lightening delay was weird. Saw lots of mean looking clods but no lightening.

Stadium was OK, a bit old but have seen worse. Terrible home crowd for the opener. Lots of nice, close in free parking. A nice number and variety of concessions and the stadium people and Lehigh fans were nice and friendly.

Game was a tale of two halves. Defense was getting shredded in the first half. Lehigh must have run that counter gap play 15 times and there were holes big enough to drive a truck through. Things tightened up considerably in the second half. Pass D looks much better than last year. Line play on the D side was awful, do we have a sack yet this year? O line opened some holes for some great runs but not consistent. Vad needs work on his passing, not impressed yet. Had a few nice runs. Really think we need to cut back on the passing a bit and try to run a bit more.

Last TD by the Dukes was great. Two 98+ yard drives for TD's in the game. They were great. Thought the last score by the Dukes was too fast and both the wife and I were worried that it left too much time for Lehigh, which it almost did. About had a heart attack when they blocked the FG, could not believe it. Felt like shades of 2008!!

One thing I have noticed is that the Dukes, so far at least (knock on wood) have not committed any of the stupid drive extending personnel fouls that were rampant the last couple of years. No late hits out of bounds, unnecessary roughness, facemasks etc that we saw a lot of the last couple of years. Speaks to a high level of discipline and attention to detail.

Also punting looked very good. They outkicked their coverage once and Lehigh got a decent return but all the others were minimal returns. Also no running into the punt returner penalties like last week. Brutal day for both team placekickers. Lehigh missed two (one hit the post) and the other was a 25yard or so chip shot and had the last one blocked. Arnone also missed a short one. Think the difficulties were caused mostly by the very strong crosswind that was blowing across the field.

I made sure that I wore my usual JMU T shirt today (which I did not last week as I could not find it) so I can take full credit for the victory. Also, I was sitting behind the step dad of #91 and after the weather delay he pulled out his #7 Rodney Landers jersey, but it on and determined that that was also responsible for the victory.

All in all, not a great game but a win and I will take a win anytime. As I am fond of saying only two things matter. At the end of the game the number under JMU is bigger than the number under the other name and that no one got hurt. Everything else is negotiable. Lets pray for a somewhat blowout next week as my blood pressure can't take many more of these.

Anyway my thoughts and observations. Your mileage may vary. Looking forward to seeing everyone at Bridgeforth nest weekend (finally!!)

Brian

Brian, thanks for posting this. It's nice to see a post from someone who was actually at the game. We missed you at the Farmer's Wife. We did her on the way to the game and did her again on the way home. That's fan talk for: " 2-adays"

Regarding the game. It was very HOT. Before, during and after the game IVs were happening. Talking to players after the game, we also learned that locker room was not air conditioned, it was brutal.

Watching our D never figuring out their counter play was the most frustrating thing for me. I actually like our secondary. My God if we ever put an effective pass rush together and pressure the QB then I think some picks will happen. On offense I will just say that I am seeing improvement, with a lot of things we can get better at. I thought Josh Hogan did a good job at RG. Williams snaps were virtually all spot-on. I was ok with the onside kick call and choosing to not try the field goal at the end of the first half. (Just a note that 2 of the 3 turnovers by Lee were last second plays of the first half).

Regarding that terrible call by the officials on the touchdown: Earlier in the game when our kickoff went out of bounds, the officials had no idea where to place the ball. They roamed around looking at each other placing it on the 30, then moving it to the 40 and then moving it again to the 35. It was comical. The shorter official seemed the most confused. Fast forward to the end zone on the TD play, the same official took forever to make a definitive call and then finally made what turned out to be the wrong call. Many of us were immediately bombarded with texts from friends who were watching on TV, saying it was really a TD.

Regarding the Lehigh decision to even go for a game tying FG: we were flabbergasted, thinking why would you prefer to go to OT and risk losing, when your QB owned us all day long. Why not go for the win??

Regarding the block: a true freshman saves the game and frankly keeps us from a dismal 0-2 start.

(09-07-2014 10:30 AM)jmuroadwarrior Wrote:  Regarding the block: a true freshman saves the game and frankly keeps us from a dismal 0-2 start.

Wait a sec, what gives you the idea that even if the FG was made, tying the score and sending the game into OT, that the Dukes would have lost the game? JMU dominated the 2nd half, and the LH D was spent.

Thank goodness for the block, but I've every confidence JMU would have prevailed in OT.