(10-31-2018 09:50 AM)JMUSteeler Wrote:  Quite frankly I feel like I'm watching a repeat of last year's championship game every time I watch us play a good team. It's frustrating to have our special teams and D give us multiple opportunities, only to squander those opportunities with busted plays and the occasional turnover. Dropped passes, negative yards on first down, a lack of creativity on first down....we should have handled NDSU with ease in that game with execution, and right now it feels like different players and the same result. I don't think it's any one thing, which is why I don't agree with laying this on Dinucci.

I very much agree with this sentiment. It does seem a bit like groundhog day at times. My personal opinion is we are playing very conservative in a 'not too lose' manner rather than a 'take no prisoners' manner.

(10-31-2018 09:11 AM)DirtyDukes Wrote:  

(10-31-2018 08:55 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(10-31-2018 08:40 AM)DirtyDukes Wrote:  

(10-31-2018 08:27 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(10-30-2018 09:23 AM)BDKJMU Wrote:  FWIW:
8 games in, Dinucci is completeing 69% of his passes, 11 TDs/4 INT.
1st 8 games last season: Schor completed 68%, 17 TDs/9 INT.

Hard to argue with those stats.....seems like about the same QB from last year to this year to me. I think folks tend to remember things better than they were at times. Schor and DiNucci are very comprable QBs from last year to this year.

Are you guys saying you feel as good about the team at this point of the season as you did at last point of the season?!?

Maybe not quite as good b/c last year we had a QB in his 2nd season as a starter and 3rd year (I think) in the system.

But I had the same question marks/concerns about the offense at this point of the season.....inconsistent running game and inconsistent oline play. This is just my opinion but when the oline play is inconsistent that is going to create issues for the offense as a whole. I really think the rest of the CAA has caught up to what DK likes to call offensively and gameplan......so know it is time for DK to adjust to the defensive game planning. I also think you see more issue with conference play for this as a result of familiarity of opponents and 3rd/4th time some of these teams have seen/prepared for a DK offense.

This time last year we had just beat UNH 21-0 and our only close game was a 20-10 win over UD at Newark. We definitely hadn't lost to ELON or BARELY beat SBU.

That UD game was 17-10 (1 score game) until very late in the 4th quarter (was a very tight ballgame against a team that had very little offense last year).

JMU also just got by Richmond last year at home on a late TD by Sharp to win by a TD.

Oh and JMU got by Weber State by 3 on a game ending FG......that Weber St team was ranked about where Stony Brook was ranked 10/12.

The sky is not falling b/c JMU is playing tight games versus good opponents. I sit in the stands and hear lots of folks complaining when we have blowout games clamoring for good/tight ballgames......and these are now the same folks I hear around me griping about tight ballgames......go figure.

(10-31-2018 09:11 AM)DirtyDukes Wrote:  

(10-31-2018 08:55 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(10-31-2018 08:40 AM)DirtyDukes Wrote:  

(10-31-2018 08:27 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(10-30-2018 09:23 AM)BDKJMU Wrote:  FWIW:
8 games in, Dinucci is completeing 69% of his passes, 11 TDs/4 INT.
1st 8 games last season: Schor completed 68%, 17 TDs/9 INT.

Hard to argue with those stats.....seems like about the same QB from last year to this year to me. I think folks tend to remember things better than they were at times. Schor and DiNucci are very comprable QBs from last year to this year.

Are you guys saying you feel as good about the team at this point of the season as you did at last point of the season?!?

Maybe not quite as good b/c last year we had a QB in his 2nd season as a starter and 3rd year (I think) in the system.

But I had the same question marks/concerns about the offense at this point of the season.....inconsistent running game and inconsistent oline play. This is just my opinion but when the oline play is inconsistent that is going to create issues for the offense as a whole. I really think the rest of the CAA has caught up to what DK likes to call offensively and gameplan......so know it is time for DK to adjust to the defensive game planning. I also think you see more issue with conference play for this as a result of familiarity of opponents and 3rd/4th time some of these teams have seen/prepared for a DK offense.

This time last year we had just beat UNH 21-0 and our only close game was a 20-10 win over UD at Newark. We definitely hadn't lost to ELON or BARELY beat SBU.

I’ll do a comparison to this point last year. Now can’t really compare OOC portions of schedules last 2 seasons. 2017 bad G5, cupcake & below avg So-Con. This season good P5, 1 1/4 cupcakes.

At this point last year vs the CAA (1st 5 CAA games):
-Vs Maine: Offense scored 28/472 yds. Best yardage output 1st 5 CAA games.
-@ UD: Offense only put up 13 pts/337 yds vs UD. The other 7 was courtesy of Ankrah’s scoop and score off the backward UD pass.
-Vs UNH: Offense only put up 14 points/339 yds. The other 7 came via Rashad Robinson’s 82 yd pick 6. That was a 10 to 14 point swing right there..
-Vs VU offense only put up 23 pts/316 yds. (2 TDs/3 FG). The other 7 were Hereford’s 5 yd pick 6.
-@ W&M: Offense put up 39 points/389 yds (4 TD/4 FG). That was the best offensive scoring output vs a team that went 0-8 CAA. The other 7 were Moreland’s pick 6.

This year the offense 1st 5 CAA games:
Vs W&M 37 pts/444 yds (+ 2 TDs off pick 6).
@ RU: 49 pts/543 yds (+TD off kick return & TD off pick 6).
Vs Elon: 24 pts/419 yds
@ VU: 23 points/302 yds (+ 2 Amos punt return TDs)
Vs SBU: 13 pts/243 yds

1st 5 CAA games offensive scoring/yds per game avg (excluding non offensive scoring):
2017: 19.4 points/371 yds
2018: 29.2 points/390 yds

Just saying..
(Whipped this together pretty quick, so if someone finds an error, point it out)..

(10-31-2018 09:19 AM)fishingduke12 Wrote:  

(10-31-2018 09:11 AM)DirtyDukes Wrote:  

(10-31-2018 08:55 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(10-31-2018 08:40 AM)DirtyDukes Wrote:  

(10-31-2018 08:27 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  Hard to argue with those stats.....seems like about the same QB from last year to this year to me. I think folks tend to remember things better than they were at times. Schor and DiNucci are very comprable QBs from last year to this year.

Are you guys saying you feel as good about the team at this point of the season as you did at last point of the season?!?

Maybe not quite as good b/c last year we had a QB in his 2nd season as a starter and 3rd year (I think) in the system.

But I had the same question marks/concerns about the offense at this point of the season.....inconsistent running game and inconsistent oline play. This is just my opinion but when the oline play is inconsistent that is going to create issues for the offense as a whole. I really think the rest of the CAA has caught up to what DK likes to call offensively and gameplan......so know it is time for DK to adjust to the defensive game planning. I also think you see more issue with conference play for this as a result of familiarity of opponents and 3rd/4th time some of these teams have seen/prepared for a DK offense.

This time last year we had just beat UNH 21-0 and our only close game was a 20-10 win over UD at Newark. We definitely hadn't lost to ELON or BARELY beat SBU.

True but Elon and Stony Brook both returned much of their teams from last year so another year of work plus JMU getting every teams best shot definitely plays into our struggles a bit as well. That being said our offense definitely doesnt seem to pass the eye test compared to last years

I would add that Elon did not have their stud RB last season when we played them. Also, JMU did struggle against UD, and who can forget Weber St.? Memories are selective on here, but JMU was far from invincible last season.

(10-31-2018 10:50 AM)BDKJMU Wrote:  

(10-31-2018 09:11 AM)DirtyDukes Wrote:  

(10-31-2018 08:55 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(10-31-2018 08:40 AM)DirtyDukes Wrote:  

(10-31-2018 08:27 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  Hard to argue with those stats.....seems like about the same QB from last year to this year to me. I think folks tend to remember things better than they were at times. Schor and DiNucci are very comprable QBs from last year to this year.

Are you guys saying you feel as good about the team at this point of the season as you did at last point of the season?!?

Maybe not quite as good b/c last year we had a QB in his 2nd season as a starter and 3rd year (I think) in the system.

But I had the same question marks/concerns about the offense at this point of the season.....inconsistent running game and inconsistent oline play. This is just my opinion but when the oline play is inconsistent that is going to create issues for the offense as a whole. I really think the rest of the CAA has caught up to what DK likes to call offensively and gameplan......so know it is time for DK to adjust to the defensive game planning. I also think you see more issue with conference play for this as a result of familiarity of opponents and 3rd/4th time some of these teams have seen/prepared for a DK offense.

This time last year we had just beat UNH 21-0 and our only close game was a 20-10 win over UD at Newark. We definitely hadn't lost to ELON or BARELY beat SBU.

Can’t compare OOC portions of schedules last 2 seasons. 2017 P5, cupcake & below avg So-Con. This season G5, 1 1/4 cupcakes.

At this point last year vs the CAA (1st 5 CAA games):
-Vs Maine: Offense scored 28/472 yds. Best yardage output 1st 5 CAA games.
-@ UD: Offense only put up 13 pts/337 yds vs UD. The other 7 was courtesy of Ankrah’s scoop and score off the backward UD pass.
-Vs UNH: Offense only put up 14 points/339 yds. The other 7 came via Rashad Robinson’s 82 yd pick 6. That was a 10 to 14 point swing right there..
-Vs VU offense only put up 23 pts/316 yds. (2 TDs/3 FG). The other 7 were Hereford’s 5 yd pick 6.
-@ W&M: Offense put up 39 points/389 yds (4 TD/4 FG). That was the best offensive scoring output vs a team that went 0-8 CAA. The other 7 were Moreland’s pick 6.

This year the offense 1st 5 CAA games:
Vs W&M 37 pts/444 yds (+ 2 TDs off pick 6).
@ RU: 49 pts/543 yds (+TD off kick return & TD off pick 6).
Vs Elon: 24 pts/419 yds
@ VU: 23 points/302 yds (+ 2 Amos punt return TDs)
Vs SBU: 13 pts/243 yds

1st 5 CAA games offensive scoring/yds per game avg (excluding non offensive scoring):
2017: 19.4 points/371 yds
2018: 29.2 points/390 yds

Just saying..
(Whipped this together pretty quick, so if someone finds an error, point it out)..

Thanks BDK.......JMUNation loved Schor so the memory/revisionist history wants to recall the offense being so much better last year compared to this year......truth is it ain't and from these numbers actually appears to be a bit better this year.

I watched the game again last night - DiNucci wasn't as bad as I thought. I think the issue is that the RPO game can be beaten with lots of stunting/crossing blockers. Most of the protection failures were cases where they'd show 7 guys at the line, drop2 out of the middle, and then someone would curl in from the outside-in and come up the middle to stop the play. RPOs take time to develop, and that can happen. How to fix that? Run between the tackles from under center, then do play-action. Otherwise, it's a built-in weakness of the RPO.

Another thing to consider is that it seems like in many cases, especially the zone-blocking plays, the RB is looking to break a long run, when if he'd just lower his shoulder and initiate contact, a 3-4 yard gain is pretty reliable. Of course that's easy for me to say sitting in my chair without getting hit, but there's a lot of running around a mess of a zone-blocking play and losing 4 yards, when a RB with upfield momentum could take a hit from a laterally-moving safety, and while he'd go down eventually, he could still make a gain.

But I'm just an amateur at this, so what do I know?

It has been mentioned above, but 2017 one-possession games (or games that were one possession at or after halftime)...
JMU at East Carolina 7-0 at half
Richmond at JMU 20-13 (was 13-13 with 4 minutes to play in q4)
JMU at URI 7-3 at half
JMU at Delaware 17-10 until 3 minutes left in q4
Maine at JMU 14-14 end of q3
Weber State at JMU 31-28 (were losing 20-28 with 3 minutes left in q4. Game winning FG at time expires.)
SDSU at JMU 14-10 with 1 minute left in 1h.
NDSU :(

2018 (same criteria)
NC State :(
Elon :(
Stony Brook 13-10

(10-31-2018 09:50 AM)JMUSteeler Wrote:  Quite frankly I feel like I'm watching a repeat of last year's championship game every time I watch us play a good team. It's frustrating to have our special teams and D give us multiple opportunities, only to squander those opportunities with busted plays and the occasional turnover. Dropped passes, negative yards on first down, a lack of creativity on first down....we should have handled NDSU with ease in that game with execution, and right now it feels like different players and the same result. I don't think it's any one thing, which is why I don't agree with laying this on Dinucci.

Well said. And Ben did play a great 4th quarter at Elon, two TD drives and going in for a third to clinch the game until the fumble. But I was frustrated after Saturday’s game when we could not put them away. And wished that Ben would step into his long throws. If you look at the long throw to Dean in the 4th quarter, It is underthrown because it is an all arm throw. I am hoping Ben and the offense finish strong and I continue to be confident that Cole can do the job if called upon.

One other note on close games last year. I am pretty sure the Nova game was 16-8 late in the third.

Go Dukes.

Not sure how it can be said Ben is statistically even with Bryan just by comp %, that's bogus. The other stat I saw was 17 TDs to 11 TDs, big difference in Bryan's favor. What about total yards, yards per completion, first downs, completions over 20 yards, etc. I'd need to see those kind of stats before I believe he's as effective as Bryan through the air.

The net effect, and point I think some are trying to make, is that teams seem to be on to Ben- stack the box, contain the QB run/option, and make him win with his arm. The propensity of short screens/flats/outs/etc are making an already challenged oline even more challenged. Bryan usually burned opponents when they threw too many bodies at the LOS. True, he got sacked a lot and threw INTs, but he was effective downfield and other teams respected that.

If Ben is the best we have, fine. Then the play calling needs to do something about stretching the field. I don't care if the only deep threat we have is a halfback option to Clayton, do something to make them back off the line. We have some talented young speedsters to work with.

(10-31-2018 04:37 PM)2Buck Wrote:  If Ben is the best we have, fine. Then the play calling needs to do something about stretching the field. I don't care if the only deep threat we have is a halfback option to Clayton, do something to make them back off the line. We have some talented young speedsters to work with.

THIS.

(10-31-2018 04:37 PM)2Buck Wrote:  Not sure how it can be said Ben is statistically even with Bryan just by comp %, that's bogus. The other stat I saw was 17 TDs to 11 TDs, big difference in Bryan's favor. What about total yards, yards per completion, first downs, completions over 20 yards, etc. I'd need to see those kind of stats before I believe he's as effective as Bryan through the air.

The net effect, and point I think some are trying to make, is that teams seem to be on to Ben- stack the box, contain the QB run/option, and make him win with his arm. The propensity of short screens/flats/outs/etc are making an already challenged oline even more challenged. Bryan usually burned opponents when they threw too many bodies at the LOS. True, he got sacked a lot and threw INTs, but he was effective downfield and other teams respected that.

If Ben is the best we have, fine. Then the play calling needs to do something about stretching the field. I don't care if the only deep threat we have is a halfback option to Clayton, do something to make them back off the line. We have some talented young speedsters to work with.

This is what we have discussed much of the year. He isn’t good when throwing intermediate or long passes. Some of that is failure to quickly recognize coverages and some of that is his tendency to not step into longer throws - all arm.

The stat you asked for is Yards per completion.
The Nooch is last in the CAA at 10.6.
He lives on the short stuff

(10-31-2018 01:05 PM)94computerguy Wrote:  I watched the game again last night - DiNucci wasn't as bad as I thought. I think the issue is that the RPO game can be beaten with lots of stunting/crossing blockers. Most of the protection failures were cases where they'd show 7 guys at the line, drop2 out of the middle, and then someone would curl in from the outside-in and come up the middle to stop the play. RPOs take time to develop, and that can happen. How to fix that? Run between the tackles from under center, then do play-action. Otherwise, it's a built-in weakness of the RPO.

Another thing to consider is that it seems like in many cases, especially the zone-blocking plays, the RB is looking to break a long run, when if he'd just lower his shoulder and initiate contact, a 3-4 yard gain is pretty reliable. Of course that's easy for me to say sitting in my chair without getting hit, but there's a lot of running around a mess of a zone-blocking play and losing 4 yards, when a RB with upfield momentum could take a hit from a laterally-moving safety, and while he'd go down eventually, he could still make a gain.

But I'm just an amateur at this, so what do I know?

The main reason I'm thrilled Amos is returning punts...he gets the upfield momentum concept. Marcus Marshall, not so much when he returns kickoffs.

(10-28-2018 12:43 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(10-28-2018 11:27 AM)2Buck Wrote:  

(10-27-2018 06:36 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(10-27-2018 05:53 PM)Dukesfan1971 Wrote:  If a QB can make a quick decision and deliver an accurate pass that can negate a pass rush.

If a QB can hit a wide open tight end in the flat in the numbers he can can get a first down.

If a QB can throw a deep ball on target maybe we get a 50 yard gain and not a lucky PI.

Sorry. Would like to see what Cole can do with excellent field position most of the game.

***** all you want. It ain’t gonna happen.

How the he11 do YOU know it isn't going to happen?

Some pretty funny comments on here. Ben may have been the better QB a few weeks ago but a player's performance isn't always guaranteed consistent. Maybe Ben's play has degraded to the point he is now playing worse than Cole or Gage. You have NO idea. Coach Houston might start a new QB next week, so stop speaking in certainties like you have some inside track or superior football IQ. You don't.

Put your money where your mouth is. Any price. You name it. The bet is DiNucci starts at UNH. Now put up or shut up.

Funny stuff....now who starts next game? Opening bets....? Is it 2/1 Cole or 50/50?

(11-05-2018 12:17 AM)5000DOLLARBILL Wrote:  

(10-28-2018 12:43 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(10-28-2018 11:27 AM)2Buck Wrote:  

(10-27-2018 06:36 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(10-27-2018 05:53 PM)Dukesfan1971 Wrote:  If a QB can make a quick decision and deliver an accurate pass that can negate a pass rush.

If a QB can hit a wide open tight end in the flat in the numbers he can can get a first down.

If a QB can throw a deep ball on target maybe we get a 50 yard gain and not a lucky PI.

Sorry. Would like to see what Cole can do with excellent field position most of the game.

***** all you want. It ain’t gonna happen.

How the he11 do YOU know it isn't going to happen?

Some pretty funny comments on here. Ben may have been the better QB a few weeks ago but a player's performance isn't always guaranteed consistent. Maybe Ben's play has degraded to the point he is now playing worse than Cole or Gage. You have NO idea. Coach Houston might start a new QB next week, so stop speaking in certainties like you have some inside track or superior football IQ. You don't.

Put your money where your mouth is. Any price. You name it. The bet is DiNucci starts at UNH. Now put up or shut up.

Funny stuff....now who starts next game? Opening bets....? Is it 2/1 Cole or 50/50?

Cole starts, but the bigger question is when will Houston announce the starter?

(11-05-2018 09:05 AM)Dukester Wrote:  

(11-05-2018 12:17 AM)5000DOLLARBILL Wrote:  

(10-28-2018 12:43 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(10-28-2018 11:27 AM)2Buck Wrote:  

(10-27-2018 06:36 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  ***** all you want. It ain’t gonna happen.

How the he11 do YOU know it isn't going to happen?

Some pretty funny comments on here. Ben may have been the better QB a few weeks ago but a player's performance isn't always guaranteed consistent. Maybe Ben's play has degraded to the point he is now playing worse than Cole or Gage. You have NO idea. Coach Houston might start a new QB next week, so stop speaking in certainties like you have some inside track or superior football IQ. You don't.

Put your money where your mouth is. Any price. You name it. The bet is DiNucci starts at UNH. Now put up or shut up.

Funny stuff....now who starts next game? Opening bets....? Is it 2/1 Cole or 50/50?

Cole starts, but the bigger question is when will Houston announce the starter?

We will know who the starter is when we get the ball.

(11-05-2018 12:17 AM)5000DOLLARBILL Wrote:  

(10-28-2018 12:43 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(10-28-2018 11:27 AM)2Buck Wrote:  

(10-27-2018 06:36 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(10-27-2018 05:53 PM)Dukesfan1971 Wrote:  If a QB can make a quick decision and deliver an accurate pass that can negate a pass rush.

If a QB can hit a wide open tight end in the flat in the numbers he can can get a first down.

If a QB can throw a deep ball on target maybe we get a 50 yard gain and not a lucky PI.

Sorry. Would like to see what Cole can do with excellent field position most of the game.

***** all you want. It ain’t gonna happen.

How the he11 do YOU know it isn't going to happen?

Some pretty funny comments on here. Ben may have been the better QB a few weeks ago but a player's performance isn't always guaranteed consistent. Maybe Ben's play has degraded to the point he is now playing worse than Cole or Gage. You have NO idea. Coach Houston might start a new QB next week, so stop speaking in certainties like you have some inside track or superior football IQ. You don't.

Put your money where your mouth is. Any price. You name it. The bet is DiNucci starts at UNH. Now put up or shut up.

Funny stuff....now who starts next game? Opening bets....? Is it 2/1 Cole or 50/50?

Yeah, amazing how his platitudes are often bull$&$@ isn't it?