2011 outlook xx
David Skahn
season last year and redshirt junior Jamie Veney, who was ninth on the team in tackles in 2009, returns after an injury kept him out of the entire 2010 season. With those three in the mix, along with redshirt junior Chad Byers, gives Matthews a group he can count on to be mixing it up with opposing offenses. “Linebackers are another very competitive position for us, with the three top players being Jamie Veney, Stephon Robertson and Chase Williams,” Matthews stated. “Jamie is big, strong and fast. He really had a good spring after coming back from injury, as he showed his competitiveness and desire to be back on the field. Stephon was even better than last fall, and Chase continues to grow and develop. It was just a lot of fun to watch those guys practice.”
SAFETIES The safeties are also a place where the defense returns quality experience along with young talent. Redshirt seniors Vidal Nelson and Pat Williams and junior Jakarie Jackson return after each started at least nine games last year and the trio being three of the top four JMU tacklers from last year. . “Vidal and Pat are both competing for the starting job at strong safety,” Matthews said. “Pat was our leading tackler last year and right now he’s on the second team. That tells you how competitive it is, as Vidal is a Preseason All-CAA player.” However the group will be pushed for playing time by redshirt juniors Ryan Smith and Isaiah Wright and redshirt freshman Dean Marlowe, who all got more reps in spring ball due to injuries to the returners. Competition will again be a major factor in who sees the field this fall “Jakarie, who was injured in the last game last year, has had some trouble coming back from that,” Matthews said. “That gave Ryan a chance in the spring, and he really improved tremendously and had a great spring. He is a solid player and doesn’t make any mistakes, as he is an excellent tackler. He’s a good football player who does a lot of good things. “Dean Marlowe could be the next star at JMU,“ Matthews continued. “He’s put on 25 pounds after redshirting last year and just needs game experience. At 6-2 and190 pounds, he’s got great ball skills, runs a 4.4 [40 yard dash] and is a very physically tough guy. He’s an excellent prospect who is still a little undersized but he is excellent with change of direction.” “The other kid that is really involved in the mix is Isaiah Wright,” Matthews said. “Isaiah is a kid who walked on, but from the time we started our winter workouts last season, has improved tremendously. He’s had an excellent spring, and will challenge those guys for playing time as we have high hopes for him. He is going to be involved, as he starts the fall as our second-best weakside safety on our team.”
CORNERBACKS This is another deep position for the Dukes starting the season, as three players who saw starting roles in 2010 are back. Redshirt seniors Mike Allen and Taveion Cuffee and redshirt junior Leavander Jones all returning, with the group having combined for 18 starts in 22 possible opportunities. The depth and experince of this trio will be a guiding force for the secondary. But they will have a battle on their hands this fall, as Corey Davis and Ricky Nichols each showed they have the ability to play during the spring workouts. “For cornerbacks, it’s going to be a competitive August,” Matthews said. “We’ve got three guys who basically rotated starting in Taveion, Mike and Leavander. Taveion was injured the entire spring, but should be healthy. Leavander has had a bad knee that has hindered him being consistent on Saturday. He has really worked in the weight room to make his knee stronger and he looks really good right now. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had a great fall. Mike is a converted receiver and he’s really improved. We feel pretty good with any one of those guys on the field. But I also see Corey and Ricky challenging them after quality springs. We’re going to rotate those guys for the entire camp and see how it goes.”
SPECIAL TEAMS
Matthews knows the value of special teams and the impact that the groups can have on the outcome of a game. This year, the Dukes have more unknowns than the last several years, but are looking to start the foundation with junior punter David Skahn. Skahn is the top returning punter in the CAA and was honored by the league’s coaches on the Preseason All-CAA squad. Matthews looks for him being even better in 2011. “David has quality experience, having handled our kickoff duties and punting in the past,” Matthews said. “He’s much more experienced than he was in the past and has had a really good offseason. We anticipate he’ll have a really good junior year.” The question marks are in the kicker and returner slots. Redshirt-sophomore Cameron Starke and redshirt-freshman Graham Sharples both worked to lay claim to the placekicking duties in the fall, with each hitting from outside of 40 in the final scrimmage in the rain. With the returners, the situation will be determined in fall workouts as Matthews will find the best returners available. “Place kicking was really competitive between Graham and Cameron,” Matthews said. “They were the top two in the spring but we haven’t made a decision yet. Ryan Smith and Leavander Jones both got some work returning kicks in the spring, but we’ll wait for the fall for that decision to be made.”
SCHEDULE Madison once again will have one of the most challenging schedules in the country, as it battles again not only in the Colonial Athletic Association but for a spot in the Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs. With the Dukes picked to finish second in the CAA, Matthews knows that playing in the top league in FCS brings its benefits and its challenges. “In late September, it’s not unusual for us [ the CAA] to have six of the top 10 teams in the nation and if it weren’t for us playing each other it would remain that way,” Matthews stated. “We start beating each other because of the conference schedule and get knocked out of the top 10. The league has really gone on the forefront of the country, compared to with the Sun-Belt, the MAC and Conference USA. That’s how good I believe the CAA is. “Being picked doesn’t really mean a lot because that’s based on who you have returning,” Matthews continued. “There’s no secret, we have a lot of returning players. We were very young last year, and that’s just where we’re headed. I think we have got to wait and see if we can solve our offensive problems.” JMU opens the season on the road at 2010 FBS bowl squad North Carolina on Sept. 3. The first of five home contests in the renovated Bridgeforth Stadium/ Zane Showker Field happens the following week, as the Dukes welcome Central Connecticut State on Sept. 10. After a road trip to four-time defending Big South champion Liberty Sept. 17, Madison opens the 2011 CAA slate at William & Mary Sept. 24. D.J. Bryant Three home games follow against Richmond, Maine and Villanova before JMU closes out the regular season with four of five on the road, including the first-ever matchup with CAA newcomer Old Dominion on Oct. 29. The seniors will be honored in their final regular-season home game on Nov. 8 against Rhode Island, but it hopes to not be the last at the 25,000-seat facility as the FCS Playoffs will open Nov. 22 and culminate with the National Championship game in Frisco, Texas in Jan. 2012. It is a slate that Matthews knows will be his greatest challenge ever in his 13 years as leader of the program. “It’s the toughest schedule we’ve ever played in my 13 years here,” Matthews concluded. “We’re at North Carolina, an ACC returning bowl team, and at Liberty, who was 8-3 last year and is on the best run that program has ever had. Then we have to go to William & Mary, to New Hampshire (Nov. 1) and to UMass (Nov. 15). We’ve got some really tough road opponents, so it’s very difficult. There’s no question, it’s the toughest schedule we’ve ever had.”
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