Liberty @ JMU

[Knucklehead]

All I know is I can't wait to be at the game. It will be my first time in Bridgeforth and I think it will be cool to see the atmosphere. I will love the sight of the 1500+ Flame Fans in Red as well. My hope is that the Red will Cheer and the Purple will cry after the game. I do feel that LU has a good chance to keep the game close and maybe pull off the win.

[DirtyDukes]

I do feel that LU has a good chance to keep the game close and maybe pull off the win.

I see now why they call you Knucklehead.

[Knucklehead]

We'll now we know that the fans are taking us as lightly as the coach. Let's hope it gets to the players too.

[DirtyDukes]

We'll now we know that the fans are taking us as lightly as the coach.

We'll now we know, huh? And why do you think Mickey's taking you guys lightly?

[Knucklehead]

I've just seen some quotes. Like the one where he compares us coming up there to play JMU to JMU going to VT. Who Knows. I just hope they take LU lightly, that's all.

[mcveyrl]

I've just seen some quotes. Like the one where he compares us coming up there to play JMU to JMU going to VT. Who Knows. I just hope they take LU lightly, that's all.

I haven't seen that quote. Link?

At any rate, how does a quote like that indicate he's taking you lightly? If anything it indicates that he knows they'll be fired up and ready to play when they come to Harrisonburg.

[DukeJack]

Seriously? You think this quote means Mickey is taking you guys lightly?

Matthews isn't taking Liberty lightly. "This is their Super Bowl, to come play us," Matthews said, "much like it was our Super Bowl to go play at Virginia Tech."

http://hamptonroads.com/2010/09/caa-rep ... ey-linemen

How the heck do you get disrespect out of that?

[GannonFan]

Seriously? You think this quote means Mickey is taking you guys lightly?

Matthews isn't taking Liberty lightly. "This is their Super Bowl, to come play us," Matthews said, "much like it was our Super Bowl to go play at Virginia Tech."

http://hamptonroads.com/2010/09/caa-rep ... ey-linemen

How the heck do you get disrespect out of that?

Well, it does imply that Liberty plays at a lower level than JMU does. Seeing how they are both FCS schools, it's not hard to see the slight, especially if you're a Liberty fan.

[Knucklehead]

Exactly. We play in the same Division. VT is a step above JMU. Is it a big game? YES! IS LU going to be psyched up and gunning for JMU? Absolutely. Is it our Super Bowl? NO!

[mcveyrl]

Seriously? You think this quote means Mickey is taking you guys lightly?



http://hamptonroads.com/2010/09/caa-rep ... ey-linemen

How the heck do you get disrespect out of that?

Well, it does imply that Liberty plays at a lower level than JMU does. Seeing how they are both FCS schools, it's not hard to see the slight, especially if you're a Liberty fan.

Yea, I can see their point, although I don't think it's what MM meant. I think LU would admit that this is the biggest game on their schedule and one that's been circled for awhile. All he's saying is that they're going to be pumped up like that.

[Keenan]

Well, it does imply that Liberty plays at a lower level than JMU does. Seeing how they are both FCS schools, it's not hard to see the slight, especially if you're a Liberty fan.

Yea, I can see their point, although I don't think it's what MM meant. I think LU would admit that this is the biggest game on their schedule and one that's been circled for awhile. All he's saying is that they're going to be pumped up like that.

MM is a tool for saying that. I'm sure this will be bulletin board material in the Flames locker room.

[mcveyrl]

Yea, I can see their point, although I don't think it's what MM meant. I think LU would admit that this is the biggest game on their schedule and one that's been circled for awhile. All he's saying is that they're going to be pumped up like that.

MM is a tool for saying that. I'm sure this will be bulletin board material in the Flames locker room.

Okay. You ever think that MM's quote was more for his guys than yours. Probably not.

Speaking of tools, did Rocco break out the Beat JMU shirt this year?

[ToTheLeft]

MM is a tool for saying that. I'm sure this will be bulletin board material in the Flames locker room.

Okay. You ever think that MM's quote was more for his guys than yours. Probably not.

Speaking of tools, did Rocco break out the Beat JMU shirt this year?

Zing.

[SuperHornet]

Okay. You ever think that MM's quote was more for his guys than yours. Probably not.

Speaking of tools, did Rocco break out the Beat JMU shirt this year?

Zing.

I believe the correct word is "Bazinga."

[BDKJMU]

I'm like most and don't know which Liberty team to believe in. Unlike a lot on here, I'm still mildly worried about a slight letdown after the Tech game, but not as big as it would've been last week.

Last year, the score margin was aided by a late touchdown that may or may not have been allowed by the Flames to assist in their comeback. I do think our defense is better this year overall, although we'll be without Nick Emmons for this game and we have a couple of other dinks on the DL that could hurt us. Also, Theo Sherman and Earl Watford (OLs) were held out of practice last week. If they don't play that's some extra concern, but the last report was that they'd play.

Alleviating a lot of my concerns is that we're playing at home. Something Liberty didn't have the benefit of doing last week after their big win (regardless of what you think of Ball State, it was a big win). The last time we lost a regular season non-conference game at home was 2002 against Hampton. Included in that streak was "The Comeback" against App. St. I will grant that we haven't played a ton of challenging teams OOC, so maybe that's not as great, but since '04 we're 32-6 overall at home (in that same time period Liberty is 14-18 on the road).

The stadium will be packed and rocking Sat. night. I can guaranty that there will be more people there than the 9,000 and change that were in Muncie. This one's been sold out for awhile, the student allotment is gone and Liberty sold their 1200 tickets. That might help both teams to perform but I think it obviously favors JMU.

I think we win by 10-14 points (none of this nonsense with scores...give POINTS people), but if the team's looking ahead to UD or behind at Tech, it could get interesting.

Only thing I've read is that 5 line (2 starting OL, 2 starting DL (Emmons and McNeil) + Harper all all banged up & questionable. But haven't seen anyhwere where Emmons is listed as definitely not playing.

[BDKJMU]

Ah, we should steal those like they stole streamers.

You know, Penn throws toast on the field at football games - since we're talking about stealing traditions, since you guys took the streamer idea from the Big 5 you could try taking that one too - how about it?

Big 5 is basketball. What other school was throwing streamers at FOOTBALL games before JMU started it in 04'?

[mcveyrl]

Barber reported on Twitter right after Tech that Emmons was definitely out for Liberty. That was my source, but I guess that might've changed.

[BDKJMU]

Seriously? You think this quote means Mickey is taking you guys lightly?



http://hamptonroads.com/2010/09/caa-rep ... ey-linemen

How the heck do you get disrespect out of that?

Well, it does imply that Liberty plays at a lower level than JMU does. Seeing how they are both FCS schools, it's not hard to see the slight, especially if you're a Liberty fan.

Mickey always gets taken out of context by fans from opposing schools. Trying to give the other opponent respect, and he still catches crap.

[ToTheLeft]

Well, it does imply that Liberty plays at a lower level than JMU does. Seeing how they are both FCS schools, it's not hard to see the slight, especially if you're a Liberty fan.

Mickey always gets taken out of context by fans from opposing schools. Trying to give the other opponent respect, and he still catches crap.

For the record, I like MM and his style, and I think he's right about this being our Super Bowl. Super Bowls aren't played with David vs. Goliath, they're played between two good teams... it was a sign of respect, he's basically saying this it the game on our schedule where there will be the most talent on the field, and our biggest challenge with the biggest potential to gain (recruiting, bragging rights, national exposure).

[mcveyrl]

Just checked "the Twitter" and Emmons and Veney are out for Liberty (Veney didn't play at Tech, either). Watford and Sherman are back at practice.

[Keenan]

Just checked "the Twitter" and Emmons and Veney are out for Liberty (Veney didn't play at Tech, either). Watford and Sherman are back at practice.

Who do you follow on Twitter pertaining to JMU football?

[mcveyrl]

Just checked "the Twitter" and Emmons and Veney are out for Liberty (Veney didn't play at Tech, either). Watford and Sherman are back at practice.

Who do you follow on Twitter pertaining to JMU football?

It's the Harrisonburg paper's beat writer (Mike Barber). I think it's @MikeABarber. He usually throws stuff up there from practice or press conferences. He also keeps a blog. The best part of that is his weekly Mickey Matthews quotes highlights. Here's this week's:
http://www.dnronline.com/blogdetails.ph ... ID=5&back=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

EDIT: My favorite is the quote about the kicker's injuries.

There's also a JMU Football twitter account, but it's pretty general stuff. Just re-posts the stories from jmusports.com and some other media. Posted a lot of outside articles after the VT win.

[Keenan]

Who do you follow on Twitter pertaining to JMU football?

It's the Harrisonburg paper's beat writer (Mike Barber). I think it's @MikeABarber. He usually throws stuff up there from practice or press conferences. He also keeps a blog. The best part of that is his weekly Mickey Matthews quotes highlights. Here's this week's:
http://www.dnronline.com/blogdetails.ph ... ID=5&back=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

EDIT: My favorite is the quote about the kicker's injuries.

There's also a JMU Football twitter account, but it's pretty general stuff. Just re-posts the stories from jmusports.com and some other media. Posted a lot of outside articles after the VT win.

Thanks!

[BDKJMU]

Just checked "the Twitter" and Emmons and Veney are out for Liberty (Veney didn't play at Tech, either). Watford and Sherman are back at practice.

MM already said several weeks ago that Veney would likely take a redshirt for this season due to the calcium deposits in his leg. He didn't play against Morgan state either. Not worried about LB. Laying it out for everyone here, at LB:
rJr Pat Williams (6'0/220), 3rd yr starter (2nd yr at LB after CAA defensive rokie of yr at SS in 08'
rSo Chase Williams: (5'11/210), took the startting job from Veney the last couple of games last yr.
rFr Stephon Robertson: (5'11/210), rotating in, has been playing very well. (he was the one who caused the late fumble at VT).

For those of you who don't know, Jamie Veney started at LB a true frosh in 07 (he had a PG year at FUMA) and last yr, then at the end of last yr lost his starting job to Chase Williams.

As far as rSr Nick Emmons (6'3"/255) being out for Sat, if true, that sucks. He was a part time DL starter at Army as a soph in 07', started the 1st game his jr yr in 08', then left West Point. Had to sit out last yr due to a transfer issue (close to 4.0 student according to MM). At DT he may be as good as the other starting JMU DT, pre season All CAA rSr Ronnell Brown (6'2"/270). I imagine the other strater will be either:
-rFr Jordan Stanton (6'4",255) who had BCS offers from MD and BC before signing with JMU and reportedly would have played last season as a true frosh if it wasn't for an NCAA clearinghouse holdup
-Cuse transfer rJr Lamar Middleton (6'2"/255)
So still should have at least a 3 man rotation at DT.

JMU's DEs aren't big either, starters listed at 240 & 245, 2 deep 235 & 230.

JMU's d isn't very big, but they have a ton of speed on defense. Probably the most they've ever had.

[BDKJMU]

Best of Mickey, Week 4

HARRISONBURG - Our weekly feature on the best of Mickey Matthews from the James Madison football coach's Monday press conference.

On the reaction to the Dukes' upset of Virginia Tech: "Certainly our program is very popular. We have a lot of new friends that want to be our best friends."

On whether the switch to the pistol formation surprised Tech: "I don't know if Tech knew we were going to run it. We certainly didn't tell them before the game we were going to run it. ... It's different and we like being different."

On Liberty, this Saturday's opponent: "Liberty's going to play like their hair's on fire out here against us Saturday night. It's going to be a barn burner Saturday night."

On Liberty's extra motivation because the Big South is considered weaker than the CAA: "I'm sure they have chips on their shoulder. They probably have about five chips on their shoulder coming in here to prove they can play with our league. Any time anyone plays with our league, whether it's Liberty or some of the other teams from other conferences, they want a piece of the CAA. And I would feel the same way. That's the reason Liberty gets cranked up to play us."

On the Dukes' 2-0 start and how it positions JMU for a playoff bid: "If we win the next game we'll be 3-0. I hadn't thought about the rest of all that stuff you just asked me. I don't even want to be that smart."

On the Big South getting awarded an automatic bid to the I-AA playoffs this year: "The NCAA likes to reward conference champions with automatic bids and rightly so. I don't say anything. I don't think it's important if they deserve it or not. That's for you to write about. I think Liberty and those people, they've held their own. I think it's an improving league."

On what injuries place kickers Dixon Wright and Ben Hopewell suffered: "I really don't know. It's a great question. When a kicker says he's injured I don't even ask him. They probably have a ... I won't say that."

http://www.dnronline.com/blogdetails.ph ... ID=5&back=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;