JMU’s D vs. Montana’s O
winchesterstar.com
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Montana’s offense is on fire. James Madison’s defense has been dominant. The two units will have a big say in which school wins the NCAA Division I-AA national football championship tonight at Finley Stadium.
“We’ve been in games like this all year long,” JMU quarterback Justin Rascati said. “I don’t think there’s any pressure. I’m sure we’ll all be a little more nervous tonight before we go to bed. But once we wake up in the morning, we’ll be ready to play like we have every game.”
Montana comes into tonight’s 8 p.m. game on a roll. Not only has it won six straight, it has outscored opponents 137-37 in three playoff contests.
The Grizzlies (12-2) advanced to the title game by pounding Sam Houston State 34-13 last Saturday. That’s the same Sam Houston team that beat Montana 41-23 in the third week of the season. Of course, that game was played in Texas while the playoff game was in Missoula. The Grizzlies hosted all three rounds of the playoffs and haven’t played on the road since an Oct. 30 loss at Portland State.
Montana’s passing game has thrived this season by completing the same mid-distance out-routes that gave JMU’s secondary fits against Delaware, Towson and William & Mary. The Grizzlies have a plethora of talented receivers who have the ability to break tackles and turn those kind of short gains into big plays.
The Dukes (12-2) play an eight-man front defense designed to stop the run, but the scheme does employ five defensive backs at a time, meaning JMU should have enough cover men on the field to handle Montana’s four-wide, single-back attack.
“They look a lot like William & Mary,” freshman safety Tony LeZotte said. “They’re going to mix it up a little bit with the run and pass. They’re an efficient offense.”
Montana is gaining 428.6 yards a game, including 270.9 from the arm of quarterback Craig Ochs, a transfer from Colorado whom JMU coaches and players compare to William & Mary star Lang Campbell.
Ochs has thrown for 3,436 yards and 30 touchdowns, while tossing just seven interceptions. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Boulder, Colo., native had three scoring passes in each of Montana’s playoff wins.
“He’s like all the great quarterbacks,” JMU coach Mickey Matthews said. “He’s big. He can run. He can throw.”
Matthews and Montana coach Bobby Hauck both thought Ochs deserved to be one of three Payton finalists, but that distinction went to Campbell, Sam Houston quarterback Dustin Long and Appalachian State receiver DaVon Fowlkes.
The Dukes have advanced to the title game thanks mostly to a dominating defense, ball-control running game and a big-play special-teams unit. JMU has blocked seven kicks and punts this year, including two by safety Rodney McCarter.
“That’s a large reason we’re here,” Matthews said. “Rodney is the best I’ve been around in 28 years at blocking extra points and field goals.”
JMU has rushed for an average of 205.7 yards per game while allowing the opposition to gain just 89.9 yards on the ground, second-best in the nation.
“James Madison is extremely physical on offense and they shut down the running game,” Hauck said. “They don’t let you put points on the board. That can be a winning combination.”
The blend has carried JMU to three road wins in the postseason. The Dukes are the first team ever to advance to the title bout without the benefit of a home game, a fact that impressed Ochs when he looked over JMU’s resume.
“James Madison has proven to be mentally tough,” Ochs said. “That tells you a lot about their maturity and leadership.”
Of course, it could be the two teams’ weaker links that decide the national championship. Montana’s defense has continued to improve, especially the Grizzlies’ inexperienced secondary. UM has allowed just two passing touchdowns in the playoffs.
JMU’s offense, meanwhile, has played second-fiddle to the defense all year. But in Friday night’s win over William & Mary, the Dukes had their best offensive output since pounding Division II patsy Lock Haven in the season-opener, 62-7. JMU outscored the Tribe 48-34, with Rascati throwing for three touchdowns.
Tailback Raymond Hines, who became just the fourth player in school history to eclipse 1,000 yards rushing, isn’t likely to suit up for tonight’s game because of broken ribs he suffered against W&M. Matthews said sophomores Maurice Fenner and Alvin Banks, the team’s top two tailbacks when the season began, will split carries tonight, unless one gets hot.
Banks and Fenner are both fully recovered from injuries that knocked them out of the lineup earlier this year, bringing Hines to the fore.
“James Madison is a change from what we’ve seen,” Montana linebacker Shane MacIntyre said. “We’re used to seeing a lot of pass-first teams. We’re going to have to stop the run right away.”
JMU has gotten accustomed to big starts, outscoring foes 92-3 this season in the first quarter. The second quarter, however, has been a different story.
Against W&M, the Dukes saw a 21-0 first-quarter lead dwindle to 21-20 at halftime. On the year, Madison has been outscored in the second period 105-68. It’s the only quarter opposing teams have a scoring edge over JMU.
Thursday, the players were just anxious to get the game started.
“It hasn’t even hit yet,” Madison senior center Leon Steinfeld said. “It doesn’t feel like it’s come true. Probably tomorrow when we're starting to get dressed and everything, I’ll start to realize it. But now it just feels like another game in the season.”
The game at 21,000-seat Finley Stadium had not sold out by Thursday.
winchesterstar.com
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Montana’s offense is on fire. James Madison’s defense has been dominant. The two units will have a big say in which school wins the NCAA Division I-AA national football championship tonight at Finley Stadium.
“We’ve been in games like this all year long,” JMU quarterback Justin Rascati said. “I don’t think there’s any pressure. I’m sure we’ll all be a little more nervous tonight before we go to bed. But once we wake up in the morning, we’ll be ready to play like we have every game.”
Montana comes into tonight’s 8 p.m. game on a roll. Not only has it won six straight, it has outscored opponents 137-37 in three playoff contests.
The Grizzlies (12-2) advanced to the title game by pounding Sam Houston State 34-13 last Saturday. That’s the same Sam Houston team that beat Montana 41-23 in the third week of the season. Of course, that game was played in Texas while the playoff game was in Missoula. The Grizzlies hosted all three rounds of the playoffs and haven’t played on the road since an Oct. 30 loss at Portland State.
Montana’s passing game has thrived this season by completing the same mid-distance out-routes that gave JMU’s secondary fits against Delaware, Towson and William & Mary. The Grizzlies have a plethora of talented receivers who have the ability to break tackles and turn those kind of short gains into big plays.
The Dukes (12-2) play an eight-man front defense designed to stop the run, but the scheme does employ five defensive backs at a time, meaning JMU should have enough cover men on the field to handle Montana’s four-wide, single-back attack.
“They look a lot like William & Mary,” freshman safety Tony LeZotte said. “They’re going to mix it up a little bit with the run and pass. They’re an efficient offense.”
Montana is gaining 428.6 yards a game, including 270.9 from the arm of quarterback Craig Ochs, a transfer from Colorado whom JMU coaches and players compare to William & Mary star Lang Campbell.
Ochs has thrown for 3,436 yards and 30 touchdowns, while tossing just seven interceptions. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Boulder, Colo., native had three scoring passes in each of Montana’s playoff wins.
“He’s like all the great quarterbacks,” JMU coach Mickey Matthews said. “He’s big. He can run. He can throw.”
Matthews and Montana coach Bobby Hauck both thought Ochs deserved to be one of three Payton finalists, but that distinction went to Campbell, Sam Houston quarterback Dustin Long and Appalachian State receiver DaVon Fowlkes.
The Dukes have advanced to the title game thanks mostly to a dominating defense, ball-control running game and a big-play special-teams unit. JMU has blocked seven kicks and punts this year, including two by safety Rodney McCarter.
“That’s a large reason we’re here,” Matthews said. “Rodney is the best I’ve been around in 28 years at blocking extra points and field goals.”
JMU has rushed for an average of 205.7 yards per game while allowing the opposition to gain just 89.9 yards on the ground, second-best in the nation.
“James Madison is extremely physical on offense and they shut down the running game,” Hauck said. “They don’t let you put points on the board. That can be a winning combination.”
The blend has carried JMU to three road wins in the postseason. The Dukes are the first team ever to advance to the title bout without the benefit of a home game, a fact that impressed Ochs when he looked over JMU’s resume.
“James Madison has proven to be mentally tough,” Ochs said. “That tells you a lot about their maturity and leadership.”
Of course, it could be the two teams’ weaker links that decide the national championship. Montana’s defense has continued to improve, especially the Grizzlies’ inexperienced secondary. UM has allowed just two passing touchdowns in the playoffs.
JMU’s offense, meanwhile, has played second-fiddle to the defense all year. But in Friday night’s win over William & Mary, the Dukes had their best offensive output since pounding Division II patsy Lock Haven in the season-opener, 62-7. JMU outscored the Tribe 48-34, with Rascati throwing for three touchdowns.
Tailback Raymond Hines, who became just the fourth player in school history to eclipse 1,000 yards rushing, isn’t likely to suit up for tonight’s game because of broken ribs he suffered against W&M. Matthews said sophomores Maurice Fenner and Alvin Banks, the team’s top two tailbacks when the season began, will split carries tonight, unless one gets hot.
Banks and Fenner are both fully recovered from injuries that knocked them out of the lineup earlier this year, bringing Hines to the fore.
“James Madison is a change from what we’ve seen,” Montana linebacker Shane MacIntyre said. “We’re used to seeing a lot of pass-first teams. We’re going to have to stop the run right away.”
JMU has gotten accustomed to big starts, outscoring foes 92-3 this season in the first quarter. The second quarter, however, has been a different story.
Against W&M, the Dukes saw a 21-0 first-quarter lead dwindle to 21-20 at halftime. On the year, Madison has been outscored in the second period 105-68. It’s the only quarter opposing teams have a scoring edge over JMU.
Thursday, the players were just anxious to get the game started.
“It hasn’t even hit yet,” Madison senior center Leon Steinfeld said. “It doesn’t feel like it’s come true. Probably tomorrow when we're starting to get dressed and everything, I’ll start to realize it. But now it just feels like another game in the season.”
The game at 21,000-seat Finley Stadium had not sold out by Thursday.
Every WISE GUY I know is on Montana but not me...
It will be really interesting to see what happens once Montana faces a team with some assemblance of a DEFENSE. They really havent faced any. And I don't believe they have faced any team with the kind of speed JMU has.
I realize Montana beat 3 A-10 teams this year, but only NH had a winning record (which JMU didn't face), and they were all at HOME. Given Montana's huge home-field advantage added to the tremendous travel distance for those teams, it's hard to compare apples to apples.
JMU is a running team that puts the ball in the air effectively to mix it up. Since Montana was ranked 117th in pass defense, I expect JMU to attempt more passes. Remember, Montana has not really played many run first teams all year except maybe Maine and definitely Northwestern State, so, obviously the pass numbers will be up against Montana.
Montana's defense does not impress me. Look at the yards they gave up the past two games, albeit in a lopsided wins. Both New Hamsphire and Sam Houston State racked up more than 400 yards rushing and receiving. If JMU can establish a running game, then Montana may be in trouble. JMU can get yards through the air if they choose to go that route, it would appear.
JMU also has the advantage of being accustomed to playing on the road. Montana, meanwhile, has not played away from home since late October and they're only 2-2 on the road all season. I think this could be a higher scoring game than many realize, but I like JMU's chances. If it's cold tonight, that could be an impediment to the passing game, which would seem to hurt Montana more than JMU.
PREDICTION: JMU PLUS 6 POINTS
Best of Luck,
THE SHRINK
It will be really interesting to see what happens once Montana faces a team with some assemblance of a DEFENSE. They really havent faced any. And I don't believe they have faced any team with the kind of speed JMU has.
I realize Montana beat 3 A-10 teams this year, but only NH had a winning record (which JMU didn't face), and they were all at HOME. Given Montana's huge home-field advantage added to the tremendous travel distance for those teams, it's hard to compare apples to apples.
JMU is a running team that puts the ball in the air effectively to mix it up. Since Montana was ranked 117th in pass defense, I expect JMU to attempt more passes. Remember, Montana has not really played many run first teams all year except maybe Maine and definitely Northwestern State, so, obviously the pass numbers will be up against Montana.
Montana's defense does not impress me. Look at the yards they gave up the past two games, albeit in a lopsided wins. Both New Hamsphire and Sam Houston State racked up more than 400 yards rushing and receiving. If JMU can establish a running game, then Montana may be in trouble. JMU can get yards through the air if they choose to go that route, it would appear.
JMU also has the advantage of being accustomed to playing on the road. Montana, meanwhile, has not played away from home since late October and they're only 2-2 on the road all season. I think this could be a higher scoring game than many realize, but I like JMU's chances. If it's cold tonight, that could be an impediment to the passing game, which would seem to hurt Montana more than JMU.
PREDICTION: JMU PLUS 6 POINTS
Best of Luck,
THE SHRINK
Current player props at Pinny
<TABLE id=tblPropFut onmouseover="changeto(event, '#F6C88F')" onmouseout="changeback(event, '#EEEEEE')" cellSpacing=3 cellPadding=0 width="100%" bgColor=#ffffff border=0><TBODY><TR id=ignore><TD class=contestRow width="15%" bgColor=#8fbdf6>Fri 12/17</TD><TD class=contestRow bgColor=#8fbdf6 colSpan=2>Total Passing Yards by J. Rascati (JM)(Must Play) </TD></TR><TR class=normalRow bgColor=#eeeeee><TD class=main_body_blk width="15%">05:00 PM</TD><TD class=main_body_blk width=auto>125 Over</TD><TD class=main_body_blk width="25%"> 163.5 Passing yards -133</TD></TR><TR class=normalRow bgColor=#eeeeee><TD width="15%"> </TD><TD class=main_body_blk width=auto>126 Under</TD><TD class=main_body_blk width="25%"> 163.5 Passing yards +117</TD></TR><TR id=ignore><TD class=contestRow width="15%" bgColor=#8fbdf6>Fri 12/17</TD><TD class=contestRow bgColor=#8fbdf6 colSpan=2>Total Passing Yards by C. Ochs (MON)(Must Play) </TD></TR><TR class=normalRow bgColor=#eeeeee><TD class=main_body_blk width="15%">05:00 PM</TD><TD class=main_body_blk width=auto>127 Over</TD><TD class=main_body_blk width="25%"> 240.5 Passing yards -108</TD></TR><TR class=normalRow bgColor=#eeeeee><TD width="15%"> </TD><TD class=main_body_blk width=auto>128 Under</TD><TD class=main_body_blk width="25%"> 240.5 Passing yards -108</TD></TR><TR id=ignore><TD class=contestRow width="15%" bgColor=#8fbdf6>Fri 12/17</TD><TD class=contestRow bgColor=#8fbdf6 colSpan=2>Total Rushing Yards by R. Hines (JM)(Must Play) </TD></TR><TR class=normalRow bgColor=#eeeeee><TD class=main_body_blk width="15%">05:00 PM</TD><TD class=main_body_blk width=auto>129 Over</TD><TD class=main_body_blk width="25%"> 70.5 Rushing yards +116</TD></TR><TR class=normalRow bgColor=#eeeeee><TD width="15%"> </TD><TD class=main_body_blk width=auto>130 Under</TD><TD class=main_body_blk width="25%"> 70.5 Rushing yards -132</TD></TR><TR id=ignore><TD class=contestRow width="15%" bgColor=#8fbdf6>Fri 12/17</TD><TD class=contestRow bgColor=#8fbdf6 colSpan=2>Total Receiving Yards by J. Heidelberger(MON)(MP) </TD></TR><TR class=normalRow bgColor=#eeeeee><TD class=main_body_blk width="15%">05:00 PM</TD><TD class=main_body_blk width=auto>131 Over</TD><TD class=main_body_blk width="25%"> 87.5 Receiving yards -120</TD></TR><TR class=hiliteRow bgColor=#eeeeee><TD width="15%"> </TD><TD class=main_body_blk width=auto>132 Under</TD><TD class=main_body_blk width="25%"> 87.5 Receiving yards +104</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE id=tblPropFut onmouseover="changeto(event, '#F6C88F')" onmouseout="changeback(event, '#EEEEEE')" cellSpacing=3 cellPadding=0 width="100%" bgColor=#ffffff border=0><TBODY><TR id=ignore><TD class=contestRow width="15%" bgColor=#8fbdf6>Fri 12/17</TD><TD class=contestRow bgColor=#8fbdf6 colSpan=2>Total Passing Yards by J. Rascati (JM)(Must Play) </TD></TR><TR class=normalRow bgColor=#eeeeee><TD class=main_body_blk width="15%">05:00 PM</TD><TD class=main_body_blk width=auto>125 Over</TD><TD class=main_body_blk width="25%"> 163.5 Passing yards -133</TD></TR><TR class=normalRow bgColor=#eeeeee><TD width="15%"> </TD><TD class=main_body_blk width=auto>126 Under</TD><TD class=main_body_blk width="25%"> 163.5 Passing yards +117</TD></TR><TR id=ignore><TD class=contestRow width="15%" bgColor=#8fbdf6>Fri 12/17</TD><TD class=contestRow bgColor=#8fbdf6 colSpan=2>Total Passing Yards by C. Ochs (MON)(Must Play) </TD></TR><TR class=normalRow bgColor=#eeeeee><TD class=main_body_blk width="15%">05:00 PM</TD><TD class=main_body_blk width=auto>127 Over</TD><TD class=main_body_blk width="25%"> 240.5 Passing yards -108</TD></TR><TR class=normalRow bgColor=#eeeeee><TD width="15%"> </TD><TD class=main_body_blk width=auto>128 Under</TD><TD class=main_body_blk width="25%"> 240.5 Passing yards -108</TD></TR><TR id=ignore><TD class=contestRow width="15%" bgColor=#8fbdf6>Fri 12/17</TD><TD class=contestRow bgColor=#8fbdf6 colSpan=2>Total Rushing Yards by R. Hines (JM)(Must Play) </TD></TR><TR class=normalRow bgColor=#eeeeee><TD class=main_body_blk width="15%">05:00 PM</TD><TD class=main_body_blk width=auto>129 Over</TD><TD class=main_body_blk width="25%"> 70.5 Rushing yards +116</TD></TR><TR class=normalRow bgColor=#eeeeee><TD width="15%"> </TD><TD class=main_body_blk width=auto>130 Under</TD><TD class=main_body_blk width="25%"> 70.5 Rushing yards -132</TD></TR><TR id=ignore><TD class=contestRow width="15%" bgColor=#8fbdf6>Fri 12/17</TD><TD class=contestRow bgColor=#8fbdf6 colSpan=2>Total Receiving Yards by J. Heidelberger(MON)(MP) </TD></TR><TR class=normalRow bgColor=#eeeeee><TD class=main_body_blk width="15%">05:00 PM</TD><TD class=main_body_blk width=auto>131 Over</TD><TD class=main_body_blk width="25%"> 87.5 Receiving yards -120</TD></TR><TR class=hiliteRow bgColor=#eeeeee><TD width="15%"> </TD><TD class=main_body_blk width=auto>132 Under</TD><TD class=main_body_blk width="25%"> 87.5 Receiving yards +104</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=yspwhitebg cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=ysprow1 align=right><TD class=yspscores></TD><TD class=yspscores align=left>Craig Ochs (Montana) has been Sacked 28 times this year and playing a solid defense tonight in JMU, allowing about 17 per game.
Montana avgs 35 pts per game
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Montana avgs 35 pts per game
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
billingsgazette.com
Kick killers
James Madison's special teams unit has been extra-special this season, and is one of the key reasons why the Dukes have made it to the championship game.
The Dukes have blocked seven kicks (field goals and punts) this season. Senior safety Rodney McCarter has two of them. In the last three seasons, James Madison has blocked a total of 18 kicks.
"There are three or four reason you can name as to why we're (in Chattanooga), and one is our ability to block kicks," Matthews said. "We just spend a lot of time on it in practice."
McCarter has blocked a total of seven kicks in his career. The Dukes blocked two kicks in the playoffs against Furman - one a punt that led to a touchdown - to help preserve a 14-13 road victory.
Quick hits
This season marked James Madison's 33rd of intercollegiate football, and its 25th at the I-AA level. … Montana is participating in its fifth national championship game in a decade (1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2004). … The 12 victories the Dukes picked up this season are a new school record. … Tonight's broadcast on ESPN2 will be Montana's third-consecutive televised game on the network. … James Madison is allowing averages of 318.2 yards of total offense, including a stingy 89.9 rushing yards per game, which ranks second in the nation. … The Dukes have outscored opponents 92-3 in the first quarter this season.
Kick killers
James Madison's special teams unit has been extra-special this season, and is one of the key reasons why the Dukes have made it to the championship game.
The Dukes have blocked seven kicks (field goals and punts) this season. Senior safety Rodney McCarter has two of them. In the last three seasons, James Madison has blocked a total of 18 kicks.
"There are three or four reason you can name as to why we're (in Chattanooga), and one is our ability to block kicks," Matthews said. "We just spend a lot of time on it in practice."
McCarter has blocked a total of seven kicks in his career. The Dukes blocked two kicks in the playoffs against Furman - one a punt that led to a touchdown - to help preserve a 14-13 road victory.
Quick hits
This season marked James Madison's 33rd of intercollegiate football, and its 25th at the I-AA level. … Montana is participating in its fifth national championship game in a decade (1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2004). … The 12 victories the Dukes picked up this season are a new school record. … Tonight's broadcast on ESPN2 will be Montana's third-consecutive televised game on the network. … James Madison is allowing averages of 318.2 yards of total offense, including a stingy 89.9 rushing yards per game, which ranks second in the nation. … The Dukes have outscored opponents 92-3 in the first quarter this season.
Wow, i am going against the big boys tonight...
I laid the 6, should have got on it earlier.....it was 4 this afternoon...GRR
I wanted to look some things up..
I had to stick with Montana when i saw how they have plowed through the playoffs, while JMU has squeaked by with 2 14-13 victories......
Montana scores early and takes JMU out of their game I an thinking, guess we will see....
Looking forward to watching this one, not sure why, but i am...
I laid the 6, should have got on it earlier.....it was 4 this afternoon...GRR
I wanted to look some things up..
I had to stick with Montana when i saw how they have plowed through the playoffs, while JMU has squeaked by with 2 14-13 victories......
Montana scores early and takes JMU out of their game I an thinking, guess we will see....
Looking forward to watching this one, not sure why, but i am...
