Towson at James Madison, Mr. C's Official Game Thread

[Mr. C]

Mr. C will be in the house at Bridgeforth Stadium for Saturday's CAA showdown between No. 4-ranked James Madison and No. 10-ranked Towson (rankings based on this week's College Sports Journal poll). I am just finishing up some work down the road in Staunton, VA. and will be at the stadium early to report on what should be one of the top regular-season games in FCS. Please feel free to post your comments, your thought before, during and after the game and ask plenty of questions. It is a lot more fun when everyone around here is interacting.

I stopped by Bridgeforth Stadium on Friday afternoon when Towson was checking out the facilities. Pretty awesome structure. JMU fans should be pleased with what has been done. They are expecting over 25,000 fans for parents weekend.

For those who want a look at the game, here is a column for you:

http://www.college-sports-journal.com/index.php/ncaa-division-i-sports/fcs-football/399-caa-preview-ambrose-landed-at-towson-after-jmu-snub

Time for some sleep before a full day of Saturday football.

[Mr. C]

Waiting for the 30-minute bus ride from the hotel in Staunton, VA. to Bridgeforth Stadium. Less than three hours to kickoff. The weather so far looks promising with sunny skies.

[Mr. C]

There is an entirely different view of things from the new press box at Bridgeforth Stadium, which towers six stories above the stadium. The new press box gives you a nice view of the campus and of Harrisonburg. It is also a significant upgrade in terms of working environment, with a lot more room than the cramped, old press box that remains on the other side of the stadium.

Special teams players are working out on the field and tailgating is in full swing around the stadium as we are a little over an hour away from kickoff.

[Mr. C]

The things you can learn from the new fangled message boards. I just found out that a Towson alum named Kevin Clash is the voice of Sesame Street's Elmo.

[JMUNJ08]

There is an entirely different view of things from the new press box at Bridgeforth Stadium, which towers six stories above the stadium. The new press box gives you a nice view of the campus and of Harrisonburg. It is also a significant upgrade in terms of working environment, with a lot more room than the cramped, old press box that remains on the other side of the stadium.

Special teams players are working out on the field and tailgating is in full swing around the stadium as we are a little over an hour away from kickoff.

About to begin my 'tailgate' in NYC where Dukes fans are gathering for a good game! Glad you like the new 'digs'

[Mr. C]

At least this one is on NBC Sports Network for you and your friends to watch. Should be a real fun game between two of the best teams in FCS.

[Mr. C]

I don't think I'll ever get used to these early afternoon kickoff times. Can't wait to get to kickoff.

[R3TRO]

I'm excited to see how Bridgeforth looks on TV.

[Mr. C]

We must be getting near game time. The JMU band is on the field.

[Mr. C]

Good news for JMU, Dae'Quan Scott has been pain free in practice this week and is expected to play at RB for the Dukes today. Love watching that kid run.

[Mr. C]

Down to 15 minutes before kickoff.

[Mr. C]

Great job on the national anthem by a young lady from JMU. So nice to see someone just sing the song right without any goofy stuff thrown in.

[Mr. C]

A lot of the crowd and stadium personnel is wearing pink, instead of the usual purple, today for Breast Cancer awareness.

[Mr. C]

Things have turned overcast here, but rain is forecast to hold off until after the game is finished.

[Mr. C]

Duke Dog, the live mascot, not the costumed variety (though he is around, too), is anxiously awaiting JMU to come out of the tunnel and take the field.

[Mr. C]

Loud boos flow down from the crowd as Towson comes out on the field.

[Mr. C]

And here comes the JMU Dukes, complete with fireworks, though not an impressive as the fireworks last week in Death Valley for the LSU-Towson game.

[Mr. C]

Even the thunder sticks are pink this week. I wonder if the streamers the JMU fans like to throw will be pink, or purple?

[Mr. C]

Captains are on the field for the coin toss. JMU won the toss and will defer to the second half. Towson will receive the opening kickoff. The Tigers will have their backs to the scoreboard.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Is there a video stream for this game anywhere? I found audio, just no video.

[Mr. C]

Touchback on the opening kickoff. Towson ball at the 25.

[Mr. C]

Enders looks to a secondary receiver and completes a pass for 9 yards. 2nd and 1

[Mr. C]

Play-action fake to West and a high throw is caught for the first down at the TU 46.

[Mr. C]

Sweep for West for 7 yards to the JMU 47.

[Mr. C]

Is there a video stream for this game anywhere? I found audio, just no video.

NBC doesn't stream anything but Notre Dame apparently.

[Mr. C]

Another run to the JMU 42 for a first down.

[Mr. C]

Nice read by Jackarie Jackson on the hitch for a tackle at the 39.

[Mr. C]

Dangerous pass from Enders could have been a pick six for JMU. 3rd and 7.

[Mr. C]

West on a counter draw to the 35. Fourth and 3 for the Tigers.

[Mr. C]

Good protection for Enders and a high throw to Wilkins. Wilkins caught the ball and then fumbled, but recovered for what should have been a first down, but the official on the side called it incomplete at the 28. JMU ball at its own 35.

[McNeese75]

I am watching it on NBCSP

[Mr. C]

Play-action pass completion to the TE for a first down at the TU 44. There was a fumble at the end of the play that Towson recovered, but the fumble was caused by contact with the ground. Zero on the first down run and a half-yard on second down to set up third and long.

[Mr. C]

Towson's pass rush forces Thorpe to move his feet and get out of the pocket, where he misses an open receiver. 4th down and punt time.

[Mr. C]

The punt is angled out of bounds at the Towson 10 with 9:06 left in the first period.

[Mr. C]

Big hole for West on a zone read play goes to the TU 28 for 18 yards. West looks good so far.

[Mr. C]

Kinnard takes a direct snap and runs to the 35. 2nd and 3.

[Mr. C]

Power run for West to the 37. 3rd and 1.

[Mr. C]

Offset I for Towson and the fullback goes in motion to give West just enough room for the 1st down at the 39.

[Bronco]

-
Stadium looks great

West and Towson look very good so far

[Mr. C]

Big hit on Wilkins on a well-set-up screen on 1st down. On 2nd down, Enders is flushed and throws it away.

If Wilkins could have broken that first-down tackle, he would have been off to the races.

[Mr. C]

Clear offsides as one of JMU's outside defenders jumped. The snap bounces and Enders goes down for a loss. No flag is thrown and it is fourth down.

[Mr. C]

JMU takes over at its own 41 after the punt with 5:03 left in the first period.

[Mr. C]

Not much on a first down run by JMU. 2nd and 8.

[Bronco]

-
The JMU fans really get into the Breast awareness...most pink I've seen at a game

[Mr. C]

Scott goes for 8 on a run from the pistol and then goes for a first down to the TU 47.

[Mr. C]

Broken tackles to the TU 39 and a jet-set run to the 31 for a first down.

[Mr. C]

Thorpe is pressured again on a pass and throws the ball over the open TE on the sideline. 2nd and 10 from the 31.

[Mr. C]

Scott is wrapped up on a draw at the 33 for a loss of 2. Third and 12.

[Mr. C]

Max-protect set and a draw play gets one yard. FGA from 49 yards by Starke sails through to make it JMU 3, Towson 0 with 1:15 left in the first quarter. Career-long field goal for Starke.

[Mr. C]

Joseph takes the ball two yards deep on the kickoff and is tackled at the TU 12.

[Mr. C]

Power run OT to the 15 for West. 2nd and 7.

[Mr. C]

Play action pressure on Enders and he throws the ball away. 3rd and 7 from the 15.

[Mr. C]

Screen pass to Booker goes for just two yards to the 17, even after a broken first tackle. 4th down, JMU time out with 11 seconds left to keep the wind in the face of the punter. JMU return to the TU 49 and interference on the catch for 15 yards on Towson will move it to the TU 39 for the final play of the first quarter.

[HailSzczur]

Wow, Bridgeforth looks really good on TV. It's a shame they are shooting towards the small side of the "lopsided stadium. It would look even cooler to see the expanded side

[HailSzczur]

Oh good god, Mickey Matthews should avoid pink like the plague. My eyes.

[Mr. C]

Scott breaks free to the outside for a run to the Towson 18 as the first quarter ends. Scott definitely looks healthy.

[Mr. C]

Thorpe fakes to Scott and keeps for a one-yard loss.

[Mr. C]

On a play-action fake, Thorpe holds the pass too long and is dropped on a delayed blitz by Gaddis. Rolling pocket completion to the 14 where a receiver is drilled by Tye Smith. 4th and 1.

[Mr. C]

Gaddis goes low and gets help from Dangerfield to stop the 4th-down run at the 15. Nice tackling technique. 12:58 left in the second quarter.

[Mr. C]

64 yards for JMU and 63 for Towson in the first period. 4 first downs each. Pretty even game thus far, as expected.

[Mr. C]

Very good defense on the waggle pass. 2nd and 7 for Towson.

[Mr. C]

Pfifer runs to the 20. 3rd and 5 from the 20.

[Mr. C]

High pass from Enders who was getting backside pressure to force an incompletion. 4th down punt coming.

[Mr. C]

JMU takes over at itw own 39. The Duke defense has been doing a great job on third down today. 11:44 left in the half.

[Mr. C]

Cutback from Scott is well defended. 2nd and 10.

[Mr. C]

Scott cuts inside to the 43. 3rd and a long 6.

[Mr. C]

Fake on the wraparound sweep and Thorpe is on the money for a pass that is dropped on the sideline. Would have been a first down. After a punt to the TU 21, West goes to the 28. 2nd and 3.

[Mr. C]

Enders carries out a nice fake on the zone read and West goes to the 34 for a first down. West then bangs ahead to the 41. 2nd and 3.

[Mr. C]

West dances around for a first down at the JMU 45. Nice start to a drive for the TU ground game.

[Mr. C]

Play action and a high throw along the sideline by Enders is intercepted by Marlowe, who did a great job staying in-bounds.

[Mr. C]

JMU starts at its 44 and screen pass to Jordan Anderson nets 2.

[Mr. C]

Skinny post to Marquis Woodyard is nicely caught and he is hit on an immediate helmet-to-helmet shot from Jordan Dangerfield and then drops it. Personal foul on Towson puts the ball on the TU 39. Woodyard is walking off the field with help in a dazed condition. He is probably done for the day.

[Mr. C]

Two runs net a first down to the TU 26.

[Mr. C]

Scott runs to the 24. 2nd and 8.

[Mr. C]

Thorpe is in trouble, escapes contain and runs for a first down to the TU 13. Big ply for Thorpe.

[Mr. C]

Scott pounds to the 7. 2nd and 4.

[Mr. C]

Another run to the seven. 3rd and 5 after the loss.

[Mr. C]

JMU spreads the field with an empty backfield and Thorpe runs a draw play to the 4 and is short of the first down.

[Mr. C]

Starke is on for the field goal drilled it through from 21 yards out. JMU 6, Towson 0, 3:52 left in the half. Good stop for Towson to keep the Dukes to a field goal after the turnover. JMU didn't want to risk coming away with no points on fourth and less than a yard.

[Mr. C]

Jordan Love with a nice kickoff return, hitting the hole almost perfectly and going to the TU 46.

[Mr. C]

Grant Enders keeps to the 49 where he is hit hard. Both these teams are bringing it defensively. 2nd and 7.

[Mr. C]

JMU has a player down on the play, LB Marzae Brooks.

[Mr. C]

Sweep to West to the JMU 48. 3rd and 4.

[Mr. C]

West keeps his balance on a power run to the JMU 44 for the first down.

[Mr. C]

West gets tough yardage to the 42. 2nd and 8.

[Mr. C]

Shepperd makes a nice route and catches the ball, spins and goes to the JMU 32 for the first down. Enders then scrambles to the 27 for 5. Time out one for Towson with 37 seconds left in the half. 2nd and 5.

[Mr. C]

Empty backfield for Towson, then Booker moves into the backfield and adjusts to the JMU side. Pass to Kinnard, who does not get out of bounds at the 22. Time out No. 2 for the Tigers with 21 second left in the half. Third and inches.

[Mr. C]

Enders pass to Kinnard is incomplete. Soven on for a 40-yard field goal attempt and hits it with ease. JMU 6, Towson 3, 11 seconds left in the second quarter. Seemed like a weird call on third and inches.

[Mr. C]

JMU downs the kickoff in the end zone. We will probably have one play with the Dukes downing the ball here.

[Mr. C]

And Thorpe takes a knee. Halftime.

JMU 6
Towson 3

[Mr. C]

Wow, Bridgeforth looks really good on TV. It's a shame they are shooting towards the small side of the "lopsided stadium. It would look even cooler to see the expanded side

All of the TV facilities are on the other side of the stadium. Sometime, JMU plans to re-do the other side like this side.

[Mr. C]

Oh good god, Mickey Matthews should avoid pink like the plague. My eyes.

That's too funny. I'll have to see that pink shirt up close in post-game interviews. I'll share your fashion concerns.

[Mr. C]

First Half stats

Towson 123 yards, 80 rushing and 43 passing.
JMU 107 yards, 58 rushing, 49 passing

Terrance West 13-71 rushing
Grant Enders 8-of-15 for 43 passing, with one interception
Erron Banks 3-31 receiving.

Dae'Quan Scott 11-39 rushing
Justin Thorpe 4-of-7 for 49 yards passing.

8 Towson first downs, 7 JMU first downs. About as even as you can get, with the one turnover being the difference in a three-point game.

[Mr. C]

Towson is ready to kickoff, with the wind at its back heading toward the scoreboard in the third period. Kickoff bounces and goes out of bounds at the JMU two. JMU ball at the 35.

[Mr. C]

Scott for 3, 2nd and 7.

[Mr. C]

Thorpe keeper on the read option to the 39, 3rd and 6.

[Mr. C]

Communication error between Thorpe and a receiver as the ball sails incomplete. 4th down punt coming.

[Mr. C]

Great bounce for JMU on the punt to the TU 6.

[Mr. C]

Watching North Dakota State-Youngstown State while I cover this one live. NDSU is up 14-7 in the second period in the other top-10 game of the day.

[Mr. C]

I formation. Double TE and West goes for 3. 2nd and 7.

[Mr. C]

West pounds for a first down to the 18. Nine yards on that run up the middle.

[Mr. C]

West fights for two. 2nd and 8 from the 20.

[Mr. C]

West is stacked up for one. 3rd and 7 from the 21.

[Mr. C]

Nice crossing route by TE Kirby and Enders hits him for a gain to the 30. 1st down.

[Mr. C]

Enders bootlegs for a first down at the TU 48.

[Mr. C]

West stacked up for no gain. 2nd and 10.

[Mr. C]

West for two yards to midfield. 3rd and 8.

[Mr. C]

Enders throw to Kinnard is incomplete and Towson will punt on 4th down.

[Mr. C]

Towson downs the ball at the JMU 6.

[Mr. C]

Scott from the pistol to the 11. 2nd and 5.

[Mr. C]

Scott to the 14. 3rd and 2.

[Mr. C]

Speed option pitch to Scott for a 1st down at the JMU 22.

[Mr. C]

Wrap-around to the JMU 37.

[Mr. C]

Scott looking for cutback lanes gets 2. 2nd and 8.

[Mr. C]

Play-action deep pass is almost complete. WR should have had it on a ball that came back in the wind. 3rd down. Thorpe scrambles and throws off the hands off Harvey. 4th down punt time.

[Mr. C]

The high JMU punt is knocked down by the wind and bounces out of bounds at the TU 33.

[Mr. C]

With 5:50 left in the third quarter, Towson begins what is a critical drive with the wind at its back.

[Mr. C]

First-down pass from Enders on play action goes high and off the hands of Kirby at TE.

[Mr. C]

West stretch play moves it to the TU 41. 3rd and 2.

[Mr. C]

West cutback is stop by penetration at the 40. 4th down and punt time again.

[Mr. C]

Short punt and a fair catch at the JMU 26 with 4:21 left in the third period.

[Mr. C]

Scott sweeps to the 26. 2nd and 10.

[Mr. C]

Thorpe keep, finds a lane and cuts to the 34. 3rd and 2.

[Mr. C]

Clark with the hit on 3rd and short on Scott for one yard gained. 4th down punt goes to the 32 on the fair catch. Towson ball with 2:50 left in the third quarter.

[Mr. C]

Enders run is stopped for a 2-yard loss back to the 30.

[Mr. C]

Enders for one on a contained scramble.

[Mr. C]

Screen pass to Booker to the 37. Fourth down punt to the JMU 17 with 31 seconds left in the third period.

[Mr. C]

Dangerous pitch by Thorpe is almost a fumble and goes for a loss of 3 to the 14 as the quarter ends.

[Mr. C]

Wrap-around goes to the JMU 16. 3rd and 11.

[Mr. C]

The fan is booing the conservative play-calling after a 3-yard run. 4th down punt. Fair catch at the Towson 42 with 13:54 left in the game.

[Mr. C]

West runs 2 to the 44. 2nd and 8.

[Mr. C]

Blake on the sideline for a completion and a 1st down at the JMU 43.

[Mr. C]

1st down run to the 39. 2nd and 6.

[Mr. C]

Bubble screen against a blitz is caught and fumbled out of bounds at the 35.

[Mr. C]

Enders on a third-down sneak fumbles. Offsides is not called on JMU and Corey Davis recovers for JMU at the 30. Scott breaks free to the 45 on first down and a pass on the next first down goes to Ryan Dixon to the TU 48. 2nd and 3.

[Mr. C]

Tye Smith breaks up a pass that JMU wanted pass interference on. 3rd and 3.

[Mr. C]

Third down throw from Thorpe is well covered deep and incomplete. 4th down punt time yet again.

[Mr. C]

Fair catch for the Tigers at the TU 8 with 10:45 left in a game JMU still leads 6-3.

[WrenFGun]

Fair catch for the Tigers at the TU 8 with 10:45 left in a game JMU still leads 6-3.

Game is a real thriller here.

[Mr. C]

West on a pitch that is well blocked goes to the TU 17. 2nd and one and then West is stacked up on the next play for no gain.

[Mr. C]

West runs outside and doesn't appear to pick it up.

[Mr. C]

Measurement is about a football-length short. There have been 13 punts, but Towson is going for it from their own 18.

[Mr. C]

Enders sneaks for the first down to near the 20.

[Mr. C]

Game is a real thriller here.

A little different from UNH-ODU.

[Mr. C]

West runs for one as JMU LBs are flying in. 2nd and 9. Is 8 minutes enough time to score at this rate?

[Mr. C]

Blake on the sideline for 8. 3rd and 1 at the 29. West leaps for it and gets the 1st down at the 30.

[Mr. C]

Ryan gets a catch underneath on the sideline for 7 to the 37. 2nd and 3.

[Mr. C]

Enders gets the ball away as he is hit and completes it for a first down at the TU 47.

[Mr. C]

Enders with another short completion for 5, 2nd and 5.

[Mr. C]

Booker runs right at the defense hard for a first down to the JMU 39. 4:46 left.

[Mr. C]

Booker is held out of the backfield, breaks free and catches a swing pass to the 30. 2nd and 1. JMU has a man down in the middle of the field with 4:29 left. LB Chase Williams runs off under his own power.

[Mr. C]

Biggest completion of the day, Enders fakes a scramble and hits Wilkins in the middle of the field at the JMU 7. First and goal.

[Mr. C]

With the play clock running down, Towson calls a late time out. Rob Ambrose was running out of the field to get that one called.

[Mr. C]

There is 3:27 left.

[Mr. C]

Great play call. Offset I with the FB stacked left, fake pitch by Enders to West and he bootlegs to the right, the defenders had to cover the TE Kirby and Enders goes in untouched for the TD.

Towson 10, JMU 6, 3:21 remaining.

[Mr. C]

Good coverage on a kickoff that goes to the 2. JMU returns it to the 21. 3:16 left.

[Mr. C]

Thorpe keeps a play alive with his feet for a completion to the JMU 29. 2nd and 2.

[Mr. C]

DeAndre Smith catches Towson in a blitz and goes to the 43 for a 1st down and then another pass play goes to the JMU 49.

[Mr. C]

Brian Barlow is drilled on a completion. The ball came out, but the officials ruled it a catch at the TU 31.

[Mr. C]

Underneath route by Scott to the 25. 2nd and 4.

[Mr. C]

Scott breaks a tackle on a draw and run out of bounds at the TU 15. First down, 1:37 left.

[Mr. C]

Split end screen pass to the TU 9 for 6 yards.

[Mr. C]

Thorpe scramble and goes in for the touchdown with a leap at the end. JMU 12, Towson 10, 1:24 left.

[Mr. C]

PAT is good by Starke, JMU 13, Towson 10.

[Mr. C]

The kickoff is downed in the end zone. Towson will start at its own 25 with 1:24 left and two time outs, needing a field goal to tie.

[Mr. C]

Shepperd takes a pass to the 33.

[Mr. C]

Enders throws the ball away as he is being sacked. 3rd and 2.

[Mr. C]

Ryan stops at the sideline for a catch and a first down and Enders runs out of bounds to the TU 43. 58 seconds left on 2nd and 5.

[Mr. C]

Turn in from Ryan is open and the throw is perfect and dropped.

[Mr. C]

High throw from Enders sails over the receiver, Wilkins and is picked off by free safety Dean Marlowe at the JMU 35.

[Mr. C]

That's your ballgame.

[Mr. C]

James Madison in victory formation.

Final Score
James Madison 13, Towson 10.

[StrikeJMU]

Big win! Way to go Dukes!

[whitey]

Mickey Matthews gets his 100th win in the most ugly of fashions. A win is a win though. JMU improves to 4-1.

[kdinva]

100 for MM? way to go..........I predicted a 37-31 type game. Fine job by the Dukes' defense.

[whitey]

100 for MM? way to go..........I predicted a 37-31 type game. Fine job by the Dukes' defense.

Mickey is 100-62 now as the HC for the Dukes. When asked during the post game interview how it felt to get his 100th win he had one of his classic one-liner moments: "It makes me feel old".

[jmufan]

What a defensive battle this game was. With that said, offensively, both teams dropped passes that should have been caught. If they were caught, we may have had a totally different score. The game looked really good on NBCSN, so happy that the CAA was able to get a national platform like that and get us away from the ESPN3. Towson is the real deal on defense and if they can limit their turnovers on offense, they will be a scary team. JMU needs to limit their injuries if possible and continue to improve their pass defense. Offensively, Thorpe needs to throw the ball better and the receivers need to catch the ball better.

Two great defensive minded team went head to head and it was intriguing to watch. As people say, offense sells the tickets, but it is the defenses that will win the championships. If you have both, whoa!

[JmuSkinsfan]

Two great defensive minded team went head to head and it was intriguing to watch. As people say, offense sells the tickets, but it is the defenses that will win the championships. If you have both, whoa!

Yeah ... NDSU ... we're all EFFED. xsmhx