JMU vs Liberty

[StrikeJMU]

lets get it on.

[StrikeJMU]

hell of a punt by the Liberty kicker. out of bounds at the 2 after Liberty stalls at JMU's 46.

[th0m]

JMU moving the ball at will so far, at the 33 yd line of Liberty now.

[th0m]

3rd down conversion no good, 35yd FG is......good.

[StrikeJMU]

3-0 JMU...holy sh**. WE MADE ONE!

[JMU Newbill]

couple observations so far....

1) d looked pretty good once they dug in
2) sullivan looks like a beast... i like 2 hands on the ball anytime a defender gets close....
3) another conservative 3rd down call by MM
4) our kicker made a field goal in the rain.... maybe he's not a hack

[StrikeJMU]

wow.

[LUFan]

LU on one yard line.....

[JMU Newbill]

i honestly think that long pass play was a fluke.... long play.... wet weather... coverage was not the best but lets just hope it does not happen again

[JMU Newbill]

BUT.... nothing against liberty... any long pass play like that on a rainy day like this... well done

[StrikeJMU]

LU on one yard line.....

we know. xrolleyesx haha jk

[StrikeJMU]

TD Liberty. 7-3

[th0m]

Pat Williams is sleeping.

[StrikeJMU]

The video feed isn't that bad, considering the weather. I was thinking it would be worse.

[LUFan]

Come on D

[th0m]

Dukes convert 4th down to the 47 of LU.

[StrikeJMU]

gotta love the balls on our coach.

[mcveyrl]

Announcers couldn't believe we went for it. They clearly don't know MM.

[JMU Newbill]

haha the announcer (on comcast famnet) said "i am absolutely stunned jmu is going for it on 4th down here"....... he obviously has never seen us play


side note.... why the f is thorpe in?

[th0m]

are we gonna pass now please?

[mcveyrl]

why the f is thorpe in?

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^xthumbsupxxthumbsupxxthumbsupx

[mcveyrl]

Woo-hoo! 3rd down stop.

[th0m]

Good defensive stand. LU punting from their endzone. JMU ball at the 46yd line

[StrikeJMU]

is that cattle I'm hearing in the background?

[StrikeJMU]

pass caught!

[JMU Newbill]

honestly..... is there any question from jmu fans that thorpe should only come in for a "wildcat" set... let dudzik do his thing

they have to be killling dudzik's confidence with this crap.... and he is still dominating

[th0m]

Sullivan rushing well, at the 20 yd line now.

[mcveyrl]

honestly..... is there any question from jmu fans that thorpe should only come in for a "wildcat" set... let dudzik do his thing

they have to be killling dudzik's confidence with this crap.... and he is still dominating

No way. If I were Dudzik, Thorpe's play would only give me confidence that I should be the QB! :D

[th0m]

TD JMU

[mcveyrl]

"Dudzik wears No. 9, Thorpe wears No. 7"

Yea, that's the only difference...

[StrikeJMU]

TD JMU!

[JMU Newbill]

"Dudzik wears No. 9, Thorpe wears No. 7"

Yea, that's the only difference...


Yep.... only difference I can think of..... xnonox

Eh... famnet is not known for their announcers... haha

[th0m]

BTW how about Hofstra leading W Michigan? If ESPN scoreboard is correct.

[JMU Newbill]

lets go DUKES!

[JMU Newbill]

how about VMI putting up 28 on UR... and almost pulling the upset.... granted weather was not pretty here today.... but dam.... Richmond should have killed them

[th0m]

True, but the stats tell a more dominant game for the spideys. Big run for Liberty

[th0m]

INT!

[mcveyrl]

INT!

Nice Pick!!

Damn it!! It's Thorpe.

[StrikeJMU]

INT!

haha you obvious have a faster internet than me or something. Saw it on here first.

[mcveyrl]

I really think they key in on the run more with Thorpe in.

[th0m]

I'm listening to the radio Strike, may be a bit faster than the video feed. Down to the 21 yd line, 2nd and 9.

[JMU Newbill]

none of you guys get this on cable? i guess i am really lucky!

again... wtf is thorpe doing in the game? are we all agreeing that this is a bad move?

[JMU Newbill]

I'm listening to the radio Strike, may be a bit faster than the video feed. Down to the 21 yd line, 2nd and 9.


yes... it is...

my buddy down in georgia was listening to the radio while i was on the phone with him... it was still at commercial on the radio while it was 2nd down on tv.... so yea.... its delayed

[th0m]

I agree with you, and hope that in the 2nd half it will be Dudzik more exclusively only putting Thorpe in for wildcat formations and to keep the Liberty D honest from time to time.

Who knows. Come on Dukes! One more TD the end the half.

[mcveyrl]

none of you guys get this on cable? i guess i am really lucky!

again... wtf is thorpe doing in the game? are we all agreeing that this is a bad move?

I paid $6 for the Big South Network.

[LUFan]

Big Interception

[JMU Newbill]

gotta give liberty credit... they did not bite at all on that play....


with that said...... CAN WE PLEASE STOP PLAYING THORPE AT QB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mcveyrl]

Yep. Thorpe's gotta sit.

[StrikeJMU]

that was retarded.

[mcveyrl]

Not to mention he had the whole outside open.

[LUFan]

So what is the story w/ your 2 QBs? Does Thorpe normally get much playing time?

[mcveyrl]

He's been splitting both all year. Dudzik is obviously better.

I anticipate Dudzik playing more in the second half. You know this is pissing the team off, too.

[JMU Newbill]

that was retarded.


ok... we are gonna come out in the second half with a fury... we have to....

MM is a gutsy guy... he goes against the grain a lot.... he obviously believes in thorpe..........

but he's not an idiot... i hope.... dudzik plays the entire 2nd half and we win 31-17

[JMU Newbill]

So what is the story w/ your 2 QBs? Does Thorpe normally get much playing time?


unfortunately yes..... he splits them i'd say 65/35.... maybe closer to 60/40... in dudzik's favor


today is 50/50..... i think my opinion on this is obvious

[JMU Newbill]

very gracious and complimentary interview with jeff bourne (jmu's ad) at halftime... lots of compliments for liberty from his words

[StrikeJMU]

think that Liberty sideline reporter is single?

[mcveyrl]

We gotta score a TD on the opening drive.

[mcveyrl]

One silver lining for us has to be that their touchdown came on a big play and that we've consistently had them in third down. I still have a lot of confidence in our D.

[KiddBrewer]

ok guys, theres not a score posted on this WHOLE damn thread....

can somebody hook a brother up?

[LUFan]

unfortunately yes..... he splits them i'd say 65/35.... maybe closer to 60/40... in dudzik's favor


today is 50/50..... i think my opinion on this is obvious


Dudzik looks stronger I wasn't sure if they were bringing in Thorpe to try and shake things up.

[LUFan]

ok guys, theres not a score posted on this WHOLE damn thread....

can somebody hook a brother up?

10-7 JMU half

[KiddBrewer]

ok there was one about an hour ago, my bad....but, anything more recent?

[Uncle Buck]

10-7 JMU half

Wow, a battle.

[StrikeJMU]

15,532 at the stadium, in that weather, preeeeettty, pretty good.

[JMU Newbill]

15,532 at the stadium, in that weather, preeeeettty, pretty good.


yea..... MM is keeping it close


i'd holla at that LU reporter


lets go dukes!

[th0m]

Wow, a battle.

A battle between two JMU QB's, yes :s

[JMU Newbill]

shouldn't have to post this... but dudzik back in at QB.. thank god!


LU... VERY IMPRESSIVE support... in the rain... well done guys!

[th0m]

What's up with all the washing machine jokes and Sullivan by the way????

[JMU Newbill]

WTF are we running a qb sneak for?

[Uncle Buck]

A battle between two JMU QB's, yes :s

I know the feeling, we start our second best QB IMO.

[LUFan]

Fake Punt Nice

[mcveyrl]

WTF are we running a qb sneak for?

So we can go for it on 4th again???

[th0m]

NICE fake punt on 4th down succesful.

[JMU Newbill]

ok... i swear to everything that anyone believes in.... WTF is MM doing

qb sneak on 3rd and 1 when sullivan cant be stopped today...... then fake punt in our own territory on 4th and 3? AHHHHHHHHH

[mcveyrl]

Dang it, you radio guys are killing me.

[StrikeJMU]

baller.

[mcveyrl]

MM's just trying to avoid another hail mary in the rain.

[mcveyrl]

J-Sulls is killin' 'em.

[SumItUp]

Sullivan is a beast.

[JMU Newbill]

sullivan is done for the year... ive seen hits like that too much coaching

[LUFan]

Sullivan hurt - nasty hit

[JMU Newbill]

he tore something... he may walk off... but he tore something there

[KiddBrewer]

lets go LU!

[mcveyrl]

Yea, that was a shot!

[JMU Newbill]

OK..... MM is calling a horrible game......... im sorry but LU... FU at this point.... if we throw the ball you are done

[StrikeJMU]

its still way too early.

[th0m]

damn int

[LUFan]

Bad pass Int LU

[JMU Newbill]

despite the announcers ignorance.... dudzik hit as he throws... ball is thrown short... INT liberty


another big LU interception... hopefully the JMU D holds

weather is not giving at all!

[mcveyrl]

I still like our D

[LUFan]

almost pick 6

[T-Dog]

OK..... MM is calling a horrible game......... im sorry but LU... FU at this point.... if we throw the ball you are done

I don't know if you know this but it's raining really hard. That puts a damper on any throwing strategy.

[mcveyrl]

Didn't see third down. What happened?

[th0m]

Phew we're staying with Dudzik.

[StrikeJMU]

dullest commercials ever.

[th0m]

Acker filling Sully's place just fine so far. First down to the 46 for Scott Noble.

[PantherRob82]

Crazy game. Wish I could watch it.

[JMU Newbill]

the annoucner just called a horse collar tackle a "bench press muscle sack"

wow

[LUFan]

Fumble LU BALL!!!

[th0m]

fumble :s

[JMU Newbill]

big TO.... our center is struggling....

MM... i hate you

Defense... keep it up... play big!

[JMU Newbill]

hey liberty... win your conference... you guys are playing inspired football.. i like it

[mcveyrl]

You gotta call timeout there.

[LUFan]

nice run by Brown in the swamp

[PantherRob82]

big TO.... our center is struggling....

MM... i hate you

Defense... keep it up... play big!

xlolxxlolx

wth?

[LUFan]

Good D byJMU 10-7 end of 3rd

[th0m]

D stop, Liberty going for the FG I'd assume.

[mcveyrl]

You would think they'd kick it for the tie.

[LUFan]

its good

[mcveyrl]

We need Scottie McGee to do his thing. Buuuttt, I doubt they'll kick to him.

[SumItUp]

Start of the 4th quarter and it's all tied up. 10-10.

[JMU Newbill]

hahah... flood control!!!!!!

[LUFan]

JMU TD

[th0m]

TD ACKER!! 65 yds first play after a McGee return to the 35yd line.

[mcveyrl]

They kicked it to him, and he did well.

Sid Bream's on TV!!!

[IaaScribe]

Acker 65 yard TD for JMU.

[mcveyrl]

You radio guys are messin' up my experience!!! :D

BTW, they were talking to Sid Bream when that happened.

[StrikeJMU]

beautiful!

[LUFan]

So much for the Tie!

[JMU Newbill]

huge play.... jmu D has to play big here though.... lets go DUKES!

[mcveyrl]

Nice fill in for Sullivan.

BTW, they said on TV that Sullivan was riding the bike, so it may not be too bad.

[th0m]

You radio guys are messin' up my experience!!! :D

BTW, they were talking to Sid Bream when that happened.

Haha, just wait a few mins before looking at the boards then ;) At your rate Twitter might even be faster haha

[mcveyrl]

No kidding. I'm posting about the kick return and you guys are talkin' about the TD!!

[LUFan]

Nice catch Summers

[th0m]

Let's go defense! Third and 7 at their 26 for Liberty.

[mcveyrl]

that was a great catch.

[th0m]

Gotta stop those big catches!

[mcveyrl]

Gotta stop those big catches!

It was good coverage, Summers just made a good catch.

[th0m]

Bad snap for Brown, loses ball...back at the 45 yard line.

[mcveyrl]

Finally something bad happens to them!

[4th and What?]

Liberty's recievers are looking great.

[th0m]

It was good coverage, Summers just made a good catch.

My radio guys don't tell me this ;) So I guess TV is good for something!

[mcveyrl]

My radio guys don't tell me this ;) So I guess TV is good for something!

Yea, but these guys are no Madden and Summerall. I will say that I'm impressed with the Flames Sports Network. Wish we had something like this at JMU.

[StrikeJMU]

think we just broke their QB's nose.

[mcveyrl]

Even though he was out of bounds, Summer is killing us.

[4th and What?]

Yea, but these guys are no Madden and Summerall. I will say that I'm impressed with the Flames Sports Network. Wish we had something like this at JMU.

I was making jokes at the start of the broadcast. But these guys are pretty good for the "Familynet" broadcast team.

[th0m]

JMU has to start at the 3 yard line.

[mcveyrl]

I was making jokes at the start of the broadcast. But these guys are pretty good for the "Familynet" broadcast team.

Yea, a little more research would be nice, but like i said, it's better than what we got.

[mcveyrl]

Probably best that he dropped that.

[StrikeJMU]

this is going to get interesting.

[T-Dog]

Score? Time?

[th0m]

Wow. Goff punts from the endzone all the way to the 35 yard line. Coming through when he needs to.

[StrikeJMU]

beautiful punt!!

[mcveyrl]

I take everything back about our special teams that I said.

[StrikeJMU]

17-10 JMU 7:36 4th

[mcveyrl]

We've gotta shut Summers down.

[mcveyrl]

Okay. 3rd and long. Somebody stop Summers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BTW, that HAD to be the TO conversation

[StrikeJMU]

alright, nothing stupid Special Teams.

[StrikeJMU]

nice run! past mid-field

[mcveyrl]

Good use of the TO. No need to fumble the snap again.

[mcveyrl]

We called TO for that??? We could run that play in our sleep.

[mcveyrl]

The announcers have not said to me about TOs. how many does Liberty have?

[th0m]

Both 2 TO's remaining.

[StrikeJMU]

2 each I think.

[mcveyrl]

Thanks. Our guys are winning the trenches.

[th0m]

fumble liberty recover. 3rd and 14

[th0m]

PICK! Yancey to the 13 yard line. Just over 2 mins to go.

[StrikeJMU]

yes yes yes yes yes!!!

[mcveyrl]

whew.

[whitey]

Nice.

[mcveyrl]

TD Dukes.

[StrikeJMU]

TD JMU!!!

[StrikeJMU]

hammering the nail in the coffin

[th0m]

24-10 JMU, final.

[StrikeJMU]

Good game Liberty.

[LUFan]

Nice Game Dukes. Hopefully next year we will have better weather.

[kdinva]

JMU: 291 rush yards (after VMI held JMU to 146), that was a key difference. And, JMU's speedy DB's held Beecher to 5-15.

[JMU2K_DukeDawg]

I don't think JMU kept Beecher at 5-15 so much as the rain. If anything, it was the constant pressure from JMU's D-line, not the DBs. The weather hurt both teams for sure tonight.

Ugly but competitive, nail-biting type game. My hat's off to Liberty. They have an excellent team, well-rounded, with some playmakers on offense. A little better on defense and you have a top-10 worth team I think. I know that holding JMU to 10 in the first three quarters is great D, but those turnovers made the difference, and I felt they were more execution errors by the JMU offense than great defensive plays (same thing for when Liberty turned over the ball - JMU was more just in the right spot). Fix the run D and you have something special there in Lynchburg.

So Good Luck Liberty, you earned the respect of this fan for sure! xthumbsupx I hope you don't slip in the polls much. You are a top 25 team in the FCS.

[Sly Fox]

Congrats to the Dukes. You guys were better and the results showed it.

We can now focus on winning the Big South without worrying about the playoffs because 9-2 won't be good enough to get into the playoffs this year. Tonight was our only hope.

[ToTheLeft]

Copy pasted from another forum:

Excellent game Dukes. Your team won the battle in the trenches, and we didn't do what it took. I don't think we're out of your league, but I think this is what happens when a #6 plays a #24. As much as LU fans expected to win, looking back on this, I can't be upset. We lost to a team with a ton of talent, and a team on a mission. Your players were skilled, disciplined, and did what they needed to do to win (Except Thorpe).

I look forward to the rest of this series. I think you will be the favorites next year, but it will be another solid game. It was a night I will remember for a long time, soaked to the core, cold as a penguins toenails, and cheering my heart out for a team that did so well for 3ish quarters, then just gave up. Props to the Dukes, and good luck in the CAA. If we're gonna lose, let it be to a team that does well in conference and makes the field of 16. We'll be pulling for you in Lynchburg, that's for sure. Just keep Dudzik in 24/7 and you guys will do well.
--

Let me add, I think LU showed that it's for real. We're not one of the 10 or 16 best teams in the nation right now, but we're for real. We're not just "another big south school" like SBU who got killed by UMass or like Presby that got rocked by The Citadel. We're in this for more than just Big South rings. Keep an eye on us, and you might be surprised what you see. Good luck Dukes.

[BDKJMU]

As far as Liberty's being no chance for the playoffs, I disagree. They have a SLIM chance:

1. They have to win out, and win impressively. 50/50 here. Liberty will be favored and better than any team they play in their next 7 games, but they can't have that letdown.

2. The CAA can't have 5 teams at 8-3 or better. Liberty will not get in ahead of an 8-3 CAA. But I'm not sold like a lot of people seem to be that the CAA will have 5 at 8-3 or better. I think its 50/50. UD will be hard pressed to finish with a winning record. The top 6 teams (UR, Nova, W&M, JMU, UNH, UMass) will start knocking each other off. Plus UD and Maine will pull an upset or 2 of the top 6. I could very well see 4 CAA being 8-3 or better and 2 being 7-4, and Liberty I think at 9-2 would get in over any 7-4 CAA, (and So-Con, or MVFC, Big Sky for that matter). Remember, last year Liberty was 8 Div I wins, 2 losses, without a I-A and a horrendous loss to a transition team (Presby). This season they could finish 9 Division I wins, 2 losses, with a I-A and without a bad loss. Its too bad for Liberty that they couldn't have scheduled a another ranked team for a chance a a quality victory instead of NCCU, Lafayette and WCU.

3. JMU has to finish at least 8-3. It would help if Lafayette won the Patriot (not likely).

Right now I'd say Liberty's chance at the playoffs is 15-20%. It would be less if 3 possible playoff teams (UCA, JSU and EWU weren't all playoff ineligible). Not likely, but not out of the realm of possibility.

Liberty is a good team and is borderline 16 team at large playoff caliber. There will probably be at least 1 auto bid team in the playoffs not as good as Liberty (Patriot or MEAC, possibly OVC (since JSU is ineligible for the playoffs). Good luck to them the rest of the season.

[ToTheLeft]

As far as Liberty's being no chance for the playoffs, I disagree. They have a SLIM chance:

1. They have to win out, and win impressively. 50/50 here. Liberty will be favored and better than any team they play in their next 7 games, but they can't have that letdown.

2. The CAA can't have 5 teams at 8-3 or better. Liberty will not get in ahead of an 8-3 CAA. But I'm not sold like a lot of people seem to be that the CAA will have 5 at 8-3 or better. I think its 50/50. UD will be hard pressed to finish with a winning record. The top 6 teams (UR, Nova, W&M, JMU, UNH, UMass) will start knocking each other off. Plus UD and Maine will pull an upset or 2 of the top 6. I could very well see 4 CAA being 8-3 or better and 2 being 7-4, and Liberty I think at 9-2 would get in over any 7-4 CAA, (and So-Con, or MVFC, Big Sky for that matter). Remember, last year Liberty was 8 Div I wins, 2 losses, without a I-A and a horrendous loss to a transition team (Presby). This season they could finish 9 Division I wins, 2 losses, with a I-A and without a bad loss. Its too bad for Liberty that they couldn't have scheduled a another ranked team for a chance a a quality victory instead of NCCU, Lafayette and WCU.

3. JMU has to finish at least 8-3. It would help if Lafayette won the Patriot (not likely).

Right now I'd say Liberty's chance at the playoffs is 15-20%. It would be less if 3 possible playoff teams (UCA, JSU and EWU weren't all playoff ineligible). Not likely, but not out of the realm of possibility.

Liberty is a good team and is borderline 16 team at large playoff caliber. There will probably be at least 1 auto bid team in the playoffs not as good as Liberty (Patriot or MEAC, possibly OVC (since JSU is ineligible for the playoffs). Good luck to them the rest of the season.

Comments like these mean a lot man. Appreciate it. Rep points coming your way.

[Schfourteenteen]

I think 15% is too high. I understand the reasoning and what not, but even if that does go our way, it wont be enough.

Look at last year. Did we have a Playoff resume? NO. Did anyone stand out for that 16th team? Not really. W&M definitely had a better case than us, but the point still stands. The committee isnt going to GIVE us an invite(until next year) if we dont prove without a doubt we belong there.

Winning out leaves us with
A good loss to WVU
A good loss to JMU
Our staple win is @Lafayette

Theres 0 chance

[BDKJMU]

I sit here in the Hampton Inn near Liberty typing this and drying out from the game I have some observations for for the game and JMU:

2 reasons why JMU didn't pass as much:
-The biggest was the weather. It alternating from a drilling to a downpour the whole game.
-JMU came into the game missing 2 of their top 4 receivers. #5 6'2" 220 lb rSr Bosco Williams (caught hail mary last season Nova game) has been out the last 3 games. Then on Thur RSo Kerby Long (started last season) broke his hand in practice on Thur and is out 6-8 weeks. I think Bosco will be back next week.

Stats:
JMU totaled 348 yards total offense

-311 yards rushing on 48 running plays, -10 on 2 sacks for 301 net
Sullivan: 15 carries for 98 yards before he went out in the 3rd quarter with the leg injury on that huge hit
-Acker: 12 carries for 147. 10 for 132 in the last quarter and half once Sullivan went out. 8 for 116 in the 4th qtr alone, 2 TDs, one being that 65 yarder.

-47 yards passing on 4 of 8, 2 picks, with Dudzick and Thorpe each throwing one. 4 completions, 2 drops right in their hands in the flat (one each Sullivan and Aker) and the 2 picks (the only 2 bad passes, but they were BAD).

Thought the o-line blocked very well, at least for the run. Liberty didn't sell out against the run like VMI did, but JMU blocked much better.

Hats off to the JMU defense. Held Liberty to 211 yards offense, 96 rushing, 121 passing. Liberty was 6-19 passing, and JMU was getting major pressure on Beecher, sacking him twice and knocking him down on numerous plays.

Each team threw 2 picks. Both teams had a lot of trouble on snaps/exchanges. Liberty fumbled 4 times, but didn't lose any. Stats say JMU only fumbled once which they lost, but that can't be right. JMU's center Donnie Smith is really stuggling at center. Not necessarily the blocking, but the last 3 games its either been jittery (against MD- several false starts), snap count (false starts), the snap (against Liberty), holding penalties. Tonight he was responsible for several false starts (not snapping the ball on the snap count) or not even getting the ball off the ground on a # of the shotgun snaps. It got so bad by the 4th qtr Dudzick went out of the shotgun and under center. Plus he had another holding penalty (he was the one who had the costly one late in the 4th against MD) I know the weather was a major factor, but that was pathetic. He was playing guard in the Spring, and Babington was at center, but Babington had to be moved back to guard since he's got that damn cast on his wrist. I wouldn't be surpised to see a change at center for JMU.

-With about 7 1/2 minutes left in the game and JMU clinging to a 7 pt lead JMU had 4th and 9 and their own 6. The normally very reliable Sr LS Charlie Newman on the snap dribbled the ball back to the JMU punter Goff, and Goff manage to pick it up and boom a 65 yard punt. That played was HUGE. If Liberty had blocked that for a safety that could have been a possible game changer. (Newman owes Goff for that).

JMU's kicking and punting, which was so maligned at MD, was pretty good, especially considering the conditions.

Liberty did an excellent job on either kicking it away from Scotty or not giving him the opportunity to break one. Scotty had 2 punt returns for a total of 4 yards and 1 kick return for 24 yards.

Stats:
http://www.jmusports.com/fls/14400/stats/football/2009/liberty.htm

[ToTheLeft]

Well, the center exchanges, other than the last one that gave us possession, wound be being called false starts.

[BDKJMU]

Comments like these mean a lot man. Appreciate it. Rep points coming your way.

Hey, thanks but remember I was of the ones who jumped on any Liberty fans when they said Liberty should have gotten in the playoffs last season (the whole 2 DII wins, a horrendous loss, only beat 2 teams with winning records, one quality win thats already been beaten to death arguement).xsmiley_wix

I just call it like I see it...

[BDKJMU]

I think 15% is too high. I understand the reasoning and what not, but even if that does go our way, it wont be enough.

Look at last year. Did we have a Playoff resume? NO. Did anyone stand out for that 16th team? Not really. W&M definitely had a better case than us, but the point still stands. The committee isnt going to GIVE us an invite(until next year) if we dont prove without a doubt we belong there.

Winning out leaves us with
A good loss to WVU
A good loss to JMU
Our staple win is @Lafayette

Theres 0 chance

NOT zero, but SLIM. A 09' 9-2 Liberty would have a BETTER SOS than 08' 10-2 (8-2) Liberty.

In 07' 7-4 UNH got in as the last at large. Last season it was 8-4 Maine (I-A loss and 5-3 CAA which this season without the extra game would be 7-4) got in as the last team. I'll say it again, a 9-2 Liberty THIS SEASON with their better SOS would get in over any 7-4 from any conference (even someone like Furman or Weber who played 2 I-As).

For the last at large over an 8-3 from the Southland or OVC? Maybe. From the MEAC or Patriot? Of course.

Like I said no 7-4 from any conference will get in over a 9-2 Liberty, and I'm willing to wager on that (course very slim that any 7-4, even from the CAA, will get in).

Again, NOT a zero chance, but SLIM. Liberty would have to win out and then alot of chips would have to fall the right way for Liberty.

[BDKJMU]

Injuries:

-For those that might have missed it, it was announced this past week that 2 deep corner Mike Allen was for up to 6 weeks after brusing a kidney against VMI. It was announced that cornerback Leavander Jones would have his redshirt pulled to replace Allen.

Already mentioned about the receiver position. Next week:

2 wideout:
-Rockheed McCarter-starter
-Marcus Turner-starter
-Bosco Williams (back next week for Hofstra?)
-Marcus Charity

-Kerby Long out 6-8 weeks

Slot receiver:
Acker and Noble had been playing here and Sullivan had been shouldering the load at tailback. Now that Sullivan is injured (heard it was bad) Acker likely will be starting at tailback. Maybe Noble can play both some slot receiver and tailback?

Tailback:
Looks like Acker and Noble
Losing Sullivan sucks, as at 5'9" 220 he is a load and JMU's best inside runner. But Acker has a Holloman like burst that Sullivan doesn't have, (as evidenced by the 65 yarder) and looks to be the better outside runner. 12 carries for 152 and 2 TDs tonight, 116 in the 4th quarter alone.

And damnit, MM needs to name Dudzick the starter. The offense is clearly more effective when he's in. He's got to stop this rotation crap. He did in the 2nd half after Thorpe threw that end of the 1st half pick in the endzone.

Due to the injuries or Sullivan and Long, what are the thoughts of JMU fans on Thorpe playing some slot receiver or tailback? He's defintely a huge talent, and if Dudzick is finally named the starter at QB, Thorpe's athletic skills still be could utilized on the field.

[JMU Newbill]

Well, the center exchanges, other than the last one that gave us possession, wound be being called false starts.


dont be the guy who went to app state who wants to make excuses

[JMU2K_DukeDawg]

Due to the injuries or Sullivan and Long, what are the thoughts of JMU fans on Thorpe playing some slot receiver or tailback? He's defintely a huge talent, and if Dudzick is finally named the starter at QB, Thorpe's athletic skills still be could utilized on the field.

Amen, I really think this would be the best use of Thorpe this year. He is a great athlete, might as well use him as such with all the bodies falling. Luckily, many of our injuries have come in areas where there is relative depth. Should we lose LBs or OL, we're screwed.

[jcmanson]

So Good Luck Liberty, you earned the respect of this fan for sure! xthumbsupx I hope you don't slip in the polls much. You are a top 25 team in the FCS.

Thank you. That's what we've all been trying to say the past 2 years. Hopefully the rest of the FCS will realize this as well.

[jcmanson]

I have mixed feelings this morning as an LU fan. I feel we played well and showed we belong on the field with the best of the FCS, but it hurts real bad losing. We had a great chance to win that game. The key play was that punt. Even if we fair catch it at the 50 we have a decent chance to make a final push for a tying TD. Oh well.

Congrats to JMU, you guys were the better team and the fans I came in contact with last night were classy.

[jstclmet]

2. The CAA can't have 5 teams at 8-3 or better.

Actually, they can. Below is just one scenario;

CAA South:

1. UR runs the table and go 11 - 0. Since their the Defending Champs and current #1, I'll defer to them until the play Nova on 11/7.

2. Nova goes 10 - 1 only losing to UR.

3. W&M goes 9 - 2 only losing to UR & Nova.

4. JMU goes 7 - 4, only losing to the 3 above plus MD.

CAA North:

1. UMass goes 8 - 3 only losing to K. State, UR, & JMU

2. UNH goes 8 - 3 only losing to Nova, W&M, & UMass

There you have 5 teams @ 8 - 3 or better with JMU on the outside looking in at 7 - 4.

Now if JMU beats W&M, you'll have 6 teams with 8 - 3 or better records. Now the committee would have some serious decision making to do should one of the 8 - 3 teams get left home. Does head to head trump FBS victory???

[mcveyrl]

Amen, I really think this would be the best use of Thorpe this year. He is a great athlete, might as well use him as such with all the bodies falling. Luckily, many of our injuries have come in areas where there is relative depth. Should we lose LBs or OL, we're screwed.

That's what they did with Landers for Rascati's last two years.

[tribe_pride]

Actually, they can. Below is just one scenario;

CAA South:

1. UR runs the table and go 11 - 0. Since their the Defending Champs and current #1, I'll defer to them until the play Nova on 11/7.

2. Nova goes 10 - 1 only losing to UR.

3. W&M goes 9 - 2 only losing to UR & Nova.

4. JMU goes 7 - 4, only losing to the 3 above plus MD.

CAA North:

1. UMass goes 8 - 3 only losing to K. State, UR, & JMU

2. UNH goes 8 - 3 only losing to Nova, W&M, & UMass

There you have 5 teams @ 8 - 3 or better with JMU on the outside looking in at 7 - 4.

Now if JMU beats W&M, you'll have 6 teams with 8 - 3 or better records. Now the committee would have some serious decision making to do should one of the 8 - 3 teams get left home. Does head to head trump FBS victory???

The poster you were responding to was describing how Liberty could make it to the playoffs.

[ToTheLeft]

dont be the guy who went to app state who wants to make excuses

I'm not making excuses. Someone mentioned they only listed you for one fumble. That's because the other ones were false starts, and therefor there was no actual play, only a penalty. So they weren't listed on the box score, since technically they never happened. Not sure what I would have been making excuses for.

One thing the refs did blow was the delay of game call on the fake punt play. It was on "00" for about 10 seconds. It didn't really have an impact on the game, but you never know. And that's a sad thing for a group of refs to miss.

[BDKJMU]

Actually, they can. Below is just one scenario;

CAA South:

1. UR runs the table and go 11 - 0. Since their the Defending Champs and current #1, I'll defer to them until the play Nova on 11/7.

2. Nova goes 10 - 1 only losing to UR.

3. W&M goes 9 - 2 only losing to UR & Nova.

4. JMU goes 7 - 4, only losing to the 3 above plus MD.

CAA North:

1. UMass goes 8 - 3 only losing to K. State, UR, & JMU

2. UNH goes 8 - 3 only losing to Nova, W&M, & UMass

There you have 5 teams @ 8 - 3 or better with JMU on the outside looking in at 7 - 4.

Now if JMU beats W&M, you'll have 6 teams with 8 - 3 or better records. Now the committee would have some serious decision making to do should one of the 8 - 3 teams get left home. Does head to head trump FBS victory???

Jstclmet, you misread my post. I meant the CAA can't have 5 teams at 8-3 or better for Liberty to have any chance of getting at bid at 9-2.

Of course the CAA CAN have 5 teams (or HIGHLY unlikely 6) at 8-3 or better, but that would mean almost no chance for Liberty to get a bid at 9-2.

[BDKJMU]

Injuries:

-For those that might have missed it, it was announced this past week that 2 deep corner Mike Allen was for up to 6 weeks after brusing a kidney against VMI. It was announced that cornerback Leavander Jones would have his redshirt pulled to replace Allen.

Already mentioned about the receiver position. Next week:

2 wideout:
-Rockheed McCarter-starter
-Marcus Turner-starter
-Bosco Williams (back next week for Hofstra?)
-Marcus Charity

-Kerby Long out 6-8 weeks

Slot receiver:
Acker and Noble had been playing here and Sullivan had been shouldering the load at tailback. Now that Sullivan is injured (heard it was bad) Acker likely will be starting at tailback. Maybe Noble can play both some slot receiver and tailback?

Tailback:
Looks like Acker and Noble
Losing Sullivan sucks, as at 5'9" 220 he is a load and JMU's best inside runner. But Acker has a Holloman like burst that Sullivan doesn't have, (as evidenced by the 65 yarder) and looks to be the better outside runner. 12 carries for 152 and 2 TDs tonight, 116 in the 4th quarter alone.

And damnit, MM needs to name Dudzick the starter. The offense is clearly more effective when he's in. He's got to stop this rotation crap. He did in the 2nd half after Thorpe threw that end of the 1st half pick in the endzone.

Due to the injuries or Sullivan and Long, what are the thoughts of JMU fans on Thorpe playing some slot receiver or tailback? He's defintely a huge talent, and if Dudzick is finally named the starter at QB, Thorpe's athletic skills still be could utilized on the field.

Thank goodness Sullivan's inury not as bad according to the Richmond Times Dispatch:
"Acker, filling in for injured starter Jamal Sullivan, ran for 136 yards and scored on touchdowns of 65 and 13 yards to break a 10-10 tie in the fourth quarter."

[BDKJMU]

Injuries:

-For those that might have missed it, it was announced this past week that 2 deep corner Mike Allen was for up to 6 weeks after brusing a kidney against VMI. It was announced that cornerback Leavander Jones would have his redshirt pulled to replace Allen.

Already mentioned about the receiver position. Next week:

2 wideout:
-Rockheed McCarter-starter
-Marcus Turner-starter
-Bosco Williams (back next week for Hofstra?)
-Marcus Charity

-Kerby Long out 6-8 weeks

Slot receiver:
Acker and Noble had been playing here and Sullivan had been shouldering the load at tailback. Now that Sullivan is injured (heard it was bad) Acker likely will be starting at tailback. Maybe Noble can play both some slot receiver and tailback?

Tailback:
Looks like Acker and Noble
Losing Sullivan sucks, as at 5'9" 220 he is a load and JMU's best inside runner. But Acker has a Holloman like burst that Sullivan doesn't have, (as evidenced by the 65 yarder) and looks to be the better outside runner. 12 carries for 152 and 2 TDs tonight, 116 in the 4th quarter alone.

And damnit, MM needs to name Dudzick the starter. The offense is clearly more effective when he's in. He's got to stop this rotation crap. He did in the 2nd half after Thorpe threw that end of the 1st half pick in the endzone.

Due to the injuries or Sullivan and Long, what are the thoughts of JMU fans on Thorpe playing some slot receiver or tailback? He's defintely a huge talent, and if Dudzick is finally named the starter at QB, Thorpe's athletic skills still be could utilized on the field.

Thank goodness Sullivan's inury not as bad according to the Richmond Times Dispatch:
"Acker, who came into the game with 195 career rushing yards, ran for 147 of JMU's 301 yards yesterday. Sullivan left with a bruised patella tendon in his left knee after taking a vicious hit from Liberty's Tim Torrence early in the third quarter, leaving Acker to take a lead role. He averaged 12.2 yards per carry and scored the first two touchdowns of his career."
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/sports/college/college_football/article/JMUF27_20090926-234402/295840/

Hopefully Sully will be back for UR in 2 weeks...

[mcveyrl]

Thank goodness Sullivan's inury not as bad according to the Richmond Times Dispatch:
"Acker, who came into the game with 195 career rushing yards, ran for 147 of JMU's 301 yards yesterday. Sullivan left with a bruised patella tendon in his left knee after taking a vicious hit from Liberty's Tim Torrence early in the third quarter, leaving Acker to take a lead role. He averaged 12.2 yards per carry and scored the first two touchdowns of his career."

Hopefully Sully will be back for UR in 2 weeks...

You probably couldn't see it there, but on TV they showed him riding the bike on the sidelines. He still should probably sit for Hofstra unless we really have to have him.

[SuperJon]

I think we've proven we're a consistent top 25 program. To me, that game felt a lot like West Virginia. We were in it but never really in a chance to win in the second half. A couple of plays go different and we have a chance to win in the fourth, just like at West Virginia. Instead, we turn the ball over and JMU scores very quickly, just like at West Virginia.

We are a good team that is only getting better. Getting an auto bid will enable us to recruit better and better players.

Liberty's going to stick around. We're going to be in this thing in the coming years.

[UNH_Alum_In_CT]

As I've said many times on this forum, as a pollster I'm always looking for performance in multiple games so that I can override the "AGS" aspect of one game. For me it is much easier to gauge Liberty based on the performance against West Virginia and JMU. (Although I wish yesterday's game wasn't played in bad weather.) Add in two wins against AQ league teams (Lafayette and Western Carolina) and the Flames have built a significantly better OOC resume than last year. BTW, don't the Lafayette and WCU wins meet part of that "NEC Criteria" that the NCAA established for playoff inclusion?

I know I need to pay attention to all the Big South games, those already played and those to come, to see if any "bump" can be gained. For example, because Stony Brook is in my region, I guess I'm a little more aware of their scores. So far I don't think Stony Brook has enhanced the Big South's ranking. Maybe by season's end the close game with Hofstra looks better and maybe the spanking at UMass doesn't look so bad.

I guess where I'm going is that Liberty needs to win the Big South by going undefeated. The more dominantly they win those games, then the better resume they present to the committee. JMHO, but they aren't out of the playoff discussion yet. They should really be rooting for some upsets by Towson, Northeastern, URI, Hofstra as well as Maine and Delaware doing some damage within CAA play. I'm not sure the ranked CAA teams just beating themselves is going to knock anybody out of the playoffs. I agree with BDKJMU that 5-6 CAA teams at 8-3 will squash any hopes Liberty has at 9-2.

My observation so far is that the OVC is better this year than their normal perception by this forum. The Flames are probably fighting for an large bid with second bids from the OVC and MEAC. I don't think the Patriot can muster an at large.

Liberty definitely seems to be building a program that will be ready for the Big South's playoff inclusion in 2010!

[SuperJon]

We played NCCU, not Western Carolina.

The NEC rule doesn't apply to us. We fulfilled all of it last year but still didn't make it.

[Uncle Buck]

As I've said many times on this forum, as a pollster I'm always looking for performance in multiple games so that I can override the "AGS" aspect of one game. For me it is much easier to gauge Liberty based on the performance against West Virginia and JMU. (Although I wish yesterday's game wasn't played in bad weather.) Add in two wins against AQ league teams (Lafayette and Western Carolina) and the Flames have built a significantly better OOC resume than last year. BTW, don't the Lafayette and WCU wins meet part of that "NEC Criteria" that the NCAA established for playoff inclusion?

I know I need to pay attention to all the Big South games, those already played and those to come, to see if any "bump" can be gained. For example, because Stony Brook is in my region, I guess I'm a little more aware of their scores. So far I don't think Stony Brook has enhanced the Big South's ranking. Maybe by season's end the close game with Hofstra looks better and maybe the spanking at UMass doesn't look so bad.

I guess where I'm going is that Liberty needs to win the Big South by going undefeated. The more dominantly they win those games, then the better resume they present to the committee. JMHO, but they aren't out of the playoff discussion yet. They should really be rooting for some upsets by Towson, Northeastern, URI, Hofstra as well as Maine and Delaware doing some damage within CAA play. I'm not sure the ranked CAA teams just beating themselves is going to knock anybody out of the playoffs. I agree with BDKJMU that 5-6 CAA teams at 8-3 will squash any hopes Liberty has at 9-2.

My observation so far is that the OVC is better this year than their normal perception by this forum. The Flames are probably fighting for an large bid with second bids from the OVC and MEAC. I don't think the Patriot can muster an at large.

Liberty definitely seems to be building a program that will be ready for the Big South's playoff inclusion in 2010!

Well said xthumbsupx

[UNH_Alum_In_CT]

We played NCCU, not Western Carolina.

The NEC rule doesn't apply to us. We fulfilled all of it last year but still didn't make it.

Told you I needed to research Big South games already played! xoopsx :D But I swore I read earlier in this thread that Liberty played WCU? xconfusedx Was that last year?

I know last year the Big South wasn't eligible for that "NEC Criteria", but I thought this year that they were. xconfusedx xconfusedx

[Uncle Buck]

Told you I needed to research Big South games already played! xoopsx :D But I swore I read earlier in this thread that Liberty played WCU? xconfusedx Was that last year?

I know last year the Big South wasn't eligible for that "NEC Criteria", but I thought this year that they were. xconfusedx xconfusedx

Either way, i still like your assessment! xthumbsupx

I don't think Liberty's shot at the playoffs is done, but they will need to win out in convincing fashion.

[SuperJon]

We played Western last year, NCCU this year.

We don't get the NEC criteria this year. It's only for conferences eligible for automatic bids that don't have one. Had it applied to us last year we would've gotten in.

[spdram]

BDKJMU, check your private messages please, thanks!

[BDKJMU]

Amen, I really think this would be the best use of Thorpe this year. He is a great athlete, might as well use him as such with all the bodies falling. Luckily, many of our injuries have come in areas where there is relative depth. Should we lose LBs or OL, we're screwed.

With the depth at the offensive skill positions and in the secondary (not experience wise, but athletic talent wise, you're right, an injury or 2 won't be devastating. Even losing one of the top 3 at LB would still leave us with 2 pretty decent ones. IMHO There are 6 players JMU can ill afford to lose the most, all but one on the OL and DL:

-Arthur Moats and Sam Daniels on the DL. They are All CAA/AA type beasts who are irreplacable. Moats is leading the nation in tackles for a loss after 3 games. Brown is good, could get 3rd team CAA honors this season, but losing him wouldn't hurt as much as Moats or Daniels would. There are good DLs on the 2 deep, but no one as dominating as Moats and Daniels.

-Either of the 2 tackles Theo Sherman or Brandon Monroe. Isn't any depth at tackle.

-Dorian Brooks at OG, as he is JMU's best o-lineman, will likely get AA honors this season, and is irreplacable. There really isn't any depth at guard. If Brooks went down would likely move Smith over to guard and put Ainsley in at center (might not be a drop off at center in this case, but Smith at OG would be a big drop off from Brooks.

But if Smith went down at Center, I don't think Ainsley would be much worse. And if Babington went down at OG, then Smith would likely move over to OG (where he would likely fare much better than he is faring at center and might not be much of a drop off from Babington), and would put Ainsley at center.

And of course Scotty, as he is JMU's home run threat as a returner, and leads the nation in kick return avg.

So if any of those 6 go down: Moats, Daniels, Sherman, Monroe, Brooks, or McGee, that would be a real "O s**t" moment for JMU fans.

[BDKJMU]

As I've said many times on this forum, as a pollster I'm always looking for performance in multiple games so that I can override the "AGS" aspect of one game. For me it is much easier to gauge Liberty based on the performance against West Virginia and JMU. (Although I wish yesterday's game wasn't played in bad weather.) Add in two wins against AQ league teams (Lafayette and Western Carolina) and the Flames have built a significantly better OOC resume than last year. BTW, don't the Lafayette and WCU wins meet part of that "NEC Criteria" that the NCAA established for playoff inclusion?

I know I need to pay attention to all the Big South games, those already played and those to come, to see if any "bump" can be gained. For example, because Stony Brook is in my region, I guess I'm a little more aware of their scores. So far I don't think Stony Brook has enhanced the Big South's ranking. Maybe by season's end the close game with Hofstra looks better and maybe the spanking at UMass doesn't look so bad.

I guess where I'm going is that Liberty needs to win the Big South by going undefeated. The more dominantly they win those games, then the better resume they present to the committee. JMHO, but they aren't out of the playoff discussion yet. They should really be rooting for some upsets by Towson, Northeastern, URI, Hofstra as well as Maine and Delaware doing some damage within CAA play. I'm not sure the ranked CAA teams just beating themselves is going to knock anybody out of the playoffs. I agree with BDKJMU that 5-6 CAA teams at 8-3 will squash any hopes Liberty has at 9-2.

My observation so far is that the OVC is better this year than their normal perception by this forum. The Flames are probably fighting for an large bid with second bids from the OVC and MEAC. I don't think the Patriot can muster an at large.

Liberty definitely seems to be building a program that will be ready for the Big South's playoff inclusion in 2010!

OVC ain't getting a 2nd bid with their likely best team JSU playoff ineligible.

[BDKJMU]

We played Western last year, NCCU this year.

We don't get the NEC criteria this year. It's only for conferences eligible for automatic bids that don't have one. Had it applied to us last year we would've gotten in.

Shoot, I misread Liberty's schedule. Not sure how I missed the WV Wesleyan. 9-2 would mean 8 Div I wins, not 9 like I erroneously previously said. Still is a stronger SOS than last season for Liberty, but that 15-20% chance I said before, make that maybe 10%.

[Dukie95]

Liberty played a heck of a game. It's soo tough to judge a team in weather like that. The playbook changes and abnormal mistakes happen.

However, Liberty is a top 20-25 team. They're just missing some polish and depth that can push them to that next level, but they're not far.

Liberty should stay ranked this week and if they can sweep the Big South, they'll climb the ranks each week as teams above them lose. They're going to hit a ceiling if/when JMU loses a couple in the CAA and drops too far. I think when all is said and done, they'll find themselves in the 15-20 range and will be a bubble playoff team again this year.

BUT, the I-A wins in the CAA is going to hurt them because there are 4 CAA teams with 3 wins already before the conference schedule has even started. It's not great for JMU either, but at least we have a chance to play three of them ourselves, Liberty doesn't.

Liberty needs to be careful of VMI. They've played very well against both UR and JMU on the road. They're improved this year and they're gaining valuable experience.

[19Duke97]

I have Liberty at 17 in my poll. I was impressed with their effort, but it is really hard to gauge after the rain squall we had Saturday. I won't reiterate what has been well stated by many posters here, but in my best guess, they are a legitimate "last team in" playoff team, it will just have to be seen how things play out. Liberty needs JMU and Laffy to do well and they need to win all their games handily to get a shot.

[SuperJon]

Shoot, I misread Liberty's schedule. Not sure how I missed the WV Wesleyan. 9-2 would mean 8 Div I wins, not 9 like I erroneously previously said. Still is a stronger SOS than last season for Liberty, but that 15-20% chance I said before, make that maybe 10%.

We had Iona on the schedule as our gimme game and they dropped the program.

[jmufan999]

despite the lovefest for Liberty (the winning team always has a lovefest for the other team on this site), i want a rematch on a nice day with all Dudzik, all the time. call it what you want.