Tribe confident as reeling James Madison rolls into town

Oct 24, 2009 (Daily Press - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- JMLCA | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Last year, William and Mary went to James Madison looking to prove it had arrived as a bona fide Colonial Athletic Association title contender.

The Tribe returned from Harrisonburg humbled after a 48-24 loss to the then-No. 1 team in the country.

A lot has changed between last Nov. 15 and today, when the Dukes come to Zable Stadium for a noon homecoming kickoff.

"First, I feel like we're better defensively. We've made strides there," Tribe coach Jimmye Laycock said. "Our front four is playing very well, and we're taking some of the burden off the linebacker and secondary groups. I think that's probably a big thing. And we're a little more experienced team than we were last year."

A lot is different for JMU, too -- largely in a bad way.

Gone is All-CAA dual-threat quarterback Rodney Landers, replaced by redshirt freshman Justin Thorpe. Thorpe has rushed for 332 yards and two touchdowns and thrown for 420 yards and another score but is just 33-of-66 with three interceptions. Drew Dudzik, who has 472 yards and six TDs in five games, had split time with Thorpe but broke his foot Oct. 10 against Richmond.

The top-ranked Spiders held on for 21-17 victory in that game, and last Saturday's 27-0 loss to No. 4 Villanova dropped JMU, ranked in the top 10 in the nation earlier this year, to 2-4 and 0-3 in the CAA. The Dukes had just 260 yards of offense against the Wildcats, including 144 yards passing from Thorpe, who was 13-of-32.

"We're just not very good on offense. I don't think that's any secret," JMU coach Mickey Matthews said. "I wish Justin was two years older instead of being so young. When he sets his feet and throws the ball, he's a pretty good thrower. When he jumps around, he's average.

"It wasn't the best two weeks to break in a young quarterback."

Matthews doesn't expect the going to be any easier against the Tribe (6-1, 2-1 CAA), which boasts the country's 11th-stingiest defense (261.8 yards per game) and the second-best rushing defense (64.8).

"I've played them 11 times, and this is the best team they've had," Matthews said. "They're certainly better on defense than they've ever been. (Sophomore) Jonathan Grimes gives them a running threat they haven't had. (Senior quarterback R.J.) Archer's a great touch passer. They have a great football team."

William and Mary comes off a bye week that allowed Archer to shed the knee brace he's worn for four games and nagging injuries to defensive end C.J. Herbert and defensive tackle Mike Stover to heal.

"We really want to shut down their run game, just eliminate that early, and make them have to pass it on us, because that's not what they do well," Tribe junior cornerback Ben Cottingham said. "We definitely want to shut down the run and be more physical. Don't let them intimidate us. Intimidate them."

That said, William and Mary remains wary of JMU, which it hasn't beaten since 2004.

"You look at them on tape, and you understand they're good players," Laycock said. "They're really good players. And we know in this league, it's a fine line between winning and not winning. It's a punt here or a mistake here, and that can make the difference. It doesn't mean this team is that much better than that team."

True enough, but the Tribe is eager to show that a lot can happen in a year.

"They certainly have our attention," Matthews said. "There's several high school teams that would have our attention right now, so certainly William and Mary does."

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