JMU eager to see how young players fit in

HARRISONBURG -- There's only one rule when the James Madison offensive line goes for a post-practice treat at Smoothie King -- don't get the small, or else others will laugh at you.

The rest is a matter of personal preference. For guard Dorian Brooks, a Highland Springs grad, his personal favorite is "The Hulk," a 2,200-calorie ice cream creation. But it's OK, because the 300-pound senior has to work for it.

In an effort to improve fitness, the Dukes' line did its summer running in the middle of the afternoon, when the temperature was the hottest.

"You don't play games in the early morning," Brooks said. "In September we'll be playing in the afternoon heat, and we'll want to be ready."

He spoke along with the other players yesterday as part of the team's media day. JMU coach Mickey Matthews said that he's eager to see how his young players fill the shoes of last year's Colonial Athletic Association champion squad.

That team finished with a loss to Montana in the Football Championship Subdivision semifinals -- a disheartening end, but Matthews received some words of encouragement during the spring from Ohio State coach Jim Tressel, who said that you know your program has arrived when the fans remember specific losses. That means there weren't many of them.

Another sign of the program's arrival was on display as athletic director Jeff Bourne unveiled plans for the expansion of Bridgeforth Stadium.

During a two-year period beginning this December, the stands on the west side of the field will be demolished and replaced with a two-deck structure that includes suites and a club level and expands capacity from 15,500 to 25,000.

"This is going to change the way JMU is perceived in the sports arena," Bourne said.

He added that construction work would begin immediately after the final regular-season game, so the Dukes will not host any playoff games this year or next. NCAA rules allow teams to submit bids for playoff games; they are not automatically awarded to the higher seed.

That's not the only scheduling quirk for the Dukes this year. They will start a week later than most teams (Sept. 12 at Maryland) and will play through the season without a bye week.

Matthews said the team started practicing in full pads yesterday, but that the team has been working together since Monday.

He's not going to decide on a quarterback until after the Maryland game at the earliest. Junior Drew Dudzik and redshirt freshman Justin Thorpe (Varina) will get a predetermined number of snaps in that game.

The offensive line is set, including Brooks, who already has had some NFL scouts come by to look at him.

"He's playing his position better than anybody else right now," Matthews said.

That protection will be key to the offense's production, regardless of who is under center, as the Dukes look to plow their way to another conference title.