JMU NOTES: Tackling problems led to Wofford gains

Tackling problems led to Wofford gains

Wofford finished with 431 yards of offense, including 301 on the ground. The Terriers averaged 5.8 yards per play with their confusing wingbone offense, which utilizes three backs as well as an effective passing game on occasion.

James Madison had all kinds of trouble dealing with the variety of formations and at times simply couldn't stop Wofford from gaining big yardage.

As far as JMU coach Mickey Matthews was concerned, it Was as much a case of poor tackling by his defenders as fine execution by the Terriers.

"I want to give Wofford credit because they had a great game plan," Matthews said. "But it was very disappointing to us on the sidelines to watch the way we tackled.

"We missed so many tackles. We did not tackle well in the open field. We've been struggling at linebacker, and Wofford did a nice job of exposing us there. I think we'll probably have tackling practice again this week."

Free safety Marcus Haywood led the Dukes with 15 tackles, while safety Gerren Griffin and linebacker Vidal Nelson added 10 each.

Rematches likely in Dukes' future

JMU hadn't played Wofford since 1980, but the Dukes' next three potential opponents could be much more familiar.

With Villanova (10-2) brushing off Colgate in another first-rounder 55-28 yesterday, the Dukes (11-1) will face the Wildcats in the next round on Saturday at Bridgeforth Stadium.

That will be a rematch of the Hail Mary game that JMU survived 23-19 on Oct. 25 at Villanova.

On the final play of the game, quarterback Rodney Landers fired the ball toward the end zone, where it was batted into the air by a Villanova defender and into the waiting arms of wide receiver Bosco Williams for a 35-yard TD.

"I've been so busy worrying about how to stop the option [of Wofford], I haven't thought much about [the rematch]," Matthews said. "It'll be another great game."

Should the Dukes get past the Wildcats in the quarterfinals, their likely semifinal foe would be fourth-seeded Montana (12-1), JMU's victim in the 2004 championship game in Chattanooga, Tenn.

And finally, if the Dukes reach the title game on Dec. 19 in Chattanooga, they would probably find No. 2 seed and three-time defending FCS champion Appalachian State (11-2) waiting for them. JMU beat ASU 35-32 on Sept. 20 in Harrisonburg.

Long time between home playoff games

The last time the Dukes were at home in a playoff game, Bill Clinton was in his first term as president and Landers was in the third grade.

It was 1994, and JMU played Troy State under the guidance of coach Rip Scherer. In a wide-open first-round contest, the Dukes prevailed 45-26, as Kelvin Jeter rushed for 240 yards and scored three TDs.

JMU hit the road for the next round and lost at Marshall 28-21 in overtime. Matthews was Marshall's defensive coordinator in that game.

JMU's only other home playoff game was in 1991, when the Dukes lost to Samford 24-21 in the second round. JMU had edged host Delaware 42-35 in two OTs in the first round. - John Packett