In advance of Saturday’s game between James Madison and New Hampshire, Dukes coach Mike Houston held his weekly press conference at O’Neill’s Grill in Harrisonburg. Players also spoke with members of the media following the team’s practice.

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- Houston began his press conference by discussing Saturday’s 31-24 win against rival William & Mary. Houston called it, “a great game by two teams that have had a lot of great games.” Houston said he thought William & Mary had a good game plan to stay competitive against JMU. The first-year coach added his players did a great job overcoming adversity to beat a tough opponent.

- Houston said his favorite moment of the win over William & Mary came following Taylor Reynolds’ fourth-quarter interception, which sealed the game for JMU. Houston said he enjoyed watching his players celebrate because many of them had talked during the week about how last season’s loss to William & Mary was the “low-point” of the 2015 season.

- On New Hampshire, Houston said Wildcats coach Sean McDonnell has done a fantastic job at the school. New Hampshire has the nation’s longest consecutive playoff appearance streak. UNH has reached the FCS playoffs in each of the last 12 years. The Wildcats are also 49-6 in their last 55 home games.

- JMU will keep the same travel schedule it used for its Sept. 24 win at Maine, Houston said.

- New Hampshire features an Oregon-like offense, according to Houston. Current 49ers coach and former Oregon Ducks coach Chip Kelly served as McDonnell’s offensive coordinator from 1999-2006. Houston said UNH would use multiple formations, some traditional and some non-traditional. The Wildcats would also show plenty of pre-snap motions.

- Houston said the key to UNH’s offense is its quarterback, Trevor Knight. Houston said Knights runs as well as running back Dalton Crossan. Houston added UNH would run different versions of the zone-read on Saturday.

- JMU kicker Tyler Gray is only 4-of-7 on field goal tries this season. Houston said he still has confidence in Gray and that the kicking game isn’t a big concern right now.

- JMU true freshman quarterback Cole Johnson, who is redshirting this season, has the responsibility of emulating Knight in practice. Houston said Johnson is has done a great job of executing the scout team offense all season. Houston also said, “For JMU fans, Cole Johnson will be a name that you know very well one day. He’s a good passer and has good feet.”

- Junior safety Jordan Brown echoed Houston’s thoughts regarding New Hampshire’s offense. He said the defense had a film session Tuesday to see what personnel the Wildcats would roll out with based on certain formations. Brown said UNH would use a “muddle-huddle” at times, which is where he said he saw some Oregon’s offense in the Wildcats.

- Brown said during practice it was tough at first for the defense to identify keys because of all the different formations the scout team offense was using. Brown said it got easier as practice went along.

- In CAA play, JMU’s defense hasn’t given up more than 24 points in a single game. Brown said the biggest difference for the defense between its success in conference play and its slow start in non-conference play has been the chemistry. He said the unit is playing better within the 4-2-5 system.

- Junior quarterback Bryan Schor said New Hampshire has a “very talented” defense. He said UNH is very disciplined, which JMU must be ready for this week.

- JMU’s win at Maine was a good experience for the team to have, Schor said. He said he thinks it could help the Dukes this week, traveling north again to take on New Hampshire.