In advance of Saturday’s game between James Madison and Rhode Island, 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 announcing JMU would wear a pink ribbon decal on the back of its helmets this Saturday in recognition of breast cancer awareness month. Houston said raising awareness is very important to him and his family – his children’s godmother passed away last fall, after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
- As far as the game goes, Houston said Rhode Island is an improving football team since making a change at quarterback. The Rams are 1-7 overall under third-year coach Jim Fleming, but Fleming turned the offense over to freshman Jordan Vazzano a few weeks ago. Vazzano has helped the offense look more efficient. URI had more than 400 total yards of offense last week against Maine.
- Houston said Vazzano is a “big guy with good pocket presence.” He added Vazzano has a strong arm and quick release, which allows Rhode Island to move the ball well. In order knock Vazzano off his game Houston said JMU would have to apply pressure on the freshman.
- JMU’s defensive front has helped the defense rack up 11 sacks since the start of conference play. Houston said the defensive line is playing within the scheme and understands gap integrity well.
- On Rhode Island’s defense, Houston said Rams defensive end Jose Duncan is the unit’s best player. Duncan has four sacks this year. He’ll move from end to an interior position depending on the situation, Houston added.
- Last week was JMU’s bye week. Coming off the bye, Houston said the team was able get refreshed for the final four games. Tight end Jonathan Kloosterman missed the last two games with an injury. As far as Kloosterman’s status for Saturday, Houston said, “Hopefully, we’ll have him back.”
- During the off week, Houston said he was able to give more reps to some of the younger players at practice. Cole Johnson, Braxton Westfield, John Kinney and Tabb Patrick were a few who stood out, he said.
- Senior running back Khalid Abdullah said the bye week couldn’t have come at a better time. Even though the team had won four straight before the break, Abdullah said he needed the rest. Abdullah has already carried the ball 115 times this season. He said during he rested, tried to get extra sleep and got treatment to make sure his body was ready for the last four games of the regular season.
- Abdullah said durability goes a long way, so he’s just made sure to keep himself as close to as 100-percent throughout the season.
- Abdullah’s 854 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns stand as the third- and fourth-best marks nationally. Even though he’s focused on winning the CAA and helping JMU toward the FCS playoffs, he said he’s thought about his potential professional future a little bit. He said he hopes his strong start to this season has helped draw the attention of NFL scouts.
- Senior offensive guard Matt Frank said one key component to JMU’s offensive line success is position coach Jamal Powell. Powell was the only holdover on the offensive side from the previous staff to Houston’s staff. Frank said Powell is the first offensive line coach that he’s had for two consecutive seasons at JMU.
- Junior defensive tackle Simeyon Robinson leads the team with four sacks this season. The four sacks are as many as he had in 2014 and 2015 combined. He said the biggest difference between this season and the last few seasons is he’s learned to keep his feet moving. He said pass rushing is all about determination. He said he refuses to quit on any play.
