Published Oct 31, 2016
Field Notes - 10.31.16
Greg Madia
Publisher
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Monday morning the Colonial Athletic Association held its weekly coaches teleconference. James Madison coach Mike Houston and Richmond coach Danny Rocco took questions from reporters on this weekend’s contest between the Dukes and Spiders. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m., on Saturday at Robins Stadium in Richmond.

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- Houston called James Madison’s 84-7 win over Rhode Island on Saturday, “as clean of a game” as his team had played all season.

- When asked if scoring 84 points was excessive, Houston said he pulled starters in the middle of the third quarter and also told his running backs to not score if they were to break loose. Third-string back Trai Sharp actually stopped himself from scoring in the fourth quarter. Houston added he had his team down the ball five times inside the 10-yard line with nine minutes remaining in the game.

- Rhode Island coach Jim Fleming spoke on the call too and he said he didn’t have a problem with Madison scoring 84 points. Fleming said, “I’ve never felt it’s anyone’s responsibility to take their foot off the gas. It’s our responsibility to stop them.”

- The win over Rhode Island put James Madison in sole-possession of first place in the CAA. If JMU wins out, it’ll win the league outright. Houston said he would not bring up the fact that his team controls its own destiny with his player. Houston said the team would still approach the final three games on a week-to-week basis.

- After the victory over the Rams, Houston and his coaching staff began its preparation for Richmond. JMU defensive coordinator Bob Trott spent the last six seasons at Richmond in the same role. Houston said Trott has knowledge of Richmond’s program to give Madison an insight on the personnel of the Spiders.

- Houston said the JMU-Richmond game, “should be a great matchup.” He said both programs have good coaches and great players. A critical element to the game would be the turnover battle, Houston added.

- Houston called Richmond quarterback Kyle Lauletta, “one of the top quarterbacks in the league” and receiver Brian Brown “one of the top, if not, the top receiver in the league.”

- Richmond coach Danny Rocco said Trott’s defense at JMU isn’t exactly the same to what Trott installed and used at Richmond, but is probably more similar than different. Rocco said when he watches tape of JMU’s defense he can recognize a lot of what the defense is doing. A noticeable difference is that Trott is calling for more blitzes and pressures at JMU than he did in his time at Richmond.

- In last year’s game between JMU and Richmond, JMU quarterback Bryan Schor entered the game for an injured Vad Lee. Schor has been the starting quarterback since. Rocco said he knew after seeing Schor last year that he thought Schor was a good player. The Spiders coach added he could remember having conversations with different people and telling them that Schor, “was going to be real good moving forward.”

- With Lee set to graduate, Rocco said he never thought JMU would have a quarterback dilemma because he thought Schor could progress into a very capable quarterback.

- Rocco listed a few keys in order for Richmond to beat JMU. He said Richmond must: eliminate big plays, control the run game, contain Schor, get off the field on third down and possess the ball.

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