James Madison is enjoying its first-round playoff bye week and on Tuesday, 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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- James Madison has the No. 4 seed and will host the winner of Lehigh and New Hampshire on Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. Houston said during the team’s three practices this week, the staff been implementing base game plans for both the Mountain Hawks and Wildcats.

- Houston said with two opponents to prepare for that the staff has alternated which opponent it scouts each night. Beginning Sunday, the staff scouted Lehigh and the next night the staff scouted New Hampshire.

- The biggest different with Lehigh and New Hampshire is that both teams run very different defenses, Houston said.

- On Tuesday morning the Colonial Athletic Association announced its award winners and All-CAA teams. Junior quarterback Bryan Schor was named Offensive Player of the Year, senior punt returner Rashard Davis was named Special Teams Player of the Year and Houston was named Coach of the Year. 14 players were named to the All-Conference teams – read more on those selections here.

- Houston deflected praise when discussing his Coach of the Year Award. He said the award shows how strong of a staff he has.

- In JMU’s win over Elon, the Dukes unveiled a wildcat formation. Houston said JMU could continue to use the wildcat moving forward, regardless of which quarterback plays in the postseason. Houston said junior running back Taylor Woods did a great job taking direct snaps out of the shotgun and that JMU actually has more skill players on its roster that could play in the wildcat-quarterback role.

- Schor, who had his left arm in a sling since being injured at Villanova, wasn’t wearing the sling at the team’s practice Tuesday. Schor spoke with reporters, but wasn’t allowed to take any questions regarding his health status.

- Schor was able to discuss earning the CAA Offensive Player of the Year honors and he said “it means a lot” for both him and the team that he won the award. Schor said he couldn’t have done it without a great offensive line and great group of wide receivers.

- On JMU’s potential matchup with either Lehigh or New Hampshire, Schor said both teams are very good teams. Schor said he actually played against Lehigh quarterback Nick Shafinsky in high school. Schor said his school, Delaware Valley High School beat Shafinsky’s school, Whitehall High School in a playoff game during his senior year.

- JMU junior safety Raven Greene was a first-team was an all-conference choice. Last JMU announced Greene would be back next year through a medical hardship waiver. Greene said he wanted to return next season because he remembered that when he got injured as a sophomore all his teammates were there for him. He said he felt like he owed those teammates another year.

- Greene said he also is excited to get another season in defensive coordinator Bob Trott’s system. He said, “it’s going to be fun to get into the 300-level classes of Bob Trott.”

- Davis said earning the Special Teams Player of the Year “is a big award.” Davis had three punt-return touchdowns this season. Davis said going into the season that cornerbacks coach Tripp Weaver, who also runs the punt-return team, told the returners that they would have a lot of opportunities to make big plays. Davis said the unit got more and more dangerous each week.

- Davis added he thinks special teams could win or lose a postseason game. Davis said there are a lot of good offenses and defenses in the playoffs, but in tight games the specials teams are what could separate JMU from an opponent.