In advance of Saturday’s game between James Madison and Delaware, Dukes coach Mike Houston held his weekly press conference Tuesday 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 called JMU’s 31-20 victory at Maine, “a quality win.” Houston said Maine was very prepared off its bye week and gave JMU, “their best shot.” The first-year Dukes coach added Maine used some schemes and plays that JMU hadn’t seen from them on film, so Houston and his coaching staff had to make adjustments throughout the game.

- JMU trailed Maine at halftime and at the start of the fourth quarter. Houston said he was proud of how his team overcame adversity. He said his team really stuck together.

- Dukes senior cornerback Taylor Reynolds didn’t make the trip with the team to Maine. Houston said Reynolds, “had an issue where he could not play” against the Black Bears. Houston said he does expect Reynolds to play on Saturday against Delaware.

- With Reynolds out against Maine, sophomore cornerback Jimmy Moreland filled in. Moreland returned to the team during the offseason after he was dismissed from the squad by former coach Everett Withers in June of 2015 for a violation of team rules. Moreland had seven tackles and two pass breakups against the Black Bears. According to Houston, Moreland has done everything that Houston’s asked him to do since the spring. Houston said, “He’s doing well off the field. He’s doing really well in the classroom and his practice habits have been really good.”

- Running back Khalid Abdullah ran for a career-high 172 yards against Maine. He was also named CAA Offensive Player of the Week. Houston said Abdullah does a great job leading by example. “He does not take a day off of practice,” Houston said. He added Abdullah is “the hardest worker on the field everyday.”

- Delaware’s defense has forced 10 total turnovers in three games. Houston said the Blue Hens create pressure on the quarterback and force the signal-caller into mistakes with their four defensive linemen. Delaware has eight sacks this season. Houston said Delaware’s two interior defensive linemen – Blaine Woodson and Bilal Nichols – could create strong pressure up the middle.

- Houston said Delaware would also man blitz and zone blitz throughout the game Saturday. Houston said he believes Delaware has a solid defense and JMU’s offense would be challenged in the running game and passing game.

- Junior quarterback Bryan Schor said the first thing he noticed about Delaware’s defense on film is how big the Blue Hens’ front is. Schor said Delaware always has strong defensive linemen. The JMU quarterback added beating Delaware’s pressure has been an emphasis as soon as the coaches implemented the game plan for Saturday. Schor said he feels like he’s done “okay” against pressuring defenses this season.

- Schor threw the game-winning touchdown pass to wide receiver Brandon Ravenel in JMU’s victory at Delaware last season. Schor said he remembers the pass he threw to Ravenel well. He said the coaches had an all-go play called and he threw the fade to Ravenel because Delaware played one-on-one coverage against the standout receiver.

- Ravenel said the play came at a time when JMU needed someone on offense to step up. He said he didn’t want to wait for someone else to make the big play, so he made it. Ravenel credits Schor for trusting him. Although the play was a memorable one for JMU, Ravenel said he doesn’t remember it all that much because of all the adrenaline he felt at the time.

- Against Maine, JMU’s defensive front was led by defensive tackle Simeyon Robinson. The junior had 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in the win. Robinson said throughout the week leading up to the game, the defensive line kept hearing from coaches about how no one had a sack, so he said the unit was motivated to get at least one in Orono. JMU finished with 4 sacks against the Black Bears.

- Senior safety Raven Greene said the defensive line’s ability to create pressure forced Maine quarterback Dan Collins into mistakes. Collins threw three interceptions, including one recorded by Greene. The play Greene made was a one-handed pick. Greene said JMU was in a deep zone and he remembers seeing Collins throw the ball even though he didn't expect Collins to throw it. Greene attributes Collins' forced pass to the great rush provided by JMU’s defensive line.