HARRISONBURG — Out of the four teams left in the FCS Playoffs, only fourth-seeded James Madison and top-seeded North Dakota State defeated at least three playoff-bound teams during the regular season.
JMU won the Colonial Athletic Association outright and North Dakota State shared the Missouri Valley Conference title with South Dakota State before avenging its regular-season loss to the Jackrabbits with a win in the rematch during the quarterfinal round last week.
The Dukes and Bison meet Friday night in the semifinals of the tournament.
Here are five critical match-ups that could impact the outcome:
JMU O-Line vs. NDSU D-Line
James Madison runs the ball better than any of the teams left in the FCS Playoffs, and North Dakota State stops the run better than any of remaining teams.
In this semifinal, one of the two must give.
Behind a powerful offensive line, the Dukes rank No. 4 nationally, averaging 291 rushing yards per game. Anchored by a steady defensive line, North Dakota State yields only 99.2 yards on the ground.
The Bison want to prevent James Madison’s offensive front from creating lanes for All-CAA running back Khalid Abdullah to run through.
“They are legit,” North Dakota State defensive end Greg Menard said of JMU’s offensive line. “A lot of teams that are hurry-up or spread teams will just try to get in your way, but they will not. They try to get you going backward.
“That offensive line will come at us and we will come at them. The most physical team will win this game, that’s for sure.”
Menard, an All-MVC selection, has racked up 57 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks and two forced fumbles this year.
JMU tackles Aaron Stinnie and Tyree Chavious will have to account for Menard and the other Bison defensive end, Brad Ambrosius. On the interior of the offensive line, JMU’s guard-center-guard combo of Matt Frank, Kyle Rigney and A.J. Bolden will have to try to move NDSU tackles Grant Morgan and Aaron Steidl.
Kloosterman vs. NDSU S/LBs
In its quarterfinal win over South Dakota State, the Bison defense gave up downfield passes to Jackrabbits tight end Jake Wieneke — he had five catches for 75 yards. Three of the catches went for more than 10 yards.
JMU tight end Jonathan Kloosterman has established himself as a reliable target for quarterback Bryan Schor.
Kloosterman has three touchdown catches in the playoffs so far.
The Dukes would like to get their 6-foot-3, 245-pound pass catcher in favorable matchups Friday.
“Jonathan is a big body,” JMU coach Mike Houston said. “It’s a tough matchup for safeties and a real tough matchup for small corners. He’s pretty athletic too, so it’s a tough matchup for most linebackers also.
“He has great ball skills, so if you can get him isolated in one-on-one, no matter who he’s isolated with, he’s going to have some kind of advantage and I think him and Bryan have a great chemistry.”
Schor and Kloosterman are roommates when JMU travels for road games.
JMU Red Zone Offense vs. NDSU Red Zone Defense
In 42 red-zone chances, the North Dakota State defense has only allowed 19 touchdowns.
More than half the time the Bison force offenses to settle for field goals or come up empty.
JMU’s offense has scored 61 red-zone touchdowns in 85 chances.
NDSU Punt Team vs. JMU Punt-Return Team
The Bison lead FCS in punt-return coverage — they haven’t allowed a punt return yard all season.
NDSU punter Jackson Koonce averages 36.9 yards per punt and has landed 13 of his 55 kicks inside the 20.
JMU tops the country in punt returns with five returned for scores, including four from CAA Special Teams Player of the Year Rashard Davis.
Davis had a 72-yard punt-return touchdown in the quarterfinals against Sam Houston State after initially bobbling the ball.
“The key is to stay calm through the whole thing,” Davis said. “If you start panicking or show fear, you’ll drop it.”
Both coaches believe special teams will impact the outcome of this semifinal.
“The one returner has four punt returns for touchdowns,” NDSU coach Chris Klieman said. “They’ve done everything well on specials teams, which is the sign of a good football team.”
The Dukes also blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown last week against Sam Houston State.
Morlock vs. Steele
Unlike most of JMU’s opponents, North Dakota State uses a fullback in the running game.
Fullback Chase Morlock will lead block for tailbacks King Frazier and Lance Dunn, and also occasionally take a handoff or make a catch. Morlock has 48 carries for 366 yards and two touchdowns. He has also caught three touchdowns.
At 6-foot, 200 pounds, Morlock most likely will meet JMU linebacker Gage Steele on run plays and when he leaks out of the backfield in the passing game. Steele stands at 6-foot-1, 230 pounds.
Houston said the closest use of a fullback JMU has seen all season came back in September when the Dukes won at Maine.
“Maine employed the fullback similarly,” Houston said. “There are other teams like Richmond or Villanova that might have used a fullback or hybrid tight-end like we do, but Maine resembles them the most.”
