HARRISONBURG — The only new coaches in the Colonial Athletic Association share a similar philosophical approach to the game.

James Madison coach Mike Houston and Maine’s Joe Harasymiak — both in their first year as head coaches at the schools — are former defensive coordinators. In Houston’s time in Harrisonburg, he has emphasized the importance of a strong offensive line to aid a dynamic running game on offense and has stressed building a disruptive defense. The traits are staples in what Houston defines as his aspiring “tough, hard-nosed” team.

After evaluating Harasymiak’s squad, Houston said he sees much of the same in Maine.

“Maine has a veteran, experienced roster that is very aggressive and is going to play very physical, hard-nosed football,” Houston said.

Houston and the No. 11-ranked Dukes (2-1) meet the Black Bears (0-2) today for a noon kickoff at Alfond Stadium in Orono, Maine, to open CAA action.

It took only three games for JMU’s offense to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards. Co-starting running backs Khalid Abdullah and Cardon Johnson have combined for 569 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground.

Houston credits the offensive line.

“That group gives us confidence going in that we’ll have the opportunity to do the things that we want to do,” Houston said. “We’ve seen three different schemes in the first three games, but in each game our offensive line has played well and given us the ability to run the ball effectively.”

The 30-year old Harasymiak, the youngest coach in all of Division I football, voiced admiration for Houston’s offensive philosophy.

“As a defensive coach, I think their offensive line moves well and it’s physical at the point of attack. They finish blocks,” Harasymiak said. “Then Abdullah and Johnson are very tough to tackle. I think their timing on zone schemes is really well put together. They have a knack for hitting the hole.”

Maine uses a different style to run the ball.

The Black Bears will use a pro system featuring multiple running backs. Darian Davis-Ray, Nigel Beckford and Temple transfer Zaire Williams all have at least 10 carries through two games.

“You’ll see them in what you hardly see in college football anymore. You’ll see them in pro formations with two backs, in an I-backfield and a tight end. The quarterback will line up under center,” Houston said. “It does present challenges. It’s something you used to see 10 years ago a lot.”

For JMU’s defense, a unit looking to get back on track after yielding 56 points and more than 600 yards of offense in a loss at North Carolina last week, the test is tricky. Some of the Dukes’ defenders have never faced a traditional offense.

“I actually never played against an old school, I-formation team,” JMU junior linebacker Brandon Hereford said. “But this is what linebackers are made for. If you aren’t ready for this one, you won’t be ready for any game as a linebacker.”

Hereford leads the team with 28 tackles. In each of the past two weeks, he has filled in for senior Gage Steele, who was held out with a leg injury. Steele practiced for the first time in two weeks.

JMU coaches said Hereford would remain in the rotation of linebackers due to his solid play on the field when Steele returns to action.

Like JMU, which suffered its lone loss to an FBS school, the Black Bears have only fallen to FBS opponents. Maine lost on a field goal in the final 10 seconds at Connecticut in Week 1 and were beaten 45-3 at Toledo in Week 2. Maine was off last week.

“Hopefully it got us prepared for what we’ll see down the road,” Harasymiak said. “It was two loud games on the road, where we had to execute the right way. We did some of that.”

The two teams haven’t met since 2012 — a game JMU won 31-7. JMU owns an 11-5 advantage in the series and is 15-8 all-time in CAA openers.