Next Man Up For JMU, NDSU

HARRISONBURG — Both FCS championship game-bound teams have used a similar approach to find an answer to the same problem.

“Well, the next guy up,” North Dakota State coach Chris Klieman said.

“It’s got to be the next-man-up mentality,” James Madison coach Mike Houston said.

Top-seeded JMU (14-0) and second-seeded NDSU (13-1) meet for the national title at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Jan. 6.

Throughout the year while both won their respective conferences outright and managed to survive the postseason so far, the Dukes and Bison have dealt with injuries to starters and key contributors along the way. At the time of these personnel losses, neither Houston nor Klieman ever let their teams think any one injury would be catastrophic to their seasons.

“I think it speaks to the culture within both programs,” Houston said. “I think both programs probably have a similar mindset as it’s a team-oriented, unified group where everybody understands that the success of the team is the most important thing.

“Everybody is going to be ready for the day when their number is called. Everybody is important. Everybody has value. Everybody is a contributor.”

JMU took its first hit before August training camp began. Projected starting right tackle Tyree Chavious tore his Achilles over the summer and was ruled out for the season.

It wasn’t even two weeks into camp when NDSU lost All-American defensive end Greg Menard for the year due to an ACL tear.

Dukes cornerback Charles Tutt tore his ACL in preseason practice as well.

Once the regular season started it was one after another for JMU. Linebacker Dimitri Holloway, who made 16 tackles in last year’s semifinal against the Bison, suffered a foot injury and hasn’t played since Week 1 at East Carolina. Running back Cardon Johnson (Achilles), right guard Gerren Butler (ACL), tight end Nick Carlton (knee) and left guard AJ Bolden (knee) have also suffered season-ending injuries.

The Bison have been without offensive lineman Dillon Radunz (ACL) since September and linebacker Dan Marlette (ACL) since October. Though Klieman said both cornerbacks Jalen Allison and Jaylaan Wimbush have an “outside chance” at returning for the title game, he added running back Ty Brooks (shoulder) is “probably doubtful” — all three were hurt in the semifinal against Sam Houston State.

“I hope we’re at our best, and we hope JMU is at their best, but that’s not the reality,” Klieman said. “Both teams have lost guys for the season.

“But you try to prepare for that all season long or all year long. You don’t just all of a sudden have an injury and think, ‘oh, boy,’ you’re going to fix that problem right then. You try to look at that through the spring, summer, fall camp, and try to develop enough depth that you can hopefully have eight defensive linemen for our second play, and four or five running backs and eight or nine defensive backs.”

The Dukes proved they’re deepest perhaps on the offensive line as the unit has been pushed to use everyone at the position that was on the two-deep to start the year.

Chavious’ replacement, Jahee Jackson, was hurt in the quarterfinal win over Weber State and didn’t play in the semifinal against South Dakota State. His status for the championship game is still unknown.

With the shuffling JMU has done on its front, it’s possible two freshmen start the title game, with redshirt freshman Zaire Bethea filling Bolden’s left guard position and true freshman Liam Fornadel getting the nod at right guard as senior Nick Edwards slides to right tackle.

After the Dukes knocked off South Dakota State, Houston said both Bethea and Fornadel were up to the challenge against the Jackrabbits.

“Liam and Zaire were outstanding,” Houston said. “[Left tackle Aaron] Stinnie, Nick [Edwards] and [center] Mac Patrick were as well, but they’re older players, are experienced and have been there, but those two freshmen played really well.”

Following JMU’s victory over Weber State, Bethea said, “There were some nerves going in, but after that first play I was good.”

It was his first career start.

Klieman pointed out Menard’s injury forced Derrek Tuszka to develop more quickly than expected.

Tuszka has 27 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks this season.

“You just have to continue to coach them all and coach them all every day,” Klieman said. “You never know when that opportunity’s going to come.”

“That’s the neat thing about our program is somebody goes down, and all the veteran guys rally around that young player to say it’s your opportunity,” Klieman added. “Kyle Emanuel left our program, and Greg Menard came along. Greg Menard is injured, and Derrek Tuszka comes along.

“The expectations are high, and guys want to play at a high level for the brother next to them.”

Statuses for JMU wide receiver John Miller, who got hurt in the second round win over Stony Brook, and cornerback Curtis Oliver, who left with an injury during the quarterfinal round, are unknown.