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Quarterback Mitch Leaves JMU

Former James Madison quarterback Connor Mitch (shown last year) has left the team.
Former James Madison quarterback Connor Mitch (shown last year) has left the team. (Nikki Fox/DN-R)

HARRISONBURG – Connor Mitch’s time in Harrisonburg was short-lived.

James Madison football coach Mike Houston said the quarterback has left the program after spending the fall as a backup to starter Bryan Schor on the Dukes’ national championship team.

“Connor has made the decision to leave the program,” Houston said. “We wish him the best of luck and I certainly appreciate everything he did and his contribution to the season last year.”

Mitch came to JMU as a graduate transfer from South Carolina. He would have entered his fifth and final year of eligibility this spring.

The Raleigh, N.C., native appeared in five games and completed 8-of-17 throws for 68 yards and an interception. When he initially arrived on campus, he was expected to compete for the starting role with Schor, but without significant time to learn the offense, the quarterback battle wasn’t close.

At South Carolina, Mitch opened the 2015 season as the starter for former Gamecocks coach Steve Spurrier.

Mitch led South Carolina to a win over North Carolina, but the team lost the following week against Kentucky and Mitch suffered an injury that ultimately prevented him from earning his starting job back.

When Schor suffered an injury in a Nov. 12 game at Villanova, JMU pulled the redshirt of Cole Johnson to replace him. Mitch was the No. 2 quarterback for most of the 2016 season, until he suffered a non-football injury during Madison’s bye week in October.

Schor was one of the best quarterbacks across FCS football in 2016, throwing for 3,002 yards and 29 touchdowns. He was the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year, College Football Performance Awards FCS Performer of the Year and Dudley Award winner.

Schor, Johnson, junior Hunter Etheridge and junior Mack Waldman will all take reps at the quarterback position during the spring.

Houston also said some of the seven JMU players that were suspended for unspecified reasons and did not play in FCS playoff semifinal at North Dakota State and the national championship game against Youngstown State will return to practice with the team this spring.

Houston said wide receiver Terrence Alls, linebacker Brandon Hereford and two others are back with the Dukes. Alls and Hereford were the only two players the school identified as suspended.

“They are working their way back into good standing,” Houston said.

Alls was a third-team All-Colonial Athletic Association choice after transferring to Madison from Duke during the summer. He made 39 catches for 575 yards and five touchdowns. Hereford made 96 tackles as a junior. Both will be seniors this season.

Of the seven suspended, safety Marcell Johnson was dismissed from the team, Houston said.

James Madison opens spring football practice on Feb. 28.

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