HARRISONBURG — The outright Colonial Athletic Association title was won in the second week of November when James Madison beat Villanova and New Hampshire lost to Albany.
All year JMU and New Hampshire were two of the top teams in the league. Only three points separated the squads in the regular-season meeting — a 42-39 win for Madison.
Fourth-seeded JMU and New Hampshire meet again Saturday in the second round of the FCS Playoffs. Here are five critical match-ups within the game that could impact the outcome:
JMU RB Abdullah vs. UNH RB Crossan
Both JMU coach Mike Houston and New Hampshire coach Sean McDonnell have said a positive about the rematch is the familiarity in preparation for the opponent.
Both defenses won’t be fooled because both offenses run through their respective standout running backs. JMU running back Khalid Abdullah has 1,300 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns on 205 carries this season. New Hampshire running back Dalton Crossan has 1,189 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 218 carries.
“We’ll both have adjustments to our schemes to try to something better this time than we did the last time. But at the end of the day we are who we are and they are who they are,” Houston said. “They’re going to hand the ball to [Crossan] a bunch and we’re going to hand the ball to [Abdullah] a bunch.”
Abdullah was a first-team All-CAA choice and Crossan was named to the second team. Whichever running back has a more productive outing could help their offense control the game.
Abdullah said he believes Crossan is a very good player.
“He runs hard and gets behind his pads,” Abdullah said. “He can put his foot in the ground to get north and south really quickly. I think that’s his best trait, but he goes out there and plays hard. Our defense has to go out there and muscle up because they have a good running back.”
UNH Offensive Line vs. JMU Defensive Line
New Hampshire scored 64 points, rushed for 364 yards and had 637 total yards of offense in its first-round win over Lehigh.
Houston said New Hampshire was able to put together the explosive performance due to a great effort from its offensive line.
“They were dominant against Lehigh. It started with their offensive line and Crossan,” Houston said. “That offensive line is just a big, physical group that’s going to create holes and lanes. Up front at the point of contact, I thought they were dominant and that Lehigh looked overwhelmed.”
That group of five starting offensive linemen led by first-team all-conference selection Tad McNeely will be put to the test against an improving defensive front for JMU.
“Up front everyone likes [Andrew] Ankrah and he’s a really good player,” McDonnell said. “But I thought both interior kids [Cornell] Urquhart and [Martez] Stone did a really job against us as well as Simeyon Robinson.”
Ankrah, Urquhart, Stone and Robinson have combined for 127 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. Stone also had an interception to solidify JMU’s CAA-clinching win at Villanova.
Another strong showing for New Hampshire’s offensive line could result in a big afternoon for Crossan.
UNH Punt Team vs. JMU Return Team
JMU senior Rashard Davis led the country in punt return touchdowns with three this season. New Hampshire finished third nationally in punt return defense, yielding 2.2 yards per return.
“The special teams will be an interesting matchup,” Houston said. “I think that whole deal of punt and punt return will be critical.”
Houston said New Hampshire had a good punt-return team, too, led by returner Casey DeAndrade.
JMU WR Ravenel vs. UNH CB DeAndrade
DeAndrade is also one of the top defensive backs in the CAA — another all-league first-team selection, but he’ll be opposed by JMU senior wide receiver Brandon Ravenel.
Ravenel, an All-CAA first-teamer himself, caught two touchdowns in JMU’s win at New Hampshire in October. On his first touchdown catch, he beat DeAndrade on a slant pattern one-on-one before running away from him into the end zone.
“He’s an amazing player,” Ravenel said. “But, I’ll just work my craft. I have to look for whatever he gives me and take advantage of it. I have to play off of what he shows.”
Ravenel has 34 catches for 514 yards and three touchdowns this season. DeAndrade has 66 tackles and three interceptions including one last week against Lehigh, this year.
JMU’s Red-Zone O vs. UNH’s Red-Zone D
When JMU manages to get the ball into the red zone, the Dukes will match a strength of theirs against a strength of the Wildcats.
JMU ranks No. 22 nationally and No. 2 in the CAA for red-zone offense. In 69 trips, JMU has scored 50 touchdowns and has kicked 10 field goals.
New Hampshire ranks No. 6 nationally and No. 2 in the CAA in red-zone defense. In 35 red-zone opportunities, New Hampshire’s defense has limited their opponents to 22 touchdowns and three field goals.
