James Madison Football: Can Dukes regain FCS crown?
By Zach Bigalke
Offense
James Madison featured a balanced offensive attack in 2017 as they made a return trip to the FCS national championship game. The Dukes averaged 195 rushing yards and 225 passing yards per game. It was a group that put an average of nearly five touchdowns per game on the scoreboard.
They had issues protecting the football, and yet they still ran the table until the championship game. James Madison could stand to improve on their turnover ratio, especially through the air. While the Dukes were a respectable 37th nationally in fumbles lost, they ranked 99th in the FCS in interceptions.
A deep group of running backs returns to Harrisonburg in 2018, and the coaching staff could lean heavily on its ground game as they transition to a new starter at quarterback. Riley Stapleton and David Eldridge are both back after finishing the year strong at receiver, and tight end Clayton Cheatham is also back to provide pass-catching weapons for Bryan Schor’s replacement.
Focusing on the quarterback battle
Over the past few years, Schor has been a mainstay at quarterback for the Dukes. James Madison could depend on one of the nation’s top-15 quarterbacks in terms of completion rate, efficiency, and passing touchdowns. He was the catalyst for one of the nation’s top offensive attacks, and his departure leaves a major hole in the roster.
A couple of candidates could step up to replace Schor. Last year’s backup, Cole Johnson, could finally get his chance to start after two years behind Schor on the depth chart. In limited experience, Johnson went 31-of-51 for 458 yards. Johnson threw three touchdown passes, but he also threw three interceptions in the process.
He will have to contend with Pitt transfer Ben DiNucci, who went 88-of-158 for 1,091 passing yards in 2017. DiNucci threw five touchdown passes, but balanced that out with five picks. Both DiNucci and Johnson offer known quantities. They both have to fend off redshirt freshman Gage Moloney, South Carolina’s Mr. Football in 2016.