OT: #4 James Madison at #1 No Dak State - FCS Semifinal

[OTBOTOR]

Before the toilet bowls start on Saturday, an FCS marquee matchup in the tournament semifinal pits #4 James Madison (12-1) against five-time repeating champion and #1 seed North Dakota State (12-1) at the Fargodome, tonight (Friday) at 7PM on ESPN2.

These two teams have met only once before, in a 2011 2nd round playoff game at the Fargodome, which NDSU won 26-14. This was during NDSU's first playoff and championship run, and the Dukes held them to fewer points than any other opponent in that tournament.

This year, NDSU looks for their 6th consecutive title, and JMU looks to get into the championship game for the first time since 2004, when they won their first and only national title.

How they got here:

NDSU has won five straight FCS championships, is a big, physical football team with an offense relying on the "ground and pound" to wear down opposing defenses. Defense is tough at the line too, they've allowed only 15.8 points per game this season. NDSU defeated FBS #13 (at the time) Iowa 23-21 in September. NDSU is 12-1, with their only loss being a regular-season drop to South Dakota State. NDSU avenged that loss during the quarterfinal last week, defeating SDSU at the Fargodome. The Fargodome is one of the loudest college football venues in the country, and provides a tremendous home field advantage.

JMU is a good team that has struggled to get playoff runs off the ground in recent years. First-year HC Mike Houston (formerly HC at Citadel) spent the offseason conditioning this team to compete with the goal of "developing what it takes to beat NDSU." JMU lost an early season game at North Carolina, but has been undefeated versus FCS opponents since. JMU's up-tempo spread offense has averaged 50 points per game. Their defensive secondary completely stopped Sam Houston State (supposed #1 offense in FCS) in last weekend's quarterfinal 65-7 win in Harrisonburg. This is the most well-rounded team (all three phases very strong) in the tournament, but do they have the strength and stamina to stop the NDSU steamroller?

Should be a great game.

Go Dukes!!

 

[kjb32812]

Refers to lower level bowls as "toilet bowls" and then goes on to talk about an FCS game.

 

[RUpop]

Or watch Oklahoma St vs Cornell wrestling match ;)

 

[Abro1975]

Thanks ! I'll be watching this game ! And also taking a look at the bout by bout updates of Ok St vs Cornell. I expect Ok St to win easy.

 

[FanuSanu52]

Thanks ! I'll be watching this game ! And also taking a look at the bout by bout updates of Ok St vs Cornell. I expect Ok St to win easy.

This guy beat you to the post. This is Abro's time of year. I use your "bowl game of the day" posts like a TV guide :smiley::fistbump:

 

[ScarletKnightRider]

I initially thought "No Dak State" was a MSU Bulldogs reference

 

[Abro1975]

This guy beat you to the post. This is Abro's time of year. I use your "bowl game of the day" posts like a TV guide :smiley::fistbump:

LOL , thanks. I must say that without RU in a bowl it takes away a tiny bit of excitement that I have for the bowls maybe for a split second. But will still be posting a Game thread for each bowl. I also love the FCS playoffs, the kid a few doors down kicked for Towson when they made it to the finals a couple of years ago, and while watching each game on tv or computer I would text with his dad who was at every game, including the finals in Texas vs N or S Dakota St (Towson lost). That year they were on the road in E. Illinois for qtrs and then Eastern Washington for semis. Both games in snowstorms, Very exciting games.

First D1 Bowl tomorrow.

 

[Purple-Ed]

Refers to lower level bowls as "toilet bowls" and then goes on to talk about an FCS game.

Ah, check the Sagarin ratings.

 

[Purple-Ed]

Before the toilet bowls start on Saturday, an FCS marquee matchup in the tournament semifinal pits #4 James Madison (12-1) against five-time repeating champion and #1 seed North Dakota State (12-1) at the Fargodome, tonight (Friday) at 7PM on ESPN2.

These two teams have met only once before, in a 2011 2nd round playoff game at the Fargodome, which NDSU won 26-14. This was during NDSU's first playoff and championship run, and the Dukes held them to fewer points than any other opponent in that tournament.

This year, NDSU looks for their 6th consecutive title, and JMU looks to get into the championship game for the first time since 2004, when they won their first and only national title.

How they got here:

NDSU has won five straight FCS championships, is a big, physical football team with an offense relying on the "ground and pound" to wear down opposing defenses. Defense is tough at the line too, they've allowed only 15.8 points per game this season. NDSU defeated FBS #13 (at the time) Iowa 23-21 in September. NDSU is 12-1, with their only loss being a regular-season drop to South Dakota State. NDSU avenged that loss during the quarterfinal last week, defeating SDSU at the Fargodome. The Fargodome is one of the loudest college football venues in the country, and provides a tremendous home field advantage.

JMU is a good team that has struggled to get playoff runs off the ground in recent years. First-year HC Mike Houston (formerly HC at Citadel) spent the offseason conditioning this team to compete with the goal of "developing what it takes to beat NDSU." JMU lost an early season game at North Carolina, but has been undefeated versus FCS opponents since. JMU's up-tempo spread offense has averaged 50 points per game. Their defensive secondary completely stopped Sam Houston State (supposed #1 offense in FCS) in last weekend's quarterfinal 65-7 win in Harrisonburg. This is the most well-rounded team (all three phases very strong) in the tournament, but do they have the strength and stamina to stop the NDSU steamroller?

Should be a great game.

Go Dukes!!

Go Dukes!!!

 

[kjb32812]

Ah, check the Sagarin ratings.

So JMU is garbage but since they're FCS they get a pass? Not quite sure your point.

 

[LetsGoRUwrestling]

Great football game. Love the tournament format for 1-AA (FCS). Hope JMU can pull the upset.

I have a pretty crazy story about JMU. When I was a Senior in HS I was invited to JMU for an official visit. I didn't know much about them but they were going to fly me down so I thought it would be a good experience. They were after 3 of us from NJ and we were their only recruits that weekend. We all met at Newark and took a commercial plane to Baltimore and then we flew to Harrisonburg on a private plane. JMU was at the Airport and picked us up in a limo with a bunch of JMU co-eds. All 3 of us were offered full rides before we visited. The trip was great and JMU is an awesome place. Head coach was out of town on Friday and Saturday and we were supposed to meet with him on Sunday morning before we took a private plane to Baltimore and then home to Newark.
The meetings were around 9am and I think all of us were supposed to meet him for about 30 mins. I think it was about noon we were supposed to be at Harrisonburg airport to start heading home. I met with HC as did All-State LB and it was around 10 am. The RB from North Jersey was nowhere to be found. His hosts had no idea where he was. The police became involved and there was a campus alert about his whereabouts. Every football player, campus security and others were searching for him. 10 am,11am Nobody knows where he is. Were ready to miss the flight. Finally around 11:30 they find him passed out in a bush on campus. He's a mess and never met with HC. They put us in a limo and hustle to airport to make flight. We had to carry him on plane and he was wasted. Then we transfer to another plane and again have to carry him on plane (wouldn't happen these days) . He's throwing up every 15 mins and goes thru about 5 bags. We finally get to Newark and I carry him off plane and his parents are there. I drop him in a seat and will never forget their expressions. I told them I'm not sure what happened but he drank too much. Saw him again when we both spent the week at Rutgers for the North vs South game. He thanked me for helping him.
None of us ended up there but he went to UCONN and broke rushing records there during his time. Last I heard he moved down south and was convicted on a double murder and is doing life in prison.

 

[Abro1975]

Sagarin computer generated ratings have been the worst CFB ratings system in the past 50 years. Anyone who even clicks their links should have their CFB fan card pulled, lol

 

[Purple-Ed]

Sagarin computer generated ratings have been the worst CFB ratings system in the past 50 years. Anyone who even clicks their links should have their CFB fan card pulled, lol

Ah, not true.

 

[Purple-Ed]

So JMU is garbage but since they're FCS they get a pass? Not quite sure your point.

I have no idea what you meant.o_O

 

[kjb32812]

Atmosphere looks a lot like a PITT game except all that yellow is actually comprised of fans wearing their team colors.

 

[Abro1975]

James Madison scores first, up 7-0

 

[OTBOTOR]

Dukes up 17-0
Abdullah doing push-ups after the score.

 

[ClassOf02]

Damn, we should hire the OC from JMU.

Oh wait.

 

[Abro1975]

17-7 Mid 2nd qtr JMU up

 

[rurichdog]

17 - 17 now.
C'mon Dukes, wake up.

 

[miketd1]

I like the NDST offense. Lots of formations and shifts. Also have a tempo package.

Reminds me of Chris Petersen of Boise St. (now Washington).

 

[Abro1975]

JMU regains the lead 20-17, early 4th qtr

 

[Abro1975]

Another TD for JMU ! up 27-17 w 7 min left !

 

[Purple-Ed]

YES!!!!!!!

 

[RUsince52]

Great win by JMU. Probably thought they were in familiar settings against Bill & Mary and pulled it off. Defense is so quick on every snap.
That could us down the road. Sure hope so.

 

[Purple-Ed]

OTBOTOR - Enjoy it! [cheers]

 

[RMed]

VICTORY!!!!! So tempted to fly to Frisco. DUKES!!!!

NDSU fans all kinds of butthurt on forums - calling JMU a dirty and disrespectful team. Hopefully they'll get distracted when their hot cousin walks in the room and move away from the computer.

 

[OTBOTOR]

OTBOTOR - Enjoy it! [cheers]

Cloud 9, man. Cloud 9. Cheers!

 

[OTBOTOR]

VICTORY!!!!! So tempted to fly to Frisco. DUKES!!!!

NDSU fans all kinds of butthurt on forums - calling JMU a dirty and disrespectful team. Hopefully they'll get distracted when their hot cousin walks in the room and move away from the computer.

Come on! I just ordered game tix, working on flight and hotel now. It's cheap travel!

 

[FanuSanu52]

Great football game. Love the tournament format for 1-AA (FCS). Hope JMU can pull the upset.

I have a pretty crazy story about JMU. When I was a Senior in HS I was invited to JMU for an official visit. I didn't know much about them but they were going to fly me down so I thought it would be a good experience. They were after 3 of us from NJ and we were their only recruits that weekend. We all met at Newark and took a commercial plane to Baltimore and then we flew to Harrisonburg on a private plane. JMU was at the Airport and picked us up in a limo with a bunch of JMU co-eds. All 3 of us were offered full rides before we visited. The trip was great and JMU is an awesome place. Head coach was out of town on Friday and Saturday and we were supposed to meet with him on Sunday morning before we took a private plane to Baltimore and then home to Newark.

A lightheart
The meetings were around 9am and I think all of us were supposed to meet him for about 30 mins. I think it was about noon we were supposed to be at Harrisonburg airport to start heading home. I met with HC as did All-State LB and it was around 10 am. The RB from North Jersey was nowhere to be found. His hosts had no idea where he was. The police became involved and there was a campus alert about his whereabouts. Every football player, campus security and others were searching for him. 10 am,11am Nobody knows where he is. Were ready to miss the flight. Finally around 11:30 they find him passed out in a bush on campus. He's a mess and never met with HC. They put us in a limo and hustle to airport to make flight. We had to carry him on plane and he was wasted. Then we transfer to another plane and again have to carry him on plane (wouldn't happen these days) . He's throwing up every 15 mins and goes thru about 5 bags. We finally get to Newark and I carry him off plane and his parents are there. I drop him in a seat and will never forget their expressions. I told them I'm not sure what happened but he drank too much. Saw him again when we both spent the week at Rutgers for the North vs South game. He thanked me for helping him.
None of us ended up there but he went to UCONN and broke rushing records there during his time. Last I heard he moved down south and was convicted on a double murder and is doing life in prison.

A lighthearted yarn of hope and redemption, just in time for the holidays! :confused:

 

[Terry_2426]

Glad JMU won--one of my friends went there so was rooting for them. Either way, it was a great game. Now have a pretty heavy bet on EWU -8.5 for the other semifinal tomorrow.

 

[brodo]

...Now have a pretty heavy bet on EWU -8.5 for the other semifinal tomorrow.

The forecast for tonight's game is bitterly cold. -2F is the forecasted overnight low tonight for Cheney, WA.

 

[OTBOTOR]

VICTORY!!!!! So tempted to fly to Frisco. DUKES!!!!

NDSU fans all kinds of butthurt on forums - calling JMU a dirty and disrespectful team. Hopefully they'll get distracted when their hot cousin walks in the room and move away from the computer.

I was reading through their forum this morning and was amazed how upset they were that our players ran over to where the JMU fans were seated and started jumping up and down singing the fight song after the game ended. How is celebrating a huge win and advancement in the tournament, with the fans who traveled halfway across the country to a frozen tundra to support you, "classless?" Man, they are not used to losing.

And do go to Frisco. Finding flights from EWR around $250, and ticket prices are falling on stubhub as Bison fans unload them.

 

[RMed]

I was reading through their forum this morning and was amazed how upset they were that our players ran over to where the JMU fans were seated and started jumping up and down singing the fight song after the game ended. How is celebrating a huge win and advancement in the tournament, with the fans who traveled halfway across the country to a frozen tundra to support you, "classless?" Man, they are not used to losing.

And do go to Frisco. Finding flights from EWR around $250, and ticket prices are falling on stubhub as Bison fans unload them.

Unfortunately I don't think I can go - I have a knee surgery scheduled for the 29th and they recommend 3-4 weeks before flying (potential for blood clots). But man oh man will I be the hardest rooter on any couch there ever was (actually that's a lie - I was standing/pacing for the entire NDSU game so I'll imagine I'll be even worse on the 7th)