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HARRISONBURG — There was no easing into the Soccer Bowl Subdivision for James Madison College.
Two months into their first season in faculty soccer’s highest subdivision, the Dukes have skilled a curler coaster of exhilarating highs and gut-wrenching lows, all of the whereas studying some necessary classes that come from these wild swings.
“This can be a totally different stage of play, and we’ve obtained to come back appropriate each week,” Dukes operating again Percy Agyei-Overweight mentioned.
JMU began the season 5-0, scored a high-profile comeback street win over Appalachian State and broke into the Related Press Prime 25 ballot for the primary time in class historical past. The euphoria of these season-defining accomplishments light after a street loss to Georgia Southern on Oct. 15 after which a second straight setback to Marshall at dwelling every week later.
When the Dukes began getting prime 25 votes earlier this season, head coach Curt Cignetti mentioned, “Respect is earned, and it needs to be earned each single week.”
Generally that additionally means coping with adversity.
JMU (5-2, 3-2 Solar Belt) is feeling the results of the weekly grind on the FBS stage. Accidents have began to mount for the Dukes, exposing depth points at key positions. When beginning quarterback Todd Centeio couldn’t play final Saturday in opposition to Marshall due to a pulled indirect muscle, JMU turned to inexperienced redshirt freshman Billy Atkins for his first profession begin.
Atkins, a reserve who beforehand noticed his solely motion on the finish of blowout wins, accomplished solely 13 of 35 cross makes an attempt for 164 yards, one landing and 4 interceptions in a 26-12 loss to the Thundering Herd.
Centeio’s manufacturing was definitely missed. He made a major affect in the course of the Dukes’ quick begin this season, finishing 64% of his passes for 1,780 yards, 17 touchdowns and solely 4 interceptions. He additionally has 333 yards and 5 touchdowns on the bottom.
“I believe what you’re seeing proper now’s a part of this technique of shifting as much as FBS is having the standard depth that you just want to have the ability to take in accidents to key gamers or beginning gamers, which is a course of and takes a pair years,” Cignetti mentioned.
The Dukes had been off final week earlier than hitting the street to face Louisville on Saturday.They journey to Previous Dominion the week after that for a sold-out Solar Belt Convention recreation.
Cignetti mentioned he didn’t know when Centeio can be wholesome sufficient to return to the lineup, however the bye week got here at an excellent time to attempt to get him and different gamers wholesome, whereas additionally giving necessary reps to backups like Atkins.
The Dukes had been additionally with out beginning proper deal with Nick Kidwell (ankle damage) in opposition to Marshall, and beginning left deal with Tyshawn Wyatt missed important time within the second half. The battered line yielded seven sacks and 7 hurries.
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Beginning security Sam Kidd and linebacker Jailin Walker additionally missed time with obvious accidents.
Different Dukes who’ve missed time this season embrace operating backs Kaelon Black, a former star at Salem Excessive in Virginia Seaside, and Solomon Vanhorse, defensive lineman Mikail Kamara and linebacker Mateo Jackson.
“I’m happy with our crew and what we’ve achieved up thus far,” Cignetti mentioned. “There’s lots of people in that locker room which can be actually hurting proper now. … The off week will come at an excellent time, and we’ll regroup and are available again.”
Taurus Jones, a sophomore linebacker from Portsmouth in his first 12 months as a starter, had a game-high 13 tackles and a important fumble restoration deep in JMU territory in opposition to Marshall. He leads the Dukes with 59 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, two compelled fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
It’s been an eventful first half of the season for Jones after seeing a large uptick in taking part in time.
“Getting relaxation on our physique for every week can be an excellent factor,” he mentioned.
JMU has discovered some necessary classes by means of its first seven video games as an FBS program. Succeeding on the highest stage is a course of that has solely simply begun for the Dukes.
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