Even with a new head coach, JMU might be a powerhouse in the Sun Belt for years to come.
But to acting head coach Damian Wroblewski, the future shouldn’t be the concern for the Dukes. They have program history to make this week.
The Dukes (11-1) will play in their first bowl game as an FBS team when they take on Air Force (8-4) in the Armed Forces Bowl at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 23. The Dukes weren’t automatically eligible for postseason play because of NCAA rules for programs transitioning from the FCS, but they’ll play in one this year because there weren’t enough bowl-eligible teams in the FBS.
Even if it is without Group of Five Co-Coach of the Year Curt Cignetti, who left JMU to take over at Indiana.
“I think at the end of the day the most important thing is this is the first bowl game in James Madison history,” Wroblewski, who was JMU’s associate head coach and offensive line coach for most of 2023, said during a press conference. “And this is the last time that this team is ever going to play. Whatever after this happens, that’s none of our concern. That’s out of our control. We’ve got to focus on what we can control and our controllable is the preparation leading up to the game and then squeeze in every ounce of enjoyment and brotherhood together as we go through this bowl week together.”
This landmark contest for JMU won’t be without a challenge.
The Dukes were fantastic on both sides of the ball in 2023. But their run defense especially stood out, as they allowed the fewest rushing yards in the country with 61.5 per game.
Now they take on Air Force, which ranks second in the nation with 275.8 rushing yards per game on offense.
“You just look at them, they’re a veteran group,” Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun said during a press conference about JMU. “Obviously extremely prolific offensively and have played phenomenal defense. You look at how stout they are up front, and yet how well they tackle in the open field, too.”
JMU-Air Force Scouting Reports
Despite having one of the top rushing attacks in the FBS, Air Force’s leading rusher, Emmanuel Michel, is 84th in the country with 747 yards on the ground.
That means the Falcons rely on several players to run the ball. That also means Air Force’s offense is dependent on its offensive line.
Adam Karas is a leader among the group, having made the HERO Sports G5 College Football All-American second team. In Pro Football Focus’ grades of offensive lineman in the Group of Five who played at least 20% of the most snaps, four Falcons ranked in the top 50.
JMU defensive lineman Tyrique Tucker said a defender can’t lose focus against Air Force, even if the play calling in the Falcons’ triple-option offense may feel repetitive. The Falcons could find the end zone at any time.
“It’ll be real physical and one of those games. You’ve just got to go in there with the right mentality to attack, attack, attack and don’t let them break your will,” Tucker said during a press conference. “… I like it. I like the challenge. I’m not scared of the challenge.”
Calhoun also expressed respect for JMU’s defensive front. The Dukes boasted four defensive linemen on the G5 All-American lists this year.
He also lauded JMU’s tackling discipline. No matter what style of play JMU has faced, Calhoun noted, the Dukes rarely give up unnecessary additional yards.
“They’re very quick. Very powerful. Very explosive. Outstanding linebackers, and they tackle quite, quite well on the back end, too,” Calhoun said. “Wherever you think there might be a little crease or a little space, boom. It closes and closes instantly.”
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Air Force Football’s Offensive Line
Air Force tackle Kaleb Holcomb, who ranks 30th in PFF’s grades, noted how important cohesion is for his team’s offense.
While the Falcons have run the ball often, their play designs can be complex. When their offensive linemen pull from the opposite side or block a linebacker on the second level, a well-executed run is often predicated on timing.
Holcomb believes he’s playing college football exactly where he should be. With the Falcons, he can take advantage of his athleticism by running around more than an average tackle.
“That’s extremely important,” Holcomb said earlier this season. “One of the things we try to eliminate in our offensive line is missed assignments. We call them MAs. So after every practice, after every game, we watch a lot of film, and that’s one of the things the Academy has to offer is we’re able to have a lot of reps in practice. So that’s one of the things we try to eliminate as an offensive line is your missed assignments.”
Holcomb pointed out how the rest of Air Force’s offensive linemen are like his family. They’re close off the field, and that leads to on-field chemistry.
Falcons running back John Lee Eldridge III credited the O-line for its collective work ethic.
“I just think they have a really unique brotherhood, and they really play for each other,” Eldridge said earlier this year. “So when we go out there, it’s not hard because we have that love and that determination to play for each other as brothers.”
JMU Football’s Defensive Line
JMU’s defensive front may have been loaded with talent this year, but the Dukes will be missing a few key players for the Armed Forces Bowl.
Jalen Green, the G5 Defensive Player of the Year, was leading the country in sacks and tackles for loss before he went down with a season-ending injury. Third-team G5 All-American Mikail Kamara has officially opted out of the bowl game as he entered the transfer portal and committed to Indiana.
Despite the change and uncertainty, Wroblewski said he’s noticed some JMU players have taken up leadership responsibilities the past couple weeks.
“I do think they have done an excellent job, all the way, special teams, defense, offense,” Wroblewski said. “They’ve been tremendous teammates to each other.”
JMU defensive tackle James Carpenter, who was also on the G5 All-American third team, entered the transfer portal but is expected to play as he is listed on the team’s depth chart before the Armed Forces Bowl.
He said his time at JMU the past few years has been “a wild ride” and added some of his best friends are with the Dukes. He said he’s learned to make smart plays rather than chase stats at JMU. He’s realized the importance of focusing on his responsibilities in the team’s defensive scheme instead of just racking up tackles.
“I could talk about that for a while,” Carpenter said earlier this year when asked what his time at JMU has meant to him. “It’s been everything to me, coming in here as a walk-on and growing to where I’m at right now. This place, this university, the coaches, players, they all mean the world to me.”
He’ll have another opportunity, in JMU’s first-ever bowl game, to make more memories.
