With the approach of the final game of the season, the James Madison Dukes will travel to Baltimore County, Maryland to face-off against the Towson University Tigers. Both teams (7-3), are looking for that last win to receive a bid in the tournament.
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Offense vs. Offense
Both of these teams are very equally matched on the offensive side of the ball.Towson currently has the highest scoring offense in the Colonial Athletic Association, scoring on average 38.7 points per game. However, JMU is in a very close second place scoring 36.3 points per game. Towson's rush offense is third in the CAA averaging 190.7 rushing yards per game while JMU averages 169.5 rushing yards per game.
Towson also tops the CAA charts in passing offense with a division high 233 completions for 2,801 yards and 280.1 yards through the air per game — also first in total offense averaging 470 yards per game. JMU, on the other hand, is tied for second in pass completions in the CAA with 199, fourth in passing yards per game (231.1) and fourth in total passing yards (2,311) — JMU is second in total offense with 400 yards per game.
Towson is first in the CAA in achieving first downs (267 on the year) and JMU is second (212 on the year). JMU is first in the CAA completing 47% of third-down conversions and Towson is closely in second place, completing 40% of third-down conversions. Both offenses are very efficient and know how to score in a plethora of ways, this game will be fun to watch if you like high scoring games.
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QB vs. QB
Obviously, Towson star QB, Tom Flacco (youngest brother of Super Bowl XLVII MVP and Baltimore Ravens QB Joe Flacco) has that QB blood running through his veins as he is the best QB in the CAA. He is first in the CAA in passing with 275.2 yards through the air per game.
He is also first in the CAA in total offense per game with 340.4 yards per game and first among CAA QBs with 652 rushing yards on the season. Unlike his elder brother, Tom is an elusive and quick QB that isn't afraid to dive for those extra yards and take a big hit, or give one out.
Flacco also leads the CAA in offensive plays (495) which is far greater than second place (310) and third place JMU's Ben DiNucci (293). It would be an understatement to say that Flacco is in a groove. Further, Flacco leads the CAA in total offensive yards (3,404). DiNucci has the second highest mark in the CAA with 1,903. Flacco leads in another CAA category, total touchdowns — Flacco has 29 compared to DiNucci who is tied for second with 20.
Where JMU leads is in efficiency of our Quarterback. JMU Quarterbacks, led by Ben DiNucci (Cole Johnson has seen a couple appearances), has completed 68.2% of passes (199 for 292) which is the highest such mark in the CAA. Towson, led by Quarterback Tom Flacco has led the Tigers to their impressive marks offensively.
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Defense vs. Defense
JMU's defense is the best in the CAA allowing just 18 total touchdowns and 144 total points to opposing offenses in the 2018 season. Towson's defense is far less powerful in the CAA allowing 37 total touchdowns and a whopping 277 points, which proves that their offense is the real deal considering how many points their defense has surrendered.
James Madison's pass defense is also the best in the CAA allowing opposing QBs to throw for just 172.8 yards per game and limiting them to just a 53% completion rate. JMU is second allowing 273.3 total yards per game compared to Towson who gives up 367.2 yards per game (eighth in CAA).
Considering Flacco is the best QB in the CAA, and considering that JMU has the best defense in the CAA, it will be very interesting to see how the QB plays against a defense that he has not yet faced in his time with Towson.
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Other Key Players
- JMU's Riley Stapleton: third in CAA in receiving TDs (7) and fourth in receptions per game (5.5) and total receptions (55), seventh in reception yards (644)
- JMU's Marcus Marshall: first in CAA in yards per rush (6.4), tied for sixth in rushing TDs (5)
- JMU's John Daka: tied for sixth in CAA in tackles for loss (11.5)
- Towson's Shane Leatherbury: second in CAA in receiving yards per game (78.7) and total receiving yards (787), third in receptions per game (5.6) and total receptions (56), tied for fifth in receiving TDs (6)
- Towson's Shane Simpson: tied for third in CAA in rushing TDs (6),seventh in rush attempts (123), eighth in rushing yards per game (57.3), ninth in total rushing yards (573)
- Towson's Bryce Carter: tied fir sixth in CAA with JMU's John Daka with 11.5 tackles for loss
Round one of the FCS Playoff Tournament begins Saturday, Nov. 24.
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