2008 Woodie Awards
UD and JMU duke it out for first place
by Michael LoRe
Issue date: 11/2/07 Section: Sports
Saturday afternoon's match up at Delaware Stadium between No. 7 Delaware and No. 12 James Madison features two of the best Colonial Athletic Association football programs playing against each other, with the winner standing atop the South Division.
After the Hens' 59-52 upset over Navy in Annapolis, Md. last weekend, Delaware head coach K.C. Keeler said he told his players to move past the big win because of the daunting task at hand.
"I'll be the guy who can live in the past a little," Keeler said he told his players. "You guys need to move on."
The Football Championship Subdivision's No. 15 defense belongs to the Dukes. The unit allows only 304.75 yards per game and JMU has proven difficult to penetrate. Not only does James Madison (6-2, 4-1 CAA) have a stout defense, but its rush offense (231 yards per game) ranks third in the conference.
Junior quarterback Rodney Landers leads the Dukes in rushing with 757 yards and passing with 1,355 yards on the season. Keeler had nothing but praise for James Madison's star quarterback.
"He's the best athlete we're going to face at quarterback," Keeler said. "He is definitely the guy that makes that operation go. He's a demon."
Even though Delaware faces the CAA's No. 4 defense, the Hens will counter with the nation's leading passing offense. Delaware (7-1, 4-1 CAA) averages 305.6 passing yards per game and its total offense of 483.1 yards per game is top in the FCS.
Senior quarterback Joe Flacco, who was named CAA Offensive Player of the Week for his 434 passing yards and four touchdown performance against Navy on Oct. 27, will have to be at his best against a Dukes' defense that allows less than 180 passing yards per game.
Delaware senior left tackle Greg Benson said the Hens' offensive line has to work as one cohesive unit to protect Flacco. Benson said he is amazed by the performance and field vision Flacco has shown this season.
"We're at the same vantage point and I don't see what he sees," Benson said.
After the Hens' 59-52 upset over Navy in Annapolis, Md. last weekend, Delaware head coach K.C. Keeler said he told his players to move past the big win because of the daunting task at hand.
"I'll be the guy who can live in the past a little," Keeler said he told his players. "You guys need to move on."
The Football Championship Subdivision's No. 15 defense belongs to the Dukes. The unit allows only 304.75 yards per game and JMU has proven difficult to penetrate. Not only does James Madison (6-2, 4-1 CAA) have a stout defense, but its rush offense (231 yards per game) ranks third in the conference.
Junior quarterback Rodney Landers leads the Dukes in rushing with 757 yards and passing with 1,355 yards on the season. Keeler had nothing but praise for James Madison's star quarterback.
"He's the best athlete we're going to face at quarterback," Keeler said. "He is definitely the guy that makes that operation go. He's a demon."
Even though Delaware faces the CAA's No. 4 defense, the Hens will counter with the nation's leading passing offense. Delaware (7-1, 4-1 CAA) averages 305.6 passing yards per game and its total offense of 483.1 yards per game is top in the FCS.
Senior quarterback Joe Flacco, who was named CAA Offensive Player of the Week for his 434 passing yards and four touchdown performance against Navy on Oct. 27, will have to be at his best against a Dukes' defense that allows less than 180 passing yards per game.
Delaware senior left tackle Greg Benson said the Hens' offensive line has to work as one cohesive unit to protect Flacco. Benson said he is amazed by the performance and field vision Flacco has shown this season.
"We're at the same vantage point and I don't see what he sees," Benson said.
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