Know Your Opponent: Week 1 - James Madison - NC State University Athletics

2017 Recap
JMU went 14-1 and advanced to the NCAA Division 1 National Championships game fro the second straight year last season. The Dukes recorded their first-ever undefeated regular season, and had a CAA conference record 26 straight games won from 2016-17 before falling in the championships game last year to North Dakota State (17-13). The 2017 defense led the nation in scoring defense (11.1 ppg), and they also led the FCS in both interceptions (31) and takeaways (44).

2018 Outlook
They were picked second in all of the FCS. JMU was also predicted to win the CAA in 2018 (21 of 24 first place votes), as the Dukes have won three straight conference titles. They have five preseason FCA All-American selections, led by Sr. CB Rashad Robinson voted as the CAA Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Staff Connections
NC State CBs coach George Barlow will be facing a team he coached for many years. Barlow was with the Dukes from 1999-08, coaching the running backs, defensive line, and safeties. As defensive coordinator in 2004, Barlow helped JMU win the NCAA I-AA national championship. On the other sideline, JMU offensive line coach Steve Shankweiler was a Defensive Analyst with the Wolfpack during the 2017 season.

Player Connections
R-Jr. QB Ben DiNucci started last year vs. NC State for Pitt. In that game, DiNucci was 19-of-32 for 170 yards and one touchdown. Sr. RB Marcus Marshall is from Raleigh's Millbrook High School and is a transfer from Georgia Tech. Marshall set the single-season rushing record at Millbrook with 2,198 yards and 31 touchdowns as a senior. He was a high school teammate of DE James Smith-Williams.

The Series
This will be the first ever meeting between NC State and James Madison.

From the Radio Booth - Dave Thomas
Strength of the offense:
I think you have to say the running game, there are four who could see action. Marcus Marshall (850 yards rushing, 11 TDs in 2017) is a Georgia Tech Tech who had a terrific season last year, really coming on at the end.

It is a spread offense, but the run game is very important and plays a huge role. Marshall is great running the ball out of the spread, and Trai Sharp (759 rushing, 4 TDs in 2017) is a senior who had a good year as well last year. Jawon Hamilton is a transfer from UCF, he made 11 starts as a true freshman back in 2016.

Strength of the defense:
It has to be a toss up between the defensive line and the secondary. We lost two All-American safeties, but there is depth at cornerback. The defense is a 4-2-5, but they switch it around and bring in some different personal. It is a very aggressive defense.

CB Rashad Robinson (7 INTs in 2017) is projected to be the top FCS draft pick in the next NFL Draft, and he has the potential to be really good. Jimmy Moreland (8 INTs, 68 tackles in 2017) is the other corner who can be really good. Just a lot of depth on the back end.

Up front, Ron'Dell Carter (4 sacks in 2017) is probably going to lead that unit, he is a transfer from Rutgers who has a high motor.

Biggest preseason question mark:
I think there are two, and they go hand-in-hand. At quarterback, we graduated Bryan Schor (3,222 yards and 26 TDs in 2017) and there are two guys competing for that job. Junior Cole Johnson was the back-up last year and is in his third year in the program, but he has only played in a couple of games that were on the line. Transfer Ben DiNucci came down from Pittsburgh back in January, and he really had a good last half of spring practice. Those two guys will compete, and who wins the job will be interesting.

Up front, the offensive line because there are 11-13 guys that could see action but there is not a lot of experience. Those seniors on the line, some did get a lot of playing time, but as a while there are inexperience questions. It is a sizeable line, there is some good talent there.

North Carolina State University Athletics

Know Your Opponent: Week 1 - James Madison

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