The James Madison football team returns seventeen starters to a squad which advanced to the second round of the FCS playoffs last year, before falling to eventual national champion North Dakota State.
Senior quarterback Justin Thorpe says, "We were a step away, and that's the thing that hurts the most, and that's why we're using that as the most motivation."
Thorpe has missed time over the past two seasons due to injury or suspension, but head coach Mickey Matthews is expecting a strong showing from his senior QB.
"We think Justin is the best player in the country," says Matthews. "He's a heck of a competitor, and I know he's really excited about the season."
Former R.E. Lee star Dae'Quan Scott carried the ball 237 times for 1,304 yards last season, which are the third highest single-season totals in school history.
Scott says, "Third is great, but I want to get that #1 spot. Maybe this year."
"He is an off-the-scale competitor," adds Matthews. "On Saturday's, it's very important that his team wins."
The JMU receiving corps gets a boost this year, as former Orange County standout Quintin Hunter is fully recovered from the torn achilles which kept him on the sidelines all of last season.
Hunter says, "I got more experience looking at it from a different point of view, instead of the on-the-field view, so I think that helped a lot."
Terrell Mickens is the cousin the junior running back Scott, and another former standout from R.E. Lee.
Mickens is set to see his first action this year after redshirting his freshman season.
"It was tough," says Mickens. "I don't think I've ever had to sit out and watch. It's definitely a motivator."
The Dukes had the top-ranked defense in the conference last season, and Charlottesville-native Chad Byers expects the "D" to be a strength again this year.
"We have all the talent, so as long as we put the effort out there, we'll be sure to be there," says Byers.
The Dukes open the season September 1st at home against St. Francis.
