Image courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications
By Bennett Conlin
JMU football finished 50th in SP+ (a predictive metric created by ESPN’s Bill Connelly) in 2022, an impressive finish in the Dukes’ debut FBS season.
The metric placed the Dukes’ offense (53rd) and defense (46th) in the top half of the country. The special teams unit, however, checked in at No. 110.
ESPN’s efficiency metrics listed JMU’s special teams unit 116th nationally out of 131 teams. For comparison, the Dukes’ offense ranked 68th in efficiency. The defense ranked 13th.
JMU’s defense looked elite throughout much of 2022. The offense flashed stellar moments, too. Both the offense and defense should excite fans entering 2023. Can the special teams unit carry its weight?
Kickers
Camden Wise (R-SR), Connor Madden (R-SR), Nick Gonzalez (R-JR), and Nathan Patterson (FR) are the team’s four kickers.
Wise handled field-goal duties a year ago, going 11-16 (68.75%). He struggled early in the season, but seemed to gain confidence as the year progressed. Wise might never reach Ethan Ratke’s level of consistency, but the Dukes could benefit from Wise converting on at least 70% of his field goals in 2023.
With games against Virginia, Troy, and South Alabama on the team’s 12-game schedule in addition to the SBC East schedule, the Dukes figure to play their share of close games. Every possession matters in tight games, and Wise improving his efficiency could be the difference in close games.
Madden handled the kickoff duties last season, kicking off 63 times. Of those 63 kicks, 38 went for touchbacks. Only one kick went out of bounds. He’s likely the kickoff specialist again in 2023, as he does a nice job booting the ball deep.
Editor’s note: Thanks to Christopher William Jewelers for their advertising support this football season.
Punters
Sam Clark, who was solid last fall, graduated. In comes Ryan Hanson (R-JR), an Arkansas State transfer and a preseason All-Sun Belt selection.
Anybody else amped to watch Hanson punt this fall? No? It’s just me?
I love this portal addition from JMU. Hanson has punted the ball 157 times in his career for an average of 43.1 yards per punt. He’s a consistent weapon in the punting game, and he’s capable of pinning opponents deep in their own territory. Given JMU’s expectations of having a stout defense, creating long fields for opponents should help the Dukes hold teams consistently under 25 points per game.
Hanson is the only punter listed on the roster, as one of the backup kickers will likely step in if Hanson gets injured.
Returners
JMU needs to improve its return game in 2023.
The Dukes averaged 5.7 yards per punt return last season, the 94th-best average in the country. They didn’t return any punts for touchdowns.
On kickoffs, JMU averaged 18.4 yards per return, also the 94th-best average in the country. JMU didn’t return any kickoffs for touchdowns.
The Dukes return game needs to improve, and it can improve.
Josh Sarratt (SR) is a talented punt returner, capable of creating bigger returns than he did last season. On kickoffs, the Dukes can turn to a trio of running backs. Sammy Malignaggi (JR), Wayne Knight (SO), and Solomon Vanhorse (R-SR) all returned kickoffs last season. I’d like to see Vanhorse, if healthy, handle this role throughout the fall.
For JMU to reach its full potential in 2023, it’s time for special teams players to make game-changing plays.
Other special teams groups
Last season, 63 teams didn’t allow any blocked punts. JMU was one of the units that did allow a blocked punt, which went for a touchdown in the team’s 45-38 loss to Georgia Southern.
JMU also allowed multiple field goals blocked last season, of which blame can fall on both the kicker and his protection unit.
On punt coverage, JMU allowed 8.57 yards per return. That was the 89th-best mark in college football. JMU’s kickoff coverage allowed 19.05 yards per return, the 54th-best mark in the country.
JMU didn’t block any field goals or punts.
The coverage units were average, while the protection groups made too many mistakes.
The bottom line
JMU excelled in 2022, winning eight games and making a national statement that the Dukes were plenty ready for an FBS move.
Despite winning eight games and impressing in most areas, the special teams unit made too many big mistakes and failed to create game-altering plays in the return game.
If JMU wants to finish atop the SBC East in 2023, special teams play needs to take a step forward.
Leave a Reply