JMU football returns to action quickly, facing Coastal Carolina on Thursday night on ESPN2. The Dukes can either quickly eliminate the bad taste in their mouth from losing to ULM or they’ll drop two in a row before a mega-challenging road game at Georgia Southern. Needless to say, the Thursday night clash with Coastal (4-1, 1-0 SBC) is critical if JMU (4-1, 0-1 SBC) wants to win the Sun Belt East.

Here’s a look at a few keys to the game.

Lean on the Running Game

Against ULM, JMU threw the ball 47 times. The Dukes’ running backs carried the ball 18 times for 94 yards (5.2 yards per carry) and a TD. The game script forced JMU into some passing situations, but the Dukes also didn’t seem fully committed to relying on their talented running back room. There’s no excuse to throw it 50 times Thursday, as Coastal Carolina’s defensive weakness is its run defense.

The Chanticleers are allowing an average of 195 rushing yards per game, which is 116th nationally. UVA ran for 384 yards in a 19-point road win against Tim Beck’s team, and ODU ran for 200 yards (5.4 yards per carry) last weekend in a narrow loss to Coastal.

The Chanticleers have an explosive offense, and they’re respectable defending the pass. Coastal Carolina ranks 73rd in pass efficiency defense, a middling mark. They’re not great anywhere defensively, but the passing defense is the strength of the subpar unit.

There’s no reason for JMU to be a pass-first offense on Thursday night. Lean on George Pettaway, Tyler Purdy, Wayne Knight, and Jobi Malary. If JMU wants to win the Sun Belt East, the Dukes need to start imposing their will up front. There’s no easier team in the East to bully at the line of scrimmage than Coastal Carolina.

Dominating time of possession also means keeping Coastal’s high-powered offense on the sideline. It’s a win-win.

Force Vasko Left

Ethan Vasko, a redshirt sophomore quarterback, has proven to be a weapon for Coastal Carolina. The Chanticleers’ starter has thrown for 1,101 yards to go with seven touchdowns and just two interceptions. He’s also added 220 rushing yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns. He’s one of the more productive quarterbacks in the Sun Belt East.

Vasko has been particularly fantastic throwing to his right, according to Pro Football Focus. He’s an absurd 11-13 on passes of 20 or more yards to the right side of the field, averaging 29.5 yards per attempt. When throwing deep left or over the middle, Vasko is a pedestrian 3-11.

Big play J!@EthanVasko to @JamesonTucker4 for 40 yards! pic.twitter.com/uolWGgh5iq

— Coastal Football (@CoastalFootball) October 6, 2024

On passes short right, he’s 8-9. He’s only thrown a few passes right and to the intermediate level — he’s 1 of 3 on those — as the Chants love to take deep shots and throw underneath. He’s been a stellar deep ball thrower in 2023, with the majority of his success coming down the right side of the field.

If Chauncey Logan doesn’t play again at corner, will the Dukes look to use more safety help? JMU struggled in its one-on-one matchups against ULM, and the Chanticleers have better receivers than the Warhawks. Jameson Tucker and Cameron Wright are both averaging more than 20 yards per reception, and Coastal Carolina ranks second nationally with 17 passing plays of at least 30 yards. The Chanticleers are explosive, especially if Vasko has time to throw.

His PFF grade with a clean pocket is 90.3. Under pressure, that drops to 50.1. Whether it’s with the defensive linemen or through blitzing, JMU needs to get into Vasko’s face as much as possible Thursday.

Defensive end Eric O’Neill is a key for JMU. He didn’t have a sack against ULM, but he led the team with six pressures. He’s looked like JMU’s best defensive player through five games, and the Dukes need him to pressure the quarterback Thursday.

Be Effective on 4th Down

The Dukes are just 4-12 on fourth down this season, one of the worst conversion percentages in the country. In this game, JMU needs to either convert those plays at a higher rate or start settling for field goals or punts.

For most of the season, field position has been a strength for the Dukes. Game on Paper says JMU’s net field position (the difference in average starting field position between each team) this season has been one of the 10 best in the FBS. The Dukes often have a field position edge over their opponent. That was not the case against ULM.

The Warhawks’ worst starting field position was its own 25. They started five drives at their own 40-yard line or in better field position. As for JMU, the Dukes started seven drives inside their own 20-yard line.

Field position killed JMU, in part because the Dukes turned it over on downs four times. JMU had a massive yardage edge (+142) over ULM, but because of the poor field position, those yards weren’t always turning into points.

JMU needs to be better on fourth downs — whether that’s converting, making a field goal, or getting off a successful punt — to beat the Chanticleers.

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications