JMU fans were mad about the Dukes’ quarterback rotation against Louisville. Matthew Sluka played 30 snaps and rushed the ball 21 times, running more than all of the team’s running backs combined. Why not give the ball to running backs George Pettaway and Wayne Knight?

Coach Bob Chesney answered that after the game by saying they needed to use the plus-one running game to create a minor edge in the trenches.

Chesney felt the Dukes needed an extra blocker (the running back) against a stout Louisville defensive front. The Dukes’ offense was overpowered up front in the Louisville loss.

“That team was really, really good,” Chesney said this Monday.

Don’t fret, JMU fans. The running backs should make a major return in the coming weeks.

The Dukes’ next three opponents — Liberty, Georgia Southern, and Georgia State — all rank in the bottom 12 nationally in rushing defense. The trio all yields over 200 rushing yards per game, with each team allowing at least 4.9 yards per carry.

Welcome back to the game plan, Pettaway and Knight.

The duo both average more than 8 yards per pop this fall, and they’re complemented by power backs Jobi Malary (6.2 yards per carry) and Jordan Fuller (4.4 yards per carry). JMU’s offensive front posted a Pro Football Focus run blocking grade of 52.1 against the Cardinals. Against Weber State, the Dukes had a 69.8 grade. When the line holds up, the running backs will get the ball.

“I’m excited for them to be highlighted,” Chesney said Monday.

The upcoming opponents have struggled to stop the run, with Liberty allowing Jacksonville State to rush for 338 yards in Week 2. The Gamecocks dominated up front without generating holding penalties — they only had one penalty as a team for the entire 60 minutes — and without a passing game. The Gamecocks threw for a whopping 52 yards in their 34-24 win over the Flames.

Jacksonville State used a similar game plan to nearly beat Georgia Southern, losing 41-34 and racking up 214 rushing yards on 5 yards per carry. Running back Cam Cook rushed for 315 yards and two touchdowns on 50 carries over the two games.

While fans shouldn’t anticipate JMU abandoning the quarterback running game/rotation this weekend — Sluka and Barnett are dynamic runners in space — it’s likely JMU brings its running backs into the fold in a major way over the next three games.

“Last week was just different,” Chesney said. “That defensive line and those linebackers were just a little bit different.”

JMU’s hectic quarterback rotation was likely a one-off game plan created for a blocking edge against an elite defense. The Dukes don’t need that against the remaining teams on the schedule.

It’s time to lean on the traditional running game, and Chesney knows it.

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications