Healthy Holloman should bolster JMU

One of the most important components of James Madison's 2008 football team appears to be doing remarkably well in his recovery from knee surgery.

"It's going better than expected," said tailback Eugene Holloman, who had to have surgery twice in seven months on his right knee. "I feel pretty good. I feel almost 100 percent."

Holloman injured his knee in the second game of the 2007 season and had to gain permission from the NCAA to return for a fifth year (third at JMU). The senior rushed for 1,085 yards in 2006 and scored eight touchdowns.

"It [surgery] felt real good after the one in March," he said. "It didn't feel good after the one in September. It felt like something was still wrong with it. But in March, he really cleaned it out and it felt a lot better."

With Holloman healthy, the Dukes are expected to contend for the Colonial Athletic Association title and possibly make a deep run in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

"With Eugene back, it will take a ton of pressure off the younger backs to carry the load," said quarterback Rodney Landers. "We've seen what we can do last year [8-4 record]. We just need to put it together and take care of the football."

The Dukes lost 15 fumbles last year and were minus six in turnover margin.

U.Va. game looming closer for UR, London

The University of Richmond opens its season on Aug. 30 at Elon, but new coach Mike London can't help but think about the second game on the Spiders' schedule.

That's when UR will visit Charlottesville for a Sept. 6 date with the University of Virginia, where London spent six of the past seven seasons as an assistant under Al Groh.

"Elon is first and foremost on our minds, because they're very talented," London said Wednesday, during CAA media day in Baltimore. "They've got a great quarterback and a great wide receiver. We play at their place. Opening game. Elon is similar to the University of Richmond in terms of their message."

The Phoenix, members of the Southern Conference, have 18 starters from last year's 7-4 club, featuring sophomore QB Scott Riddle and junior wideout Terrell Hudgins.

"But you have to be honest with yourself," London said. "When you spend six years at a place, you just don't discount it. I'm sure when the time comes, it'll be a special moment."

The UR-U.Va. game is set for a 3:45 p.m. kickoff and will be televised on ESPNU.

CAA TV package continues to grow

The CAA will have at least 37 of its games on TV this season, a larger package than the league debuted with a year ago. Twenty-one of the games will be conference matchups shown on the Comcast networks (CN8, CSN). Richmond and JMU are each scheduled for six appearances, while William and Mary will be on twice. More could be added in the playoffs.

--John Packett